Welome to Venice,

Queen of the Adriatic

October 12-17, 2024

Embark on a nocturnal workshop October 12-17, 2024 with night photographers Jeff McCrum and Shehab Hossain in Venice!  We understand everyone’s concern, Venice can be confusing enough during the day but you do not have to worry about where we are going, your job is going to be about capturing amazing images in the astonishing UNESCO World Heritage site.

Dive into five nights of photographing the essence of this timeless city, guided by their expertise through high and low as we walk ancient alleyways and up over the 472 charming bridges. Our trip includes a guided after hours trip into the San Marco Basilica with the the majestic Pala d’Oro altarpiece and a rare experience down into the crypt! We have picked October as it is the most likely time of year to capture acqua alta, where some parts of Venice have several inches of water in them, forming amazing camera opportunities with the reflective streets and squares. There are always rised walkways placed around the city, you’ll only get your feet wet only by choice.

We will explore hidden corners of the majestic San Marco basilica, tour the iconic Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge from a lofty rooftop, and take in panoramic views from the towering campanile.  We will also be working in light painting and techniques with light orbs while still taking the time to have class on night photography techniques. Don't miss this unique opportunity to paint Venice's nightscape with your lens!

We encourage non-photographic guests! Additional charges based on lodging, admissions, and other costs, please feel free to email us. To find out more about the agenda, equipment, cancellation or other policies, please click here.

Our typical days:
Venice is also beautiful before dawn as well, working through the first blue hour of the day and catching the warm sunshine stretching across the city.  This is a wholly optional shoot as the group will depart the hotel most days by 6 AM and back around 8 for breakfast.  Around 9 the class will meet to review images and discuss post-production or other photography ideas, any issues, concerns, or interests.  Then a break for lunch and leave you free for you to tour Venice as you see fit: museums, churches, shopping, or shooting around town. 

Shehab and Jeff will be taking time to trek out to some outer islands like Burano, Torcello, Giudecca, and San Michele and would happily invite anyone along who would like to go.  Exploring Venice itself is also highly recommended, following your whim along and discovering your own hidden joys of the city. During the first day we will talk you through navigating the labyrinth of the medieval pathways so no matter where we go everyone can make their way back home again.

In the early evening the group will meet up again at the hotel, usually around 5:30, to depart for evening adventures to capture blue hour.  Most restaurants in Venice are not open until after 7 so a dinner break around then in the area we are shooting after sundown before meeting up again around 8:30 to continue shooting in the dark until at least 10.  We can also separate into two groups, an early and a late one if that makes things easier.

Overall, the goal is to try and have some flexibility when the weather provides interesting opportunities.  Staying near Piazza San Marco and a vaporetto stop will allow us to get to a lot of beautiful places very easily as nature develops.  For example, if the class gets the opportunity to shoot the acqua alta or fog at some point we will definitely take advantage of these opportunities.  We want to be able to help you create amazing images for your portfolio and help you showcase your vision of one of the most stunning cities in the world.

Day One

Be met at the airport (VCE) and transfer to our hotel in the best introduction to Venice: a private water taxi! We will then take lunch at Piazza San Marco, the cultural heart of the city and have an orientation for our adventure.

After lunch we will review gear and any night photography techniques as needed. After a break and dinner we will venture out to shoot from above, under, on, and around the famous Rialto Bridge at the heart of the Grand Canal.

Day Two

An opportunity for a sunrise shoot around the corner from the hotel at the Bacino di San Marco. We will spend some classroom time after breakfast with image review from the previous day and an open discussion about low light craft and camera settings. From lunch on will be a break for any rest or other activities you would like to persue.

After dinner we wil spend the evening shooting Dorodoso, the quieter outer sestieri with amazing views from the point at the end of the Grand Canal

Day Three

Sunrise from the Academia Bridge to capture the rising sun over the Grand Canal. We will spend some classroom time after breakfast with image review from the previous day and on poost-production techniques to make your images shine. From lunch on will be a break for any rest or other activities you would like to persue.

Shooting in Piazza San Marco area in the evening will bring us into an after-hours excusion in the Basilica San Marco itself including the majestic soaring golden ceilng, the extraordinary Pala d’Oro altarpiece, and incredibly rare access to the crypt. After we will have time to shoot around the San Marco Piazza with its famous cafes and orchestras and the historic Bridge of Sighs around the corner from the hotel.

Day Four

Take an early morning boat ride for a shoot from San Giorgio Maggiore for an atypical view of the city and basin. We will spend some classroom time after breakfast with image review from the previous day and an open discussion about light painting. From lunch on will be a break for any rest or other activities you would like to persue.

Then off to Cannaregio for the evening, the home of the Jewish ghetto and working class, now home to quiet cafes, the narrowest street, and the only remaining bridge without handrails!

