Eating Out

A Camera Etrusca photography workshop is not just about f stops and depth of field it’s about living the Italian way of life: good food, excellent wines, and local specialities like olive oil

Breakfast

We don’t have breakfast in the B&B, but outdoors across the Piazza del Popolo in the charming patisserie Café Scarponi - breakfast is on us.

Scarponi’s speciality is chocolate in all its manifestations, but they also do sandwiches and savouries, as well as freshly pressed orange juice. This is where we outline the day’s schedule and is a good time to discuss the basics of photography while the mind is fresh! Here Donatella brings out the cappuccino. On Thursdays and Saturdays we are surrounded by all the hubub of the market.

Master Class

Patrick Nicholas operates master classes once or twice a year based on his images in the Belle series. You can see them on his site photonicholas.com

If you are interested in pursuing a master class in the landscape with model please contact specifying ‘Master Class’
Topics covered: lighting, both natural and artificial, on location using flash, reflectors, diffusers and simple means such as a hand held torch (flashlight); creating atmosphere using smoke; props and drapery; make-up and styling; post production in Photoshop and fine-art printing.
We also use 120 film on this course so if you have a medium format camera this is the time to use it. If not we can lend you the Mamiya and lenses.  We process and scan C41 film in the same day. This workshop is really designed for photographers with some experience and who have the right equipment - that said we can lend a tripod if you want to save weight.
Check out Patrick Nicholas’ website - many images from the Belle series (including the image above) have been shot in the landscape around Orvieto.

Tuscia

Our Italian photography workshops are based in the historic centre of the ancient city of Orvieto (above) in Umbria, in Central Italy.

Orvieto is situated at the cusp of three regions: Umbria, Tuscany and the lesser known Latium. Orvieto, perched on a volcanic rock, is known the world over for its gothic cathedral and fine wine, but it is also deservedly famous for its wonderful restaurants.

Orvieto is mainly pedestrianised and is a delight to amble round. It boasts fine shops, delightful street cafés, cocktail bars as well as street theatre, concerts and dance festivals in the summer months. Orvieto doesn’t have a single traffic light.

Orvieto is on the main north-south rail route and autostrada, one hour north of Rome, 90 minutes south of Florence. The famous Tuscan wine district of Montalcino (home of Brunello) is half an hour away. In fact many of the world’s finest wines come from a radius of 50km from Orvieto.

Orvieto Google map
The ancient Romans called this part of Central Italy Etruria and the inhabitants Etruscans, later on this area became known as Tuscia - whence the word Tuscany. Clearly visible on the Google map is Lake Bolsena - the second biggest crater lake in the world but is much deeper than its rival Titicaca.

Here you’ll see the remains of ancient civilisations, Etruscan cemeteries, Roman acquaducts, Mediaeval castles and churches, Renaissance buildings and gardens. But there are natural beauties as well, the unrivalled beauties of the Tuscan countryside below Siena (above), the lovely Lake Bolsena, the nearby wonders of the Mediterranean coast (below).

We will take you across this landscape unrivalled by anything else in the world by Land Rover. You will visit areas un-reachable by any other means of transport except possibly mule.

We will get you there at the right time for the right shot. Patrick Nicholas has known the area since 1985 and has knowledge to rival the locals. He’s something of an expert too on The Etruscans and the Renaissance so if you’re interested - just ask him!

Transfers and Transport
- A pick up from Orvieto train station with a transfer to your B&B/hotel is included in the price
- Orvieto can be reached from Rome Termini central station in 55 minutes by train, trains run hourly during the day
- You will be out and about for most of the day and all transport will be included in a 4x4 vehicle as you get off the beaten track, down dirt roads, over fields, through streams and out to beaches

Tuscia - the book. Patrick Nicholas has made a Blurb book containing scores of landscape photographs of the area . You can preview the book on line here:Tuscia

We now set a voluntary project on each workshop, namely to create a Blurb book along similar lines to Patrick’s using the photos you take on the workshop. It helps give shape and purpose to the course as well as helping to keep an eye open for things that you might otherwise think unimportant such as details, shapes, textures and faces. Check out Blurb - it’ not difficult at all to make your own photography book to give to friends or even sell.

