New beginnings
'To offer you on your birthday what I deem the greatest gift, I promise to take you on a trip to Genoa next spring …'
Richard Wagner to Minna Wagner, 1853.
Note: I wanted to send this first newsletter out to everyone I have had a certain level of contact with however I won't do that again without you subscribing. If you would like to receive this newsletter in future, subscribe to this Newsletter.
This newsletter … a first from me, is all about announcing a change of direction. A redirection of my passion for photography, one that incorporates my enjoyment of people and travel, and of Genoa in Italy.
These last few months, I've been busy researching and designing a 5-day photography travel workshops. Those who follow my blog know that Genoa, (Genova in Italian) is an Italian city much-loved by me. Over time, I have come to realise just how few people seem to know anything about it. People passing through tend to do just that, pass through. My idea is that Genoa, previously known as La Superba, requires you explore her. She's not a shallow, superficial city … she has depths and layers, secret corners and glorious stories.
The photography tour/workshop will happen between 16-20 April, 2012. If you would like to know more, my marketing partner, Hanna Kuikka, has put together a slideshow that gives you a taste how things will be in Genoa. Our hope is that it gives you a real sense of the beauty of both the people and the place. In related news, I wanted to offer a gift to everyone who registers for the Genoa workshop. Gert and I have created a photography e-course that takes you through the technical aspects of photography in an accessible way. The 14-module course will just invite you to explore your camera, and to become familar with it in ways that can only enhance your time in Italy. More news to follow in the weeks ahead.
Discovering Your Way of Seeing
'...And now I am in a beautiful city, in a truly beautiful city, Genoa. I walk on marble: the stairways, balconies and palaces. The palaces are so close they almost touch and from the street, one can see noble ceilings, all richly painted and gilded.
Here I open my eyes wide on everything, innocently, simply … '
Gustave Flaubert.
I will run the first in a series of photography workshops in Genoa, Italy, for between 4 and 6 women. It's a photography workshop that was born out of a desire to share my way of wandering and taking photographs ... but most particularly with women. Over the years, I have met so many women who might not make this kind of trip alone but would love to wander with a small group of like-minded souls.
This workshop series has also grown out of a realisation that some women lack confidence in photography, despite having a most exquisite eye for framing and the ability to capture the feeling in a moment. It seems, to me, that they have listened to voices that impose a sometimes extreme emphasis on technical knowledge when using a camera. Voices that completely discount the power of the 'eye' ... voices that discount the power of our individual ways of seeing.
David duChemin is my big photographic hero and I think his book, 'Vision is Better', expands my idea that photography is more about the eye than technical expertise or equipment. Note: Everyone coming on this course will receive a free copy of this pdf book, courtesy of David and his crew. Check out his website, as he offers much accessible wisdom when it comes to photography ... to life too.
For me, it's about exploring and coming to understand your own personal way of seeing. It's about how you capture the moment. It's about what you see. It's about learning to respect your creative vision or sight. And along the way, hopefully we will come to see that, sometimes, breaking the 'rules' of photography is actually where the magic happens.
Photography Ideas
My best advice, when it comes to photography, is that you commit to accruing flying hours from the start. You need to know the basics … well, you don't, you can use Auto and this will quite possibly be enough however just taking a few steps towards understanding how to use modes like AV or TV (if your camera has them) can allow you to stretch your wings until using those modes becomes an instinctive action too. And who knows where that will lead ...
Suddenly, the day comes when you see a possible photograph and, due to your hours, you just instinctively know what to do. You realise that you have just run through the range of settings you should try, without even stopping to think consciously.
My soon-to-be announced basic photography e-course almost ready to go out into the world. Note: people signing up to the 'come travel with me' workshop will receive the 14-module on making their workshop registration payment.
To receive this newsletter in the future, please subscribe here.
|
|
Basic Photography E-course
This course invites you to become familiar with your camera and to learn how to use the basic settings with confidence. We take you through a few simple modes, introduce the rules (and invite you to break them) and voila, you have begun your journey towards taking stunning photographs!
Includes 14 weekly modules with illustrated explanations and exercises.
Soon available! Check back to this newsletter and www.DiMackey.com to stay informed.
|
|
Highlight from the Blog
I am back in Genova and it is so unbelievably good to be here again.
11am, and I have walked around the old city, bought my pale pink flowers, eaten focaccia, had espresso. I have talked with people. This place feels like the closest to home I have ever been while wandering outside of New Zealand these last 9 years. To continue reading ...
|
|
A Way of Seeing Photography Workshop
Come Travel With Me
to Genoa, Italy
from 16-20 April My photography workshop sessions are all about helping you to recognise and develop your own particular way of seeing and photographing the world. Let's wander and work together in Genoa, Italy Learn more here
|
|
February 8, 2012 
Reader Comments