As the world of photography grows increasingly technical, from high resolution megapixels to sophisticated processing software, I asked my friend Tim Clinch, professional food photographer, just how does he make the beautiful pictures he takes a Camont look so natural, so true?

Look at this cutting board of charcuterie and radishes from the potager. shot on my terrace table, under the dappled light of the grape vines, Tim captures the texture and tastes of my Gascon Kitchen like no one else. Tim says, “it’s not the camera, but what’s before the camera that counts.”

I often say something similar about cooking in this 17th century kitchen- “It’s not about the equipment!” For example, a whisk and a copper bowl will do what an expensive food processor can do; a sharp knife and a sure hand will slice as thinly as a professional mandolin. So I knew we had made our match– Tim Clinch’s natural way of photographing paired with the delicious natural food I cook.  Using only available light and good edible food, we offer food photography fans the first Natural Light & Natural Food styling & photography workshop.

In a special on-site workshop at Camont in Southwest France, using only natural light, internationally-renowned interior and food photographer Tim Clinch demonstrates to a small group of students how to get the most out of what is in front of your camera- the Natural Light way. Natural Light & Natural Food is a collaborative workshop in which Tim and Kate  each share their well-honed approach to food styling and photography in a 5-day workshop at Camont: Kate Hill’s Gascon Kitchen  in Southwest France.

Camont is the creative site, a food photographer’s dream, where Hill teaches workshops on the traditional and local cuisine at her 17^th Century French farmhouse. Since their first collaboration in 2000 for Food & Wine magazine, Tim and Kate have partnered at Camont to produce articles, books and commercial work exploring cooking at its source in Gascony.  Now you can work alongside them to learn how to cook beautiful food and then photograph it beautifully, and naturally.

Natural Light & Natural Food- styling & photography workshops

Two-day Weekend and Five-day workshops feature daily classes that focus on: learning the natural approach to food photography without artificial lights, using reflectors and tripods instead of harsh electronic flash, cooking and styling for photography, working on a photo shoot for a major publication, building portfolio content and story development. All work is digital and students will review and post their photographs daily to a dedicated Natural Light & Natural Food Gallery. Of course, Kate’s  cooking is done with only local and natural ingredients.

Students will work with their own cameras.  Basic materials for classes (food, etc) are provided as well as lunch daily. Workshops are 6 hours per day and begin with cool morning light at 9 a.m. and end at the golden hour 7 p.m. (including a 4-hour break for French lunch, rest, high noon sun). Food photography isn’t only about recipes and ingredients. We’ll take you to our favorite farmers markets in picturesque French village and towns, meeting (and photographing) some of the artisanal food producers.

Natural Light & Natural Food Workshop Fees:   Two-day weekend workshop fee- 950€ per person; Five-day workshop fee- 2250€ per person.

Payment by Paypal or Credit Card.

DATES 2010:workshops May 22-24, June 19-24, July 17-21;  Fall dates to follow.

Includes: Daily 6-hour workshop sessions, all material for photo assignments including external hard drive and software for processing images, lunch daily, Camont’s Gascon Kitchen location and tuition.

Does not include: your own camera, airfare or other transportation, accommodation ( we are happy to assist you in booking from a wide variety of lodging available- B&B’s to Chateau Hotel) and other meals.

FOR MORE: images and information about the workshops and other Clinch-Hill collaborations please consult www.clinch-hill.com

TO BOOK:  kitchen-at-camont (at) email.com