Private photography masterclass in Italy
Gulf of Poets
A private experience along the most beautiful coastline of Italy
Off the tourist routes, a hidden gem on the coast of Liguria.
Off the tourist routes, the Gulf of Poets is a hidden gem along the coast of Liguria, in Italy. With its varied coastline and picturesque villages, it is the perfect scenery for seascape photography.
You choose the dates, and you come alone or with up to three friends. A really small group and my constant supervision make all the difference: from planning to composition, from technique to post-production, there is nothing we cannot achieve in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
The masterclass is designed not only to take you to the most photogenic places, but also to train your mind to see the shot before you take it. I want to grow your awareness and your creativity, so that you go home with images to be proud of and, above all, with new techniques and knowledge for your passion.
Being private, every detail is shaped around you: your skills, what you want to learn, the season you prefer. It is the best way to take your photography to a higher level.
Welcome to the Gulf
Schedule
It starts before you leave home: after you book, a free one-hour video call to look at your photos and plan your days around what you want to learn.
We meet in the late morning near Tellaro, in the heart of the Gulf, and start working right away, talking technique and planning the activities in the field.
From arrival to departure we chase the light of sunrise and sunset at the most beautiful places of the Gulf of Poets.
In between there is time for theory, post-production and exploring the area, with plenty of chances to taste the delicacies of Italian cuisine.
Every day we choose the best locations based on the weather, and you take part in the planning. It is how you learn location management, a key skill for any landscape photographer.
The masterclass ends at lunchtime on the last day, so you can travel home relaxed.
What you will learn
- Scouting and planning: reading maps and forecasts
- Composition, and the discipline of seeing the frame before shooting
- Exposure with the histogram, in light that changes fast
- Filters: graduated, polariser, ND
- Advanced long exposure
- Post-production, on your own files
- Printing, with a professional printer on site
No day-by-day itinerary.
A rhythm.
We don't publish a fixed day-by-day programme, because the weather decides where we should be. What stays the same every day is the shape below. What changes is where we point the cameras, and we choose that together the evening before.
Dry
High pressure and an empty sky. We lean on the villages and the rocks, work the water with long exposures, and shoot both ends of the day properly.
- SunriseFirst warm light running along the coast
- BreakfastWe go through the morning's files together
- TheoryThe topics of the week, at the table
- Light lunchA quick bite, then some rest
- In the fieldOut on the coast for the sunset
- Sunset, then dinnerEarly on location, side by side, ready for the right moment
Stormy
Showers passing through and a sky that changes every ten minutes: we stay mobile and accept getting wet. This is the light we come for.
- Sunrise under cloudLow clouds can give the moodiest light
- BreakfastDry the gear, look at the files
- TheoryExposure, timing, and knowing when to wait
- LunchIn Italy, good food takes time
- Weather checkWe decide together what to do at sunset
- Sunset where it opens, then dinnerTen good minutes are worth the whole day
Wet
Steady rain and a heavy sea. We wait for a short break to catch the mood, and the rest of the day goes to the files and the theory.
- A later startBreakfast, sensor cleaning, a first look at the frames
- Theory, long sessionLong exposure, and protecting the camera from the rain
- Post-production, forecast or planningThe best day of the week for desk work
- LunchTake your time, with a glass of wine
- Out if it easesA break in the rain or a deep cloudy sky: we will be there
The times are only an example: sunrise and sunset change with the season you choose, and we build each day around them.
What you will photograph
Getting there
The meeting point is near Tellaro, in the Gulf of La Spezia, in the late morning of the first day. International travellers can fly into Milan, Rome or Genoa, all with fast and frequent trains to La Spezia.
Travel is not included: you book it yourself, and I help you find the best solution for you.
Your teacher
Francesco Gola
Seascape photographer, educator and engineer
Ambassador for ZEISS, NiSi, BenQ, Calibrite, The Heat Company and f-stop. He works with companies, websites and magazines to spread photographic culture in Italy and around the world.
About me
What’s included
- Private tuition, built around you
- A one-hour video call before you come
- Transport and tolls
- Photographic and logistic planning
- Your room booked by me, at my agreed rate
- Fun 🙂
Not included
- Your trip to and from the Gulf
- Accommodation, paid directly to the hotel
- Food and drinks
- Travel and medical insurance
- Anything not listed under Included
- Weather control 😉
Your dates
Any time of year, alone or with up to three friends. Tell me when, and I will plan your days.
Request your dates
Tell me when you would like to come and how many of you there are. Sending this form does not commit you to anything.
Good to know
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included, so you choose the room that suits you. I can suggest a picturesque hotel I know well near Tellaro, surrounded by nature and in front of the sea, and book your room for free at the rate I have agreed. You pay the hotel directly.
Food and drinks
Food and drinks are not included. Along the way there will be plenty of chances to taste the delicacies of Italian cuisine.
Fitness level
No special fitness is required: only short walks, and a couple of fences to climb 🙂 If you have any limitation or doubt, just ask and I will explain every detail.
Experience required
All levels are welcome, from beginners to experienced photographers, and we shape every detail around your skills. A good knowledge of your camera and of the basics of shutter speed and aperture helps. We do post-production with simple software such as Adobe Lightroom or Capture One.
Photographic equipment
I suggest a mirrorless or DSLR camera, a wide-angle lens, a tripod, a remote shutter release and photographic filters.
Thanks to my sponsors I can lend you filters and tripods. For any question, just write to me.
When to come
The masterclass can be set in any season, but I suggest a date between October and March: more unsettled weather means a better chance of interesting light, and there are fewer tourists around 😉
We cannot control the weather, but we can adapt to it: with heavy rain the masterclass goes on, with more time for post-production and theory.
Prices, payments and cancellation
The price is per person, for 3 days of tuition: €2,400 for one person, €1,350 each for two, €1,000 each for three, €825 each for four. For a longer stay, ask me for a custom quote.
A 30% deposit confirms your dates. The balance is due 90 days before the masterclass.
If you cancel, the penalty is a share of the full fee: 50% within 60 days of the masterclass, 100% within 29 days. The deposit is not refundable.
Workshop partners
