About Travel
This workshop will concentrate on two distinct areas of photography. One being the experimental camera and non-silver process and the other will be about creating a body of work which reflects your response to a part of the world whose history dates to medieval times.
We will spend three days concentrating on the pinhole camera and the platinum (Ziatype) print. The remaining time will be spent photographing a variety of subjects, from medieval architecture to street markets and landscapes. Museum outings will also be built into the tour to give perspective to our experiences.
Come join us for a wonderful experience in the Southwest of France and experience the light, the wine, and the quiet of the landscape.
About Location
The workshop site is the Atelier Le Bez, situated in the beautiful hills of the Pare Naturel Regional du Haut Languedoc. Le Bez is a small picturesque village where life has changed very little over the years.
Gorges, rivers, and lakes punctuate the local valleys. On our doorstep are the unusual granite formations of the Sidobre, Château's and historic cathedrals. Within easy access are the medieval Cathar sites, the vineyards of St. Chinian and Minervois and the Mediterranean coast. To the north and west are the cities of Castres, Albi, and Toulouse.
Nearby is the birthplace and museum of Arthur Batut, a photographic pioneer who, in the 1860's, was the first to make images using a kite. Fifteen minutes from our rural setting is the city of Castres which boasts the Goya Museum, the largest collection of Spanish Art outside of Spain. An easy drive from Le Bez is Carcassone, one of the most significant medieval Cathar fortified cities; Albi, the home and museum of Toulouse Lautrec; and the city of Toulouse, home of the famed Château d'Eau, one of the earliest photo galleries in Europe, and numerous other museums, restaurants, shops, and picturesque streets.
No visit to southwest France would be complete without a stop at Hostellerie Etienne in Labastide-d' Anjou and dining on Cassoulet de Castelnaudary prepared by Etienne Rousselot, a champion cassoulet chef.
The Atelier Le Bez was once the village dance hall and cinema and have been remodeled to facilitate workshops. The darkroom is equipped to professional standards.
Accommodations are provided at the nearby family run hotel ´Café de Paris' in Brassac, a mere 5km down the road. Lunch and Dinner are provided when working at the Atelier. Picnic style lunches and evening meals are regional specialties with fresh produce and local wines.
Itinerary
- Saturday, June 28th
- Plan on arriving in Toulouse, France, on Saturday
- You will be met at the Airport, Train station, and/or bus terminal- We will drive to Le Bez late in the day.
- Dinner in Le Bez
- Sunday, June 29th
- The day will be spent building your Pinhole Camera, and photographing in the area- the towns and villages we will visit are, Ferrieres, Vabre, and a Roman Bridge in the area
- Dinner in Le Bez
- Monday, June 30th
- Photograph in Brassac, and LeBez in the morning- Develop negatives and Ziatype demonstration and printing in the afternoon.
- Dinner in LeBez
- Tuesday, July 1st
- Field trip to Labruguiere (Arthur Batut Museum), then to the Mazamet to visit the "Museum of Catharism" then on to the Castle at Carcassonne.
- Dinner at the village of Labastide-d' Anjou for a Cassoulet dinner
- Wednesday, July 2nd
- Field trip to the town of Realmont for the morning street market, Albi in the afternoon with a visit to the huge red brick cathedral the basilica of St Salvi and it's impressive art then over to the Toulouse Lautrec Museum, also in Albi. From here we will travel to Cordes-sur-Ciel a very picturesque village which sits on a prominent hill in the area.
- Dinner in Castres
- Thursday, July 3rd
- Field Trip to Toulouse, museums, café's and sight seeing
- Dinner in Toulouse
- Friday, July 4th
- Work day- wrap up- organize images last minute printing
- Dinner at Café de Paris, Brassac
- Saturday, July 5th
- Workshop concludes and leave for Toulouse