From being able to take a good photo to composing a real body of work.

Designed for all those who have already developed a special interest in photography,this week-long workshop will help you to expand your skills by creating a photo essay which can be shown as a print exhibit, a multi-media slideshow or a book.

Many photographers have found in the South of France

an infinite canvas for their creativity. It offers

an exceptional palette: fantastic nature and vineyard but also rare architecture unique lifestyle and local characters.

Renowned French photographer Christophe Loviny and international correspondent Marianne Niermans propose

to share their experience and technique during these photography workshops at Marianne’s family castle.

Christophe Loviny, the author of several widely translated photo-biographies and art books, had his work published by the most famous International magazines for 30 years (ELLE, Point de Vue, GEO, The Sunday Times Magazine, Conde Nast Traveller, Paris-Match, Figaro-Magazine, El Pais, Le Monde, Stern, Die Zeit, etc... ). Also a curator, he has co-founded the Angkor Photo Festival and is currently the art Director of the Yangon Photo Festival.

Marianne Niermans. A senior correspondent for Point de Vue, an international royalty and lifestyle magazine, Marianne Niermans has worked on stories with numerous renowned photographers. She has covered Asian royalty such as King Khesar Wangchuck of Bhutan, King Bhumibol of Thailand and King Sihamoni of Cambodia. She specializes in heritage and lifestyle stories, exploring the hidden treasures of Saint Petersburg museum or the secrets of Grand Crus blending with famous oenologist Michel Rolland. A lover of gardens, Marianne has also produced a TV show about gardening and landscaping. She is also co-author of "Mother India", a documentary about women's discrimination in India.

Programme: Creativity, exchange and fun

Day 1 : Christophe and Marianne will examine the portfolios before collectively discussing the themes of each participant’s photo essays. Story boards will be sketched, technical aspects will be foreseen, and shooting locations planned.

The value of a good workshop is in the close contact

and personal relationship you forge with the tutors. This is why we don't take more than 10 participants per workshop. Everybody gets valuable one on one time on a regular basis.

Day 2 - 5: Participants will start to take photos at
dawn and then daily discuss their edited selection
with Christophe and Marianne. Christophe will also take time to shoot side by side with each photographer individually. The students will penetrate deeper and deeper into their individual projects until they reach a level of excellence good enough to be presented to the public.

Lunch and dinner in the idyllic surroundings of
Marianne’s family castle will be occasions to not only appreciate the quality of local products but also discuss each participant’s experiences.

A workshop such as this provides a forum for debate
not only about photographic "techniques", but also about more important aspects : the personal vision - either narrative or aesthetic -, the difficulties of shooting in critical situations, and  the challenge of getting one's work exhibited or published.

Day 6: After final editing and digital “darkroom”
postproduction, the last day will culminate in a party with a slideshow presentation of each students'photo-essays on a large screen.

More info: niermans@orange.fr