June 23, 2010
Gascony, France
If Photography and eating well are two of your passions – and let’s face it, whose aren’t they? – then look no further for your next educational, vacation idea than the Natural Food & Photography workshops offered by Clinch-Hill in bucolic Camont, France.
Internationally renowned photographer Tim Clinch (and the esteemed photographer for my third book, the upcoming, England’s Hideaways – Spring 2011) and writer, cook and food stylist Kate Hill have banded together, having already collaborated on a book on Spain, to create CLINCH-HILL, a photography and food styling school offering intimate workshops on how to get, “the most out of what is in front of your camera”.
Yum! Of course the photo is brilliant, as well!
Whether you are an aspiring food stylist or photographer, a foodie blogger or simply interested in bettering your photography skills while learning to cook and eating well in the heavenly scenery of Southern France (by that, I mean anyone!), the friendly tutelage offered by Tim and Kate at Clinch-Hill, not to mention the consistent, decadent meals, makes the concept of a learning holiday all-the-more appealing. Think of it as a simultaneous investment in your own skill-set and personal enjoyment!
How can you resist learning from people who nuzzle piglets?
Using only natural light, the Natural Light & Natural Food Workshop is a collaborative project in which Tim and Kate each share their well-honed approach to natural cooking, food styling and online poker business photography in 5-day and weekend workshop at Kate Hill’s Gascon Kitchen in her 17th century farmhouse in Camont, France (pictured below).
The 17th century farmhouse and guest rooms
Focusing on the traditional and local cuisine of Gascony, the lessons will ensure you learn how to cook natural, fresh food and then photograph it beautifully, and naturally. Daily classes are quite comprehensive and cover everything from the basics to professional-grade information, such as the natural approach to food photography without artificial lights, natural French cooking and styling with both raw and cooked food, and how to behave on a photo shoot for a major publication, build your own portfolio content and create story development for future pitches. All camera work is digital and students will review and post their photographs daily to a dedicated online gallery. Cooking is done with only local ingredients (of which there are plenty!) while students work with their own cameras, no matter how basic. An external hard drive, computer and basic materials for classes (food, etc) are provided. Classes are 7 hours per day beginning at 9 and ending at 6 pm (including a 2 hour break for an elaborate, French lunch).
For more information please click on the links above for the website or email Tim and Kate at info@clinch-hill.com. Having yet to go myself, though knowing Tim quite well, all I can say, is I can’t wait to go with my husband (an ardent photographer) as soon as possible!
