ALUMNI'S TESTIMONIALS

It is difficult to imagine anywhere more scenic and more accessible than the Dolomite mountains of northern Italy. As good a decision as it was to go there, the even better decision was to go with Vieri Bottazzini.

We have all been on photography trips lead by a professional, and often the pro is more interested in getting his own shots than his clients. Vieri was all about me; my shooting, my compositions, my post processing, and importantly for me, my safety.

Vieri’s previously chosen locations were landscape wonders, in all cases representing the interaction between man and nature, giving us the possibility of expressing our visions either keeping this element in mind or not. Let’s not forget our base camp, Comacchio, also a wonderful little city with beautiful canals and bridges, a “small medieval Venice”.

I hope to be lucky and privileged to participate in more wonderful Workshops with you guys, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Vieri is as strong as a teacher and photographer as the images on his web page are showing you – 100% pure craftsmanship! From the e-mail correspondence and follow up you get before you leave your home for the workshop, to all the on-location work Vieri has done for you before you arrive, everything is just making your valuable time as a student very efficient!

This just confirms that Vieri is not one of those photographers that likes you, as a student, to pay the bills for him getting new images – he just wants his students to learn as much as possible during his workshops!

It was also great to have a daily schedule that allowed for long post processing sessions. These were not just about editing, but also evaluation of the composition, and how it could be improved!

Wonderful locations and a truly unique & extremely useful experience to understand not only the aesthetics of seascape photography but also all the logistics & preparation necessary to approach such photography at a professional level. Vieri is an almost endless source of ideas, suggestions and creative energy!

I enjoyed a fantastic workshop on the Isle of Arran March 11 – 16, 2019 with Vieri and his wife. As a novice to Fine Art Landscape Photography I learned a lot. The group size of only 3 participants ensured lots of time to ask all my questions and receive expert advice. The feedback I received in the review sessions was constructive and educational. I learned a lot about post-production using Lightroom. Vieri was generous with helping both the technical (equipment) as well as the artistic components of fine art landscape photography.

The workshop was special as my daughter was able to attend as well. We had very comfortable accommodations and ate fine cuisine at local restaurants. We travelled in a large van with lots of room for all. I highly recommend Vieri’s workshops and plan to attend more!

The opportunity to take some images in Death Valley is definitely one of my personal highlights since I´m interested in photography. It is not only because of the beautiful scenery of the landscape. It was also because of the way how Vieri conveyed his opinion what landscape photography can be about. Always very respectful and always interested in what we were doing. Also the small size of the group did foster a very intense learning and discussion culture, while having lots of fun.

The event was so convincing that together with a friend of mine I immediately did sign in for the next class with Vieri and Zeynep!

I enjoyed the creative process in creating our own picture with your general advice to start off with and composition tuning recommendations during the process!

Afternoon processing and image review sessions were immensely helpful, being conducted in a constructive and friendly manner, including the daunting but enjoyable “5-minute processing challenge”! As many will testify, a Bottazzini Workshop never disappoints, and I cannot recommend him highly enough as a guide, photographer, mentor and teacher!

Our photo tour of Italy began with two nights on the sun-drenched cliffs of Cinque Terre, where the village is carved into the cliffside down to the sea. With inspiration from this amazing setting and with Vieri’s artistic and technical guidance, we created some perfect compositions. Then Vieri drove us to the undulating hills of Tuscany where we captured an Italian hillside villa arising from the mist at dawn among many other great shots. Yet it was not all work: Each night, once our sunset shoot was done, we enjoyed an authentic Italian meal along with many great discussions over a bottle or two of Brunello di Montalcino, a fabulous red. An outstanding photographic and cultural experience!

Arran is a beautiful island (never heard before of) with lots of things to see and experience. Also this time Vieri immediately did figure out how to advise me in improving my way of looking at landscapes. His style of saying “did you consider to“ instead of “do this“ makes me think and hopefully develops my skills. Last but definitely not least Zeynep was managing us perfectly. I learned again a lot and already look forward to our next session in 2019!

Thank you for your energy and responsiveness, before, during and after the Workshop!

As an enthusiastic amateur I was initially concerned that I might not be able to cope having never used graduated or neutral density filters before. I needn’t have worried. First of all Vieri and Zeynep’s detailed research and knowledge means that they know the best locations and you are driven to a location with plenty of time to access the location and set up in the best position. The small size of the classes means you get pretty much undivided attention whenever you need it and Vieri’s detailed technical knowledge means any questions or issues can be quickly answered or resolved. I am delighted with the shots I took but have no doubt that the only reason I got them was from your expert advice. Thank you Vieri and Zeynep!

After a first workshop with Vieri in Asturias last year I decided for another adventure, this one on the Dorset coast, in England. The organization has been impeccable, good lodging, interesting locations and Vieri always available for a suggestion or exchange of ideas when required, but never interfering or looming!

Taking part in Vieri’s Photography Workshop on Arran has been an experience full of meaning for me. I managed to let myself being guided by what the locations, my fantasy and Vieri as well (always subtly) suggested me. Let me linger on this a bit, which I find fundamental for my personal satisfaction: Vieri’s presence is constant but light, you know he is there if you need him, but very correctly he respects and encourages each participant’s own creativity!

This was my second small group workshop and it didn’t disappoint. In crowded National Parks, once again, Vieri showed the high level of preparation and planning that goes into each workshop as went to incredible locations not as common in the park. And those famous locations? Vieri found his own path to explore them with fewer people (often none) and better photographic opportunities. Educational, fun, well executed and a wonderful way to explore and photograph the many unique landscapes in Death Valley. I look forward to my next workshop!

Vieri and his wife Zeynep are truly first-class professionals. Every place is scoped out, planned and runs on schedule. Yet, there is flexibility to adapt the itinerary based on weather conditions and the light!

Vieri & Zeynep have a great sense of humour, were sociable and great company! All of this was combined with Arran, Scotland in miniature – a beautiful, scenic island (with good Scottish weather) that is well worth a visit & one I shall return to in the future. What more can I say – a fantastic trip, one that has left me a better photographer, with some great memories and plans to hopefully do more trips in the future!

As always it was great to meet my inspirational teacher! It was 1.5 year since last time, and I was thrilled to get out and learn more from the master. Vieri is a great teacher in combination of being a great photographer, from the way you are able to discuss the different settings on your gear to the way you’ll work on composition and processing when back in the hotel. To join Vieri on a photographic adventure will never disappoint you. And to join him in such a beautiful place as the Northern Coast of Spain, will just inspire you even more!

I wanted to thank you for these days, it has been a really deep experience and not only under a photographic point of view. The biggest thing I’ll bring with me after these three days is the idea I got from you about the importance and value of anticipating. Not only in terms of waiting for long exposure times, but anticipating the light, the moment, the wind’s changes, the arrival of a wave. I understood how much care and poetry there could be in waiting for a shot.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the way you taught me to really see what I have in front of me, rather than just look at it anymore!

Vieri, my experience on Skye has been really positive, I especially appreciated the passion you put into the Workshop’s organisation and daily management: beside your obvious technical proficiency, I believe passion is the only way to effectively get through to people approaching an experience such as this. Through passion one never gets tired nor bored, and it thus becomes “easy” to pass even the most difficult notions through!

Before taking off for Arran I read an article by Vieri expressing his teaching philosophy and I have been very impressed by his concepts. Well, I found everything consistently applied during the Workshop. It was good to be pleasantly surprised finding that everything corresponded to my expectations on all levels! And let’s not forget my satisfaction for the enchanting beauty of the locations visited: I really enjoyed Arran and its light very much! I gave myself fully to this experience and have been very happy to have done so: I wish a happy Workshop to everyone who will choose to participate!

I was impressed with Vieri’s ability to help me improve my photography without being too intrusive in the process. Vieri is a very knowledgeable and skilled teacher. Vieri and Zeynep are also a great company and made the trip very pleasant and inspirational both for my wife and myself. We can highly recommend the workshop!

Vieri is a really wonderful person, a true professional but with a humility that is rare to find nowadays. During the Workshop, I learned a lot simply by watching Vieri moving around, by looking where he looked, and from the way he interacted with us and with the environment. I particularly appreciated how he was always present, but also how he understood when and how to intervene.

Overall, a Workshop with a capital W, great organization and a fantastic tutor. We’ll meet again… without a doubt!

Vieri & Zeynep are also gracious in the field with their time and expertise. I had no experience shooting with filters and they explained to me how to use them and lent me some of their own that they bring on the workshops for the participants. We enjoyed this workshop so much that my friend and I have arranged to have a custom workshop with Vieri and Zeynep in their home country of Italy in 2018. Can’t wait. Vieri and Zeynep are the best!

Thank you so much! You are both such genial and generous hosts. The Workshop was, for sure, the most thorough and appealing to me. I admire your passion for everything, that is what makes the difference. Looking forward to the next one!

My Workshop One-on-One with Vieri was exceptional in learning landscape photography techniques and review/editing process. It was all that I expected and much more! I fully appreciated the introductory presentation where I learned to see and think about landscape in many different ways than I did before. Vieri is a patient and inspiring teacher most of all besides being an excellent photographer. In addition, the entire trip was extremely well organized using the available time most efficiently!

The Cinque Terre and Tuscany workshop took us to places that were familiar from so many works by other photographers, but Vieri’s unique perspective and understanding of the landscape enabled us to see them in quite unfamiliar, exciting ways. His style of teaching is never intrusive – just a gentle question or a subtle suggestion that opens up a new possibility of composing an image, both on location and in the excellent daily image review and post-processing sessions that are such a great feature of his workshops!

Vieri and Zeynep make a point of organizing everything down to a T. Thanks to his abundant experience and in-depth familiarity with the locations, Vieri can easily and creatively react to changes in weather conditions and re-plan accordingly!

Vieri prepared the trip with such expertise and attention to detail that he looked like he was a regular of the place!

Breakfast, lunch, transfers to and from a location, every moment was good to talk about photography! In fact, I believe that in a Workshop lasting only a few days it is of the outmost importance to be able to take advantage of every moment, to make the most of such an intense and concentrated experience! I can say without any exaggeration that I came back from the Workshop full of energy and feeling pleasantly grateful and willing to keep developing myself in this direction! All the credit goes to an instructor that, besides being a proficient professional, is also a teacher with a capital T!

A most enjoyable experience in Death Valley. In spite of the cold winds we persevered and were able to immediately appreciate you and your wife (she is charming and most brilliant!). Your previous experiences in Death Valley meant we wasted little time chasing around and were able to go directly to places of photographic interest. In a location as vast as Death Valley this was imperative to a successful workshop!

Once again, the fact of being only 3 participants had great advantages in terms of comfort, logistics, organization and time dedicated to image review and critic. I can only say: Thanks to Vieri for another wonderful experience and see you again in the next Southwest USA workshop next year!

I had no idea what to expect of the Faroes – but I certainly didn’t expect snow for every day we were there! It made for challenging conditions, but Vieri and Zeynep know the Faroes so well that they were able to avoid the worst of the incoming weather and take us to some spectacular locations.

Everything was well organised; very professional; and a truly memorable learning experience!

A really well organised Workshop, the instructor has been very clear and patient in teaching both composition and photographic technique. We could photograph all planned locations despite losing a day to bad weather. All the suggested restaurants have been very good and good value too, and the B&B was very nice and very clean as well. The vehicle used during the Workshop was very comfortable and taking equipment in and out of it was very easy as well.

Should I rate the Workshop, I’d give it 5 stars out of 5, I really enjoyed it!

Superbly organised – amazing locations – individualised mentoring. An excellent workshop!

Tuscany was my second workshop with Vieri and definitely not the last one! All I can say is that spots selection was perfect, tips on composition and shooting technique in general were perfect, Vieri´s availability to answer all questions in the field was fantastic, accommodation and restaurants with amazing Italian food were perfectly chosen and last but not least Zeynep´s help with all the organization was invaluable! In short, I had a blast and I enjoyed a lot the whole week full of photography!

Vieri has an extensive knowledge of all things photography and shared this in an easy, uncomplicated manner which was tailored to the needs of each participant!

The fact that this was my third excursion with Vieri and have signed up for a fourth should be testimonial enough to how highly I value him as a teacher, critic and companion on his consistently excellent landscape workshops. The isle of Arran is a delight with ample locations of interest and variety within an island where nowhere involves a lot of road travel or hiking. The food, accommodation and company were all up to the usual high standard, with Arran being a very friendly and hospitable place to spend a week!

Compared to other workshops I previously attended, what I liked most is the small number of participants, which makes for more learning time and more personalized attention, and also that most of the downtime was used among all of us to review and critic pictures, rather than sleeping as it happened in several other workshops. I was so happy and satisfied that I already booked 2 more workshops for next year, hoping to have again the same great time I just experienced!

I have been on six trips with Vieri and Zeynep, obviously top notch from start to finish. There are a million workshops all promising this or that but so many are just marketing and fail to deliver. Vieri and Zeynep are the real thing, very highly recommended!!

To me what makes a great workshop is the leader’s intimate knowledge of a place, and when to be there for the best possible photos. Vieri excels at this, one gets to the right spots at the right times. He researches an area multiple times out of his own pocket before bringing people there, he also knows what he is doing unlike many of the workshop leaders/frauds out there. If one wants to improve their landscape photography and get to some great spots, I cannot recommend Vieri and his wife Zeynep enough. They are lots of fun to hang out with as well, and to hammer that point home I would hang out with them even if it had nothing to do with photography. To sum it up they are the best, and if one likes landscape photography and wants good tips and techniques they cannot be recommended highly enough!