Civita di Bagnoregio

Civita di Bagnoregio is a really ancient place but sadly is now in a state of terminal decay. The tufa cliffs on which it is built are crumbling into the valley below taking houses with them. Until comparatively recently the road signs pointed to Civita, la citta che muore - the dying city. They were removed as this gloomy message appears to have discouraged tourists, but unfortunately the dying continues apace.  That said, it is a supremely melancholic place to photograph. Rather like a miniature Orvieto (15miles away) it is perched on a hill, with the most dramatic backdrop of crumbling clay ridges and ravines, with the Apennines looming in the far distance, it is rather like an Italian Monument valley.

The mercifully almost un-restored church of St Donato stands on the site of an Etruscan temple, the pillars of which still front the square which in turn is unpaved and serves as a racecourse for the absolutely un-thrilling donkey-derby held twice a year.

Although many of the buildings are in ruins - including the birthplace of St Bonaventura most of which has fallen over the edge - many of the old buildings around the square have been sympathetically restored and turned into weekend bolt-holes mainly for arty Romans. The film director Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso) has a house there and uses it to write his screenplays.

Bagnoregio has been attacked by the Goths, bombed by the Germans, shaken by earthquakes but the worst devastation in my opinion was caused by the engineer who built the hideous new bridge up to the town in 1965 - thank goodness for Photoshop - and with luck maybe one day it will be replaced, but by then the rest of the town may have crumbled into the ravine.

Orvieto

Orvieto is ancient city on the top of a volcanic rock surrounded by hills covered with vines and olives, the snow topped high Apennines visible in the far distance. It is noted for its wine especially the Orvieto Classico which I am reliably informed can even be found on the remote Caribbean island of St Vincent.
Less than an hour from Rome, it is a bustling place full of street cafés, restaurants and smart shops. The centre is largely pedestrianised and there is not a single traffic light in the entire city.

Shooting at Vulci

One of our favourite places is in the gorge at Vulci. There is a secret path down to the fast flowing stream so nobody ever disturbs us. Here Patrick and Salim from the 2011 masterclass discuss the location for Salim’s definitive shot of the day (below)

photo: Salim Douba

Poppie fields

Poppie season begins in mid May

Book now for the poppy season and benefit from low airline prices.The Italian campagna comes alive with colour in May. The Italian light makes a poppy even redder.

Reviews

Date of review: 29 Jan 2011
While traveling in Italy, we spend a glorious late October day in Orvieto, the medieval Italian town perched on top of a rock between heaven and earth. As an amateur art photographer, I am slowly and methodically building a body of work to be proud of, and as I walked past Patrick Nicholas’ gallery in the “downtown” Orvieto, my head…
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“This course has been a fabulous experience! We arrived a couple of days before and stayed just outside Orvieto in a fantastic hotel called InnCasa (http://www.inncasa.eu) so we were refreshed and relaxed before the photography began. Patrick Nicholas picked us up in his beat up Land Rover as promised right on time at the top of the Orivieto Funilcular and our course began straight away with wine and pizza then a gear review. The accommodation Patrick supplies is charming and comfortable but we were seduced so much by InnCasa we decided to go back there and use the hotel as the base for our course. Orivieto is a beautiful town and Patrick knows the place and it’s people like the back of his hand. A ‘frightfully English’ chap, Patrick has spent half of his adult life in Italy and speaks Italian like the true local man he is. You could not wish for a better guide for the area and his photography skills are second to none. Not only did we see all the best spots in the area through the 3 day course we learnt an amazing amount from him about photography and the history of the local area. From ancient Italian towns and architecture through to the beautiful rolling Tuscan landscape we photographed it all! Going off road in the Landrover and picnicing in 2500 year old tombs were some amazing moments. Patrick’s course encourages you to discover the culture as well as the correct aperture and shutter speeds! We were fortunate in that it was just two of us on the course, but we are considering going back again next year!”

Sam Cranwell (UK)

"One of my best trips anywhere ever, and I’ve travelled a lot. Patrick is a great host, and a fantastic photographer with a lot of experience that he passes on in the course. His local knowledge is brilliant and this adds to the already superb experience. Would love to come again - had a great time and the area is so beautiful and full of history!”
Michael Dewhirst (UK)
Michael’s site

Reviews

What have prevous participants on Camera Etrusca photographic workshops said about the experience?

