Photography breaks and tours
Once you've chosen your accommodation at Le Chant, take a tour of the photographic delights of the area, learn how to take the shots that'll impress your friends!
The area of the Loire Valley around Saumur has many fine opportunities for photographic outings, many of which can be found not too far from Le Chant d'Oiseau. Whether your interest be the obvious French scenery, and landscapes, architecture, history, wildlife or simply taking better shots as a reminder of your holidays, we can help you. We've lived here for over 5 years and have built up a wealth of 'local' information, knowing where there are shots to be had that your average holidaymaker just wouldn't get to see. Because I'm an enthusiastic amateur photographer, with a wide-ranging portfolio of work, I can also help you with your photography, and turn average shots into something worthy of enlarging, framing and adorning your walls at home. So, what can you learn from me?
These tours and tutorials are aimed mainly at beginners, whether in charge of a simple 'point & shoot' compact digital, or a more expensive 'DSLR'. It simply doesn't matter what type of equipment you use, as I'll be showing you how to get great results, no matter what you're using. So:
Where to go
It may sound simple, but so many people make the mistakes of following the well-trodden holiday maker's paths in the area. With a little local knowledge, planning and thought, these can be avoided, making your shots less like many thousands of others by avoiding the crowds in busy times, and by seeking the 'path less trodden'! This is also far better when your interest is landscapes, as people in landscape shots are often the one thing that spoils them!
What to see
Again, it sounds so simple, but visitors do sometimes struggle to decide just where to go. Often, because a week, or fortnight long holiday in the area is just too short a period to take in all the sights and experiences that the region has to offer. That's great for us, as it often means that guests will return just to re-visit the area and see the sights they missed last time round. But it can be a minefield to pick out the highlights in the area, but all you need do is tell us where your interests lie, and we'll create an itinerary for you, either by the day, or by the week. Stuffed full of things you'll appreciate, many that you possibly wouldn't have known about, and lots that you wouldn't have thought about visiting due to a lack of knowledge of the area.
When to see it
This may sound even sillier, but many people simply pick dates seemingly at random for their holidays. Often, they're limited to the school holidays in the summer. But, with a little careful planning and with some help from us, we can advise when might be best to visit this area to give you the best chance of visiting places/events that may be within your sphere of interest. For example, for motor enthusiasts, the end of July is a great time to visit the village of Le Puy Notre Dame, due to a very popular event held there known locally as the 'Grand Prix Retro'. For those who have a yen for all things aviation, then the last weekend of August is great, as there's a local air display, and 'fly-in' featuring many old and in some cases obsolete aircraft. So, you get the idea? Get in touch, tell us what interests you and let us tell you what might be the best time (taking into account your own date limitations) to visit our bit of France!
How to see it
How many times, when looking through the viewfinder of your camera, do you change the perspective ever so slightly just to change how the image looks? I bet, in most cases, never. I'll show you how to 'see' beyond the viewfinder, and to get into the habit of altering your perspective. Often for a far better shot.
Equipment
Photography isn't about having the latest camera on the market, it isn't about the longest, fastest, widest lenses. It's not even about taking the best picture in the world ever. It's about 'seeing'. Seeing what's not in the image is as important (more important in fact) than what IS in the image. I'll teach you to look around. Not just at what you're portraying, but also within the viewfinder. I'll help you learn to see what may spoil a shot, or what might turn it into your own masterpiece.
How to use it
I've met so many people on site here that have cameras pointed at everything and anything. Their enthusiasm is fantastic to see. But one of the things I hear most often, when asking what settings they're using, is the reply "I have no idea, I just use the same setting all the time." Do you? Would you like to know what all the other settings on your camera do? Imagine you have a car and you had no idea what the gear lever was for, preferring to drive in first gear all the time as you're so afraid of using the other settings, 2, 3, 4 and 5! When you take pictures on the one setting, all the time, you're never, ever getting out of first gear. Let me show you how to get out of the slow lane.
Lighting and composition Probably the two most important things that you need in your armoury are a little knowledge of lighting, and here we'll include 'f' numbers (controlling the amount of light entering the lens), and composition. There are small tricks you can learn that will get you a good shot in low-light situations. I'll show you those tricks. They work for me almost every time, they will for you too, and they're so easy to learn.
What will you learn?
Hopefully, with the help of a little guidance from me, and in the most beautiful surroundings, you'll gain the confidence to take great pictures, just by slowing down, and following a few simple procedures before you press the shutter. You'll gain invaluable knowledge in the technique of taking a photo. You'll be able to follow a few simple steps in your mind that will ensure you have the best chance of getting a picture you'll be proud of, and proud to show your friends. What you'll take away will be confidence in your own abilities, helped no doubt by having fantastic scenery and subjects all around.
What does it cost?
~ A half day Personal Photography Tuition Tour will cost just €60 per person. This includes travel to/from sights and a tuition pack full of notes and hints/tips.
~ A full day Personal Photography Tuition Tour costs €130 to include travel to/from photography sights, a tuition pack and a picnic lunch (including wine!)
Click on the images below to see enlarged versions of the types of images you could be shooting here in the Loire, when out and about with me.
SPECIAL OFFER! Book a week in any of the gites in May, June or September 2011 and claim your half day Personal Photography Tuition Tour FREE!*
*For one person only. On a day to be mutually decided during your stay.
To view, and/or purchase images from the Loire, and wider France, you can visit my website at www.chantography.com
To enquire about the availability of a Photography Tour, please Contact Us, quoting 'PHOTO BREAK'. Thankyou.
À bientôt!
Stu & Syb Bradley. Le Chant d'Oiseau.