For a street photographer – like me – it was an interesting experience to use tripods and filters. The resulting photos from the Tuscany workshop are excellent. Vieri and his wife Zeynep offered patient and expert support, technical and compositional. The group of participants is very small, that pays off in the field and during the evaluations of the results in the hotel!

Particularly rewarding were the occasions where we visited the same location at sunset and then the following sunrise, which produced completely different images and helped enormously having been there before. Vieri’s teaching style encourages individuality, with the occasional nudge in the right direction and excellent advice when unsure of technicalities or compositional problems. The afternoon image review sessions were very helpful, encouraging self-criticism of our images followed by suggestions on processing to bring out the best in them. Vieri invariably saw good images hiding in what we thought were destined for the trash!

Over two wonderful days in Dorset, Vieri gave me an invaluable insight into his approach to landscape photography: from planning shoots, to executing and processing files all the way to his view on aesthetics and technical guidance. The workshop was intense and inspiring, yet fun and practical. Will be back for more!

Arran itself is a gorgeous location with varied terrain to photograph. The accommodation was lovely, and we did not lack for great meals. I finished this workshop feeling far more confident and capable in landscape photography. I also feel more inspired to seek out environments myself to continue developing these new skills. Should the opportunity arise to participate in another workshop in the future I will do so. Thank you Vieri for all your work and sharing your expertise!

Vieri and Zeynep are keen planners which they have done in advance of the workshops—they know the best spots to photograph, the correct times to be there, even the good places to eat—also they are a lot of fun to hang out with. Highly recommended!

All the areas you showed us were good for fine photography and under your tutelage one could not fail to come up with some good pictures. I learned a lot during the week with regard to photography, but at the same time I enjoyed the beautiful areas we visited as well as the comradeship with you and the other two participants. Your organization of the trip was without fault in every respect, be it housing, food, transport or – of course – weather; just the right mix for a delightful week among people of similar interests and a common hobby!

The photo selection and post processing sessions were great learning opportunities, with helpful image critiques and editing suggestions!

Vieri’s great helpfulness and professionalism in supporting us, together with the beauty of the locations, made the days in Comacchio intense and extremely beneficial. An experience that gave me new motivation and the will to keep going!

A wonderful week of Workshop in Death Valley, and what a very pleasant surprise it was to meet Vieri and his wife Zeynep. Hospitality and organisation have been perfect, and every day different from the previous ones, with a spot-on choice of itineraries in amazing Death Valley!

Finally, the Dolomite workshop was well-organized. Vieri and Zeynep navigated some very small roads to some beautiful but remote locations. They really knew their way around. Our lodgings were perfect, and we always enjoyed superb food. I will definitely participate in another Vieri Bottazzini Landscape Workshop!

Vieri is a fine photographer, but also a very good teacher and this pays dividends for someone who attends one of his workshops. I found Vieri and Zeynep (Vieri’s wife and assistant) to have a very good knowledge of the sites in Iceland. Vieri not only knows where to go, he knows when to go, and what vantage points offer the best possibilities for making good photographs. On location, Vieri was helpful in observing how I went about photographing and offering suggestions for improving efficiency and safety. I had not previously photographed in such extreme environments as we had in Iceland, and Vieri’s suggestions for how to handle the conditions were spot on. He also gives suggestions for framing and image capture, but is not overbearing in his style. He gently suggests improvements in the technical methods of image capture and his suggestions are well grounded in significant experience!

Vieri’s workshops provide two key elements, excellent photography knowledge and knowledge of the location as well. While we visited iconic locations, we also went off the beaten path and Vieri had clearly taken time to learn the area and explore less crowded locations. I could see a significant improvement in the quality of my images as the trip went on and still hear Vieri’s feedback and input in my head in the field back home. I will definitely attend more workshops with Vieri and Zeynep!

The workshop location was ideal, full of photo opportunities, and the atmospheric conditions were perfect for the study of minimalism!

Thanks for a thoroughly professionally organized and executed landscape photography experience. As we discussed, the importance of logistics is essential and they were seamless.

Thanks to your hard work and scholarly, scientific and aesthetic approach to landscape photography we learned to create better images!

Vieri again managed to find wonderful places and in his incomparable way told us how to find the best exposure from the fading light at sunset or the emerging sunrises. The high mountains at Glencoe as well as the great vistas on Skye were enthralling and I was very pleased with my results. The image look-up sessions are an integral part of the Workshop and were most instructive and enjoyable. Next to the “digital” of the week, the “human” side was not forgotten: in our philosophical discussions we bettered the world and the food, whisky, and wines were superb! Thank you both and till next time!

Throughout the trip both Vieri & Zeynep were attentive, accommodating and gave me lots of valuable tips and words of wisdom to help me improve my photography skills. They were always happy to offer further assistance whenever required, both in the field and back in our accommodation when we were doing post processing reviews. I found these reviews really helpful, both looking at my photographs and seeing how others had taken different shots of the same views!

This was my first workshop ever, and I sure picked the right one. Vieri and his wife Zeynep made the workshop most enjoyable with their knowledge of the locations selected for the daily shoots and alternate locations should the weather choose not to cooperate as it did on a couple of occasions. The Isle of Arran is a fabulous location for photography. So, thanks for a wonderful week, I really did learn a lot even though I may not have asked many questions. I would do this workshop again in a heartbeat. Again, many thanks to you both. I’m looking forward to meeting again at another workshop!

This was my first workshop with Vieri and it was an eye-opening experience. I clearly remember the moment I took my first 4 minute long exposure under a capricious weather on the shores of Elgol and that feeling of accomplishment which came together with the result. I’ve applied the techniques learned from him many times since and they remain essential to the way I approach photography in the field. I wholeheartedly recommend Vieri’s workshops to anyone looking for a fun landscape photography adventure packed with subtle but essential takeaways!

I’ve now had the opportunity to attend several of Vieri’s workshops and each time I learn new techniques, get more incredible feedback and see growth and improvements in my own photos. I’ve become more skilled at using filters which is a game changer. Back home, I can hear Vieri’s tips in my head about composition. I eagerly look forward to my next workshop!

For all those photographers who experienced photo workshops too large for personal attention, where tutors were more occupied taking their shots, and where the last day came as a relief, I can highly recommend attending one of Vieri’s courses!

Vieri knew his way around Venice and showed me some of the best photographic locations that I would not have known about without his guidance. The result was that I left Venice with some high-quality images as well as memorable experiences working with an established world-renown landscape photographer!

There is such a diversity of scenes on the Isle of Skye and Glencoe. For our workshop Vieri selected some spectacular vantage points, from tranquil seascapes at Talisker Bay to a stunning sunset on the cliffs of Neist. At each location he provided feedback on composition, advised on the use of filters and guided us on how to achieve the best exposure from the fading light at sunset or the emerging sunrise. One of my favourite experiences was our hike up the Old Man of Storr, where the view was breath-taking as were our raw images. We then spent time post processing: Vieri demonstrated his techniques to bring out the best in our raw captures step-by-step, so we could take that knowledge and apply it on our own at home. His professional approach and attention to detail ensured a superb vacation and a very satisfying photo workshop!

