When Carlo and I first started to think about the Photo Moto project, the first thing that came to mind was out of the classic Italian movies…. scooters represented in post war Italy the new freedom. Then I began to think of my early trips to Italy where I was excited by the buzz of scooters all around me in the cities and country side.
Last year in Sicily the first Photo Moto project took off and was a huge success. The students, Carlo, and myself had a wonderful experience on the open road making photographs. Carlo selected a wonderful itinerary that kept our minds and hearts filled with excitement. Additionally, besides the beautiful light and landscape, we also had wonderful meals together! It reached beyond our expectations and now we are ready to do it again for a second time.
The road trip is a classic motivating theme in literature, photography and the cinema. Think Paul Strand, Robert Frank, or Jack Kerouac…All were inspired through travel adventures while exploring not only themselves but also a culture while on a road trip. What better way to investigate yourself, your photography and the wonderful country of Italy than on a scooter. One can combine all of these passions into one week of exploring Sicily.
The scooter is classic Italian as well as fun and easy to ride for everyone of all ages. Thus, one must understand how to ride a scooter in order to participate in this workshop.
But, please note – Moto Photo is not a race! We will drive at an easy pace as this will be a trip of inquiry and discovery. Our peaceful photographic journey takes us to several locations in Sicily, which is both historical and beautiful. We will tour on two wheels not only creating classic portraiture but also broadening our photographic story telling abilities and amplifying visual poetry that reflects our individual point of view. There will be no shortage of old world charm, wonderful faces, still life imagery, and magical landscapes where it appears that time stood still.
This lecture light workshop will focus on studying design, gesture, movement and light in real time together while touring the country side. We will also have time together to have inspired discussions and our critiques will take place individually as well as in a group setting. This workshop will focus on creativity inspired from within to merge one’s personal point of view with the gamut of discoveries and opportunities we find along our road trip.
Cruising on scooters will be as easy and comfortable as riding a bicycle. The breeze in our faces will refresh and open our minds.
Moto Photo will be a journey of personal growth through examination within, while learning to see individually the environments and people we discover along the way. No matter the tool you choose for this adventure whether a traditional camera or an iPhone the images we create together will be life shaping and captivating.
Paul has photographed such celebrities as AC/DC, Billy Corgan, John Goodman, Jennifer Hudson, Katy Perry, Ministry, Willie Nelson, Trent Reznor, Luciano Pavarotti and Oprah Winfrey, to name a few.
His work has appeared worldwide in galleries and museums, and has been published in such publications as Audubon, Fast Company, Life, Men’s Health, National Geographic, People, Rolling Stone, Time, and Wired among others. Paul’s book Luna, Bella Luna chronicles the people of Vesale, Italy, and he has also collaborated on several books with Chef Rick Bayless as well as the late chef Charlie Trotter. In addition to photography, he has directed music videos and television commercials.
Paul’s interests outside of image making include vintage motorcycles, all things Italian, music and expressions of creativity.
We will meet with the group on the 1st, have a first talk about the plans for the coming week, get the scooters, do some practice and have a first dinner together.
On Sunday we will have a first portfolio review of participant’s work, and then go for a ride to the coast.
On Monday, we will start our adventure on two wheels. We will stay in Siracusa for the next two days, taking day trips from there. On Wednesday afternoon we will continue our trip moving further south and stay for 4 more days in that area, explore the baroque area and the small villages nearby.
We will be back to Siracusa on Friday, in order to prepare the slide show for Friday night and return the scooters. The day after, we will travel back to Catania to get our flights back home – unless you have planned to extend your staying!!!
We plan to travel not more than 3 hours a day, in order to have a lot of time to stop shooting and discover the villages along the road and the magic of places such as Siracusa, Marzamemi, Noto, Modica , Ragusa-Ibla.
We will reserve room in comfortable hotels along the road, and will have dinners together in typical local restaurants and trattorie. A well equipped car/van will follow us, carrying your bags, tripods, camera bags, so you will be able to travel very light on your scooter and enjoy the ride.
In order to rent a scooter, you need to have a valid driving licence issued in your country, also valid for EEC countries. Please contact us f you need assistance on this.
Considering the nature of the workshop, the mantra will be: travel light!
We will have a back up car where to transport your personal bags and camera bags, plus tripods etc, but consider that we will change at least three hotels, so it will be much easier if everyone has a small/medium size bag.
We will Stay in Siracusa at the beginning and end of our trip, so some luggage can be left at the hotel, but still….
Bring the camera you plan to use for the workshop, plus a back up body (or camera). And of course your laptop, in order to be able to edit your photographs for the critique sessions we will have along the road.
A complete list of accessories and clothing will be given before the workshop.
When Carlo and I first started to think about the Moto Photo project, the first thing that came to mind was out of the classic Italian movies…. scooters represented in post war Italy the new freedom. Then I began to think of my early trips to Italy where I was excited by the buzz of scooters all around me in the cities and country side.
Thus when Carlo asked me for a picture to illustrate this terrific new workshop in Sicily, I decided to create a special one! I thought of a young woman riding in the countryside, enjoying the moment, the wind and the experience of the land. For me Italy brings to mind adventure and exploration. But of course together in the program we will make images from your mind and heart!
We will meet with the group on the 5th, have a first talk about the plans for the coming week, get the scooters, do some practice and have a first dinner together.
On Monday, we wil start our adventure on two wheels. We will stay in Siracusa for the next two days, taking day trips from there. On Wednesday afternoon we will continue our trip moving further south and stay for 4 more days in that area, explore the baroque area and the small villages nearby.
We will reserve room in confortable hotels along the road, and will have dinners together in typical local restaurants and trattorie. A well equipped car/van will follow us, carrying your bags, tripods, camera bags, so you will be able to travel very light on your scooter and enjoy the ride.
In order to rent a scooter, you need to have a valid driving licence issued in your country, also valid for EEC counties. Please contact us f you need assistance on this.
We will have a back up car where to transport your personal bags and camera bags, plus tripods etc, but consider that we will change at least three hotels, so it will be much easier if everyone has a small/medium sixe bag.