Photography and Folklore May 7th to May 11th 2008 during the Calendimaggio in Assisi. Capturing the Pristine Beauty of Umbria. This four day "Full Immersion" workshop in the heart of italy will focus on the photography of art, landscapes and folklore. In fact these will be the principal themes.In this world we will work on improving and intensifying your photographic consciousness, while, at the same time, learning more about this beautiful area of italy (the traditions, history and beauty of Umbria). Your guide, Mario Mazziol, is the author of many works concerning Italy. Most recently (August 2007), he did a piece of photo-journalism "The Chronicles of Narni" about the bizarre and beautiful subterranean city near Perugia. This workshop is limited to six photographers with a minimum skill requirement of intermediate to advanced photography. During these four days there will be two crit sessions where your work will be analyzed, critiqued and studied with particular attention paid to composition. We suggest the following equipment: a reflex camera (even digital) with both wide angle and zoom lenses. A tripod or monopod. A laptop or at least an external drive to store your images. Also a sense of humor and curiosity are warmly invited. And don't forget a comfortable pair of shoes! The Calendimaggio celebrations in Assisi trace their roots back to very ancient customs of celebrating spring that were used by civilisations even outside the Italian peninsula. These traditions were later transformed into celebrations of the goddesses Maia and Flora by the Romans, and later still into the Kalende di Maggio celebrations during the Middle Ages. Groups of young gaudentes sing, dance and serenade their way through the city's streets and squares as a means of celebrating the return of spring. Program: Wednesday morning, May 7th: The participants arrive at the airport in Perugia. Afternoon: Workshop begins. Explain the activities of the workshop and introduction to analog and digital photography with suggestions on specific types of shooting. Thursday morning, May 8th: Landscape photography at Monte Acuto. Afternoon until evening: Folklore photography. We will be in Assisi for the beginning of the festival. This will include the performance of flag wavers and the beginnings of the medioeval games. Friday morning, May 9th: We will photograph in the ancient hamlet of Montone, focusing on their art. Afternoon: We will return to Assisi for the "Springtime Madonna", more medioeval games (the log sled race and the tug of war) Saturday morning, May 10th. Examine and critique of images. Afternoon: Return to Assisi for the the big finale "La Tenzone" which is the traditional battle. Sunday morning, May 11th. Second critique of images and conclusion of workshop. Four days accommodation, meals ( breakfast, lunch, dinner ), transportation from and to the airport of Perugia included. Price: 900 Euros Please Contact Valeria to book or for more information at +393939388791 or email us Beautiful opportunity to visit Spello, near Assisi, and enjoy the Infiorata del Corpus Domini with the photographer Mario Mazziol. The Infiorata, sole in its type in Italy for the technology of accomplishment, consists in the creation on the Spello streets of Eucharistic and Religious drawings realized, and here are all of the originality and the glamour of the show, with petals and leaves thin fragmented, not treated with chemical agent, preservative or colouring. Then, late in the Sunday morning, on the attractive Infiorata runs the procession. The religious purpose is reached. The Infiorata before taken care of, kept, watch with zeal and with tenacity by now also can be trampled from whomever. Capturing the Pristine Beauty of Umbria. This four day "Full Immersion" workshop in the heart of italy will focus on the photography of art, landscapes and folklore. In fact these will be the principal themes.In this world we will work on improving and intensifying your photographic consciousness, while, at the same time, learning more about this beautiful area of italy (the traditions, history and beauty of Umbria). Your guide, Mario Mazziol, is the author of many works concerning Italy. Most recently (August 2007), he did a piece of photo-journalism "The Chronicles of Narni" about the bizarre and beautiful subterranean city near Perugia. This workshop is limited to six photographers with a minimum skill requirement of intermediate to advanced photography. During these four days there will be two crit sessions where your work will be analyzed, critiqued and studied with particular attention paid to composition. We suggest the following equipment: a reflex camera (even digital) with both wide angle and zoom lenses. A tripod or monopod. A laptop or at least an external drive to store your images. Also a sense of humor and curiosity are warmly invited. And don't forget a comfortable pair of shoes! Program : Thursday May 22nd, morning: arrival at the airport of Perugia Afternoon: workshop’s begin, introduction to the analogic and digital photography with suggestions on shooting techniques. Friday May 23rd, morning until afternoon: art photography at the discover of Narni underground Saturday May 24th, morning: image’s examination and critique Afternoon until evening: visit to Spello at the Infiorata del Corpus Domini Sunday May 25th, morning until the conclusion: Spello at the Infiorata del Corpus Domini Monday May 26th, morning: second critique of images and conclusion of workshop. Please Contact Valeria to book or for more information at +393939388791 or email us