I have an opportunity to arrange a photographic workshop with a famous photographer, and would like your input. The workshop would take place in Provence, near Arles, France. It would run during early October 2002 (probably the second week) for 7 days. I am not at liberty to disclose the name of the photographer at this time, but I can tell you he is well known for his figure studies and environmental portraits. I have done some preliminary research, and am considering the following workshop model:

Given the instructor’s experience and the region we’d be in, I would propose three days of formal workshop environment mixed with three days of less intensive travel/sightseeing photography. The workshop would be limited to twelve participants. I have found a small hotel in the area that caters to photographers; it has a complete B&W darkroom with 6 enlargers available for us to use, and the cost is included in the standard room rate. (!) Furthermore, since we’d be located in one of the world’s best regions for fine food and fine wine, I am considering combining the photo workshop with 3 (or more!) high-end dining/wine-tasting experiences. I anticipate the cost of the workshop would be around $2000 per person; including the workshop, lodging, breakfast, lunch, local travel and daily transportation. Airfare/travel to Provence would not be included, and would need to be arranged separately by each participant. I would anticipate the high-end dining and wine-tasting experience to cost about $500 per person, assuming bulk of the group participated. Spouses/significant-other non-participants would also be welcome on this workshop. The cost for them would be only slightly less than the participant, as they would participate in everything except the three days of formal study.

Lastly, I have also arranged for a gallery-showing in San Francisco for the work produced by the participants of this workshop. You would not need to be presesent, but would need to print, mount, mat, frame and ship any work you wanted exhibited to the gallery, and be willing to pay for the return shipping of any unsold work.

So, my questions for this group are:

A) Would you be interested in participating in this type of workshop, assuming you could make the date work?

B) If yes to A, would you also want to participate in the dining/wine addition?

C) Would you want to bring a spouse or significant-other?

D) Would you want to participate in the gallery showing?

Feel free to post your answers here, and thank you in advance for your input!

Cheers,

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), February 24, 2002

Answers

A) Would you be interested in participating in this type of workshop, assuming you could make the date work?

Yes, definitely.

B) If yes to A, would you also want to participate in the dining/wine addition?

Yes, gourmet cooking is my other passion.

C) Would you want to bring a spouse or significant-other?

Too early to tell. First I'd need to find a significant other.

D) Would you want to participate in the gallery showing?

Most likely.

Unfortunately, I have to budget for that Denver conference this year which will set me back $3500 USD. Also, I'm attempting my first photo-essay and I'm going to have to spend alot of time with my subjects to gain their trust and acquiescence. I foresee that my expenditures on film will also increase by several fold over the next year as well. But I really want to do a good job on this.

Most likely not this year Jack. However, please keep me in mind for future workshops

Cheers,

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), February 24, 2002.

I would jump all over this (all of it) Jack, but my wife and I will be cruising the Med early Oct for our 25th wedding anniversary. I always seem to have bad timing with things like this. Rats.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), February 24, 2002.

Yes. To all. Sign me up. Kirk

-- kirk tuck (kirktuck@kirktuck.com), February 24, 2002.

yes to all of the above. sounds great.

-- robert buganza (robert@noise.tv), February 24, 2002.

Jack,

talk Ralph Gibson into going and sign me up!

-- daniel taylor (lightsmythe@agalis.net), February 24, 2002.

Jack: It sounds great, although it won't work for me this time around. Anyway, I applaud your efforts and think whoever goes will have a great time! BTW, I've got a very good hunch on the photographer and the hotel, but my lips are sealed.

-- Ken Prager (pragerproperties@worldnet.att.net), February 24, 2002.

Yes to all of the above. Please keep me informed of developments and when you require a formal commitment. I would be very excited to participate.

Best Regards,

-- Alexander Kemos (tig@adelphia.net), February 24, 2002.

I would be, if I could find a sponser to pay me the $2000

-- ReinierV (rvlaam@xs4all.nl), February 25, 2002.

Very interesting!

A: YES ! but i have to check the date / finances

B: Yes

C: ?

D: If I have something worth showing

Please keep me updated!

Kaj

-- Kaj Froling (kf@draupnir.dk), February 25, 2002.

Jack, sounds like a great idea, but given a growing family I will not be able to participate. Since I just to live/study in nearby Aix-en- Provence I know the area well, and I can safely say that this sounds like the trip/workshop of a life time. The opportunity to shoot, e.g. Roussillion (the red village, where red clay for tennis courts come from) or Cours Mirabeaux in Aix at "L'heue bleu" sounds fantastic. Saturday morning market in Aix, trying some fantastic goat cheece. Sunday stroll in nearby Cassis by the water. Wine tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape. One cannot go wrong. Yes, one can safely bring the wifes/spouses. And an extra credit card...

Add to that the new TGV speedtrain from Marseille - Paris (stopping in Aix) and you can reach Paris in 4 hrs.

OK, I convinced myself. I'm moving back...

-- Patrick (svenburg@yahoo.com), February 25, 2002.

Thank you all for such rapid and cogent answers! I will keep you all aprised as (and if)this develops! I think we could have a lot of fun!

Cheers,

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), February 26, 2002.