Italy - Il Palio Di Siena

ITALY

Rome and the Siena Palio

Workshop with

Marco Di Lauro

Photography with passion Photography may be my first passion, but traveling is a close second. I spent decades exploring the globe with my camera and out of this passion, Better Moments was born in 2011. Since then, I have worked with the world’s most renowned photographers to offer high-end workshops and expeditions for photo enthusiasts worldwide.

On our workshops, everyone is welcome. No matter if you have recently discovered your passion for photography or if you are an emerging pro – our workshops cater to everyone’s needs and our experts are all experienced teachers that will adapt to your personal skill level.

Our mission is to help you to take your photography to the next level, refine your own style and sharpen your technical skills. Additionally, we want to inspire each other, create lasting memories and enjoy the best moments in life.

Better Moment’s exclusive workshops in landscape, travel and wildlife photography take place in unique locations around the world. From the Himalaya region to Africa’s deserts, from Scandinavia’s fjords to Australia’s Outback – we like to travel off the beaten track and work with local agencies as we are always striving to leave only footprints behind.

I am looking forward to meeting you on one of our adventures, Christian Nørgaard

Our guests love to travel with us – which is why we are lucky enough to welcome them again and again.

Better Moments CEO and founder: Christian Nørgaard Graphic design: Håkan Andersson

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Text editor: Laura Graf Cover photo by Marco Di Lauro All images and text in this catalog are under International Copyright Legislation.

However, Better Moment’s guests and potential customers may download the catalog for private use, but not for any commercial use.

Any violation of the International Copyright Legislation will be reported to the International Court of Justice of International Copyright Legislation

BETTERMOMENTS.COM You can view our current photography workshops on the Better Moments website, where you will find all dates and details – and can reserve a spot for your dream trip.

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" I think that Better Moments’ workshops are some of the best organized, most educational and most inspirational group workshops I have ever worked on. So I would encourage you to join us.

Come along and have a great time, learn, be inspired and take great pictures."

Steve McCurry

Our passionate experts We are proud to work with some of the best photographers in the industry who are experts in their field and have years of experience in guiding and teaching photography workshops.

Steve McCurry National Geographic, World Press Photo first place

Michael Nichols Wildlife journalist, National Geographic editor

Hamid Sardar-Afkhami Writer, photographer, award-winning filmmaker

Sisse Brimberg National Geographic photographer

James Nachtwey World Press Photo Award winner and TIME Magazine photographer

Peter Eastway AIPP Grand Master of Photography, Publisher Better Photography Magazine

Lars van de Goor Hasselblad Master Landscape photographer

Marco Di Lauro World Press Photo Award

Andreas H. Bitesnich Award-winning fine art photographer

Steve Bloom National Geographic photographer

Tom D. Jones Hasselblad Master & European Fine Art photographer

James Whitlow Delano Award-winning visual storyteller and Pulitzer Center grantee

Arne Hodali� c National Geographic photographer & photo editor

Laurent Baheux Award-winning wildlife photographer

What our guests say about us “It was a marvelous workshop with a lot of opportunities for great pictures.

Obviously, the highlight was the night in Riisitunturi National Park watching the Northern Lights. It was the whole atmosphere having a rustic dinner in the hikers hut after shooting the sunset and waiting for the Northern Light which is staying in my memories.”

Bernd Beykirch, Germany “I found out that one of my favourite photographers, Lars van de Goor, was doing a workshop in the Netherlands so I signed up for the workshop and was introduced to Christian, the founder of the company, and I knew immediately that this would be a great workshop just by talking to him and seeing how incredibly well organized and precise everything was planned out. The hotels were first class, the food was phenomenal, which is important, and more importantly, each day was very well planned out and it has been a really great experience.”

Aubra Franklin, USA

“Everybody has something to offer to the group, so we learn from each other, we share things, we have workshops in the evenings where we talk about what went well, what went wrong… and we see a lot of different styles, a lot of different techniques. And that is the good thing about this trip, it is really all about photography!”

Peter Dorr, The Netherlands.

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

Explore Italy Il Palio in Siena is the world’s most spectacular horse race dating back to 1283. Siena’s grand, famous medieval square Piazza del Campo is covered with soil, transforming it into a breathtaking racecourse. Il Palio is the culmination of ongoing rivalry and competition between the contrade (districts). Ten of the 17 contrade compete, riding bareback in colorful outfits, but only one gains the honor of being Palio champion.

Siena’s entire year revolves around these races. Young drummers prepare and practice their rhythms, flag bearers rehearse all around the city, the leaders of each contrada barter throughout the year to get the best jockeys and the best horses.It is an experience unlike any other with passion, rivalry and history, giving you a unique chance to make a photographic story about an authentic moment in time.

Highlights

□ E xplore the street’s of Rome with acclaimed documentary photographer Marco Di Lauro

□W itness and document the famous Il Palio Di Siena in Northern Tuscany.

□ L earn about travel and reportage photography and how to capture people and scenes in a natural environment.

□ L earn how to approach people and situations – and get a feeling of photographing the right moment.