Read Clara Fay’s (Bermuda) review on Trip Advisor

I can’t believe how photogenic Italy is-- or is it just ones frame of mind when in a new place… Just this morning, over coffee, we were reflecting on our day with you.  Marianne and I both remember it as one of the highlights of our vacation.  Specifically, you helped me to improve my confidence, AND made it possible for us to see places that the average tourist would not.  Thank you SO much for making yourself available.  Do you have any idea how much fun it was?-- we were so “bagged” by the time you chucked us out at the B&B, we showered and slept like stone for 10 hours straight.
Through my work I have travelled alone to many places and met many new
people, though signing up solo for a week photography course in Italy
did create some apprehension. On arrival my apprehension immediately
disappeared and the week proved to be my best ‘time-out’ yet!
Michael Reinhart (Canada)

Patrick proved to transfer his photographic knowledge in a fun,
enjoyable and easy way within a small and mixed experienced group. He brought us to the most off the beaten track of locations,
super places to eat and cared for us quite literally from dawn ‘til
dusk.  Not only will your photographic skills be improved but your
knowledge of the local area, especially if you read DH Lawrence’s Etruscan Places
(the English novelist who visited the places you will visit).

I’m already signed up for my second course ( a weekend in Venice) and
have enthusiastically shared my first photography course wonderful
memories and experience to all whom I have since met.

Nic van den Bremer-Hornsby (The Netherlands)

If you are looking for a wonderful location to improve your photography skills we enthusiastically recommend
CameraEtrusca in Orvieto. This is a photography workshop run by Patrick Nicholas, a British ex-pat and 25+ year resident of Orvieto. All his workshops are usually limited to no more than six people. Ours had four people and the skill levels varied, however Patrick was able to patiently assist at each level. Each morning we’d meet at a local coffee shop near his studio. We’d chat about the days objectives and head out in his Land Rover to locations it might take the average person years to find. Ideal locales, perfect angles and all at the best hour to get the shot. Lest you think this was all about catching the “magic hour”, we found that Patrick was quite an authority on the Etruscan and Roman archeology and history of the area. We would be lying if we said that between the history lessons and his recounting the story of his life we all had our share of laughs. Did I mention the food. First of all there are no bad meals in Italy.  We had some memorable ones. It was truffle and mushroom season and every place we ate had a number of dishes infused with black or white truffles, and porcini mushrooms. At the conclusion of our workshop we worked on editing our images, while learning new skills we could take away. All in all it was a great experience, one I would recommend to anyone.
Bob Tepe (USA)

Corpus Domini Orvieto

Corpus Domini in Orvieto - a two day festival celebrating the miracle of Bolsena held on the Pentecost weekend which this year is 9 & 10 June, 2012. The townsfolk dress up in splendid mediaeval costumes, the women on Saturday, the men on Sunday, children on both days. The miracle is said to have occurred in 1263 and the cathedral of Orvieto was built to house the sacred relics.

Corpus Domini Orvieto

The Barabbata

The Barabbata Festival is held every year on 14 May on the shores of Lake Bolsena in the fishing village of Marta. The festival is a catholicised re-enaction of pagan rites of spring and consists of parading a portrait of the Virgin through the town and up to the church at the top of the hill. What sets it apart from thousands of other religious festivals is the enthusiasm with which the townsfolk construct their highly elaborate floats each year. These have got so big over the years that most of them can no longer manage the narrow lanes of the old town and have to be paraded along the main thoroughfare. Despite its devotion to the Madonna it’s an all male affair, the woman are restricted to casting flowers from their balconies. The ‘modern’ festival dates back to 1563 though it probably has its origins in pagan Etruscan festivities.

The trades involved are the fishermen; the shepherds; the ‘butteri’, the cowboys of the Maremma; the herdsmen and the villani, the villains or peasants all dressed in their traditional costume. All is accompanied by loud cheering of “Evviva Maria, evviva il santisimo sacramento, Evviva la Madonna!” and there is also a noisy local band led, rather incongruously given the antiquity of the festival, by majorettes twirling their batons.
The festival starts at 4.00 AM with a drummer beating round the town awakening all the participants to put the finishing touches to their floats. They then start forming up along the lake shore from about 8 and the procession heads off through the town from 9 arriving at the church of the Madonna del Monte above the town at around noon where everyone then indulges in a wine picnic surrounded by their on-looking animals.

Read more about The Barabbata Festival on Lake Bolsena in May

Rome Workshops

From November to April we run weekend workshops in the Eternal City starting Friday morning finishing Sunday late afternoon. We can arrange accommodation in B&B, or a variety of hotels, see accommodation

Rome has a wonderful climate, winters are mild and sunny and it’s not at all unusual to lunch outside in January and February. The light too is wonderful and for those accompanying there are wonderful shopping opportunities!

