Dolomites Photography Tours and Workshops
In the realm of the Pale Mountains
The Dolomites, a UNESCO’s World Natural Heritage site since 2009, are one of the world’s most fascinating mountain ranges. Once known as "The Pale Mountains" for the white color of their rocks, the shapes of these majestic peaks have often been compared to natural cathedrals, pinnacles and needles - a fact evocative of the almost religious sense of wonder that these mountains have instilled on men over the centuries with their superbe grandeur.
Shooting Locations
Lake Antorno - Tre Cime di Lavaredo
A small lake, just slightly bigger than a pond, Lake Antorno in without any doubt the best vantage point for photographing the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen in German) either at sunrise or sunset. The Cadini di Misurina group and Mount Piana are also visible from this point.
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Cinque Torri
A small group of five vertical peaks in the Nuvolao range, from here it is possible to enjoy and photograph wonderful grand vistas on the Mount Croda da Lago, Antelao, the Tofane and Lagazuoi group, and the Lastoi de Formin.
This area was theater of fierce fightings between Italian and austro-Hungarian troops during World War I; the trenches and shelters are still there nowaday and have been recently restructured to create interesting historical itineararies.
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Tre Cime di Lavaredo - Drei Zinnen
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo, also called the Drei Zinnen in German, are three distinctive battlement-like peaks, in the Sexten Dolomites. They are probably one of the best-known mountain groups in the Alps, and certainly the Dolomites Mountain "par excellence".
There is a huge plateau surrounding the Tre Cime, from where it is possible to enjoy fantastic views on many of the most famous peaks of the area, such as Mount Cristallo, Croda Rossa and Cadini di Misurina.
Misurina Lake and Sorapiss
Another beautiful lake, Misurina Lake is the perfect set for photographing the majestic vertical walls of the Sorapiss group. Many animals live In the woods and prairies surrounding the lake, such as deers, chamoises, foxes and also wild horses.
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Pordoi Pass
Pordoi is a pass located between the Sella group in the north and the Marmolada group in the south. The pass is at an altitude of 2,239 m (7,346 ft), and the road crossing the pass connects Arabba (Livinallongo del Col di Lana) with Canazei (Fassa Valley). It is the highest surfaced road traversing a pass in the Dolomites.
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Sella Pass
Another high mountain pass, it connects the Val Gardena Valley in South Tyrol and Canazei in the Fassa Valley in Trentino.
From this pass, one can enjoy amazing views on two of the most beautiful groups of the Dolomites, the Sella group and the Sasso Lungo/Sasso Piatto group.
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Erbe Pass
This pass connects the Funes Valley with the Badia Valley. The place to go for photographing the wonderful massif of Sass de Putia (Peitlerkofel in German).
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Funes Valley
The Valley of Funes, Villnößtal in German, is a charming short valley in South Tyrol. This valley has remained almost untouched by modernity, and for this reason is one of the most visited South Tyrolean places, for its tranquility and its wealth of breathtaking views. The world famous Sankt Johann Chapel is in the small hamlet of Santa Magdalena, surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Odle range
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Example of a typical
day in the field
Sunrise and early morning
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We will wake up about 1 hour before dawn and with a 30 minutes transfer by car we will get to the "rifugio Scoiattoli" at the foot of the Cinque Terre group. From this fantastic vantage point we will photograph the wonderful groups of Croda da Lago, Lastoi de Formin, Antelao and Tofane, all bathed in the warm light of the rising sun.
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rest of the morning
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We will have breakfast at the "rifugio Scoiattoli" at around 9am and then we will spend the rest of the morning visiting and photographing the trenches and the other vestiges of the World War I, dug by the Italian and the Austro-Hungarian troops all over the area.
We will grab a quick lunch at some bar or pizzeria in Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Susa Valley and then we will drive all the way up to "Rifugio Auronzo", placed at the centre of the huge plateau surrounding the amazing group of Tre Cime di Lavaredo.n the woods and prairies surrounding the lake, such as deers, chamoises, foxes and also wild horses.
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Afternoon
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We will spend the whole afternoon scouting this area and photographing grand vistas of the Tre Cime themselves as well as of the many groups surrounding the Tre Cime, such as Mount Cristallo, Cadini di Misurina, Mount Piana, Mount Paterno, Croda Rossa, etc. We will create all sort of imagery during the afternoon, from macro and close ups up to scenic vistas and panoramas.
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Sunset
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We will leave from Rifugio Auronzo about one hour before sunset, and with about 30 minutes of transfer we will get to the Antorno Lake, where we will photograph the Tre Cime again, this time shining in the pink light of the setting sun, and reflected in the calm waters of the lake.
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Looking for more images?
Check my photo portfolio online for hundreds of images from this and other areas of Italy Click the image below.
About your Photography Instructor
Ciao! My name is Paolo.
I have been a full-time professional landscape, nature, travel and architecture photographer since 2007. Since then, I have planned and led hundreds of private one-to-one and small groups photo workshops and tours in some of the best looking regions and cities of Italy and France.
My pictures have appeared in calendars, books, travel magazines, brochures and as wall art in offices, hotels, restaurants and corporate venues. For more info please click here
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