Private photography masterclass in Europe
Your coast
A private experience on the coastlines of Europe
Your own custom-made experience, on the coast you choose.
From the Outer Hebrides to the Algarve, from Brittany to the Lofoten Islands: I arrange private masterclasses on some of the most iconic coastlines of Europe. Your imagination is the limit!
Like a tailor-made suit, we design every detail around you: the coast, the season, how many days, what you want to learn. From planning to composition, from technique to post-production, there is nothing we cannot achieve in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
You come alone or with up to two friends. I take care of everything on location, from accommodation to transport: you only book your flight.
Fill your backpack and follow me: it is the best way to take your photography to a higher level.
Schedule
It starts before you leave home: after you book, a free one-hour video call to look at your photos, choose the coast and the season together and plan your days around what you want to learn.
I organise everything on location, accommodation and transport. You only book your flight, and I help you find the best solution.
From the first day to the last we chase the light of sunrise and sunset at the most beautiful places of the coast.
In between there is time for theory, post-production and exploring the area.
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.
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
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 rocks and the shape of the coast, 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
- LunchA warm meal, and a look at the files
- 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
- 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 coast and the season you choose, and we build each day around them.
Possible coasts
Coasts I know well, where I teach my workshops. Dreaming of another one? Just ask.
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
- Photographic and logistic planning
- Accommodation, booked by me
- Transport on location, with tolls
- Fun 🙂
Not included
- Your trip to and from the coast
- Food and drinks
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses
- Anything not listed under Included
- Weather control 😉
Your coast
Tell me where and when you would like to go, alone or with up to two friends. I will send you a custom quote.
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 and transport
I book the accommodation for the whole stay, in the heart of the action, and we move together by car. Both are part of your quote.
Getting there
Your trip to and from the coast is not included: you book your flight, and I help you find the best solution. We agree together where to meet on the first day.
Food and drinks
Food and drinks are not included.
Fitness level
No special fitness is required. If you have any particular need, just let me know and we will build the right experience for you together.
Experience required
All levels are welcome: the best part of a private masterclass is that we shape every detail around your skills. After you book, a free one-hour video call is included to look at your work and plan your days. 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
We can set the masterclass at any time of year, depending on my availability. Some periods are better than others, to avoid the crowds and to get the most from the seasonal weather: write to me and we will find the best moment for your coast.
Prices, payments and cancellation
The price depends on the coast, the number of days and how many of you there are: write to me and I will send you a custom quote, with tuition, accommodation and transport on location.
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.
€500
Gift card
Oceans Away · Menorca, Spain
Give an experience
The sea, as a gift.
Would you like to give someone an experience? You can arrange it directly with me, or give a gift card.
The gift card arrives by email the moment you pay, and they have twelve months to use it.
Workshop partners
