This page is exclusively for photographers who are registered for our Calabria's Tyrrhenian Coast 2024
Photo Tour, September 5-12, 2024.

This email has information about the trip that will allow you to begin planning.

Bookmark this page so that you can refer to it in the future.

Arrival and Departure Information

FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS

You will be responsible for making your flight arrangements. If you'd like help with that from a travel agency I've worked with in the past, email me at [email protected] and I will provide you with contact information.

You will need to arrive at the Lamezia Terme International Airport (SUF) on or before September 5. (If your flight plans require that you arrive a day early, we recommend the ???? hotel. It is very near the airport and taxis are available.)

ARRIVAL

If you are flying from the United States, you will most likely fly to the Rome–Fiumicino International Airport "Leonardo da Vinci" (FCO), and then on to Lamezia (unless you are making other plans for private trips before or after our Calabria 2024 Tour).

When I make this trip, I fly all night arriving in Rome on the morning one day before the start of our trip. I spend a night in Rome before flying on to Lamezia to recover from jet lag and get a fresh start for our trip.

If you choose to stay a night in Rome, I recommend the Hilton Garden Inn Rome Airport Hotel. It's close to the airport and a shuttle is available. You can arrange to fly from Rome to Lamezia the next morning. I usually fly ITA.

The group will meet at the airport in Lamezia where we'll be picked up for our transport to our agriturismo in Montalto Uffugo Cosenza.

Plan to arrive in Lamezia, collect your luggage, and be ready to depart the airport at 3:30 PM (RAD VERIFY). We'll meet at the ???? for pick up and transfer to our agriturismo. (Isabella, is there an identifiable location where we can instruct people to meet for pickup?)

The tour officially starts on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 6:00 PM with a review of our trip over dinner at our hotel.

DEPARTURE

Our trip concludes on Thursday, September 12, 2024. We will depart for Lamezia airport after breakfast (or earlier if you have an earlier flight). (confirm times with Isabella and confirm alternative rides to airport like we did last time.)

Here are some example scenarios for travel.

Option 1:

You may arrange to fly straight through to the Lamezia Airport a day early. (The flight from Rome to Lamezia is about 60 to 90 minutes.) If you wish to do so, there are accommodations available at our hotel upon request. Even if you arrive early, you will be picked up and transported to our hotel. You are responsible for the cost of the extra night. This extra day will ensure that you’re rested, fresh and ready to go!

Option 2:

You might choose to arrive in Rome and stay at the Hilton Garden Inn then fly on to Lamezia the next day. Here’s a link to the Hilton Garden Inn Rome Airport Hotel.

I have used the Hilton Garden Inn for several years and it is very convenient. There is a shuttle that will bring you from baggage claim right to the airport hotel which is very close. The 2023 rate was $222.00 per night plus tax for a King bed.

PAYMENT INFORMATION

Your balance is due on Friday, June 7, 2024. I'll send you a reminder two weeks prior to the due date along with several options you may choose for submitting your deposit.

AGENDA/ITINERARY

There is a daily itinerary posted on my website here. Even so, all plans are subject to change depending on weather, or other circumstances. Our driver and guide are local and have knowledge of local events and other interests, so sometimes I will defer to them as opportunities arise.

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

In the event of an emergency, please let your family know that we’re staying at the following locations. I chose to stay in two locations to make our trip to Sicily and a few other locations, more manageable and less tiring for everyone.

September 5-7 (3 nights)
Agriturismo Villa Santa Caterina in Montalto Uffugo Cosenza;
Phone: +39 0984 934433

September 8-11 (4 nights)
Hotel Popilia Resort, Vibo Valentia
+39 0963 264252

COMMUNICATING WITH FAMILY AT HOME

One of the best ways to text and even talk with people at home is to use the app, WhatsApp. So long as you have an internet connection, you can text and call for free. Make sure those you want to communicate with set up WhatsApp on their device and test it out before you leave. I’ve used it all over the world and it works great!

You might also check with your carrier to see what international calling options they offer. Most offer an international calling plan for as little as $10/day up to a set number of days within a billing period and then it's unlimited after that. Each carrier is different, so check your carrier's plan.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner is provided at the hotel, while lunches are on our own. We plan our day so as to be in one of the villages, towns or cities where there are usually many options for lunch. Sometimes we eat as group, but, sometimes you may choose to venture off on your own or in pairs to do your own thing, eat where you choose, and experience the local environment without being part of the larger group.

WHAT TO WEAR

Dress is casual. There will be no need for “dress clothes.” You should dress comfortably and in layers. September in this part of Italy is usually in the 50’s to 70’s Fahrenheit, but some of the mornings can be chillier and sometimes the afternoons warm up into the 80’s. And, it can be like anywhere else in the world these days, very unpredictable!

You’ll most definitely want comfortable, sturdy shoes with good tread for walking in little towns and villages.

Here’s a short list of things I’ll have in my suitcase:

* A pair of sturdy walking shoes
* Hat(s)
* Rain jacket
* Sweatshirt

ACTION For You

COMPLETE AND RETURN ATTACHED RELEASE

Please complete, sign, and return the following documents via email as soon as possible.

The required Registration Form provides me with information about you including your emergency contact(s), health information in the event of an emergency, and camera equipment you'll be using.

The Liability Release is my standard required release that I door all our trips.

The photo release is optional. Signing this just means that you agree to let me post photos of you taken while on this workshop. It’s totally optional, but it helps me market future trips and is greatly appreciated!

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. It may help you to recover costs if you become ill and must cancel, or if your trip is interrupted by illness.

Suggested travel insurance companies (in no particular order) include:
  * Travelex
  * Allianz Travel
  * TripInsure101 (Endorsed by AARP) ()
  * Medjet (AARP member discounts)

See Workshop Policies for additional information about cancelation policy and covid protocols.

