Venice is one of the most beautiful and unique cities in the world and this workshop is designed to help you get the very best out of the location with tuition provided by me throughout the trip. This 5 day, 6-night workshop is open to photographers looking for a concentrated & fully immersive experience to help you develop your personal vision and style of photography.

Day and Night: A Tale of Two Cities

Venice wears different masks during the day and at night. This workshop will allow you to explore both of these enchanting worlds. As the sun paints the city with warm hues during the day, you'll learn how to capture its intricate details, rich textures, and the play of light and shadow that define its character. There are many opportunities around the city to photograph big vistas but, due to its tired architecture, it's a fabulous place to photograph abstracts. When when the sun sets, Venice undergoes a magical transformation. The city becomes a symphony of lights, casting reflections onto the tranquil waters of its canals. I will be on hand to unravel the secrets of night-time photography and master the art of painting with light.

A great time of year to visit

December is an excellent time of year to photograph in Venice as the streets are much quieter and getting around is much easier than the rest of the year. In winter, Venice is prone to small areas of flooding called 'Aqua Alta', which creates excellent photographic potential and low-lying mist generated from the lagoon adding extra drama and atmosphere. Optionally, there will also be the opportunity for pre-breakfast dawn shoots for those who wish to take part. This is when the light is at its softest and the streets are (pretty much) void of people. I will be on hand throughout each session, offering tuition and advice on all aspects of composition and technique so that you return home with beautiful images.

A Multi-coloured Experience

For photographers, a visit to Venice has to include a trip to Burano - a small island nearby famous for its multi-coloured terraced houses. This amazing island is full of photographic potential which just has to be photographed! Here, we will spend the whole day exploring before returning to the Hotel.

Our full attention

In order to give all participants the best experience, my wife Gillian, will be on hand to support the group. Gillian will organise cafe's and restaurants for lunch and evening meals within the vicinity of where we will be photographing each day. She will also be on hand to help with any of your needs throughout the workshop such as helping you to purchase your water taxi (Vaporetto) tickets, directions, etc.

Post Workshop Processing Discount!

As a follow-up to the workshop, I am offering a 20% discount off one of my online Lightroom sessions via Zoom. This is a great way to refine some of the images you took whilst in Venice on a 1-2-1 basis. This session may also be recorded so you can review the video at your convenience at any time in the future. This is valid for up to 6 months after the end of the workshop - just get in touch to arrange a mutally agreed time.

December images of Venice

Venice by Day

Venice by Night

Venice in Black and White

Multi-coloured Burano

Accommodation.

We will stay at The Hotel Ala, a beautiful hotel conveniently situated a short walk from Piazza San Marco and the Accademia Bridge as well as being within 50 yards of a Vaporetto stop on the Grand Canal.  This will give us a convenient base from which to explore this magical, mysterious, romantic and beautiful city. All rooms will be sole occupancy and have full en-suite facilities.

Places are strictly limited to 6 participants. This enables me to offer an intensive event where I will work closely with you to ensure that your learning experience is fully tailored to your individual and unique needs.

Bed and breakfast is included in the cost of the workshop as is a light lunch and 2 course evening meal including drinks each day! 

Camera Equipment

Here is a list of recommended equipment you should bring…

• Camera body and a selection of lenses that ideally cover wide-angle to medium telephoto (for instance 25mm to 200mm). 
• At least two camera batteries
• Tripod
• Hot-shoe spirit level (if your camera has a level indicator built-in that’s fine).
• Lens cloth
• Camera bag capable of being stored in an overhead locker on a plane.

Clothing

Although many miles south of the UK, Venice can still be chilly in December, so warm, waterproof clothing is required. 

• Plenty of layers to keep warm
• Hat
• Gloves
• Waterproof coat
• Waterproof over-trousers
• Walking shoes or boots 
• A light pair of wellingtons for Aqua Alta - Please refer to this article. 
• Small Umbrella

Fitness Level - Easy | Moderate | Challenging

A moderate level of fitness is required for this workshop. Although there are no hills in Venice there are bridges with shallow steps to climb up and down.

Getting there

By Plane

Flights are not included in the price of this workshop, so please consult your local international airport for details to Marco Polo airport. From here, you can catch a Vaporetto or water taxi to the Grand Canal. Full Hotel details and Vaporetto stops will be issued nearer the time.

Payment must be made in full when booking a single day workshop (you will be sent an invoice). For residential workshops, a deposit of £500 is required (unless otherwise stated) and the balance is payable 12 weeks before the course commences.

The balance of the cost of the workshop will be due 12 weeks before the workshop starts. If a booking is made less than 12 weeks prior to the beginning of the workshop, the full cost is payable at the time of booking.

If you, the client, cancel a booking any money you have paid (including the deposit) is non-refundable unless I can find a replacement to take your place after all other places have been filled. If a replacement is found an admin fee of £100 will be deducted from the refund. If I cancel a booking any payment received will be refunded in full. Please ensure that you have adequate travel insurance in place. It is a term of the contract between us that you will obtain the appropriate travel insurance cover before you set out on the workshop. The insurance must cover the loss, expenses and damages arising from, including but not limited to, the cancellation of the workshop (whether in whole or in part), personal accident and injury, medical and repatriation costs, loss of baggage and personal money and belongings, flight cancellations and delays as well as your inability to arrive at the workshop destination due to fuel shortages and other such disruptions out of my control.

Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, I regret I cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of my obligations under my contract with you is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any damage, loss or expense of any nature as a result of “force majeure”. In these booking conditions, “force majeure” means any event which I or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include, (whether actual or threatened), war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire, epidemics/pandemics, fuel shortages and all similar events outside my control.

Please note, I cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1) which on the basis of the information given to me by you concerning your booking prior to me accepting it, I could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if I breached the contract with you or (2) which did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by myself where I am responsible for them, my suppliers. Additionally, I cannot accept liability for any business losses.

You will be allocated either a single room or a double/twin room for single occupancy. There is no single occupancy surcharge. Where double or twin rooms are available, they will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis at the time of check-in.

Mark Banks Photography reserves the right to cancel any workshop. In the event of any cancellation, I will offer either a total refund or a place on an alternative workshop. If the alternative workshop is cheaper, I will refund the difference, and if it is more expensive, you will be required to pay the balance.

All applicants participate at their own risk and Mark Banks Photography accepts no responsibility for injury or damage done to their persons or property. It is recommended that applicants hold their own personal Public Liability Insurance.

The type of workshops I offer require flexibility and must allow for alternatives. For this reason, the outline itinerary and workshop description must be taken as an indication of what may take place on the workshop, and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Mark Banks Photography.

I do not accept responsibility or liability for death, bodily injury or illness caused to you during the workshop, unless arising from the negligent act and/or omission on my part or on the part of any of my employees (providing they were at the time acting within the course of their employment). Please note that any itinerary noted on the workshop description is subject to change due to weather conditions and/or the capability of participants.

By booking a workshop with Mark Banks Photography you are agreeing to accept all of the above conditions.