Price: €250 per day per person (minimum 2 days) 3 days €695 - couples €195 each per day per person. Price includes light lunch, tuition, transportation within Rome. Excluded: airfares, accommodation, entrance fees.

Accommodation in Rome

Stopping over in Rome before or after the workshop? We can recommend:
B&B Ondina in the heart of Rome’s Prati district not far from the Vatican in Via Tacito 64 Tel&Fax +39 063233955 cell:0039 3391405593 Prati is one of the chicest quarters with fine shopping, theatres and nightlife.
Ondina

B&B Arco dei Tolomei in Trastevere Arco dei Tolomei

Hotel Residenza Santa Maria in Trastevere Santa Maria

Hotel Adriano via Pallacorda 2 0668802451 Fax 68803926 just round the corner from Via del Corso and the Trevi Fountain in the very heart of RomeHotel Adriano
Hotel Caesar House near the Colosseum in Via Cavour 310 064741503 Fax 474150 Caesar House
Hotel Santa Maria, Trastevere in Vicolo del Piede 2 - 06 5894626 Fax 5894815 - very nice inner courtyard and garden.
Hotel Santa Maria

Accommodation in Orvieto

Accommodation is included in the base price and is in bed and breakfast in the historic centre of Orvieto.All rooms are en-suite and have wifi. We usually use the charming Bed and Breakfast La Soffitta (photo below), an attractive flat with six spacious attic rooms in Piazza del Popolo in the heart of Orvieto. It has antique beams, terracotta floors and en-suite bathrooms in every room. For reviews on Trip Advisor here If you are coming with a non-photographing partner or if you just prefer to stay in a 3 or 4 star hotel please let us know. We can recommend a variety of hotels and agriturismos in and around Orvieto: with pool, spa/wellness centre with sauna, yoga, and more.

Palazzo del Popolo (above), Orvieto, on market day. La Soffitta is the top floor of the building on the left looking over the piazza.

The charming green room (below) at La Soffitta

We can recommend:

in Orvieto’s historic centre

**** Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini

**** Hotel Maitani (pictured at top of page)

**** Hotel Aquila Bianca

*** Hotel Virgilio

outside Orvieto

**** Spa Hotel Inn Casa

Agriturismo (farmhouse hotel) just below the mediaeval walls of Orvieto Casa Selita

Picnics & Eating out

Lunch on the roof terrace in Orvieto

Picnic in Pitigliano (below left)

We provide a generous picnic: buffalo mozzarella, pecorino cheese, Parma Ham, roast chicken, salad, fruit etc, plus mineral water and local wine.

Alternatively we could go to a ‘rosticceria’ or take away with tables outside. We often go to a shop like this one, Anna Polidori’s, in Pitigliano - choose whatever takes your fancy.

We provide two evening restaurant meals on the week’s workshop - one usually in Orvieto and another out, either by Lake Bolsena or on the Mediterranean coast.

This (below left) is the view of the piazza in Sovana from one of our favourite spots for eating out in the evening. The restaurant is famous for its Tuscan specialities such as wild boar stew flavoured with juniper, picci all’agliata (fresh pasta with garlic and tomato sauce), acqua cotta (literally cooked water - a sort of substantial spinach soup), and more......

Italy is a great place for vegetarians and lovers of fresh fish. Lake Bolsena has many restaurants around its shores, but our favourite is Mauro’s (below left) Paradiso del Pescatore.

Right on the lake, Mauro goes out every day at dawn in his typical flat bottomed bright red fishing boat and later serves up his catch of corregone (the delectable lake fish the size of a herring), perch, eel, and pike.  His wife Maria also serves sea fish bought fresh every day from the local market: mussels, sea bass, white bait, clams.......They also do vegetarian and meat dishes.

All this and the local white wine Est! Est!! Est!! - so called from a scout of the Holy Roman Emperor’s who was detailed to go ahead and check out the victuals and wine for the imperial party. When he found wine fit for an emperor he wrote ‘Est’ (this is it) on the cellar door. He was so impressed with Bolsena’s wine from Montefiascone he wrote Est! Est!! Est!!.

The scout returned to Bolsena after his imperial duties and died apparently of a surfeit of Est! Est!! Est!! in 1113 and is buried in San Flaviano. Every year there is a week long wine festival in his honour at Montefiascone in mid August.

