Patrick Nicholas operates master classes once or twice a year along the lines of some of his images in the Belle series, some of which are shown here. You can see them all on his site photonicholas.com
If you are interested in pursuing a master class in the photo school involving the landscape with nude models please contact Patrick Nicholas specifying ‘Master Class’.
Next masterclasses begin 5 July 2024
Topics covered in this photography master class:
photography techniques, lighting, both natural and artificial, on location using flash, reflectors, diffusers and simple means such as a hand held torch or flashlight; creating atmosphere using smoke; props and drapery; post production in Photoshop and fine-art printing. Here you will see the wide variety of locations found within one and a half hours by car from Orvieto. We are in Umbria, but our locations stretch across to the Tyrrhenian Sea of Tuscany and Latium (or Lazio, the region of Rome).
Patrick uses the bee-smoker with incense to create shafts of sunlight in a deconsecrated cave chapel at Poggio Conte, Ischia di Castro, Latium
Although this is a predominantly digital photography course, if you have a medium format film camera this is the time to use it.
Sun rays. The incense lent the set an extraordinary atmosphere.
This workshop is really designed for photographers with some experience and who have the right equipment – that said we can lend a tripod if you want to save weight. we also can lend Canon lenses.
Master class: nude in the Landscape in the Sacred Glade, Poggio Conte
Check out Patrick Nicholas’ website – many images from the Le Belle series (including the images in the slider) have been shot in the landscape around Orvieto.
A masterclass with a model lasts 6 nights:
Time spent on reconnaissance is never wasted, is an old military maxim, but works well for photography too. We will spend time together scouting locations and getting to know the area while at least a day will be dedicated to reviewing your work and Photoshop/Lightroom manipulation. At the end of the week we shall finish up by doing a fine-art print of your work. We have four shooting days with a model in the field. We use two models, but not necessarily at the same time. Shooting takes place entirely on location in the incomparable Italian landscape in secret places that few people aside from Patrick Nicholas know of. Patrick has been a professional photographer since he graduated in Photographic Arts in 1977 and has lived in Italy for over 35 years so he has a lot of knowledge to impart.
Nordic Walker. The model’s friend operates the smoke machine behind the knoll. The Puritan voyeur, bottom left, was added later. Every picture has a story, this is no exception. This place has an extraordinary acoustic and was used for sacred rites for thousands of years. Location: Poggio Conte, Latium
Alter Ego. A rather wan day in October, so the model was illuminated by flash with a yellow gel. Inspired by Tintoretto’s Susanna and the Elders (1562). Location: Lake Bolsena, Latium
Labyrinth. In an Etruscan sacred way, the woman gazes into the crystal ball. These mysterious ancient paths were excavated into the volcanic rock about 2,500 years ago and probably used for sacred processions. Location: Sorano, Tuscany
Flora Furiosa is inspired by one of the figures, Flora, in Botticelli’s Spring (1482). She is scattering the flowers of spring while the forest fire still rages. Not really of course, the flames were created in PhotoShop.Taken on film, Mamyia RB67. Location: Pescia Fiorentina, Tuscany
Danaïd. Inspired by Rodin’s sculpture Danaïd (1889). Location: Vulci, Latium-Tuscan border.
Chanson d’automne. Inspired by Verlaine’s poem (1866). Location: Torre Alfina. Latium
The Source. Inspired by the Claude Berri film Manon Des Sources (1986) Location: Souce of the Nova, Latium-Tuscany border.
Spectre de la rose. The woman is draped in lace from my grandmother’s wedding dress from 1924. Inspired by one of Berlioz’s Chanson d’été, itself based on the poem by Théophile Gautier. Location: Lake Bolsena, Latium
Pleiades. Location: Pescia Romana, Latium-Tuscan border
Ondine. Rapids in the river Fiora at Vulci, Latium
A limbless stone statue of a goddess above a carved stone throne. Location: Orsini Park, Pitigliano, Tuscany
Carpe Diem. From this petrified throne, Renaissance ladies watched their menfolk launch their falcons over the valley below. The rampant statue of the bear behind her, is the symbol of the Orsini family. Location: Orsini Park, Pitigliano, Tuscany
Master class: photo shooting locations.
Video of the October 2018 Masterclass in Umbria on Lake Trasimeno
Shooting takes place entirely on location in the incomparable Italian landscape in secret places that few people aside from Patrick Nicholas know of.
Seventh Veil. Location: Poggio Conte, Latium
One of our favourite places is in the gorge at Vulci. There is a secret path down to the fast-flowing stream so nobody ever disturbs us.
A photographer sets up her tripod in Vulci on the river Fiora that delineates the Tuscan-Latium border
We have many photogenic locations ideal for shooting nudes on this photo course: secret, fern-lined glades; waterfalls; abandoned Templar churches; hot springs; deserted sandy coasts; rocky bays; many of which feature in the slider at the top. The weather is still warm well into October.
In a Vulci grotto like a Gothic cathedral
Personally, I like to tell a story with my pictures. Many paintings and operas have been based on the story of Orpheus and Eurydice; I believe the ravine at Vulci provides a suitably suggestive location for their tragic story.
Eurydice is about to be dragged down to the Underworld. Pluto’s hand is actually mine, the camera on remote. Location: Vulci, Latium-Tuscan border
The 60-second video below shows some of the locations.
Rusalka, the water spirit. Inspired by Dvorak’s opera. As long as she keeps a toe in the water she is immortal, but she falls for a passing prince and……. Location: Vulci, Latium
The waterfall. Location: Salabrone Waterfall, Farnese, Latium
Genius Loci. Inspired by Hokusai’s Great Wave of Kanagawa (1832). Taken on film with Mamyia RB67. Location: Vulci, Latium
In These Shoes? Inspired by Kirsty MacColl’s eponymous song (2000), and also David Caspar Friedrich’s The Wanderer above a Sea of Fog (1818). Location: Populonia, Tuscany
Luxe, calme et volupté. Inspired by the Baudelaire poem from Les fleurs du mal (1857). It has been updated to the present day; she is holding a Choco Pie, a much-prized delicacy in North Korea, they were flown in on balloons from the South. Location: Montalto di Castro, Latium
As Above, So Below. This arena-shaped location used to be a launching platform for aristocratic falconers. Their ladies watched from stone-carved thrones. Location: Pitigliano, Tuscany. This location is about 45m drive from Orvieto.
Pricing
The cost for for one person for the 7 days, 6 nights is €2,450 including accommodation, the modelling fee for 2 days, two dinners, lunch and transport to the locations PLUS one fine art print up to 30x40cm of your best shot on Hahnemuhle paper. Modelling fee for an extra day’s shooting is €200.
Two persons sharing a room €1,750 per person (€3,500). Please specify twin or double beds.
Deposit €250 per person, Pay Pal, or bankers draft. You may pay the balance on arrival by credit card.
“As a photographer what this helps you to do is to stop and listen. Patrick’s wonderfully laconic and easy going style are the perfect complement to the landscape. He encourages you to look. No , really look. To stop, to listen not just with your ears but to listen with your eyes…and if you think this is hyperbole think about how lovers pick up every change, every innuendo without a word being said. You begin to see the change in light; to feel the history. It is absorbing and you can’t help but let it impact the pictures you take. – Read more here. Marco Ryan
