Why landscape photography in Tuscany?
Tuscany offers a rich tapestry of photo opportunities, blending stunning landscapes, historic architecture, and vibrant local culture. The undulating hills, particularly in Val d’Orcia, are characterised by their cypress-lined roads, golden fields, lush green meadows adorned with bright red poppies, and vineyards. These landscapes change dramatically with the seasons, offering different colors and moods for photography.
From our base in San Quirico we will explore in many directions, capturing the best of the region. I have been exploring this region of Tuscany for many years and know many little known locations as well as the popular iconic spots.
The Val d’Orcia Valley is an UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most famous areas for capturing misty landscapes.
Stunning Tuscan landscapes ripe for our cameras
Against the backdrop of patchwork poppy strewn fields, avenues of Cypress trees, and dappled sunlight dancing across the undulating terrain, every moment offers a picturesque scene waiting to be immortalised through our lenses.
Our exploration extends beyond the Val d’Orcia, venturing into neighboring villages and historic towns like Montepulciano, as well as the medieval hill towns of Pitigliano and Sorano. With days stretching from dawn till dusk, we seize every moment to harness the optimal light, crafting our itinerary dynamically based on the ever-changing weather and lighting conditions. This journey is not just about photographing locations but about embracing the essence of Tuscany and capturing its timeless beauty through the lens of our cameras.
Amazing sunsets and sunrises in Tuscany
The golden hour in Tuscany is magical. The soft light at dawn and dusk bathes the landscape in warm tones, perfect for capturing the essence of the region. The rolling hills produce wonderful textures, shapes and contours as the sun moves across the landscape.
Spring in Tuscany presents an enchanting opportunity for photographers to capture the splendour of the landscape. With warm, dry days and cool nights that blanket the valleys in morning mist, the setting becomes a canvas for breath-taking sunrises and sunsets.
Tuscan Gastronomy & Wine Tour
We will also visit the vineyard at Catina di Montalcino where you can sample several of their wines plus some local foods, immersing yourself in the flavors of Montalcino. This is included in the trip cost. The surrounding area is also a beautiful landscape of rolling hills covered with over 500 hectars of vines.
In San Quirico we visit some more wine cellars as well as taste selections of Tuscany’s famous olive oils and basamic vinegars. Plus over time I have developed a list of amazing resturants to make this photography trip a treat for all the senses.
Lush meadows adorned with vibrant Poppies
Poppies in Tuscany are a vivid and enchanting sight, particularly in late spring and early summer when the landscape is dotted with vibrant red blooms. These fields of poppies add a burst of colour to the rolling hills and vineyards, creating a stunning contrast with the green and golden hues of the Tuscan landscape.
Photographing poppies in Tuscany offers a chance to capture one of the region’s most colourful and dynamic natural displays. Whether you’re focusing on expansive fields of red or intimate close-ups of the flowers, the poppies provide a beautiful and quintessentially Tuscan subject for photography.
Amazing mist covered Tuscan valleys
The mist in the valleys of Tuscany is a captivating sight that adds an ethereal dreamlike quality to the landscape. This phenomenon is most commonly observed during the early mornings, moreso in the spring months.
The mist often blankets the valleys, with only the hill tops, cypress trees, and ancient farmhouses peeking through. The mist diffuses the early morning light, softening the colors and creating a serene, pastel-like palette. This light is perfect for capturing the delicate beauty of the Tuscan countryside.
Your 4 star spa hotel in Tuscany
Our hotel is located in the heart of the San Quirico d’Orcia valley. With comfortable en-suite rooms, many with amazing views across the valley. Continental breakfast is included. The hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool, plus spa with gym. The hotel has a restaurant and bar plus free wifi. The town itself has many bars, restaurants and cafe’s close by and is well worth the time to have a wander. Discounts to couples or 2 people sharing a room. Contact me before booking as we have limited sharing rooms available.
Wonderful hill top villages
Tuscany is renowned for its charming small villages, each offering a unique glimpse into the region’s rich history, culture, and stunning landscapes. These villages often boast medieval architecture, picturesque streets, and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. All Tuscan towns and villages will feature many wonderful details to photograph such as doors, windows, letterboxes, flowers, unsual shop front, wells and many other uniquely Tuscan delights.
Tuscany photography locations
Our locations over the trip can include: Pienza, Monticello, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Belvedere, Lucignano, Cappella Vitaleta, Casciano, Poggio Corvili, Terra Pilla, Sorano, Pitigliano, Abbeys of St Antimo and Monte Oliveto Maggiore, La Foce, Val Di Chianna and many more.
Tuscany Photo Locations – Workshop Approach
Before getting our cameras out, we will look at how the landscape presents itself, how the light sits and where it may move and change. Then we’ll consider the best framing and how to experiment with different ideas and view points, picking out small or different elements of the landscape and using them to best effect. We are on hand at all times to offer help and advice about composition and technique to help you get the very best from every location.
There will be occasional downtime during the day with the flexibility to either do your own thing, or discuss image critique, editing and feedback.
Our trips are structured for photographers of all photo abilities; For those that are beginners or want additional help, we provide assistance, evaluation and guidance throughout from an experienced landscape and travel photographer. For experienced photographers, you have the benefit of joining a photo workshop with a guide with excellent local knowledge. We want photographers of all abilities to leave the workshop with an amazing array of quality images to be proud of.
Transport during the workshop is in a comfortable air-conditioned minibus/people carrier.
End of workshop photo review
On the last afternoon or evening of the trip we will have a photo review. Everyone brings around 4 or 5 edited images to show the group. We can then offer joint feed back and editing advice. I appreciate not everyone may bring laptops for editing, so SOOC images are also fine.
Access to Private Members Facebook Community group
We also have a private Facebook group where members can join and post images for feedback and I answer questions and give help and advice.
Tuscany Photography Workshop Schedule
Participants need to arrive into Pisa airport on 03/05/2025 by approx. 13.00. From here we will drive to the hotel via a few picturesque locations, arriving around 19.00.
The daily schedule is not fixed and each day will flex dependig upon weather and local conditions.
Returning to Pisa on 10/05/2025 we will arrive by approc 11.00.
Please contact me for help with flights.
Photography Learnings
- Working with available light
- Composition techniques
- Appropriate camera settings
- Exposure and use of the histogram
- Depth of field and focusing
- Shooting at sunrise and sunset
- Street photography techniques
- Use of filters
- Use of tripod
- Long exposure
- Landscape techniques
Workshop highlights…
- Photograph many of the highlights of Tuscany and more…
- Vast local knowledge gives you access to little known locations
- Daily tuition from a professional photographer
- Daily photo reviews and critique
- 4 star hotel incl. breakfast
- Social time with other like minded photographers
- Experienced travel and landscape photographer, knows the best spots to shoot
Our workshop is for you if…
- You’re an amateur photographer of any ability who wants to improve your technical and creative skills
- You’re an advanced or Pro photographer looking to expand your portfolio with new and different images
- You’re a competitive camera club member and looking to create amazing winning images
- You want to spend a week with like minded photographers
Toscana Photography Workshop & Tour
Here’s a range of images taken in Spring in Tuscany. We won’t visit every single location here as weather and accessibility may hinder some visits, but we will try to visit as many as possible.