Oysters and Spumante by the lake at Vulci. If you like oysters tell us and we’ll pick them up in Bolsena on the way through.

Left:  the red fishing boat on Lake Bolsena in front of Capodimonte

Links: Pitigliano, the Little Jerusalem

Lake Bolsena, the biggest crater lake in Europe

Winter Workshop Venice

Every year we hold a long weekend winter workshop the first weekend in December. This year it will be the w/e of 4/5/6 December. Friday Saturday and Sunday nights. The beginning of advent means the Christmas illuminations will be lit and Venice has some of the loveliest festive window displays of anywhere in the world so it’s a guite a temptation to do some Christmas shopping in an exotic location.

Venice is at its most mysterious and photogenic in winter: very few tourists, fog on occasions, high tides that can flood St Mark’s, cosy little bars and restaurants........but when the sun comes out the colours!

It can be cold and damp in Venice so wrap up warm!

And when the tide comes up the sea may even come into the hotel lobby! But don’t worry, Venetians are used to it. You can buy waterproof waders and they put trestles out to walk on - a truly unique experience.

Photos by clients

Below are some images taken by Camera Etrusca clients on photo workshops in Tuscany, Umbria, Latium, Venice and Rome.

Alex Clarke (Camera Etrusca, July 2011) has posted a lot of entertaining and beautiful pictures taken during the workshop on Google Plus. His many beautiful and varied pictures give a real feel to what a Camera Etrusca photography workshop in Italy is like.

Alex Clarke’s images

Typical Workshop Week

Typical one week Tuscan-Umbrian Photography workshop itinerary (the short break will be the first 4 days)

Arrival Pick Up
- Friday is your arrival day
- You’ll be collected from Orvieto train station in the morning and transferred to your accommodation as your course starts after lunch on Friday afternoon
- Please note that Orvieto station is just 60 minutes from Rome Termini station
- Alternatively you can arrive on Thursday evening and add an extra night or nights to your trip with prices from 45 Euros for a single person, to book any number of extra nights at the beginning or end of your trip, please email us.

Day 1 Friday – Orvieto and environs in Umbria
- Your course starts early after lunch with a wander around the beautiful city of Orvieto, the home of your photography tutor and famous the world over. Orvieto like most of the towns in Umbria is an Etruscan city overlaid with Roman, Mediaeval and Renaissance buildings. The mediaeval quarter is so picturesque film crews often shoot here. The city was painted by William Turner who was struck by its site on an outcrop of rock above the Tiber valley and the cathedral is one of the wonders of Italy.
- This evening is free.

Day 2 Saturday – Lake Bolsena
- Your photo workshop starts after breakfast at 8.30. You’ll take a trip in the 4x4 to the dramatic Lake Bolsena only 20 minutes away, to capture the stunning scenery around its shores. You’ll focus on shooting the working fishing villages with their boats, nets and gnarled fishermen ideal for experimenting with depth of field, vivid colour composition, movement and portraiture. There are Etruscan tombs overlooking the lake where we practice dynamic range photography (HDR), balancing the gloom within, to the bright Mediterranean light outside.
- Dinner is taken at a lakeside restaurant tonight

Day 3 Sunday – Tyrrhenian coastline and Vulci
- Vulci , an Etruscan city of 50,000 inhabitants, now completely in ruins, is a wonderful place for photographers. There is a mediaeval castle next to the so called ‘Devil’s Bridge’ of Etruscan origin spanning a deep ravine with a torrent below. High cliffs encrusted with stalactites , raging waters running over black basalt rocks, a high waterfall plunging into a lake surrounded by steep escarpments are just some of the attractions.- You’ll have the morning in Orvieto to review the results of your photography from yesterday and will work with your tutor as he gives you an overview of how to use Photoshop.
-The Coast- just 7 km from Vulci. Using a tripod to catch the motion of the waves and take an abstract approach as you photograph bleached white skeleton trees washed up the shore. 
- Your evening is free

Day 4 Monday – The Hill Towns of Tuscany
Pitigliano, Sorano and Sovana
- After a short drive, you’ll spend a relaxing morning on the shores of Lake Bolsena.
- After a picnic lunch on the shore you’ll get back in the 4x4 to drive to three hill top towns in Tuscany, these towns are among the most picturesque in all of Italy and all three have been continuously inhabited since Etruscan times, 3000 years of history, a Jewish ghetto until the 1930s. The view of the town from the abandoned Jewish cemetery is very moving.
- You’ll also have the chance to document Italian life and the people.
- This evening is free

Day 5 Tuesday – Mysterious Tuscia
- An early start again today with a drive to the Mysterious Etruria. The Etruscan civilization was here while Rome was still a swampy village, most of what the Etruscans have left is cut deep into the volcanic rock, the tufa. You will explore their sacred ways, cut deep into the rock for unknown purposes This is ideal terrain for photo-stitching, multiple shots joined together to make a panoramic view in a confined space.
The Etruscans loved water and you will spend the rest of the day photographing the waterfalls and streams that are to be found all over this area.
- This evening is free.