□ S hoot amazing photos in reportage and PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

documentary style.

□ J ourney into magnificent ancient traditions in Italian culture.

□M orning and evening workshops with Marco Di Lauro

□ 1 -on-1 private portfolio review with Marco Di Lauro

What you get: A unique workshop Better Moments’ mission is to deliver exclusive workshops and we want you to explore your passion for photography and work with one of the best photographers, Marco di Lauro, during your Italian expedition.

■ ON LOCATION ■ IN CLASSROOM □ You will learn how to approach □ Daily reviews of the images

the unique challenges of travel you have taken throughout the photography and how to capture day with constructive criticism to candid moments, dynamic ener- help you improve your skill-set. gy, motion and human interac□ In-depth on-location and tion. theory workshops with Marco Di □ Teaching and training on the Lauro. best techniques along with □ Digital workflow in Photoshop special tips and personalized and/or Lightroom. advice. □ How to create a visual narra□ Learn to create dramatic and tive and how to approach magainteresting photographs using zines for freelance jobs. composition, perspective and □ How to create a concept for focal points. an exhibition. □ Learn how to use different □ Private 1-on-1 portfolio review exposure times and aperture settings in various light conditions.

□ How to handle equipment

with care on location and prepare for going in the field.

□ How to comfortably approach □ Discover secrets behind suc-

cessful documentary and reportage photography.

□ How to use your camera as a tool for storytelling.

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

people for street photography.

Itinerary DAY 0

■ ARRIVAL IN ROME We recommend you to arrive one day earlier to get over your jetlag and adjust to the local climate and get the first feeling of the country.

If you arrive one day earlier, you can use the day to relax “≤or explore Rome, the eternal city and capital of Italy. If you wish, Better Moments can help you with booking a hotel and local excursions.

DAY 1

■ ROME – MEET MARCO DI

LAURO The workshop starts today at 18:00.

You will meet workshop leader Marco Di Lauro and the other guests for a delicious welcome dinner. Afterwards, Marco will hold a presentation about Rome and Siena and explain more about the coming days and the workshop in general. In preparation of the next day, Marco will talk about street photography and how to approach people in a natural way.“

DAY 2

■ ROME – STREET PHOTOGRAPHY Morning workshop in the streets of Rome with Marco Di Lauro. We will wander the streets of Italy’s beautiful capital, looking for candid shots and unique architecture. The ancient streets and buildings provide excellent surroundings for street photography and for documenting the life of the locals.

In the evening, we will meet for dinner and review the images you have taken during the day and discuss.

Marco Di Lauro will hold a presentation about reportage photography using the most iconic images he has taken throughout his career as an example.

After an eventful day, we will meet for dinner in the evening and Marco will provide feedback on the photos that you have taken during the day.

DAY 3

DAY 5

■

CIAO SIENA! Today we will take the train to travel from Rome to Siena. The train ride is a perfect way to relax before the exciting days ahead.

Enjoy the Italian landscape flying by as Northern Tuscany is one of Italy’s most magnificent regions.

After arrival, we will settle in at the hotel. There will be time to explore Siena, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site with architectural treasures such as the Siena Cathedral and the Piazza del Campo.

In the evening, we will have dinner together at the hotel. Afterwards, Marco will share more of his images from previous Palio di Siena and explain how to get great images out of the event.

DAY 4

■ SIENA – PRE TRIALS Today we are going to photograph the trials (tratta). It is a process by which the horses are matched to the ten Contrade that will participate in the Il Palio. The horses, after having been examined by veterinarians and considered to be in ideal condition, are divided into groups of 5-7 horses for ”batterie” or trials and then allowed to run around the dirt (tufo) track three times to determine if they are suitable to run on this type of track. At the end of the trials, the Captains of the Contrade, in the presence of the Mayor, get together to choose the 10 most suitable horse.

■ SIENA – THE TRIALS We spend the day experiencing and photographing the second and third trial run: The Jockeys ride their horses during one of the six trials.

The city’s 17 separate Contrade or neighborhoods compete in the prestigious Il Palio race.There is also time to explore how the festival revolves around Siena.

In the evening, Marco will go through the photos taken during the day and hold another lecture on reportage and documentary photography..

DAY 6

■ SIENA – GENERAL TRIAL This day offers a lot of adventure and great scenes. We will explore the the final rehearsal and final rehearsal dinner with our camera.

The grand dinner depending on the size of the contrada, have seats anywhere from 900 to 3500 people, who all eat, sing and drink lots of wine, with the favourite topic of conversation being the chances of the contradas in the race the following day.

Tomorrow will be the main event of Il Palio di Siena so Marco will prepare you in the best way possible to make sure you’ll be able to take amazing photos and capture the excitement and emotions of the spectators and Jockeys.

PRICE & BOOKING

To Ed inb

gh ur

G E R M A NY

DAY 6

F RA N C E

■ SIENA – IL PALIO

IT

We will get early up in the morning on the day of the main event to photograph the exciting moments and the spectacular horse race Il Palio.

