Break the Rules!

Thursday ~ Taking Spectacular Photos

After breakfast, we walk into the next room to meet with Massimo Bassano. Massimo is one of Italy’s top travel photo-journalist. His words and photos appear regularly in magazines around the world.

Some participants are already familiar with Massimo and we all are anxious for this day of photography. A slight man with a huge smile, we take a liking to him immediately. We start by looking at some of his photos and analyzing what makes a good picture and what can destroy one. He’s very honest – no glossing over (including his own work)… we’re here to learn!

Light – I always heard: sun to your back. Today, we are told, “Shoot in the shade. The colors are very rich and not hazy.” Then, he added, “Turn the camera to WB, white balance.”

Shooting people – “Emotion-driven, that human feeling”, this is our goal for the day. Look for people and relationships. Can we read their minds? Seek expressions – see their “character.” And, whatever you do – don’t be lazy! If it means we need to walk up and around or down… experiment!

Shooting landscapes – use telephoto lens and shoot early in the morning or at twilight. “It’s a nightmare!” This is an expression which he loves to use with a big grin. “You may not get many hours of sleep!” continues Massimo, “but, this is the only way to shoot a great landscape.”

Questions are raised about compositions. “I’m a maniac for shooting horizontal. We see horizontal!” Maniac! (Another word Massimo loves to use!) His English is excellent. We could just stay and listen to him talk; but, this is Da Vinci Capers! We are not in a lecture, we are a doing adventure.

Massimo gathers his digital cameras, his 35 mm camera and 50, 95 and 135 mm zoom lens, tripods… He looks like a donkey with packs draping over each shoulder and on his back. He smiles widely, “We are maniacs for best quality.” First, a short drive to Amalfi.

As the mini-van shifts from side-to-side down the mountain, we’re still asking questions. “Where do I find WB?” Suddenly, cameras are being passed back and forth getting them ready for the walking workshop in Amalfi. “Turn off the pop-up flashes!” This is not a “how to turn on your camera” workshop, but there are some of us that need a little help on basics.

Those who want to just play with their camera, take off in Amalfi. Those who want side-by-side instruction, stick with Massimo. I’m soaking up every word so I stay with Massimo. He loves his wide angle to shoot close-up and when there’s a relationship between location and people.

Then the rules are broken. I hear it as clear as a bell, “Don’t worry about ‘framing.’ Use this mostly for architectural shots. But, for people – non preoccupato!” Don’t worry! I remember seeing in his presentation feet were cut off, even part of a head to get the expression, the character – the emotion of the photo. All of a sudden, I’m set free – no longer boxed in with putting something in the foreground, framing a tree on one side, or making sure I have a whole body including the feet. I want to spread my wings and just fly!

Hearts start to flutter when the men see Ms. Janet, the knock-dead beautiful representative from the Hotel Caruso, on the wharf to help us board of their boat “Ercole.” I decided then and there that I was going to lose a few pounds and practice my wiggle in stilettos!

It’s a prefect day – our cheeks warmed by the sun, blue sky, crystal water as we chug along the coast an hour toward Positano – a vertical village known for its mosaic domed church, chic shops cradled in a valley resting on a blanket of white sand.

“Hard to get great shots from the water – everything looks flat, gray and huge. It actually can be rather boring. To see the blue water, you need to be above,” Massimo speaks above the soft murmur of the engines.

We arrive and the die-hards stick with Massimo and the shoppers take off another direction. He’s like Leonardo da Vinci with his observation skills. He grabs opportunities as he sees them. A group of men playing cards are around a small square table near the beach. Others hang around and add their opinions. Colorful clothes and towels are hanging opposite them from a line high above. There’s lots of action: laughing, exclamations of disbelief, challenges being made while cigarettes dangle… Massimo gently steps forward and asks if he could take their picture. Of course!! (Maybe we’ll see this in the next National Geographic Traveler!)

Suddenly, I feel like I am in Velazquez’s painting, “Las Meninas” – I am shooting a photo of someone taking a photo of someone painting on the beach who was painting someone walking on the beach… we are surrounded by art, beautiful colors, perfect weather. I want to freeze this moment.

But, alas we have to board the boat and return to Amalfi. A little way down the coast, we decide that the water is just too good to pass up, so we put on our bathing suites and jump in. This was my first time swimming, so I was nervous. Immediately, I recalled the side-stroke my mother taught me as a pullet (this must be equivalent to the dog-paddle for dogs). My splash was so hard, that I lost my tail feathers! Proud and bare butt, for me, this was the most challenging and rewarding experience so far! Sfumato!!!

See our Photo Album

Tags: Massimo Bassano, Ravello, Amalfi, Photography workshop