Photography courses · Païta On land, then underwater.
Invest in yourself. Three levels of photography course on land, then underwater photography: one-to-one lessons, on weekdays, in a unique place, a private estate in an exceptional setting.
The experience
Treat yourself to the experience. Keep the method.
- Invest in yourself.The best camera body cannot replace a trained eye. Yours will stay with you for life.
- An exceptional place.A private estate, a rare setting, one student at a time. Nothing distracts you from the image.
- High standards, down to the detail.A warm welcome, breakfast and lunch included: you only have one thing to do, improve.
- Training that gives you structure.Not just another tip: a method that lastingly changes the way you see and photograph.
Photograph and dive
Everything is on site
The studio, private sea access and the lagoon are all on the same estate: you spend the day taking photos, not travelling.
- Direct, private access to the sea
- Lagoon and corals right by the shore
- Photo studio on site
- Sunset on a quiet beach
- Beach, hills and gardens, on foot
- Beach shower to rinse off after the water
- A quiet site, sheltered from the wind
- Parking on site, or transport from your home
Chapter 1 · Photography courses on land
Three levels, to take in order.
From your first setting to a retouched portrait, in one-to-one lessons.
Practical informationVenue, equipment, meals, times, transport
- Format
- One-to-one course, levels in order
- Venue
- One venue: the private Tiaré estate, in Païta
- Equipment
- Your camera and one lens
- Included
- Breakfast and lunch, adapted to your allergies and diet
- When
- Weekdays, 8:00 to 17:00, weather permitting
- Transport
- Optional pick-up from and return to your home: 10,000 XPF (1 day), 15,000 XPF (2 days), 25,000 XPF (4 days)
Level 1
Get to know your camera
For those who have a good camera and leave it on auto.
40,000 XPF one-to-one
Detailed programme
- 8:00 – 12:30 · in the studioUnderstand before you press the shutter: the three settings that make a photo (how much light comes in, for how long, and the camera’s sensitivity), sharpness in the right place, a photo that is too dark or too bright, choosing a lens. A booklet to keep.
- 13:30 – 17:00 · outdoors, in PaïtaWe try everything: freezing a running child or blurring the movement, blurring the background behind a face, getting it right in the sun and in the shade, placing your subject. We look at your photos together.
- Goal: never go back to auto mode.
- Equipment: one camera and one lens.
Level 2
Full manual control
From midday to sunset: take full control of your camera and keep your photos in order.
60,000 XPF one-to-one
Detailed programme
- Day 1 · 8:00 – 12:30 · in the studioSettings in depth: metering light, correcting colours (white balance), the RAW format and why it changes everything.
- Day 1 · 13:30 – 17:00 · outdoors, in full daylightAll in manual: tame harsh light, shadows and contrast.
- Day 2 · 8:00 – 12:30 · in the studioFrom memory card to finished photo: sort, back up without losing anything, organise, retouch and export your best images from the day before.
- Day 2 · 13:30 – 17:00 · on the beach, late in the dayBeautiful light: golden hour, backlighting, sunset, long exposures on a tripod (sea as smooth as silk, light trails).
- Goal: confident in manual, photos well organised.
- Equipment: one camera and one lens, tripod recommended.
- Bring: your laptop, ideally with Lightroom and Photoshop installed.
Level 3
Portrait and retouching like a pro
For those who master manual mode and want polished images.
80,000 XPF one-to-one
Detailed programme
- Day 1 · 8:00 – 12:30 · in the studio, with a modelSculpt a face with light: a flash, a reflector, the classic portrait lighting set-ups, putting a person at ease.
- Day 1 · 13:30 – 17:00 · outdoors, with a modelFlash outdoors: moving it off camera, blending it with daylight, getting a backlit shot without a black silhouette.
- Day 2 · 8:00 – 12:30 · LightroomLocal adjustments, your own ready-to-use presets, a consistent series, your signature style.
- Day 2 · 13:30 – 17:00 · Photoshop and showcaseSkin retouching, clean-up, simple compositing, creating your online gallery.
- Prerequisite: Level 2 or confident in manual mode.
- Equipment: one camera, one lens and, if you have one, a flash.
- Bring: your laptop, ideally with Lightroom and Photoshop installed.
Chapter 2 · Underwater photography courses
Photographing while diving.
From 5 m off an islet to 10 m in the lagoon, never deeper, 50 minutes maximum per dive.
Diving prerequisites and practical informationLevel, proof, equipment, times
- Diving
- Autonomous diver to 20 m (PA20): FFESSM Level 2, PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent; at least 50 dives. Dives: 10 m and 50 min maximum
- Photography
- Level 2 on land completed
- To plan
- Medical questionnaire and waiver signed online before the contract; diving card, proof of 50 dives (logbook or dive computer history), medical certificate, fins, mask, wetsuit; BCD and housing recommended
- Included
- Boat trip, dives, meals adapted to your allergies and diet
- When
- Weekdays, 8:00 to 17:00, weather permitting; book at least 10 days in advance
- Transport
- Optional pick-up from and return to your home: 10,000 XPF (1 day), 15,000 XPF (2 days), 25,000 XPF (4 days)
Discovery
First underwater images
One day to learn how to photograph while diving, with live coaching.
80,000 XPF dives included
Detailed programme
- 8:00 – 10:00 · BriefingPreparing your housing with no risk of leaks or fogging, setting your camera for the water, staying still and stable with the camera in hand, approaching wildlife without disturbing it.
- 10:00 – 15:00 · At sea, 2 divesTwo guided dives, usually from an islet in the lagoon, in 5 m of water: ideal for finding your feet. Live coaching, lunch included.
- 15:00 – 17:00 · Debrief and retouchingWe sort your photos and bring back their colours.
- Your equipment: fins, mask and wetsuit; BCD recommended.
- To show: diving card and proof of 50 dives (logbook or computer).
- Dives of 50 min maximum, never deeper than 10 m.
Full course
The blue course
Four days to master light underwater, from preparation to retouching.
190,000 XPF dives included
Detailed programme
- Day 1 · in the studioWhat water does to your photos: red disappearing within the first few metres, the image fading with distance, the “snow” of particles lit by the flash and how to position your strobes to avoid it. Stability practice in shallow water.
- Day 2 · at sea, 2 dives at 10 mSunlight: rays, silhouettes, backlighting towards the surface, colours set by hand, split over-under shots if the sea allows.
- Day 3 · at sea, 2 dives at 10 mFlash light: small subjects up close, fish portraits, blue or black backgrounds. We correct the previous day’s mistakes.
- Day 4 · in the studioUnderwater-specific retouching: restoring true colours, removing the green or blue cast, erasing the “snow”, bringing back contrast and sharpness, exporting for screen and print.
- Handling current, murky water and depth while photographing.
- Your equipment: fins, mask and wetsuit; BCD recommended.
- To show: diving card and proof of 50 dives (logbook or computer).
- Dives of 50 min maximum, never deeper than 10 m.
- Bring: your laptop, ideally with Lightroom and Photoshop installed.
Advanced retouching workshop
Colours restored
A day of advanced retouching, entirely dedicated to underwater photography.
70,000 XPF one-to-one
Detailed programme
- 8:00 – 9:30 · Workflow and presetsFast sorting and cataloguing. Presets explained: what they are for, how to create them for underwater work, apply them to a whole series and then fine-tune photo by photo. Graphics tablet for precision.
- 9:30 – 11:00 · Colour underwaterWhite balance according to depth, colour grading with layers (curves, hue and saturation), bringing back lost reds without spoiling the blue.
- 11:00 – 12:30 · Cleaning up the image“Snow” and particles, flash reflections in murky water, bubbles and haze: clone stamp, healing brush and frequency separation.
- 13:30 – 15:30 · Depth and lightLuminosity masks, dodging and burning with a stylus, local contrast, selective sharpening, noise in low-light photos.
- 15:30 – 17:00 · Finishing and your photosSplit over-under shots, underwater black and white, exporting for screen and print, then retouching your own images.
- Prerequisite: photography Level 3 (“Portrait and retouching like a pro”) or equivalent, and the basics of retouching (Lightroom or equivalent).
- Bring your files, ideally in RAW.
- Bring: your laptop, ideally with Lightroom and Photoshop installed.
Tailor-made course: content, days and programme to suit you, with a quote.Contact me
How it works
Simple, practical, at your pace.
- 01
You book
A course and a weekday date, at least 5 days in advance (10 days for diving). Nothing to pay straight away.
- 02
I confirm, you pay the deposit
Reply within 24 hours. A 30% deposit (Levels 1 and 2) or 50% (Level 3 and sea courses) by card via PayPal. Rain or strong wind: we reschedule.
- 03
You practise
Little theory, lots of practice, corrected on the spot.
Frequently asked questions
Before you start.
Which level should I choose?
Level 1 if you mostly use auto mode, Level 2 if you know the settings but don’t dare use manual, Level 3 if you already shoot in manual. If in doubt, write to me: I’ll point you in the right direction.
Do I need a professional camera?
No. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with one lens is enough for Levels 1 and 2. For the underwater courses, a camera in a waterproof housing is preferable but not compulsory: we discuss it before the course.
What do I need for the underwater courses?
You need to be an autonomous diver to 20 metres (PA20): FFESSM Level 2, PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent, with at least 50 dives and an up-to-date medical certificate. For the discovery day and the blue course, you also need to have completed Level 2 on land, “Full manual control”, and bring your own fins, mask and wetsuit (ideally a BCD). On the day of the course, show your diving card and proof of your 50 dives: logbook or dive computer history. Before signing the contract, you complete and sign online the diver medical questionnaire and a liability waiver, attached to the contract as a PDF; if an answer requires it, a doctor’s evaluation must be provided before the course. All dives stay at 10 m maximum, for 50 minutes of diving at most. The boat trip, the dives, breakfast and lunch are included in the price.
Can I design my own underwater course?
Yes. Write to me from the contact page: you choose the content, the number of days and the programme, and I send you a quote.
Are the photography courses one-to-one?
Yes, all courses are one-to-one. Would you like to come as a pair? Ask me for a price.
Where do the lessons take place?
In Païta, on the Tiaré estate: in the studio for theory and retouching, outdoors and on the beach for practice, in the lagoon for the underwater courses.
When do the courses take place?
Weekdays only, Monday to Friday. Each course takes place in a unique, luxurious and exceptional setting, so you can learn in the best conditions. Breakfast and lunch are included for all courses, on land and underwater: when booking, let me know your allergies, your diet (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free…) or any foods you would rather avoid. Diving courses must be booked at least 10 days in advance, the others at least 5 days.
What if it rains or is windy?
All sessions depend on the weather. In case of rain or strong wind, the session is rescheduled to another weekday.
Ready to improve?
Tell me where you are.
Level, equipment, wishes: write to me and I’ll suggest the course that suits you.
Contact me