Vieri’s teaching style carefully guides you to improve and develop your own skills and vision. He was a constant source of inspiration both in the field and during our image review and post-processing sessions!

The Glencoe and the Isle of Skye workshop with Vieri and Zeynep was a wonderful experience. It is a landscape photographers paradise, with locations, sunrises and sunsets that most can only dream of, and we got to spend several days photographing it all. I came away with a better understanding of landscape photography, and the use of filters in photography even though I had been using filters for a few years. Thanks to Vieri and Zeynep for their suggestions and tips which came in very handy. As many before me have said Vieri is the consummate professional in the field and is a great teacher!

Vieri and Zeynep are fantastic! A couple in life as well as in the field, they are easy-going and very professional. On Skye we were a small group, and we could see the most beautiful and interesting places. Vieri’s availability (and patience) in the field are limitless; the organisation was very good. Before every session, Vieri heads a short briefing with many suggestions to be able to work the location at best. Many suggestions, but not too many: Vieri’s ability is exactly this, to let your images being your own anyhow! I am looking forward to the next Workshop! Thank you Vieri and Zeynep!

Vieri was unstinting in the time he gave to image reviews, as well as help with Camera Raw, and I learned a huge amount. Definitely not my last workshop with them!

I’m still amazed at the time and effort that Vieri and Zeynep put in to making sure that the workshop is well organized, that we are at the days locations at the right time for the best light or tides, and most of all making sure that everyone shoots images to be proud of. We all got to see each other’s work during our image review sessions and make comments and suggestions which was a great help to everyone. Accommodations during our stay were outstanding and the time spent during our meals was always a pleasant way to pass some time and have lively discussions about photography and numerous other subjects!

Every day we usually had a couple sessions in 2 or more locations to take photos and did a photo review session to discuss the photos we’d all taken. I found these sessions complemented one another to allow reflection on what you’d done or try to do and then immediately be able to apply what you learnt for greater carryover in learning!

After a fantastic workshop with Vieri and Zeynep in Tuscany a couple of years ago, my expectations for the Dolomites workshop were really high. And what can I say? My expectations were met, if not exceeded!

Great Photo Tour! Death Valley & Monument Valley Photo Tour was perfectly organized and Vieri taught me new interesting techniques. Looking forward to joining him for another great experience. Highly recommended!

I had just taken delivery of a new Hasselblad X1D which Vieri also uses, and he was able to assist me working with the camera which he has mastered very well. We were even able to swap lenses when necessary.

Vieri is easy to get along with and is very professional in his conduct!

After seeing Vieri’s images I wanted to learn from the master himself. The workshop in Comacchio was an amazing experience, waking up the landscape photographer in me. I had never used filters and Vieri took away the fear. I came back knowing so much more about landscape photography and the use of my gear. Vieri is very responsive and helpful before, during and even now after the workshop. Back home the learning resonated, and I am able to apply what I have learned. Vieri and Zeynep are a great team always attentive to your experience.

I highly recommend you take one of his workshops, it will improve your work with big leaps!

Areas I feel I improved greatly in were developing a better eye to photo composition and developing a more comprehensive approach to setting up and taking a shot. I am able now to go through a more routine mental checklist of all the factors/camera settings I should be thinking about prior to taking that first shot. I also am utilizing my camera’s potential much more than I ever was before. This was also aided by the opportunity to practice using Vieri’s extra set of graduated ND and ND filters. I had no experience with filters prior to this workshop and now can say that filters are next on my wishlist of equipment!

A workshop with Vieri is like savouring your favorite dish. You look forward, you anticipate, you prepare, you pay attention to every little detail, you enjoy, and you learn through the interpretation of every little change and the minute adjustments made. These moments together are intensive and fun. You learn new styles and polish familiar ones. Simplicity and mastery of the tools are key. This was my second workshop with Vieri. One builds on the other since Vieri has enormous attention for detail, remembers one’s style and adjusts suggestions accordingly!

Extremely well organised with thorough but uncomplicated tuition in technique and the creative process. Vieri passes on his considerable knowledge with humour and a light touch. Excellent!

Vieri is an experienced teacher and gives tips and feedback both on location and under the daily review sessions. The small group of three participants allows Vieri to always be around for questions and comments without being too intrusive in your work!

Vieri is an excellent teacher, always patient and attentive both on the field and in all the post-production sessions. His knowledge of places and situation, together with a very precise and accurate planning will allow you to be guided smoothly and to concentrate on improving your photographic abilities both under the technical and artistic points of view!

I attended my first workshop in December 2019 and enjoyed it so much and learnt so much that I went on a private assignment with someone I had met in Iceland six weeks later to Death Valley. The contrast from extreme cold (Iceland in winter) to Death Valley in January was amazing and once again I learned a lot. The landscapes were varied and interesting and some of them were incredibly challenging but with Vieri’s help I managed to get some nice photographs. Between our dawn and dusk shoots Vieri helped me to improve my Lightroom and Photoshop skills and I even had a lesson in sensor cleaning!

From the moment you arrive on the scene with Vieri, you know you’re in for a photographic treat! Everything is well taken care of, such that one can focus solely on taking the best possible shots. Vieri’s tutoring is subtle and it gives the feeling of working together on a project rather than being with an instructor. I definitely look forward to my next photographic endeavour with him!

I took part in many Workshops. Some were dedicated to post-production, some to street photography and others to landscape photography. I knew this Workshop’s tutor, Vieri Bottazzini, only from what my dear friend Ryuichi told me. Even without having ever met, I could see we had many characteristics in common with Vieri when it comes to approaching landscape photography. An approach made of many small steps, tiptoeing to find that necessary connection that a photograph needs to share with the surrounding environment. A connection made of respect, admiration and sensations!

The Comacchio landscape is about minimalism. It encourages you to concentrate on shapes, layouts, and light – the basics of the image. It makes for a totally different kind of workshop compared to the dramatic scenery of many traditional landscape locations; in Comacchio, it is all about simplicity.

Vieri is the perfect guide. He knows the local area, and he knows how to get the best from the conditions. As a result, this was one of the best photography workshops I have ever been on. Thank you, Vieri and Zeynep!

This was my 5th workshop with Vieri, and I need to start by saying, they just keep getting better. I came away from this workshop with more knowledge and capability and am looking forward to the next workshop in Faroe Islands!

Our Workshop One-on-One run perfectly smoothly: meeting between half hour and one hour before sunrise for our photographic session, then back to the hotel for breakfast and for a morning of post-processing to extract the best from my photos; then photographic session at sunset and dinner back at the hotel. I highly recommend this experience, a Workshop One-on-One truly unique and definitely to try!

