Sicily | Passionate Traditions

Italy Photo Tour with Drake Busath

Sicily Passions and Traditions Photo Tour

Sicily | Passions and Traditions

8 days, 7 Nights      6-12 Guests     $4350 (partner discounts)       March 13-20, 2022


We’re proud to offer this un-common tour,  as we journey through ancient sites and baroque towns in the east of Sicily.

Authentic Sicilian cuisine and wines will play a big part in our “deep dive” into Sicily traditions. Come hungry.

Partners are welcome! The sunshine, seafood and unparalleled local history make this a rich experience whether you’re photographing or not.

Love people photography?  Sicily offers the most vibrant of street markets with the most colorful of characters so street photography will play a big part in this workshop.  We’ll be staying in historic centers surrounded by Baroque architecture so street “still life” will also be all around us.   On top of all that we’ll be touching on the Mediterranean along the way, so plan to get some sand in your shoes!

ACTIVITY LEVEL

This tour requires good fitness, as we’ll walk 2-3 miles per day in and around the towns we visit.

BEGINNER FRIENDLY /  PARTNER FRIENDLY

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or do this just for fun with your iPhone, this tour is designed to offer valuable instruction and to rock your portfolio.

Sicily Italy Photography Tour Map

Tour Itinerary

Sicily Italy Photography Tour and Workshop Preview

Sicily Pre-Workshop

  • Fly to Catania Fontanarossa Airport and stay a night on your own to acclimate.
  • We will suggest a hotel for you in Catania. (TBA)
  • Meet up in the early afternoon for pre-workshop introductions  and a fun welcome dinner.

 

Day 1 | Catania /  Ortigia

  • AM – Meet at the hotel and photos to the Catania fish market near the cathedral.12:00 Transfer to Siracusa / Ortigia

Day 2 | Ortigia / Siracusa

09:00 AM – Meet at hotel and visit Ortigia

Free afternoon, optional excursion to see Drake’s favorite painting in the world.

Back to the hotel and dinner

Day 3 | Noto / Ragusa

Visit Visit Noto and Val di Noto 

Travel to Ispica to attend the ancient procession of Christ at the Column

Check in at Hotel in Ragusa / Ibla

Sicily Italy Photography Tour and Workshop Day 4

Day 4 | Ibla / Vittoria

06:00 early morning for architectural photography 

Free time to explore the city

Late afternoon transfer to Vittoria

Back to the Hotel in Ibla 

 

Day 5 | Modica

Visit Modica Special visit at the ancient chocolate factory in Sicily with tasting.

Back to the Hotel in Ibla – City overlook with blue hour photography.

Sicily Italy Photography Tour and Workshop Day 5

Day 6 | Scicli / Donnafugata

Easter Morning in Scicli to see the famous Il Gioia

Free afternoon or visit to Donnafugata castle

Sicily Italy Photography Tour and Workshop Day 1

Day 7 | Aci Castello / Etna

Travel to Aci Castello or Aci Trezza on the coastline north of Catania passing through Palazzolo Acreide 

Free afternoon for photos on the seashore and dinner 

Sicily Italy Photography Tour and Workshop Day 9

Day 8 | Catania

  • Catania for some classic street photography, and an amazing farewell seafood lunch. We’ll say our farewells about 3:00PM.

We’ll deliver you to the airport, or to your hotel if you stay another night in Catania.

The Workshop

Each day we focus on one technical skill and one esthetic concept.  Assignments are given daily with printed examples, so that in your free time you can work on those skills.

Daily classroom time is short but important, because that’s where we can evaluate our images and present helpful editing tips in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.

Workshop Sessions

On-screen reviews of participant images serve to inspire the group and give us a demonstrateLightroom editing techniques.  Most guests remark that review /critique is the most valuable learning experience.  We normally devote an hour each day to classroom discussion, as our facilities and location allows. 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.  

One on One Workshop Training

Workshop Co-Leader

Drake Busath is the originator of Italy Workshops. Having lived and worked extensively in Italy, he speaks the language and has guided hundreds of photographers on week-long workshops in different regions, from the Alps to the heel of the boot.

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

Workshop Co-Leader

Gabriele Angelini is an Italian photographer and publisher from Imola, near Bologna.  He will teach street photography, his first love.  Gabriele will show you what to look for, what camera techniques he uses and how to approach and engage people on the streets.

Gabriele will also immerse us in the history of street photography in Italy, having taught this subject among others at University of Bologna.  Among his published books are collections from the streets and the hidden gardens of Bologna.  More about Gabriele

Frequently Asked Questions

What Type of Camera Should I Bring?

Unlike some workshops, ours is not a camera fashion show. We don’t much care how new your camera is, or how much you spent on it.  In fact, bringing a well worn camera, one that you’re super comfortable with, promises to be better in many ways, especially for street photography.

