SPRINGTIME IN MILAN AND LAKE COMO
Well it’s time to send out the description for my next springtime workshop. For many of you that recently came back from my Spain workshop, I realize that this might be a little soon.
The reason I do this is because for many, they have to decide on their vacations months in advance. There are some out there that have to put in their dates in a company lottery.
The dates of the workshops begin with the meet and greet in Milan the evening of May 3rd.We will spend that evening and two more before heading to Lake Como the afternoon of May 6th. That evening and four more we’ll spend shooting Como and the other incredibly beautiful villages. The last day will be on May 11thand will end at noon.
I don’t know about you, but I love everything about Italy!!!! Several years ago, I conducted a workshop in Tuscany and since then I’ve wanted to go back for another one.
It was serendipitous when a woman who took my online classes offered to help Katka and myself put together a workshop both in Milan and Lake Como…why you might ask? Because Lilia (a very good photographer) was born and raised in Como, goes back three to four times a year, and her family still lives there.
Lilia is a free-lance translator fluent in Italian, French, Spanish, and of course English, who based in New York, often works for the UN; including the upcoming General Assembly this September.
I can’t think of a better person to guide us on this adventure. Along with the knowledge, experience and skills of Katka, this will possibly be the best ever, and as a lot of you know, it would be hard to beat any of my others. Check her out at: https://www.lpb-interpreter.com
Our first adventure/experience will be in Milan or Milano. The earliest settlement was founded in 600BC, and at the time of the roman conquest in 222BC, it was already one of the most powerful cities of the region.
Under the emperor Augustus, it acquired increasing prestige and economic power until it became the second city of the roman Empire behind Rome itself.
During WWII Milan was occupied by the Germans and became the capital of the resistance. The city was liberated by Italian partisans before the allies arrived in April 1945. Benito Mussolini’s and his mistress’s dead body were famously displayed in Piazzale Loreto in the same month.
FYI, he and his mistress were shot then hung upside down from a metal girder above a service station on the square.
The bodies were beaten, shot at, and hit with hammers. My guess is that the Italian people were not especially happy with II Duce. Also, rather unfortunate for his mistress…being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Today, Milan is the leading financial center and the most prosperous manufacturing and commercial city of Italy. It’s also regarded as one of the most famous fashion centers in the world.
May 3rd:
The meet and greet will be at a location close to the hotel.
May 4thand 5th:
Because of the short two-day schedule and based on the scout, we might forgo the usual first morning critique of your past work and start shooting right away.
As far as the scout, I also need to scout these locations to decide on what’s best for us as far as the light is concerned and time of day, but here’s what we have researched as possible contenders:
Duomo: The rooftop terrace is an absolute must:
https://www.duomomilano.it/en/
Brera and the Fashion district: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187849-d208761-Reviews-Brera_District-Milan_Lombardy.html
Castello Sforzesco: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187849-d246672-Reviews-Castello_Sforzesco-Milan_Lombardy.html
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: https://www.yelp.it/biz_photos/galleria-vittorio-emanuele-ii-milano-5?adjust_creative=duckduckgo&utm_campaign=yelp_feed&utm_medium=feed_v2&utm_source=duckduckgo
Santa Maria Delle Grazie:
The Church is one of Renaissance art’s most important testimonies and a shining symbol of creative human genius – thus it became a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980.
If someone ever has the chance to see this sight, then it would be a shame not to also see Leonardo Da Vinci’s fresco of “The Last Supper,” preserved inside its refectory (dining hall).
Because it takes months to make a reservation, we will make one for all of us to see it firsthand.
The last one will be the one we’ll probably spend the most time at, including sunset into the blue hour. There are so many great restaurants along the canal, so we can take the time to eat before, during, or after the shoot:
I Navigli: https://news.milanocard.it/navigli-district-milan-the-charming-canals-of-milano.html
For years, I either heard about or read about Lake Como, and its enchanting villages that line the shores of this beautiful lake:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=lake+como&t=h_&ia=images&iax=images
Situated in the Lombardy region, Lake Como was created by a glacier and has an area of 146 square miles. Even in Roman times couples came to this lake to avoid the heat of the city and re-energize themselves in the crisp mountain air…enough said!