The one in the Dolomiti was my 3rd workshop with Vieri, as usual the organization has been flawless, given the wide area over which the Dolomiti mountains are spread we stayed in 3 different locations in order to take advantage of as many shooting places as possible. All the hotels selected were of a very good standard, the locations were around the most iconic places in the Dolomiti, but the shooting places were a little bit “off the beaten track”, to give us the possibility to capture images different than everybody else!

The workshops always impress me with the way that Vieri and Zeynep have every detail planned and organized in a way that we are always in the right place at the right time to get the best photographs we can. I have to mention that along the way we had excellent accommodations, and it goes without saying that we ate and drank very well.

I highly recommend Vieri and Zeynep and any of their workshops if you want to improve your skills and have a great time learning and meeting new people. They are, in my humble opinion, the best!

I learned more about fine art landscape photography in five days in Death Valley with Vieri than I have in my previous twenty years of making pictures. Maybe as important, I also had an incredibly fun adventure!

With a small group of only three students, Vieri was able to dedicate a lot of time to each of us. The locations were well chosen, some of them famous, some of them off the beaten track and all of them examples of the beauty of the Dolomites landscape!

An excellent week in Cinque Terre and Tuscany. But what made it work so well was Vieri’s understanding of the local area, coupled with his enthusiasm for making one a better photographer. Every day we would discuss what we had done – and the lessons that we could take away from those experiences. And Vieri is a great teacher: he helps you work out for yourself what you are trying to do and how you can best achieve your goals. He also happens to be a great companion!

I have done many workshops and one-to-ones over the years. I can truthfully say that Vieri’s is up there with the best of them, and his is probably the best!

My experience with Vieri’s Iceland workshop was amazing! For my first ever multi-day photography workshop, Vieri set the bar high and delivered an exceptional experience!

A wonderful experience which, above all, make me find the pleasure and will to photograph again. With your kindness and consideration in offering suggestions and in making me discover new ways of photographing, you & Zeynep have been fundamental for that. All of this couldn’t have been shared with better company, making the experience and the trip even more pleasant and unforgettable. Thank you for everything!

Vieri’s expertise and complete mastering of the locations allowed us to adapt and take best advantage of all the weather conditions we faced, to enjoy all of Tuscany’s beauty at their best, including the culinary ones!

A very interesting Workshop, with locations out of the usual routes and with the good fortune of having found very good weather as well. Excellent technical support, my only wish is to have had even more time to shoot even more images!

It has been like finding yourself with a group of old friends, guided by two professionals perhaps even too well prepared for my starting level, but whom never made me feel inadequate. A true full immersion in photography and photographic experiences, which went on during moments of relax, lunches and dinners as well. We never stop learning for a second, Vieri and his wife looked after us all the time, offering suggestions always very well received (I hope my resulting images will make them happy as well). Thank you for everything!

Vieri’s organization and leadership of this workshop was fantastic. The group size was small, personable and a lot of fun. It was extremely helpful to not only review my own photos but also those of the other participants. Vieri was able to cater to our varying levels of knowledge and experience with ease. He knew Arran extremely well and was able to produce multiple back-up plans in the face of inclement weather. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on Arran!

Dolomites is such a photogenic area which offers so many opportunities to those who loves photography. It was a fruitful 8 days for me covering most of the iconic photo spots plus a few “secret” locations.

This was the second time we worked together in Italy, your expertise made the Workshop shine!

The 2017 Asturias Workshop was my second trip with Vieri and made me appreciate the huge amount of work and organisation that goes into a successful landscape photography trip. Planning the logistics of visiting locations at the right state of the tide and light, with contingencies for bad weather is a difficult task that takes intimate knowledge of the area. As a result, we had a superb workshop with full days and excellent photographic opportunities even on the few days when the weather was sub-optimal!

The weather is always unpredictable – their unrivalled knowledge of the locations make that I trust Vieri and Zeynep 200% when they say: “let’s wait here 20 minutes”. Rest assured… an amazing sunset is about to happen!

My week on the Faroe Islands workshop with Vieri and Zeynep exceeded expectations and delivered exactly what was promised. This was not only my first visit to the Faroes, but also my first experience attending one of Vieri’s workshops. What struck me immediately was Vieri’s deep knowledge of the islands, particularly the unique and ever-changing weather. Each day, the itinerary was adapted to make the most of the conditions, thereby ensuring we never lost valuable time to poor ‘photographic weather.’!

Vieri’s workshop is amazing. I have learned things that will be ingrained in my flow forever! the 4 days were very educational (composition!), inspiring (locations!) and fun (in a small group!). Vieri’s workshops are very practical and perfectly organized. He knows the Island and adapts location according to the latest weather. Thank you Zeynep and Vieri, I cannot wait for the next workshop!

This was my second workshop with Vieri and Zeynep and certainly not the last. Vieri is an experienced teacher and gives tips and feedback both on location and under the daily review sessions. The small group of three participants allows Vieri to always be around for questions and comments without being too intrusive in your work. Beside all photography, Vieri and Zeynep made the week very pleasant.

All in all, a very professional and high-quality workshop that I can truly recommend!

The atmosphere has been pleasantly friendly from the beginning, not only in the hours spent photographing but also during the rest of the time, either during meals or when analysing the images we took. I greatly admired Vieri’s patience and tact in suggesting me and my friend John Brewton different ways to shoot our photographs while working, some very useful suggestions that helped me to reflect with more attention on my compositions and to stop the very well-known habit of “I want to photograph everything immediately”!

To end illustrating this wonderful experience all I can say is… let’s start thinking about next time!

The workshop itself was exceptionally well organised. From comfortable accommodation and clear daily briefings to insightful post-production sessions and, of course, the outstanding locations. The small group format created an ideal environment for interaction, learning, and sharing experiences. Both Vieri and Zeynep possess a comprehensive understanding of photography, they provided clear, practical guidance and were always available to answer questions or offer advice, which was incredibly valuable!

I understand the vast amount of knowledge and organisation necessary to be able to take advantage of what Arran has to offer to shoot interesting images. Vieri showed us how fundamental it is to know the timing for the tides, the sunrise and the sunset, and to understand the weather. I believe this required a really remarkable organisation, but Vieri managed to do that perfectly!

Vieri will always give you good theory foundations and answer to all your questions. This includes everything on how to work a new location, set up your camera and equipment, handle the light and finally how to post process the images when you get back home. Last, but not least, Vieri is also giving you feedback on your final images finalized after you have returned home from the workshop. This is always very helpful and nice as it makes your workshop even “longer”!

For all of you thinking about joining a workshop – think no longer. Let 2018 be the year when you took your photography to the next level together with Vieri Bottazzini!

Vieri is a true professional and a wonderful person as well as being very prepared. I was impressed by the organization in general and by the choice of locations in particular, selected according to the light and weather conditions. Our hotel accommodation was top in the area, and all locations visited were extremely fascinating. Vieri gave me the best advices about every frame, about my equipment and about every single photo optimizing my time in the field: a true professional but at the same time a very friendly and easy-going person!