Day Five

Sunrise at the Rialto Bridge as we experience the city waking up and coming to life. We will spend some classroom time after breakfast with image review from the previous day and discuss planning photo shoots and software options. From lunch on will be a break for any rest or other activities you would like to persue.

We will have a farewell dinner on the Grand Canal after sunset then spend the evening filling in the gaps at some of our favorite locations or we can go back to some you want to revisit, we are here for you.

Day Six

Breakfast at the hotel and then a regretful return via private water taxi to VCE airport for any of your flights home.

Group size: 8 maximum, with two instructors, non-photography guests can be accomodated at an additional cost

Physical challenge: Moderate walking speed but at least one mile (2 km) a day, Venice is a very walkable city

Experience level:
All. Students who are entirely new to photography will want to get in touch with Jeff to make sure you are prepared for the course; he may recommend additional readings before coming. 

Lodging:
Hotel Accommodations are booked on a double occupancy with single twin beds. Single occupancy available at an additional fee, queen beds available if requested for anyone bringing a non-photographer guest. We will be staying at the well regarded Hotel Commercio & Pellegrino located around the corner from Piazza San Marco and steps from the San Zaccaria water bus stop.

Workshop costs include: 

Accommodation (double occupancy in twin beds, additional costs for single, $1,000 saving if you provide your own accommodation!), room and local tourist taxes

Private water taxis to and from Marco Polo airport (VCE) to the hotel

Brereakfasts and a final night out dinner

Week-long vaporetto (water bus) pass

Admission to any museums or churches in the itinerary

What’s not included: 

Travel to or from your home ot Marco Polo airport (VCE)

Lunches, dinners (final night out is included), or alcoholic beverages

Travel Insurance

Passport or visa costs (no visas are currently required for American citizens)

Gondola rides, other museums or tours not on the itinerary

  • I can personally vouch for Jeff's ability to navigate the maze-like city of Venice perfectly after many trips traveling and shooting there -- and of course he's a good night photographer, too!

    Rachel

  • Interesting location that was very enjoyable to explore. Jeff knows the location well and directed us to locations I probably would not have found on my own.

    Brian

  • Wonderful outing! learned a lot and got to try things in a unique environment.

    Joseph

  • I had a blast and it was great meeting everyone

    Eugene

  • What a rare opportunity and thanks Jeff for the teaching and making it happen. Can't wait for the next one.

    Pranav

Come join us!

Questions? Email Jeff: jeff@jeffmccrum.com

Are you ready to experience Venice?

Cost: $3,500, guest adder only $750

Your Hosts

About Jeff McCrum (right, in blue):
Jeff is a New Jersey based night photographer who specializes in long exposure and light-painted images in both digital and film, using traditional medium format and digital film processes. He has shown his work in galleries and been selected for juried shows throughout the region, including shows in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont,  Massachusetts, and for the last five years, at the Lupine Gallery in Monhegan, Maine. His work is in numerous private collections including that of renowned painter Jamie Wyeth.

Jeff also runs the only night-photography specific Meetup in New York City, helping night photographers to meet up for shoots and occasionally gain access to locations that require shooting permits, such as Grand Central Terminal. He has assisted with photography workshops run by National Parks at Night and at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and also runs his own workshops nationally and internationally to help people find their own creative visions. Jeff has an MFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and has developed site-specific projection-mapping video projects as well as working in theatrical performance lighting, both of which contribute to his interest in finding the most creative ways to illuminate subjects in his photography. Night photography gives him a chance to see the world differently - to focus on the quiet solitude of light and shadow and the beauty of textures, varying color palettes, and shapes. His work uses long exposure, flashlights, and light trails to explore the intersection of light, time, and form.

About Shehab Hossain (left, in hat):
Shehab bends and freezes time in his photos.  What’s your superpower?

Shehab is a Bangladeshi/Nigerian/American visual artist specializing in urban night photography and light painting.  His craft is making photos of his light painting strokes in urban environments.  He uses various durations of a camera exposure to paint objects and places with light.  His strokes become a performance as he dances his orchestrated layers of light through a scene while drawing and painting objects to build this composition.  At times, he uses existing light sources and trails to complement the scene. The shutter closes and freezes the movements and light strokes within a single long exposure.

Shehab’s photos celebrate a unique look on old places.  The plot of his night photos is mostly of places we are accustomed to seeing in daylight.  His favorite places are abandoned spaces. The final prints on canvas, metal or glass bring out the vibrancy of ambient and light painting within these nocturnal scenes.  His award winning and published photographs have been featured in exhibitions in various cities and are part of several private collections around the world.  Shehab currently lives and practices his craft in Boston, Massachusetts