So, my fellow photographers, if ever there was a destination that was meant for photography, Lake Como would be at the very top of the list. The unequaled and unique beauty of the small towns that line the perimeter of this majestic lake will be our prime objective, as far as the photo opportunities that awaits us.
Como, where we will be based out of, is the principle town and is located at the base of the lake. This is where we will start our workshop adventure.
May 6th:
After taking the short train ride from Milan, we’ll arrive late morning in Como. Transportation will be provided and after checking in, the rest of the day you’ll have to yourself to have lunch, walk around and enjoy the manicured parks, 19th century mansions, botanical gardens, shop, or download images for the next morning’s critique, or just relax.
You’ll be on your own for dinner, and I hope several of you eat together or along with either Lillia, Katka, or myself and Mikki somewhere along the water’s edge.
May 7th, 8th, and 9th: we’ll be shooting at these villages, but not necessarily in this order:
Bellagio:
https://lakecomotravel.com/bellagio/#shops-and-town-center
Varenna:
https://lakecomotravel.com/varenna/#riva-grande
Menaggio:
https://lakecomotravel.com/menaggio/
Tremezzo-Cadenabbia:https://www.italythisway.com/places/tremezzo.php
Blevio-Torno:https://www.audleytravel.com/us/italy/italian-lakes/places-to-go/lake-como/blevio
Brienna:
http://www.comoanditslake.com/brienno.htm
There’re so many photo ops in each of these villages, I can’t possibly name them all, nor could we see them all. I will pick out the best ones in each village during the scout.
Since we’ll be having lunch while shooting each day, I’ll pick out the best village and save dining next to the lake.
May 10th:
After the daily critiques in the morning and after lunch, we’ll be shooting in Como, the locations so far will be the waterfront walk, Old Town, Markets TBD, and the pedestrian area.
In 1400 Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, began planting mulberry trees around Lake Como which made the local silkworms very happy. That was the moment when Como’s silk industry began to rise and is now considered some of the best silk in the world.
Having said this, Lilia is in the process of contacting some of these companies to allow us to photograph the process.
We’ll shoot up to the time everyone needs to get ready for the final dinner.
As some of you know, my final dinners are events unto themselves, and this one promises to be one you’ll remember.
We’re waiting to hear back from George Clooney as to having the final dinner at his villa…it will be BYOB.
May 11th:
We’ll meet in the morning for a last review and then hug and say our goodbyes. The workshop will officially end at noon.
As usually is the case, we are working on the hotels in both cities, and will be announcing them as soon as possible so people can make their own reservations.
For those that have taken anywhere from two to as many as ten workshops with me, you know it will be a reasonable priced four-star hotel where we will be given a good group rate. I always pick a hotel that will be part of the workshop experience.
I will also pick a hotel close to where I will be for those of you where the budget is a concerned. It will also be a very good three-star full-service hotel.
It’s a lot easier to do it this way, as people are looking for different size and priced rooms and it will eliminate mistakes by the “middle man” …that would be me!!
Of course, anyone can pick their own hotel and meet the group for the daily critiques and times we leave for our locations.
The cost of the workshop will be $1800 to include the meet and greet, transportation either by bus or ferry, and my famous final dinner.
For all non-shooters, the fee will be $850.00 which will include everything but the daily reviews, which are only open for the photographers. All other expenses will be up to the photographers.
A non-shooter would be a spouse (many of them come), partner, friend, mother-in law, or distant relative whom you didn’t know was still living. Please no service animals.
I try to limit my workshops to ten photographers, not counting the non-shooters.
Because of the need to secure the hotel we would like to stay in, and the rate we were offered, I’m asking for those people interested in signing up to get back to me asap.
I can tell you that last year in Madrid when I mentioned it, I had a few people tell me that they were very interested in coming. As in the past, my workshops fill in about a week
I hope to see some old friends and meet some new ones. It will be a time of great Italian wine and a gastronomical experience I know I won’t forget, and of course great images you’ll take back home and remember for as long as you can still remember!!!
😉
If Milan and Lake Como has been destinations you’ve always heard or read about as I have and wanted to see for yourselves, then I suggest now would be a great time.