The post processing session and photo review session are eye opening, and we all ended up having better understanding of the backup workflow, the basic editing techniques on the photo in general, as well as the masking techniques on selected areas!

In October 2021 I participated in the Vieri Bottazzini workshop in Italy’s Dolomite Alps. My experience with Vieri and with the other participants was outstanding and it will be something I remember for a long time!

Vieri is an experienced photographer and teacher. Besides the technical aspects, his focus is on the artistic side of photography. Vieri does not teach you a single approach to a certain subject. Rather, he is helping his students to find their own approach and to progress their artistic vision and photographic style!

Vieri managed to make me feel comfortable with my equipment and composition choices, gently nudging me in the right direction whenever necessary. I never had the feeling that he imposed his instructive suggestions upon me. Instead, he made me think about my choices and helped me come up with even better solutions. I’d say his decades of experience as a teacher definitely show in his unique teaching style, and I am positive he can adapt to every individual’s abilities and help take them to the next level, regardless of their previous experience!

Another Vieri Workshop and another trip to the Asturias – what more could a landscape photographer want? Impeccably well organised, good companions and good weather made for a memorable 7 days culminating in a location and sunrise that most photographers only dream of.

All the locations here reward repeat visits due to changes in tide and weather and the new areas visited yielded some of my all-time favourite sunset images. Accommodation and food were exceptional, and the Asturias is a very hospitable and unspoilt part of Spain. The coastal scenery is exceptionally photogenic and varied, with us being the only people present!

Hotels were comfortable and strategically located to minimize the time needed to get to the various spots for sunrise and sunset shooting. We also enjoyed the delicious local foods and wines!

Vieri is patient, incredibly generous with his advice on literally everything having to do with photography, and his knowledge is immense. He knew Death Valley like the back of his hand, which meant that when the weather was uncooperative, we could adjust locations on the fly!

Vieri & Zeynep had clearly done lots of preparation pre-trip on the best places to take us, had thought of the ‘little extras’, such as sanitising wipes in the van (as the covid pandemic was just beginning to rear its head) and also had a backup plan for everything in case the weather or tides ‘were not playing ball’!

Arran is a photographer’s dream, and it’s even better when you already know that the time spent there will be well worth it with professional guidance from Vieri. Be prepared to work, be prepared for some excellent teaching, and be prepared for some most excellent suggestions to improve your photography. All done in a pleasant manner with the occasional nudge in the right direction. I highly recommend to anyone out there that wants to participate in a photography workshop to sign up for a Bottazzini Workshop. You will not be disappointed!

Vieri taught me some new techniques for my post processing and helped in image selection and critiques of composition. Still, what I have found perhaps most impressive is that Vieri’s commitment to teaching does not end at the end of the seminar. I have submitted a number of photographs from the trip that I processed to Vieri for his comments. He has responded promptly and with helpful suggestions for how to improve the photographs. In sum, I have found Vieri and Zeynep to be a class act, really nice folks, and to provide an experience that represents good value for one’s money if one really wishes to improve as a photographer!

We were surprised with the snowy weather at the Faroe Islands, but the weather gave us some fantastic photographic opportunities. Vieri made sure to put safety first and guided us to some excellent locations, true “Vieri spots”!

Vieri Bottazzini, whom I admired as a photographer for his wonderful landscape work, turned out to be a great person as well, kind, friendly, always smiling and, as only a wise man can be, never arrogant, on the contrary! His suggestions, always offered with tact, never made me feel like a student, but like a colleague. What could sound like just an exchange of observation at first, in retrospect revealed itself to be priceless teachings!

During the photo shoots, Vieri would overlook what we were doing without putting any pressure yet providing constructive suggestions. He took all his time to answer my questions and help me with his knowledge of my camera brand!

This Workshop I enjoyed immensely. Though I had already been dabbling with filters for some years, there were many eye-opening moments with new learning. This, combined with stellar locations, gave me the photo-week of the year!

Prior to participating in Vieri’s workshop, I was very much a novice photographer. My interest was mainly in travel photography and I would describe my photos as quite average. I wanted to improve but did not really find the inspiration nor invest the time and effort into doing so. When my dad suggested we take a workshop with Vieri, I thought this would be a great way to fully immerse myself in the world of photography for a short time with a professional’s leadership and guidance. That is exactly what occurred during our time on Arran!

The organisation was impeccable right down to the last detail, with good hotels, smooth travel and an excellent selection of photography locations.

The marvellous workshop experience was completed by fine food and interesting discussions at the dinner table. I enjoyed being with Vieri and Zeynep and can highly recommend their workshops!

While the on location photo shoots were the best, the fun was amplified with a variety of good restaurants (and chocolate cake!), great hotels, and outstanding company.

Overall, Vieri and Zeynep orchestrated an extremely well planned, world’s best workshop experience!

Vieri is obviously a very accomplished, fine art photographer. From him, I was able to learn much about photography. Of course, my learning took place at one of the most beautiful locations in the world. I also enjoyed the good company. I was associated with some fine individuals, the other tour participants, and of course Vieri and his wife Zeynep who had much input into the smooth working of the workshop!

Did I mention how much fun it is to be with Vieri and Zeynep? We spent 600 miles dashing from one location to another, and I think we laughed most of the way. I’m grateful for the opportunity and look forward to the next workshop!

Vieri’s trips are limited to three guest photographers, so you receive plenty of personal oversight and instruction. This makes the workshop not only educational but also enhances the quality of the images you bring home. This is true for the shooting experience as well as the post processing sessions.

As further evidence of my support for Vieri, I have already signed up for two more trips in 2024!

You and your wife did a very good job being prepared for the spots, giving ideas for the pictures, and did not give me the feeling of being a typical customer. The guidance was perfect to me. If I have to rate this trip overall, with maximum 5 stars I would give 6!

During my September 2024 Dolomites workshop, I had the pleasure of meeting the two other participants who happened to be returning customers. Vieri and his charming wife Zeynep subtly managed to make us all feel like old friends gathering again!

The post-processing sessions were intense and thorough yet adapted to each participant’s level of experience. I did not feel technically outmatched and learned a lot about how to make the light appear with radial gradients!

I feel comfortable to recommend one of Vieri’s Workshops to photography lovers of all levels and with any level of equipment as well. One of the most important things I learnt was how to push my equipment to the limit, without losing any photographic opportunity due to lack of equipment. As well, I also learnt which investments I need to do in the future to strengthen what Vieri calls “the weak links in my image taking system”. In my case, it meant to change my tripod and invest in filters, for instance, besides improving my abilities with post-processing software in order to develop my RAWs as best as I can!

