Venice Carnival 3-day Workshop: 26-28 February 2025 (FULLY BOOKED)
‘Carnevale’ is a uniquely Venetian experience not to be missed and is a truly mouthwatering experience for street photographers! Venice in February is dark, mysterious, a little sinister and usually misty - giving us the most fabulous layered backdrops.
This workshop isn’t about shooting portraits of people in costume: it’s about documenting the madness, the energy, the bizarre and the ‘unusual in the usual’ - in a street and documentary photography style.
This Venice street photography workshop is project-focused, with the emphasis on the carnival; it will combine elements of street, documentary and travel photography, where you’ll produce creative images which reflect real life in this wonderful city. You will discover new ways of telling the story of your travels through great images. There will be lots of structured shooting and you will receive coaching, mentoring and constant feedback from your course leader, Brian Lloyd Duckett.
As well as documenting the colourful carnival, we will explore the ‘less trodden’ Venice away from the tourists, taking in the sights and sounds of this most charismatic of cities well off the beaten track. In a small group (maximum of 6 participants), you will discover the city’s photographic ‘hot spots’ and learn how to shoot striking, compelling and witty images with a professional street photographer and photojournalist.
We will aim to visit each of the sestiere (districts) of the city, each of which has a distinctive feel and its own special photo opportunities. You will learn how to . . .
Develop your own style as a photographer and how to conceive and undertake ‘projects’
Use creative techniques for exposure, focus and composition
Become invisible and shoot your environment quietly and unobtrusively
Maximise the potential of your camera when photographing buildings and urban landscapes
Conquer your fear of photographing strangers
Spot opportunities in everyday scenes; find beauty in the mundane
Shoot striking abstracts
Understand and work with great light
Build your confidence as a street photographer
Tell the story of your travels through striking images
COSTS
This workshop takes place over 3 full days and costs £885. We find that most people prefer to organise their own accommodation and flights; accommodation is plentiful and budget airlines fly to Venice from most UK airports. Please let us know if you need any advice regarding your arrangements – we know the city very well and we’re happy to help. You are strongly urged to take out travel insurance prior to your trip.
WHAT LEVEL IS THIS?
This is an intermediate level workshop, ideal for those with a reasonable knowledge of basic photographic principles such as exposure and focusing. However, as the group is so small, there’s plenty of opportunity for individual coaching throughout the day.
ITINERARY
We will meet the evening before the workshop for an informal supper in a lovely Venetian restaurant. This is optional, but it’s a great way for us get to know each other before the workshop starts the following morning.
The itinerary may change according to local events and weather conditions.
Day 1
We meet at 0930hrs in a cafe overlooking the Grand Canal for coffee and a thorough briefing before setting off into the city.
The day will be spent working on some street photography techniques and starting to shoot images for your project.
At the end of the day we’ll get together for an informal supper (partners welcome to join). Costs not included but it won’t be an expensive or late night!
Day 2
We’ll take the Vaporetto (waterbus) out of the city to the island of Giudecca and we may visit another, less inhabited, island. The workshop cost includes a 24-hour Vaporetto ticket (which you’ll be able to use outside the workshop hours).
Weather permitting, we’ll find a great location to shoot the sunset.
We will finish the day with a debrief and Q&A session over a drink, aiming to finish at around 5pm.
Day 3
We will have an early start to shoot the extraordinary Venice sunrise (weather permitting).
Another full day’s shooting.
We’ll find somewhere quiet for a short lunch break, with a group discussion, at around 1pm, before hitting the streets again for the second structured photographic session.
At the end of the day we’ll get together for a farewell drink and final debrief / Q&A session - followed by a great supper (again, optional but it’s a lovely way to end out time together!).
AFTER THE WORKSHOP
Individual critique for photos taken on the day is available during the week following the course; you will also (if you wish) be able to share your work with your workshop peer group, gaining wider critique.
After the course, you will be encouraged to keep in touch through the StreetSnappers Collective.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Three full days’ tuition with Brian Lloyd Duckett.
Follow-up and critique after the workshop.
24-hour Vaporetto ticket (which you’ll be able to use outside the workshop hours).
You will need to pay for your own drinks, refreshments and any additional public transport costs during the weekend.
FLIGHTS & ACCOMMODATION
Flight and accommodation are not included in the workshop cost. We find that people prefer to select their own accommodation according to their tastes and budget. In terms of location, we suggest staying in an area close to the Rialto Bridge or Piazza San Marco - somewhere between these two points are ideal. There are many hotels at different price points in this area and lots of Airbnb accommodation. Please don’t hesitate to email Brian if you would like more specific advice.
YOUR COURSE LEADER
Your course leader for the weekend is Brian Lloyd Duckett, a well-known documentary photographer and professional street photographer. Brian has run many workshops in Venice and knows the city well. He teaches as a Visiting Lecturer on photography degree courses and is a board member of the BPPA (British Press Photographers’ Association).