7.45 am – In the Chapel adjacent to the City Hall, the Archbishop celebrates the ”Jockey Mass.”

3 pm – Blessing of the horse and the jockey in each Contrada’s parish church. The priest ends the mystical rite with a wish that sounds like an order: ”Go and come back victorious!”

Around 3 p.m. each Contrada performs a benediction ceremony of its horse and afterwards joins in the large parade in historical costume, with over 600 participants, that winds through the city.

The parade arrives around 5 p.m. at the Piazza del Campo, and ends by around 6.30-7 p.m. The Piazza del Campo is completely packed with local spectators and tourists. The event is scheduled to begin around 7 p.m., but the actual start can be delayed by the preparations.

The race takes only 75 seconds – it is fast and dangerous for the jockeys and the horses. At the end, the winning Contrada is presented with the Palio banner which represents a great honor. The winning Contrada then marches through town with the banner.

Siena •

Rome •

LEGEND

Car Airplane Boat Train

DAY 6

■ RETURN TO ROME AND PHOTO BY LARS VAN DE GOOR

DEPARTURE

Time to say goodbye. Today we all return to Rome to catch our flights back home.

S PA I N

AREA ENLARGED

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Quick guide

■ GETTING THERE Rome has two airports: Fiumicino (FCO), which is also sometimes referred to as Rome’s Lenardo da Vinci Airport, and Ciampino (CIA).

■ VISA All EU / EEA nationals will only need to present an identification document to enter Italy.

If you are a non-EU/EEA traveller wishing to visit Italy, San Marino or the Vatican, you will need to present a valid passort valid for at least three months beyond the planned date of Exit and, if you are subject to the Italian visa regime, a valid visa. Depending on the country of origin, you may need to present further documents. For more information, please check the page of the Ministery of Foreign Affairs.

■ WEATHER Siena weather is characterised by an excellent temperate climate, with weather that is mild through most of the year and generally avoids the worst extremes of hot or cold that can be found elsewhere in Italy. Siena has four seasons: spring (March to May), summer (June to September), autumn (October to

November) and winter (December to February). Summertime in Siena rarely gets as hot and sticky as other parts of the country, peaking around 31°C.

■ LANGUAGE Italian is the official language of Italy. In touristy areas, Italians speak at least basic English.

■ CURRENCY Italiy’s monetary unit is the Euro (EUR).

■ QUICK GUIDE □W Tuscany is known for its

landscapes, traditions, history, artistic legacy and its influence on high culture. It is regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance and has been home to many figures influential in the history of art and science.

The historic centre of Siena has been declared by a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is one of the nation’s most visited tourist attractions, with over 163,000 international arrivals in 2008.

Siena is famous for its cuisine, art, museums, medieval and the Palio, a horse race held twice a year.The Palio di Siena is more than a simple horse race. It is the culmination of ongoing rivalry and competition between the contrade. The lead-up and the day of the race are invested with passion and pride.

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□

PRICE & BOOKING

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

We wish you to travel with the greatest possible comfort and to know that you have received as much information as possible.

Equipment Whether this is your first trip or your ”hundredth” workshop with us, it’s always helpful to have a rundown of what items you may want to pack so you have a travel checklist.

Bookmark this packing list, because you’ll want to refer back to it to make sure you’ve thought of everything you might want to pack.

■

CAMERA The camera list is for inspiration, since you know better than any-one what equipment you prefer.

□ B ring you own laptop computer □ S torage medium □ Camera bodie(s) □ Tripod □ L enses. If you are working with a

24x36mm camera system, lenses from 12mm to approx. 55mm are a good choice as well as a ‘long lens’ such as a 180mm. If you are working with a medium format camera, lenses from 28mm to approx.

80mm, and a ‘long lens’ such as a 300 mm, are advisable..

Bag for all camera gear Light bag for easy hiking with camera bodies and accessories

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

□ □

□ C leaning kit for cameras and lenses □ R ain/dust covers for cameras and lenses

□ Charger for batteries □ Spare batteries □ Standard power converter □ Raw processing software □ Memory cards and card wallets □ Memory card reader □ USB key to exchange images □ Lens extenders □ C amera straps for ease of changing □ □ □ □

from one camera to another Graduated filter set Filter holder High quality polarizing filter Lens belt

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

Marco Di Lauro

Along with his wartime coverage, Di Lauro also covers events such as the Palio of Siena horse race and the Battle of the Oranges that breaks out every year in the city of Ivrea in Italy, Easter processions in Sicily, the Easter procession in Seville, and the religious life in Italy and the Vatican City.

In his stories, whether large or small, in Italy or abroad, he always attempts to capture the sacred side of life and its deeper meaning.

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

Marco Di Lauro is a World Press Photo award winner working for, among others, Newsweek, Time Magazine, New York Times Magazine and Der Spiegel. He has worked under an exclusive contract for Getty Images Reportage since 2002, covering the Middle Eastern conflict in the Gaza Strip and spent almost all of 2003 and 2004 in Iraq, documenting the American invasion and the plight of the Iraqi people.

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

PHOTO BY MARCO DI LAURO

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