I try to travel to Death Valley periodically and was impressed by your knowledge of the area and your photographic skills which you taught to our small group. The trip was invigorating from a photographic standpoint, especially by being exposed to new areas and approaches to photographing old standbys. This trip was special due to the attention given to the participants, especially due to our small group size and traveling together in one vehicle. Even though I have been to Death Valley many times over the years, I certainly gained additional knowledge and skills by attending this excellent workshop!

Beside the huge learning effect, organization was perfect, very nice hotel and obviously great Italian food. Already booked my second workshop… Thank you, Vieri and Zeynep!

Vieri’s knowledge of the Comacchio landscape led us to places that most people would never get to experience. His attention to every detail of the workshop meant that we always had several backup locations to go to for times when the weather wasn’t cooperating – or when it presented unique opportunities. As usual, the photography components of the workshop were complemented by great company from Vieri, Zeynep and the other participants, superb accommodation and wonderful food!

I had never heard of the Isle of Arran. When a photographer friend told about a workshop being held there and that he was going, it immediately piqued my interest. When I saw the photos on Vieri’s web page I knew I had to go. It did not disappoint. Vieri and Zeynep were wonderful hosts. I have been on workshops where the instructors are more interested in getting you there to fund their travel so they can do THEIR shooting. This was not the case with Vieri and Zeynep. They could not have been more gracious and attentive hosts. They actually go to the sites ahead of time on their own dime to scout shooting locations, housing and eating establishments!

They say money can´t buy happiness but you can book Vieri´s workshop instead and the result will be the same! If you don´t have much time for searching for the best locations out there, if you want to be on these locations at the best time of the year/month/day and learn tricks of the trade from top-notch landscape photographer then don´t think twice and press “book now” button. If you, like me, think that spending a week or so speaking and breathing photography all day long and shooting at gorgeous locations seems like a best bet for your precious time out of the office, then again, stop reading my review and press that booking button now!

Vieri picked us up at the airport and brought us to the best spots on time with respect to sunrise, sunset, moon and tide. In between the morning and afternoon shoots he had also made out a plan for us where to grab the best food during the day. Vieri loves nice food and cakes which is just making the workshops complete as they include both hard work and super nice discussions during a nice lunch and dinner!

I very much enjoyed how Vieri’s approach during our image review and post-processing sessions helped me better analyze and critique my own work. His post-processing workflow is efficient, solution oriented and focused on the best results possible. His recommendations are always spot on and presented in a way that makes you feel as part of the process!

I participated with curiosity and high expectations in the Workshop that just ended in Comacchio. Organisation was precise, accurate and overall perfect. Vieri’s teaching is technically perfect, clear in his explanations and always available to answer questions and clarification requests coming from a harmonious group of people with different expectations and levels.

Personally, I am very satisfied by this experience, certainly something I’d love to do again; I am particularly satisfied with the suggestions and especially by the “photographic” inspiration that it transmitted me. My expectations have been fully met!

Vieri guided us with great experience and attention through itineraries and alternative routes to get to photograph from very different angles than usual, always away from the classic “touristic” spots. We have practically seen other photographers only from afar, something that rarely happened in my previous Workshop experiences!

If you love incredible coastal locations and varied terrain, lighthouses and a great opportunity to enhance your photography skills, this is a perfect workshop. Great locations and insights in the field on how to compose images and process them. The croissants were a huge bonus. I recommend this workshop and would love to go again!

For the fourth adventure with Vieri and the second one for 2019 we had the great Dolomites in front of us. Wow, what is better than being in this environment together with your great teacher! All the travel, hotels and where to photograph was well planned. Vieri never takes you to a place he doesn’t know as his own back yard. To travel with Vieri will give 100% photographic experience together with great discussions about the topics that you love and inspires you!

An absolutely brilliant workshop in Glencoe and the Isle of Skye. Vieri and Zeynep are a fabulous team, and the work they have put in over years to explore and understand the locations has really paid off. They always know the safe routes to follow in the dark, always have a backup location if the weather fails, and they know the positions and angles that can dramatically change the character and meaning of the final image!

Vieri’s guidance as a teacher and mentor was as usual invaluable. He has a way of making complex concepts and difficult subject matter feel accessible. A huge thank you to Zeynep and Vieri for the seamless organization; everything was handled perfectly as always, allowing us to focus on our craft. At the same time, the social aspect and atmosphere was very pleasant and relaxed. An unforgettable experience and I highly recommend the workshop!

Accommodation was wonderful, food excellent and the company great. The Asturias coast is a wonderfully photogenic area and the whole trip was a delight. The images I have testify to that and will bring back happy memories for many years to come. I’m eternally grateful to Vieri and Zeynep for a super time!

Two months on, I can close my eyes at any time and see Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes before me. And once again, I’ve learnt a great deal. With Vieri’s unobtrusive teaching style, you don’t realise how much you’re learning whilst you’re out; it feels more like a trip with friends. But the next day, you realise you’ve learnt so much again. Many thanks to Vieri and Zeynep for an unforgettable holiday!

The experience in terms of accommodation and restaurants was excellent (fabulous Italian food helped!). I cannot wait till my next workshop in Comacchio!

What a pleasure to join Vieri and Zeynep in a new destination. Despite the fact that this was the first time this workshop had been run, all the trademark Vieri characteristics were there: the extensive list of inspiring locations, making each day productive regardless of what the weather threw at us; the gentle style of tutoring that helps you to find a better way of looking at a scene; and the meticulously researched restaurants (the chorizo hash, consumed after a particularly wet morning, was a standout). I particularly appreciated the fact the workshop used just two hotels, reducing the amount of packing and unpacking. Highly recommended!

Last but not least, I took great pleasure in our discussions on photography, artistic expression in general, food, politics and numerous other topics. My week in the Dolomites with Vieri and Zeynep was a truly memorable and inspiring experience!

The Dolomites have many great places to photograph. Vieri will bring you to both very well known, iconic places, and to lesser known places. This is perfect as you are able to capture images that not everybody has. In the times of social media this is more and more difficult, but with Vieri’s planning everything is possible. Again, a great trip with lots of new photographic experience in my backpack! Thank you Vieri for the adventure and the great walks in the Italian mountains!

I was fortunate to be able to tour and shoot with Vieri on one of his masterclass workshops on the Isle of Skye recently. Vieri does an outstanding job of having in-depth knowledge of the best locations, together with practical advice on how to capture striking images and teaching all aspects of landscape photography. I believe I came away from the workshop with almost a dozen strong images to add to my portfolio. I have since registered for two additional workshops in 2018!

I had a memorable trip to Iceland and had a new experience photographing snow and very tough conditions. I find Vieri and Zeynep very organized and each day thoroughly planned out. They were extremely hospitable and passionate about their work. Vieri was by my side all the time instructing and teaching valuable skills in approaching landscape photography, and I got some great images!

Arran is ‘Scotland in miniature’ – the beaches, the mountains, the weather, the snow… you really do see four seasons in a day. And Vieri knows where to go; he has locations for any type of weather (good or bad). Plus, he is very good at quietly suggesting a certain approach, or a different point of view. All of which makes for a very personal, and professional, experience. This really is a first-class, intense workshop, rather than a simple tour of photo locations. Highly recommended!