Here’s a few testimonials from past workshop participants:
For me it was my first workshop with Joe and what an experience!!
The whole workshop Joe is there for you, for questions you have, doubts you have and times when you have them. I have a lot of respect for Joe as he totally gives himself to you and nothing was too much for him.
Everything was so well organized! When you felt tired, and felt done, it totally changed when we were at a shoot again, so much inspiration, I felt totally energized again, and was learning and learning.
I would absolutely recommend going with Joe on a workshop. It’s fantastic!! When I came home, I wanted to be in Madrid again with Joe and that says a lot as I always want to be home!!
Annet Taapken
I recently completed my seventh workshop with Joe Baraban, and all I can say is that I will be coming back for more. All aspects of the workshop were fantastic.
Joe’s approach to teaching, the shooting locations, the daily reviews, the accommodations, the planning and organization, and the communications were all at the highest level.
From the “meet and greet” reception the first night, to the final dinner, Joe paid strict attention to every detail to make sure we were well taken care of…all the time. Joe’s selection of locations is always diverse and challenging and present many, many opportunities for great shots and learning.
The daily reviews are a wonderful educational experience as you discuss your own work as well as the work of the other photographers. Joe teaches how to “make pictures”, not just take them. The quality and creativity in my images continue to ratchet up a notch with every workshop as I continue to learn from Joe.
I highly recommend Joe’s workshops and online classes.
Nick
All my friends and colleagues were jealous when they heard about this Spain Workshop.
I love traveling, taking beautiful and interesting pictures, making new friends, and learning new skills and techniques in my photography. This workshop hit all those targets.
It’s been a couple of years since I took Joe’s classes on-line, but I carried those skills into my business. Spending time with him and the wonderful group of photographers and artists that came on this trip just improved my photography exponentially.
The guidance and critiques they all provided was so helpful. It really took my art to a new level and I will remember this trip so fondly. I hope to do it again soon.
Deb
I attended Joe’s Paris workshop and received a lot of valuable information in less than a week.
Joe’s workshops begin with an informal meet and greet where all the participants and spouses are able to meet each other with food and wine.
Usually, each day start before dawn with an air-conditioned private bus trip to a pre-scouted shooting location. Joe gives suggestions for shooting before and during each shoot. He moves around to each photographer during the shoots and gives “hands-on tips” and suggestions that are wonderful and instructive.
Each day there is a very constructive critique of the work that was shot the day before. Joe has everyone involved and he asks people their opinions.
I have not attended many formal workshops and I was happy that the comments of the other shooters and those from Joe were very helpful and allowed everyone to get real feedback so soon after shooting.
I can truly say that the workshop immediately helped me, and I believe that my photos have much improved. It was a wonderful experience and made me a better photographer. It also gave me a chance to make friends with the other photographers.
John B
It is rare that one has such a feeling of camaraderie and growth as I have had in Joe’s classes. As a painter and aspiring photographer, I treasure the lessons in composition, gestalt, and learning how to create and make a photo rather than just taking one.
Joe provides an open canvas where we can explore new possibilities of expressing what we see and use our eyes, brains, and of course our cameras to turn what we see into great photographs. His critique is so encouraging and so clear that I returned home a much better photographer and painter.
Joe attracts some really great students of all levels of ability. We help each other and learn from each other. We eat and drink together and look forward to seeing each other online, if not in person.
Joe Baraban’s workshops are the best way to learn and to see a world-class destination while expanding your skills. You couldn’t wish for a better way to travel.
Pat
“I just finished taking Joe’s workshop and it was nothing short of extraordinary. Because of Joe and the ideas and concepts he teaches, I see everything differently now.
Whether I’m driving along a country road or watching TV, I now see negative space, vanishing points, color, light, texture, pattern, shape, line, color, angle of reflection, tension, perspective – everywhere.
Knowing these critical elements of design have truly not only changed how and what I photograph but have changed the way I look at the world in a very real way.
Joe is the best teacher I’ve ever had anywhere, on any subject. If you are considering taking a destination workshop with Joe, I cannot recommend him highly enough.”
Shauna
