Catania is a cosmopolitan, vibrant, and diverse city. A bustling and historic place on the east coast of Sicily, it features markets, monasteries, kiosks, and street food stalls, as well as views of Mount Etna. The heart of the city is characterized by a labyrinth of narrow streets and historic landmarks that create a unique atmosphere reflecting the essence of Sicilian life. The black and white facades made of local lava stone give the city center a distinctive visual appeal. Catania is known for its lively street markets, which offer an insight into the daily life and culture of Sicily.

In street photography, the street is the real studio. It is alive, unpredictable, free from control. The light on the street corner, the sound of footsteps, the sudden encounter that disappears before you can name it. And that’s exactly why the life of a place, the streets, is the most challenging and rewarding place for a photographer to work. Your only job is to be present and look. And perceive. And suddenly you receive photographic “gifts.”

At the Street Photography Workshop in CATANIA, Sicily’s second largest city, you will explore Catania with professional photographer John McDermott, who speaks fluent Italian and enjoys talking to people on the street or in their shops or stalls, capturing their stories and faces in photographs.

Catania is characterized by a labyrinth of narrow streets and historic landmarks that create a unique atmosphere that reflects the essence of Sicilian life.

When we walk through the streets of a city, we focus on taking in our surroundings rather than worrying about the right exposure. And every time, you learn something new about yourself, which makes the workshops both insightful and deeply enriching.

In the evenings, we eat together in restaurants that we have selected and tested, and talk not only about photography, but whatever comes to mind.

During the workshop, you will work under John McDermott’s guidance the entire time and also have short periods of time to lose yourself in the streets, either alone or with your colleagues. There will be time for image editing and feedback sessions. Constructive feedback based on the images produced by the participants during the day will take place individually with John and also in the group, so that everyone can learn from each other.

Would you like to boost your confidence in street photography? Have you often found yourself in interesting places with your camera, seeing moments and scenes that you would have liked to capture, but didn’t dare to?

“Taking pictures is not just using your camera. It is also about talking to people,” says John McDermott. The American photographer addresses people in fluent Italian and gains access to a portrait or location that one might not have expected.

John helps participants develop more confidence in their photography and learn how to interact more easily with people on the streets. You will learn to overcome your fear of approaching people and photographing them. You will practice training your perception for the moments and life situations that unfold around you in the chaotic city life of Catania.

Street photography offers the opportunity to work on yourself. Consciously observing, interpreting people, approaching strangers, accepting “no” and receiving stories and photos (portraits) as a reward for engaging with yourself and your photographic impressions.

Internationally renowned photographer John McDermott knows Italy, its culture and language, its peculiarities and stories. He has a talent for breaking the ice with strangers on the street, which has opened many doors for him. Whether it’s taking portraits of interesting people on the street or gaining access to places that would otherwise remain closed, he shares his experience and knowledge from forty years of working as a photographer for international companies, media outlets, and sports institutions.

John McDermott is an American-born photographer with dual citizenship (Ireland/USA) who works worldwide. Previous short careers as a soccer player, naval officer, and journalist led to a passion for photographing sports, industry, urban landscapes, and portraits that continues to this day.

John is internationally renowned for both his portrait work and his sports photography. He has worked for a range of international clients in the editorial, industrial, and advertising sectors, which has taken him to more than 40 countries, 10 Olympic Games, and 8 FIFA World Cups. He has photographed the best players in soccer history, from George Best, Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, and Pelé to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

In all his photo shoots, he always strives to bring a sense of honesty and authenticity, whether it’s insightful portraits that incorporate the surroundings, dynamic action sports photography, assignments for sensitive reportages, or dramatic landscapes.

John is also a talented writer and has written for CPN (Canon Professional Network) and the New York Times. He speaks fluent Italian and some Spanish and divides his time between northern Italy and Germany (and sometimes San Francisco).

Webseite John McDermott

SCHEDULE

First day Late afternoon meet-up to get to know each other, introduction, explanations, preparation, and dinner together.

The first three days are planned to include visits to various parts of the old town, where the group will work on assignments and receive assistance from John McDermott. In between, there will also be time to explore the streets on your own with your camera. More detailed and additional program items are still being planned.

In the evenings, we will eat together at selected restaurants that we have tested (at your own expense) and discuss the results and experiences of the day and whatever else is on our minds.

NOTE: The Workshop is in English

PRICE: €1650

Included in the price:

• 24/7 support from John McDermott and Claudia Brose
• Feedback sessions and individual critique sessions with John

Not included in the price:

• Hotel, meals, travel to and from the venue, transportation between the airport/train station and hotel, museum or other admission fees

Number of participants:  max. 6

To REGISTER for the CATANIA workshop, please send an email to  claudia @ if-academy . net

With the subject line: Registration Catania Workshop

And the following information:

Name
Address
Phone number
Email

A deposit for the registration fee for the event is due upon booking. We will send you an invoice (by email) with the amount of the deposit.

The written registration becomes valid upon receipt of the deposit in our account.

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