EQUIPMENT SUGGESTIONS

The photography we do on this trip may include any of the following:

  * landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes,
  * Portraits
  * Small villages
  * Architectural detail
  * Farms and farm animals

Here are some equipment suggestions on what to bring and a few tips:

  * Bring what you need but travel as light as possible!

  * Choose lenses that offer a wide range of shooting options. For my Fuji, I use an 18-135mm that lets me get both wide and long, and a 35mm prime lens for photographing portraits. I will also pack my 100-400mm telephoto for the rare opportunity that it may be welcome.

  * I will bring my tripod, but I find that more and more with our advanced cameras, I use a tripod less and less. For most of the photography we do, a tripod will not be needed. I find that higher ISO settings allow me to handhold most of the photos I make. I will have my full-size Enduro carbon fiber tripod with a Really Right Stuff mounting system and I’m happy to loan my tripod to save you from having to travel with one.

  * On trips where I choose not to bring a large tripod, I bring a smaller desktop tripod that is a great small alternative. Here’s the one I use (Sirui Mini Desktop Tripod)

   * For photographing narrow village streets, landscapes or seascapes, and some of the murals we’ll see, a wide angle lens is recommended (unless you have a telephoto that will allow you to go wide.) I’ll have a 10-24mm wide angle lens in my bag for my Fuji.

If you have any specific questions about gear, ask!

Keep in mind that we’ll often be out most of the day, so you’ll want a small bag in which you can carry everything you’ll need each day. I carry my small mirrorless Fuji, a Lumix LMC DX7 point-and-shoot converted to 720nm infrared, iPhones, batteries, and a minimal number of lenses for my Fuji. For most situations, I opt for the more versatile lenses; an 18 to 135 or something comparable is a wonderful range that lets you get wide and long.

If you have an extra camera body, you may want to bring it as a backup. I carry one regular camera body, and one infrared, and I have a point-and-shoot back up option, and my iPhone, so I’ll not be left without a camera. If we walk into a village or if you ever want to leave things in our van, you may choose to do that. I often have my big camera bag with everything, and a smaller pack for carrying fewer things when I don’t need everything. But it’s all in the van and not far away if needed.

FOR IPHONE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Today we have many options for iPhone photography. Here are a few recommendations.

  * A bracket that lets you use your iPhone on your tripod (I use the simple and inexpensive Manfrotto Smartphone clamp)\

  * Necessary cables for charging your mobile phone both at home and in the field

  * If you have less than 60 GP of space, empty your phone of all unnecessary apps and remove all your photos prior to the trip to allow you the maximum storage space on your phone. For downloading images, I do travel with my Mac Book Pro and I save images to there and an external hard drive. For travel, I use the SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD)

  * Another alternative that I’ve used is the iPhone Lightning Flash Drive 64GB, Omars USB 3.0 External Storage Memory Stick Adapter Expansion for iPad iOS PC Macbook Gold [Apple MFI Certified]. It allows you to download image files from your iPhone to the device. You can either copy or move files, so by moving the files you can also remove files from your phone to create storage space. I’ve used this option and I like it!

Here is a list of apps for you to download before we leave the U.S. Once in Calabria, connectivity sufficient to download apps may be unavailable. You don’t have to get all of these, but these are the ones that I go to the most for both photographing and processing.

  * Slow Shutter Cam (the one by cogitap software)
 * Average Camera Pro (for multiple exposures in camera)
 * TouchRetouch
 * Distressed FX Plus
 * Snapseed
 * ViewExif
 * Vintage Scene
 * Camera+: Pro Camera and Editor
 * Lightroom for Mobile*

   * NOTE: Lightroom for Mobile for shooting and processing RAW files on your phone. A full version of the Lightroom app is included in your subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud. A free, but limited, version is available for non-subscribers.

Pocket Tripods for iPhones

There are times when you might want to have a tripod for your iPhone but you don't want to lug a heavy tripod around. I have two that fit in my pocket that I use all the time.
'
This one works with most iPhones.

 * 2018 Pocket Tripod Wallet-Size iPhone Tripod - Universal Kit

 * These two come with a lightening port connector for iPhones earlier than the iPhone 15, and with a USB-C connector for iPhone 15.

Kenu Stance Mini Tripod Stand (Lightening Port)
Kenu Stance Mini Tripod Stand (USB-C Port for iPhone 15)

INFRARED WITH YOUR IPHONE

In the past few years, I’ve discovered how to make wonderful infrared images using the iPhone. There is equipment that you’ll need that is specific to your iPhone make and model.

If you’d like to learn these techniques we will have plenty of opportunities. Here is a link to my webinar, How I Did It!™; Create Infrared Images on Your iPhone. In it you’ll learn a variety of methods for photographing and processing Infrared images.

Since I made this tutorial last fall, I’ve a new and much better infrared filter attachment method that was not available at the time of the video. Here is a link to a blog post that describes these accessories and where to find them.

SHARE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

With your permissions I'd like to collect and share your contact information with other members of the group. This will allow you to network, discuss travel plans, etc.

The best way to share your phone and email info is to text me your Contact Card to my cell phone at 317-506-9901. If you use the “share contact info” option from your phone to send me your contact information, it will make it easy for me add everyone into my contacts list. I will then send each of you my contact information in the same way.

Alternatively, I'll have your information on your Registration Form.

CLOSING WORDS

I know there’s a lot of information here! Take it in and if you have any questions, email, text, or call.

A few weeks before our trip, I’ll host a Zoom call for our group so we can all meet, answer any remaining questions, and provide last minute details.

Thank you for joining me on this great experience in Calabria! I look forward to seeing you all in a few months!