Puglia / Best of Southern Italy
Call it a graduate course in Italy. Our tour of Puglia is for adventurers looking for something different and exciting. Located on the heel of the boot along the Adriatic Sea, the Puglia region remains largely undiscovered and holds a rawness and authentic experience for photographers.
PARTNERS ARE WELCOME! The warm climate, the delicious foods and fascinating history of this region make it a rich experience whether you’re photographing or not.
Meet us in Bari.
Spend two nights Lecce, called the Florence of the South, in a 4 star hotel in the historic center of town. Visit the fishing village of Gallipoli on the Ionian Sea.
Stay 4 nights in beautifully restored Trulli houses on 50 pristine acres. Visit the Itria Valley with its charming hilltop villages and seascapes.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
This tour requires good fitness, as we’ll walk 2-3 miles per day in and around the towns we visit.
iPHONE FRIENDLY
Whether you’re new to photography or you’re a seasoned pro, this tour is designed to give you the instruction needed and to rock your portfolio. iPhone and Android photographers are welcome!
Workshop Sessions
On-screen reviews of participant images serve to inspire the group and give us a demonstrate Lightroom editing techniques. As our hotel facility allows, we try to have 3 or 4 short reviews.
In the field, we begin each day with a themed discussion and then allow the rest of the day for individual shooting. Our discussions center around finding more interesting compositions, perspectives and more dynamic light.
Drake Busath
Workshop Leader
Drake Busath is the originator of Italy Workshops. Having lived here, he speaks Italian and has guided hundreds of photographers of every skill level to favorite regions all over Italy.
Drake will share what he’s learned over 35 years photographing Italy and encourage you to identify and develop your own personal style while traveling. More about Drake
Mauro Riva
Guide / Operations Director
Mauro Riva is a professional guide currently based in the Dolomites of northern Italy. His family comes from Puglia however and he spent his childhood visiting here. Mauro will travel with us, showing us his favorite haunts and secrets with the knowledge only a local can share.
We’re lucky to have Mauro on our team because as a photographer he knows how to get us to the right places in the best light. He is your guarantee of a safe and smooth week of learning.
Mauro will be sharing tips on iPhone and Android camera use for fine art. He’ll show you how to maximize the quality of your phone photo capture and introduce post-processing tips to polish them off.
View Mauro’s work
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Camera Should I Bring?
Any camera is acceptable, including smartphones. Automation for the beginner can make the trip fun and stress-free and, at times, increase creativity.
Should I Bring a Computer
Participants who are very comfortable with their computer are encouraged to bring it along. Editing your images during the week can enhance your learning experience. We currently use Adobe Lightroom CC for our on-screen reviews sessions. You will learn new LR editing methods and workflow shortcuts during classroom reviews and critique. Even if you’ve used Lightroom, we highly recommend brushing up before the workshop by watching the free tutorials available on Adobe.com.
If you are not fluent downloading and managing digital images, you might consider leaving the computer behind and just focusing on camera work. You can still submit images daily for review, and perhaps find more time to learn about your camera and develop a discerning eye. (Not to mention sleep happily while others are editing into the night)
Observer Participants may be beginner photographers, attending all instruction and field trips, but not required to submit photos for critique. This is a fun way to learn without pressure. You’ll still photograph the same things and we’ll still want to review your work on the back of your camera and offer individual instruction in the field.
All Skill Levels Are Welcome
Beginner and Intermediate Photographers
We enjoy helping you master those buttons and menus on your camera! Short, daily field lessons will tackle one technique at time. Further individual attention in the field helps you lock in the concepts.
Any camera is welcome (yes, even smartphones!).
Non-photographer partners are welcome to sit in on all discussions and participate at their own level of interest. (Beginners often make some of the best images we see!)
Advanced Photographers
As an advanced photographer you’ll be encouraged to:
- Build your portfolio, adding strong images every single day of the trip.
- Focus on style development, lighting and composition.
- Work in “concentrations” to produce a collection of work suitable for a gallery showing or book project.
You will return home with a body of work suitable for a gallery showing or book project that will express your personal style, as opposed to a random collection of travel photos.
Puglia Photo Tour Reviews