Day 6 Wednesday – Classic Tuscan Landscape
- After a short drive, you’ll shoot vine covered hills, hot springs, lonely umbrella pines, sentinel cypress and characteristic farms and villas - the classic Tuscan landscape south of Siena called the Val d’Orcia. The afternoon is free for shopping in Orvieto or relaxing in hot springs.
- Dinner tonight will be taken with the group in Tuscany

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Day 7 Thursday – Orvieto and Bagnoregio
- Today is the last day of your photography course and you’ll check-out of your accommodation after an early breakfast.
- Leaving the hotel early, you’ll photograph Orvieto from the hill opposite. As the sun comes up the mist often comes up from the Tiber valley. Then it’s back in the 4x4 to drive to nearby Bagnoregio an almost deserted town, a sort of mediaeval ghost town. 
- After lunch, your photography holiday finishes and you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you will be taking home new found photography skills and pictures to be proud of.

Watch a video shot in June 2010 of Patrick leading a group of youngsters from a Swiss International school on a workshop in and around Orvieto. Some of the places visited: Orvieto, Bolsena, Sorano, Pitigliano.

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Tuscany

Camera Etrusca photography workshops are based in Orvieto - in Umbria, an unrivalled part of Italy as it embraces three regions, so you will not only see the breathtaking landscape of Tuscany, but the hill towns of Umbria and the unjustly little known Latium (the region of Rome) with its lakes, ravines and forests, as well.

Is there another part of the world which offers such variety to the photographer in such a small area?

The ever photogenic but oh so melancholy cypress tree is one of the leitmotivs of Southern Tuscany.

In San Quirico d’Orcia (left) there’s a whole clump of them, planted after the First World War as a memorial - each tree standing for a fallen soldier.

Pitigliano in Tuscany (left & below) is one of our favourite places. A hilltop town built entirely of Tufa - the ochre coloured volcanic stone used all over Tuscia - it glows in the evening light. The photo left shows the Jewish cemetery in Pitigliano. For more about Pitigliano: The Little Jerusalem

On the Tuscan borders lies an old papal customs post, Vulci (below). Once a powerful Etruscan city, now not a soul inhabits this sublime and beautiful place.

Near Orvieto is Civita di Bagnoregio (below) - known as the dying city. Over the centuries the buildings have been falling into the ravine. Behind are the crete, the sandstone bluffs that are so typical of this part of the world up as far as Siena. Photo by CE client Emily Kalmon

Our Land Rover Discovery will get you off the beaten track in air conditioned comfort to the right place, at the right time of day, for the right light.

The hot springs are a great place to relax after shooting. This is Emily who came to do a workshop in early March - just as well she brought her costume.

FAQ

I am an absolute beginner and I only have a ‘point and shoot’ - may I come?

Certainly! CE caters for all levels. Groups are small, never more than 6, so the tutor will always have time to dedicate to you personally. Besides, more advanced participants are usually only too happy to share their knowledge and experience.

I don’t have digital camera only a film camera, but I’m thinking of buying a digital camera, should I buy one before I come?
You can shoot film and also process colour negative whilst you’re here. We can lend you a digital SLR camera so if you are uncertain about how to invest your money you might prefer to wait till you have completed the workshop.

I have heard that you need a tripod - is it really necessary?
We always recommend a tripod but if you don’t already have one we can lend you one free of charge. Don’t bother to bring a lightweight video type tripod.

Do you do image manipulation and computer work generally?
Nowadays ‘post production’ (cataloguing digital images, manipulation and digital printing) are such an integral part of the photographic process that we certainly do devote time to them. We illustrate the wonders of Lightroom, Photoshop and also give you the opportunity to print while you are with us.

Can I stay in a hotel rather than B&B?
Certainly. Let us know what kind of hotel and we’ll give you a list of alternatives. In this case you pay the hotel direct and we shall deduct the percentage which pertained to the cost of B&B from the price of the workshop.

Shall I have time to do some shopping or visit sights unconnected with the workshop?
You may take time out whenever you like. That said a half day during the holiday week is given over to free time - usually Tuesday.

I am touring Italy - may I do a one day workshop?

Of course. On a one day workshop we usually go to nearby Bagnoregio or Lake Bolsena and return in time for dinner. CE provides transport by Land Rover, tuition and lunch. Price for one person only €250, couples €350

About Us

Camera Etrusca is an adventure photographic workshop - off the beaten track in Italy and off the road too, but with all the advantages that the lively and supremely picturesque city of Orvieto offers.

Director and Course Leader is professional photographer Patrick Nicholas. Originally from Oxford, he has a degree in photography, and has lived and worked in Italy since 1984. He speaks Italian fluently. You can visit his site: photonicholas.com. There you’ll find photos of the gallery, landscape photos (especially of the area in which CE operates), figure studies, portraits, and more. Patrick Nicholas has his own photography blog.

Patrick Nicholas is ably assisted by professional photographers and local residents Martin Poole, Nick Cornish and professional nature photographer Paul Harcourt Davies who has an informative and entertaining blog, more than just nature photography

Groups are small, never more than six persons.

Accommodation is in comfortable Bed & Breakfast in the ancient centre of Orvieto. We can also arrange for large groups of students of 20 or more. We’ll get you comfortably over the most rugged terrain by Land Rover Discovery and take you to places that you would never be able to find on your own, and all this with your tutor close at hand to encourage and advise you. (Below: Patrick Nicholas with a group at Vulci)

This is a landscape where almost every civilisation has left its mark: Roman ruins, Etruscan temples, mediaeval castles………If it all gets too much you can always go jump in the lake (photo below). We go as far as the Mediterranean coast with its sand dunes as well as rocky cliffs.

Prices and Dates 2012

Workshops start Friday all year round. The exception is May for the Barabbata workshop because the festival always falls on 14 May
However if these dates don’t fit with your holiday plans we also organise impromptu workshops so just get in touch and say when you want to come. Remember! If you are already in Italy you can do a one or two day excursion. These are arranged on an ad hoc basis - just give us a call +39 347 2752630

short breaks - 4 days 3 nights - starts any Friday

Saturday May 12 - 15 - The Barabbata festival (see highlights for details)

Holiday Weeks 7 days, 6 nights - starts any Friday

The Barabbata festival (see highlights for details)
Saturday May 12 - Fri 18

Prices: (in €uros)

One Day Workshops already in Italy and fancy doing a one or two day workshop? No problem. Workshop usually starts 8.30 - 9.30 with meeting over breakfast then it’s off to Lake Bolsena or Bagnoregio or Pitigliano - light lunch out, back to Orvieto in time for dinner. You can learn and see a lot in a day. By Land Rover off the road and off the beaten track - it’s an intense experience. Price: one person only €295, couples €350; group of more than two persons €145 per person - max 6 persons. Accommodation not included. Half day in Orvieto on a photographic walkabout: one person only €145, couples €195.

Short breaks 3 nights in B&B
single in double room €832
per person sharing double room (specify twin or double bed) €699

Holiday Weeks 6 nights
single in double room €1,599
per person sharing double room (specify twin or double bed) €1,217

non-participating (a companion who is staying and sharing room but won’t be taking part in the photo excursions other than a day or two with us) €450

Included in price is: accommodation, breakfast, simple lunch (with wine), daily excursions by Land Rover, tuition, use of computer (we do recommend you bring your laptop if you have one), printer, first and last night’s dinner (first night only for short break).

Accommodation

Accommodation is in bed and breakfast in the historic centre of Orvieto. All rooms are en-suite. We usually use the Bed and Breakfast La Soffitta, a modernised mediaeval building in Piazza del Popolo in the heart of Orvieto. It has antique beams, terracotta floors and en-suite bathrooms in every room. If you prefer to stay in a 3 or 4 star hotel please let us know.

PAYMENT

deposit €250 per person ASAP after booking - please use Pay Pal. When using Pay Pal please use this email address: info@patnicholas.com.

Balance on arrival. We accept all major credit cards. However we cannot take credit card payments (with the exception of American Express) until you arrive.
For a quick currency conversion click here

Orvieto (below) - view from a B&B and bedroom in Orvieto