The workshop was perfectly organized. No need to think about logistics, it’s all taken care of!

I am more than happy to recommend workshops with Vieri and Zeynep to photographers of all levels, and I know for a fact that my first workshop with them will not have been my last!

I went to a Workshop with Vieri Bottazzini full of my own insecurities, but I have been given invaluable incentives to take more risks. Thank you!

I took part in the Photography Workshop on the Isle of Skye, which has been an extremely positive and gratifying experience both under a technical and a human point of view. Vieri knows the locations perfectly and nothing is left to chance, be it locations, meals, etc. I’d recommend it without hesitation to Landscape photography lovers of all levels, beginners and advanced alike!

This was my first workshop with Vieri and it was a true success. Over the years, I have attended numerous photography workshops and this rates as my best experience to date!

The reasons are numerous, but the major ones are very small group sizes, help as needed during shoots, excellent logistics planning, very helpful real time critiques and the ability to submit images after the shoot to get additional feedback.

Highly recommended!

This is the first visit for me to Isle of Skye and I am glad that it was with Vieri and Zeynep. I really had a great time throughout the workshop. They were on top of schedule and ensured that not only every participants have a good time but also Vieri did not save an effort to teach, advise and support every participant. I would highly recommend anyone to share an amazing experience with Vieri and Zeynep because personally I know that this is the first workshop for me for many to come!

This was my first photography workshop at all, and it was a great experience. The small, friendly group, Vieri’s unobtrusive tutorial style and the great locations let me learn a lot!

Vieri and Zeynep went out of their way to master the inclement weather in England’s coldest week of many years and find awesome locations. In fact, I really enjoyed being almost blown away, or freezing my fingers off; just looked around and was enthralled. Dorset is an amazing place and Vieri’s expert and compassionate advice on how to achieve the best exposure from the fading light at sunset or the emerging sunrise provided for end results I just love! And I won’t forget their great evening-dinner company when we not only talked about photography but also about music, travel and good wines!

Terrific Workshop. Great organization, attention to detail and back up plans for location shoots. I learned a lot: composition; shooting techniques; filters, including grad. neutral density, neutral density, long exposures; and post-processing. Vieri and Zeynep are great to work and socialize with as were my two fellow students. A memorable experience!

It is especially nice, if you have not done a workshop with Vieri, to have the “class size” limited to three photographers. You get a lot of “Vieri time” because he spends more time with students than getting his own shots!

Cornwall is a very beautiful part of the UK with numerous interesting spots for photography. Overall, it was a great experience with practical advice by Vieri in the field and discussions on post processing, technique, and composition in between!

I was fortunate to be able to tour and shoot with Vieri on the Isle of Skye on two separate occasions. He is passionate about photography and does an outstanding job teaching all aspects of landscape photography. From in-depth knowledge of the best and unique locations, and practical field advice on how to capture more striking images in the field, Vieri will most certainly help take your photography to the next level!

There were the daily image discussion periods which I thought were very helpful and a great way to view everyone’s work and get tips on ways to improve our photos. As always, we had good accommodations and great places for meals. At the end of a long day of photography, a good meal, good companionship and lively conversation are a wonderful way to wind down. Lastly, but not least, I must give many thanks to Vieri and Zeynep for all of their help, their understanding, and for giving another perfect in oh so many ways, workshop. I hope to be back to Skye, there is still so much to see. Now, I must consider where to go next!

Beside all photography Vieri and Zeynep made the week very pleasant. All in all, a very professional and high-quality workshop that I can truly recommend. And, of course, the Faroe Islands are amazing!

Summarising the workshop, I’d say you are in for a very well organised all-round photographic experience with a good balance between leisure & training. During the course all aspects of landscape photography will be touched upon. Expect to be challenged not only by the highly dedicated instructor, but also by the weather, the environment, your gear or lack of it, and your fellow travellers. The pace is high, but don’t worry; despite late nights & early mornings, you will come home invigorated by the physical experience and the knowledge gained. Highly recommended!

The morning and evening photo shoots were carefully planned and brought us to stunning and dynamic field locations. Vieri’s expertise with each location, camera settings, and composition options positioned all of us for success. Zeynep was equally amazing, assisting on every shoot with set up, filters, camera questions, and more!

As educators, both Vieri and Zeynep were perfect workshop facilitators. Having attended many workshops over the years, I can confidently say that this Faroe Islands experience set the benchmark for how a truly professional photography workshop should be conducted!

I wanted to test myself with Landscape photography, to understand if this is a genre I liked and one that I can produce good images with. I have been very very impressed. I started understanding the importance of many technical and artistic aspects of photography, understanding how to compose an image, how to guide the viewer’s eye in an image using lines and masses, and finally to understanding the importance of the light and the creative effects that the use of filters generously provided by Vieri allow, and much more!

Before going to a location Vieri introduced us to what we would have found, the conditions, the time window for the best light, what photographic techniques we could experiment with as well as some instruction not to disturb each other. Vieri let us know very clearly his honest and straightforward teaching philosophy, and I can guarantee you that I have always felt encouraged but never pushed, and therefore I felt free to experiment and let myself be inspired!

Again, through Vieri’s careful planning, we managed very full days with plenty of time at the chosen locations to explore and take advantage of changes in light and weather. Image review sessions and discussions of equipment and solutions to common problems were particularly valuable and carried out in a constructive and amiable manner. Once again it has been a very enjoyable trip that has produced some fine images, friendships and memories!

Vieri and his wife Zeynep were a joy to be with. I especially like that he limits his groups to three clients. It was extra nice that after the trip, he provided a list of places and shoots, as well as some photos and a video of us in action. I was so pleased with the trip and the photographs I gathered that I have already signed up for a week in Death Valley and a September 2024 return to the Dolomites.

I highly recommend a trip with Vieri!

On Skye, we went to different locations for all our shoots. All areas were very beautiful, and all were carefully selected based on our wishes and the weather forecast. Different locations to different weather situations – all worked out for us and carefully selected to give us the best possible captures! After almost a week together in Scotland my friend and I had already booked the next trip together with Vieri!

Shooting with Vieri on location always felt like great fun as he shared his own ideas, insights and observations and was quick to lend a hand whenever quickly changing light conditions required us to work extremely fast!

My experience at the Cinque Terre with Vieri and Zeynep has been very positive: a place totally unknown to me, experienced in a very particular and exclusive way. Having a teacher so knowledgeable and helpful has been a great plus: Vieri is always ready to offer his suggestions, while having fun!

Vieri, I came to your workshop to improve my ability to see and shoot wide angle and I learned a lot, so thank you. In addition to the great locations, I also appreciated the peer review sessions which were incredibly insightful. Lastly, I enjoyed everyone’s company and the beauty of Spain, so thank you for a great workshop!