© Elizabeth Opalenik

The beauty of the Provençal people, as portrayed by Van Gogh and Cezanne, is the focus of this magical 10-day workshop in a landscape kissed by the light. We enjoy the company of other passionate photographers as we inspire each other, share our creativity, and offer candid critiques. We explore this intoxicating region, filled with sunflower and lavender fields in bloom, from the caves of Les Baux and the Camargue beaches to Provençal farmhouses and ruins. After each day spent creating intimate portraits of models, we have the pleasure of sharing our images with locals over pastis.

Our home for the first week, Le Clos du Buis (www.leclosdubuis.fr), is a large, stone house with a swimming pool, panoramic views of the Luberon, and private parking. It sits at the entrance to Bonnieux, making it easy to wander through the village for twilight photographs and late dinners . This is the season of daily markets, festivals, and bullfights. We visit local vineyards for wine tasting and explore the picturesque villages of Roussillon, L’Isle sur la Sorgue, and St. Remy. While sharing lunch at their homes, we view the work of French photographers Claudine and Jean Pierre Sudre, Denis Brihat, and Lucien Clergue.

We move on to Fontvieille for the last three days, during the 40th anniversary of the Rencontres d’Arles photography festival. We visit photography exhibitions, view the nightly slide shows under the stars in the Théâtre Antique, and explore Arles, the Camargue, and Aix en Provence at leisure. We finish the week with discussions about presenting our work and then collectively create a book about our Provençal journey.

Instructor(s)

Elizabeth Opalenik is a fine-art photographer and sought-after instructor who has led workshops in Europe for the past 25 years. From her earliest days of advertising and editorial assignments, Elizabeth has been known for the sense of poetic grace and movement she brings to her images. She works with Mordançage images and handpainting; she also bridges technology, mixing digital and traditional to explore all the creative possibilities. She regards images as stepping stones that trace where the mind has been, believing they reflect the unique vision that each of us carries through life.

Elizabeth’s innovative images using figurative and flower themes have been shown internationally and profiled in major photographic publications She recently published her first monograph, Poetic Grace: Elizabeth Opalenik Photographs 1979-2007. This is Elizabeth’s 14th year teaching at the Workshops. Her web site is www.opalenik.com.

Diana Grandi, program coordinator for National Geographic Expeditions in Italy and France, has worked closely with some of the best-known photographers in the world, organizing workshops, managing shooting locations, and teaching. She received her photographic training in Great Britain and has exhibited her work in London, Milan, and the U.S. She is in demand as a curator of exhibitions in Italy and has written articles on photographers for Zoom International. Her web site is www.dianagrandi.com.

Who Should Attend:
Enthusiasts and Advanced Amateurs

What You Should Know
Working knowledge of digital workflow and your camera

Tuition & Fees:
$3,395; includes 10 nights shared accommodations with private bath, breakfast, and one other meal each day (single supplement is $750, if available), two model sessions, and all photographic instruction and critiques. Transportation is by shared rental cars. Non-photographing companion fee is $2,700. Workshop size is limited to 12 and fills rapidly. A $750 deposit is required to hold your space, with the balance due by May 15, 2009. Early registration and trip insurance are recommended. For more information contact elizabeth@opalenik.com. Please mention that you learned about this opportunity through the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops.