Learning Photography From Award-Winning Photographer Thomas S. England in Lucca, Italy by Sheri B Doyle

A recent goal of mine is to become a better photographer, so taking a course from an awarding-winning photographer in Lucca, Italy, was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. 

After a long career as a photographer for Time, People, Newsweek, National Geographic, The Carter Center and various other publications, Thomas S. England has mastered the art of photography. Retired from the day-to-day life of photojournalism, Tom now focuses on teaching either in person in Lucca or online at Emory University in Atlanta. Using his lifelong experiences, he inspires photographers to capture the true essence of their experiences either as vacation photographs or as marketable art.

For the first hour and a half we sat, awash in the Tuscan sun, learning the fundamentals of lighting and perspective. My inspiration grew as Thomas taught how best to capture images with either a DSLR camera or a camera phone. We spent three hours walking through the medieval town of Lucca, spotting moments, architecture and perspectives I had never thought of before. All the while his contagious love of the craft encouraged me. We practiced lighting exercises and talked in-depth of his love for Lucca, his vast knowledge of the craft and his incredible experiences.

Tom’s humble attitude toward his history as a photojournalist makes him a very relatable and effective teacher. I couldn’t help but listen in awe as he told stories of photographing some of the most iconic people in our history – President Carter, Johnny Cash, Jane Fonda and Jerry Lee Lewis, to name a few. His experiences over the decades of historical events seemed to only enhance the way Tom sees the world, and enthusiastically teaches those of us who dream of capturing moments and places in such an artistic way.

Tom England teaches classes in Lucca (available through Airbnb.com or LuccaPhoto.net) or he is available to photograph groups on vacation or with special events in the Florence/Pisa/Lucca areas of Italy.

Photos: LuccaPhoto.net

Note: 30Seconds is a participant in the Amazon affiliate advertising program and this post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission or fees if you make a purchase via those links. 

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community, and follow us on Facebook to get inspiration in your newsfeed daily. Inspire and be inspired.

Related Products on Amazon We Think You May Like: