WORKSHOPS
In my first workshop in 1979, I began a new journey to accumulate, gather, and share experiences for my life as a photographic artist. This has been a rewarding process of sharing as a photographic educator while learning from others, and capturing some amazingly beautiful and emotional moments in time. I teach with the theory that all good photographs are self portraits, that lie somewhere between imaginations and dreams. For me photography has become a way to document the objective world by looking out and the subjective world by reflecting in. In my workshops, that is the road we journey as we discover and (re)create a part of ourselves in our art.

Workshops are a time to feed the soul visually and emotionally— away from the daily routines and refresh the creative energies. Please join me in making new friends, exploring a new environment, and letting yourself experiment with finding new ways of expressing yourself through your photographs.

If you cannot join me in a scheduled workshop, please inquire about personal instruction or a class tailored for a small group held in your area or exotic location I may know.

CALENDAR OF WORKSHOPS

       2009


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Creative Women Sharing     April 23-26, 2009 (new dates)
Napa Valley      $695

 

Ibegan 2009 with the resolution that I would find something beautiful in each day.  Something that would make me stop and be amazed ...be it a photograph made, a poem read or a thought written in my journal.  From the buzzard sitting on the chimney drying its wings to the floating Paperwhite bulb roots, wrap gently around tiny stones,  I continue to seek and ponder this incredible life.  That is what creative women sharing will be about as we apply life's metaphors to our journey using photography, journaling, and meditative walks to seek the beauty within.  We'll look at work, share stories, learn photographic techniques, watch the light dance and learn how to capture it.  It is a weekend to restore our souls and connect on many levels as we share a glass of wine and conversation in front of the fireplace, in the hot tub or on the balcony watching the sunset.  You will be pampered, nudged and encouraged during this weekend retreat, with all meals prepared so your time is spent on you.  Give yourself this gift that will keep on giving to those you love.

The workshop will take place on a hilltop estate above St Helena overlooking the valley and vineyards.  It will include  all meals, lodging, photographic instruction, body work, a portrait session and laughs.  Email if you have questions.
 

Tuscany and Umbria May 1-9, 2009
Italy, $2800

The Italians say “Where there is pleasure, there is no losing.”  These days together will be infused with that sentiment as we begin our workshop in Tuscany, close to Siena,  at Podernovo di Monticiano (www.ilpodernovo.com). This charming property, owned by co-instructor Diana Grandi,  will be our base for  working with the Siena Dance troupe exploring movement, portraiture and how the camera sees. Diana knows this region well and is happy to share her connections to Tuscany as we poke into ruins to explore the light.  We shall learn how to present our photographs in portfolios, intimate handmade books and explore the many possibilities today for self publishing.

While at  Podernovo we will have the opportunity to work with our Tuscan chef in a cooking class and eat the roasts and cakes baked in the wood oven. We’ll visit the nearby roofless Abbey San Galgano, explore the landscape with digital infrared and drink espresso with the locals while photographing the nearby village life. We’ll also field trip to the town of Arezzo for the legendery antique market held the first weekend of each month.

Continuing on our photographic quest we shall relocate to Umbria and the quaint town of Spello.   We'll spend time in Assisi photographing the animated ‘Calendimaggio’, a three-day costume festival of ancient games and choir competitions.Shared rental cars will allow us the pleasure to leisurely explore the spring  landscape with infrared as we travel  to  lovely locations such as Perugia, Spoleto, Città di Castello and Deruta, famous for its beautiful pottery.

There will be impromptu critiques using our digital projector as we share wine, ideas and images.  Students may use any film or digital, though processing of film is not available during this workshop.

Tuition includes eight nights shared accommodation with private bath, breakfast and 10 other lunches or dinners, wine and  model sessions with dancers, two photographic instructors, critique and art supplies. Transportation is by shared rental cars. $125 refund if you rent your own vehicle. Non-photographing companion fee is $2300.   Class size is limited to 12 and fills rapidly.  Please inquire about single supplements if available.  A $750 deposit is required to hold your space with the balance due by April 15, 2009. Early registration and trip insurance is recommended. Fly into Florence or Rome or contact diana.grandi@gmail.com for further options.

 

Provence for Locals    June 26-29, 2009
France, 400 Euros

I first arrived in Provence in 1983 to assist a photo workshop and like many, I fell in love.  I can truly say that Provence has been the biggest influence on my vision. Besides my love for the region, it’s the sense of community that keeps me coming back. I’m hoping this workshop will help strengthen the community of locals who share my passion.

The group will meet on Friday afternoon to share photos,  stories, and discuss light,  “the basis for all beautiful images.” A field trip will be followed by dinner in a local restaurant. Saturday and Sunday will be devoted to shooting, critiques and lectures on portraiture, “finding the beauty in your own space,” using infrared film and digital infrared, digital capture and working with models. The course will include daylight, twilight and night-shooting sessions and one live-model session. I will share my portfolio and also discuss experiences in the French photo community. Monday will be devoted to reviewing images made and discussions on editing, print presentation and handmade books. The day will finish with an afternoon photo session.



The focus of the class is making images, but also sharing our collective knowledge,  finding your personal vision and meeting other like minded locals to share your passion.  There will be lots of laughs, good meals and new friends as you continue your photographic journey in this incredible part of France.  Tuition of 400 euros includes 4 meals, model fees and all instruction.

 

Provence Kissed By The Light July 1-11, 2009
Tuition 3295, model fee 100
     


 

The beauty of Provencal locals in the settings of Van Gogh and Cezanne paintings is the basis for this magical ten day workshop in a landscape kissed by the light. Enjoy the company of other passionate photographers sharing in candid critiques and their creativity as we work with models in locations that inspire and spend other days exploring this intoxicating region filled with sunflower and lavender fields in bloom.  From the caves of Les Baux to the Camargue beaches, Provencal farmhouses and ruins, we’ll create intimate portraits while exploring digital infrared and the joy of sharing images with the locals over pastis. Our home for the first week, Le  Clos du Buis, sits at the entrance to Bonnieux . A large stone house with swimming pool and panoramic views of the Luberon, its private parking will allow us the pleasure of wandering through the village for late dinners while shooting twilight.  This is the season of daily markets, festivals, and bullfighting-- we need only choose. We will visit local vineyards for wine tasting and villages such as ocre saturated Rouissillon, I’lse sur la Sorgue and St Remy. While sharing lunch in their homes, we’ll view the work of French photographers Claudine and Jean Pierre Sudre, Denis Brihat, and Lucien Clergue.

We’ll move to Fontvieille the last 3 days, closer to the 40th anniversary of the Rencontres d’Arles where we’ll visit the photography exhibitions, see the nightly slide shows under the stars in the Antique Theatre and explore Arles, the Camargue and Aix en Provence at leisure. The possibilities for great images are endless in this workshop co-taught by Elizabeth Opalenik and Italian photographer, Diana Grandi. 

   Foreign Workshop Cancellation policy and registration form

We’ll finish the week with discussions on presenting our work and will collectively create a book on our Provencal journey.

Tuition includes ten nights shared accommodation with private bath, breakfast and one other meal each day, two model sessions, all photographic instruction and critiques. Transportation is by shared rental cars. Non-photographing companion fee is $2700.  Class size is limited to 12 and fills rapidly.  Single supplement, if available, is $750.  A $750 deposit is required to hold your space with the balance due by May 15, 2009. Early registration and trip insurance is recommended. Prices based on euro exchange 11/08.  Surcharges may apply.  Fly into Marseille or TGV to Avignon.

Please contact Elizabeth@opalenik.com for more details. I have been leading workshops in Europe for the past 25 years and know this is one of the best for locations, ambiance and making great images.

Tuscany-based Diana Grandi has been Program Coordinator for National Geographic Expeditions in Italy and France and has worked closely teaching with some of the internationally best known photographers. Diana has exhibited her work in London, Milan and the United States, curated exhibitions in Italy and has written profiles on photographers for Zoom Magazine International.  Within the last ten years, her talent in refurbishing  and decorating houses has led her  to create a Country Inn and a Winery in Tuscany.

 

Imagination and Dreams     July 27 - August 2, 2009
Santa Fe, NM    Santa Fe Photographic Workshops

I remember my excitement with the first image I made 30 years ago that spoke softly “yes.” My world changed upon realizing, through metaphors, that I could convey my feelings and thoughts photographically. With creativity I found my voice through images, and learned that all good photographs are self portraits that lie somewhere between imagination and dreams.In this workshop we shall go searching for that excitement and those images that move and sustain us. We will remember why we create images to express our ideas and explore various exercises to bring awareness to ourselves, others around us and the precious moment’s in life’s fateful detours. From portraits to landscapes, images are stepping stones that trace where the mind has been and form the unique vision each of us carries through life. By revealing ourselves, we shall discover new tools to convey the essence of our subjects. Together we shall explore how to express those heartfelt emotions and create the images that continue to speak softly “yes”.   There will be daily assignments using each other, local models and ourselves. This workshop is about taking risks, applying new skills learned daily and sharing our collective knowledge to take that next step in a supportive environment.What takes time to create, time respects. Good images don't just happen. They take a lifetime of practices and willingness to share your soul to be repeatable and lasting. Most often, our best images lie just beyond our greatest failures. We shall applaud failures in this workshop and be rewarded with new ideas and paths.

Elizabeth will share and discuss extensive bodies of work that span her 30-year career as a photographic artist. There will be discussions on print presentation, organizing a portfolio, digital infrared and intimate handmade books. Come with an open mind and questions, prepared for long days and the possibility of viewing the world differently when you leave.
(Click to read Camera Arts article on this workshop)

 

The Beauty Within      August 9-15, 2009
Rockport, ME     Maine Media Workshops

   When you find yourself, you find your vision.                     


To connect with the heart of our subject, we ‘ll go looking for our own personal beauty and what makes us unique. We’ll use this  visual voice to express our relationship to the subject, be it a person, object or moment in time. As we search for the spirit within, we’ll define our point of view, for in photography it is one of the most important tools we have.

Using our personal journey in photography, we will remember why we create images to tell stories and how metaphors creatively express our thoughts, feelings and life experiences.  We’ll explore various exercises to bring awareness in our images that show not only what the subject is, but what else it is.

In this workshop we shall use models, each other, what surrounds us daily and inspiration. There will be laughter, there will be tears, there will be assignments. We shall share this photographic journey to the beauty within through images, journals, poetry and supportive discussion.  Images are made by taking new risks and being willing to fail.  The reward is new ideas, new paths, a newfound passion and work that lasts beyond the first glance.

Elizabeth will share her personal journey in photography and discuss extensive bodies of work that span her 30-year career as a photographic artist. We will make images each day and spend time on print presentation, organizing a portfolio, intimate handmade books, and seeing life’s possibilities. Come with an open mind and questions, prepared for long days and the possibility of viewing the world differently when you leave.

Students should bring a body of work to share and discuss.

For registration, please visit Maine Media Workshops www.theworkshops.com

 

The Figure In Motion      August 31-September 4, 2009
Jackson, WY     Jackson Hole Workshops


This workshop will investigate the figure, both in motion and in the landscape. During daily assignments we will use each other, local dancers, models, and ourselves to capture the figure. Students should be prepared to take risks, apply new skills, and share collective knowledge to take that next step in a supportive environment. Daily shooting and critiques will enhance the learning process and help students gain a better understanding of expressive possibilities of the figure.

For registration, please visitJackson Hole Workshops www.jacksonholeworkshops.com

 

"California Happenings & Creative Women Sharing"  impromptu 2-3 day workshops

    Email for more information

Impromptu weekend workshops do happen at my home on the topics handpainting and toners, Polaroid processes or intimate handmade book presentations.  If you are interested, please e-mail me so that I may keep your name available for special mailings about these happenings and other workshops in Napa , San Francisco or Big Sur on the figure or “Creative Women Sharing” workshops where we gather to explore our potential, review work and share issues.   If you have a small group in your area interested in creating one of these workshops, please let me know.

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photo by Ginette Vachon