Tripods are optional on this particular tour.  If you’re already a regular tripod user, there will certainly be opportunities for it (especially if you’re an early riser). But if you’re not comfortable with a tripod,  don’t worry about bringing one.

Smartphone cameras are welcome on this trip either as a backup or as your main camera!

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

Intermediate Photographers

We want to help 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 concepts of lighting and composition.

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!)

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“I learned as much in a week with you two as I learned in two semesters of photography classes.” Read More

-Jeri Petersen | Tuscany

Advanced Photographers

As an advanced photographer you’ll be encouraged to:

  1. Build your portfolio, adding strong images every single day of the trip.
  2. Focus on style development, lighting and composition.
  3. 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.

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” I was delighted to end the week with not only hundreds of excellent images but nine new friends as well.” Read More

– Jim Pierotti CRA, 30 yr. pro photographer | Tuscany

Italy Workshops Photo Tour Reviews

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I’ve never had workshop instructors show such genuine interest in the participants – Joel & Drake provided something truly special. I learned as much in a week…” Read More

-Jeri Petersen | Amalfi Coast Tour

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“We thought we’s seen all of Italy, then Drake took us to Puglia! Some of our all-time favorite experiences happened on this trip.” Read More

– Stu & Lori Wheelwright | Puglia Tour

Sicily Photo Tour Dates

Sicily | March 13-20, 2022


Meet: Catania, Italy
End:  Catania, Italy
Tour Group Size: 6-12 People

Price

$4350 / Participant (double occupancy)

$450 / Single supplement private room

Ask about Rome extension March 9-13

Included:

Travel

Daily excursions and all ground-transportation starting in Catania, Italy and ending in Catania

Hotels

8 nights accommodations in 3 and 4 star hotels (best available hotels in the towns)

If you wish to share a room, we’ll do our best to find you a roommate.  Register early because rooms are assigned by registration date.

Suites and balcony rooms may be available at extra cost, upon request.

Meals

All breakfasts, 2 dinners, 2 lunches.

Workshop

Workshop tuition, including instruction in the field throughout the week and on-screen review where allowed by time and hotel space.

 


Not Included:

  • Airfare
  • Trip insurance (recommended)

*Also not included are crowds of tourists, slow moving tour groups  and lectures on the history of plague 🙂

Discounts

$100 off per person having attended a previous Italy Workshops event (6 days or longer)

Payment Schedule

  • A reservation fee of $500/person will hold your spot
  • The balance of payment is due 120 days prior to your workshop/tour

Hotel Rooms

We use hotels rated 3 or 4 stars, always with private bath. Rooms are assigned in order of reservations received, so early signup is recommended. Ask about premium rooms if you would like to upgrade for an additional supplement charge.

Single Private Room Supplements

Fees are based on double occupancy. Single supplement may be added for participants who wish to have a private room to themselves. Supplements vary depending on the hotels used.  If you are traveling alone and wish to share a room with another participant, please let us know and we’ll do our best to match you with a roommate.

Cancellation fee schedule 

  • There is no charge for cancellation within ten days of booking your workshop.
  • After ten days, reservation fees are non-refundable but may be applied to a future workshop event.
  • Cancellations less than 90 days prior to workshop incur a cancellation fee of 25% of the total workshop cost.
  • Cancellations less than 45 days prior to workshop incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the total workshop cost.
  • Cancellations less than 15 days prior to workshop incur a cancellation fee of 75% of the total workshop cost.
  • No partial refunds will be given for unused portions of a workshop.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that you purchase travel  insurance to protect your investment.  Travel Guard is a good place to start shopping for trip insurance.  You can get a free quote online.

Cancelled Workshops

Italy Workshops reserves the right to cancel any trip for any reason whatsoever, including insufficient signup, logistical problems that may impede a workshop, hotel closures or acts of God.

Refund of all fees paid shall release Italy Workshops from any further liability. Italy Workshops is not responsible for any expenses incurred by workshop participants in preparing for a cancelled workshop. In the case of insufficient signup to make a workshop feasible, notice and refund will be sent 120 days prior to the workshop.

Photographic Release

Italy Workshops reserves the right to photograph and film its trips in entirety. Participants should be aware that images of them may be used for promotional purposes or joint marketing efforts with third parties, without remuneration.

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Our Local Tour Manager

Gabriele Angelini

Gabriele Angelini, professional photographer and publisher from the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, will produce and guide this special tour for us.  Having an Italian photographer with us makes all the difference!  Gabriele will introduce you to wonderful people and places tourists just couldn’t find on their own.

With an intimate knowledge of the area, he’s  also the person who can anticipate our group needs and smooth any travel bumps along the way.

Having an experienced pro along like Gabriele is your best guarantee of a safe and smooth week of learning and enjoyment.

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