A Sumptuous Setting
Near San Mateo 30 miles south of San Francisco, sprawls the huge, historic Bourn Mansion, complete with cavernous living spaces and a ballroom fit for a king. Although the mansion is well worth photographing, the big scene stealers here are the gardens, reminiscent of an Edwardian English country estate. Photographers, horticulturists and painters rejoice in the expansive formal gardens as well as the acres of carefully cultivated flowers.
This trip is timed to be at the peak of the bloom. We should still have some tulips and daffodils and we'll see early roses, peonies, callas and other showy flowers.
Once again, we've been privileged to gain special access to Filoli an hour and a half before it opens to the general public at 10 a.m (and gets crowded indeed!). One of the challenges of Filoli is getting those great overview shots without crowds of visitors in the way. After our early hour and a half of the "big" shots with the place all to ourselves, we can then concentrate on the intimate landscape of closeup florals or textures of old books and furniture inside the mansion itself.
We'll finish up about noon with a picnic lunch (provided) at a park a couple of miles from Filoli, and you can then head back and finish your photography at Filoli.
Some of us will go to the Bay Area the night before because of the early hour at Filoli. I'm thinking of some casual visits to places like the Palace of Fine Arts, the Golden Gate Bridge in the afternoon and the "Painted Ladies" at twilight. You would be on your own for San Francisco admission fees/parking/dinner. Parking is always a challenge in San Francisco.
Nuts and Bolts
Photography tour leader Betty Sederquist, with her nearly 20 years of experience as a college photography instructor and photo workshop leader, will guide you as needed to get GREAT flower and/or interior shots. Attendance is limited to 11, so there will be plenty of time for individual attention. Although we won't have much time on-site for critiquing, anyone is welcome afterward to post favorite images to an online portfolio.
Cost is $125 and includes on-site tutoring, special permit and admission fees to Filoli as well as lunch. Transportation and San Francisco fees are not included. Carpooling is encouraged and Betty will have room for a few people in her vehicle.
What to bring: camera, tripod, cable release (if you have one), extra batteries and cards, snack and water for the morning, comfortable clothing/shoes and above all, a sense of FUN! Filoli is one of the legendary gardens of the West Coast and it is not to be missed. All skill levels welcome.
Please refer to the link in the header of this page for more information on Filoli as well as directions, etc.
To sign up and fill out required forms, etc., go to this page.
A pianist tries out the keys in the grand Filoli Ballroom.
