PhotosergeReviews of photoserge.com

If I could give a 10-star rating, Serge and his Team will have earned it! In a lifetime of shooting photographs, nothing was more inspirational, educational and fun than Serge's 5-Day Paris Workshop this past July! Serge, assisted by his resourceful daughter Marine, thoughtfully curated our group from location to location, taking care of any needs, questions, or assistance. With patience and care at each shooting location, Serge and his 2 expert Assistant Photographers (Felipe & Cliff), gave exceptional direction to help you skillfully create pictures that you will be proud of from Day 1. I learned about functions that I didn't know my camera had. The amazing & valuable retouching Sessions were recorded & sent to us by email: playing them back when returning home once again amplified all the Lightroom techniques we learned. Writing this review months later, I wish I could spend the year travelling to all the Workshops & shooting pictures with Serge and his Team. If you have the opportunity to go with Serge to his Workshops, it will be an experience you will take with you the rest of your life. I can only add this: Just Do It!

The Institute course is one you do at your own pace. There are numerous assignments with feedback. What I found most refreshing was the opportunity to be introduced to different genres of photography outside my normal field of interests (in my case outside environmental portraits using flash!) At the end of the course you have to complete an exam where you present three different photographs which are judged before you can pass. All the feedback and comments you receive are constructive with the aim of improving your techniques and composition. I now find myself when I am photographing a scene asking "what would Serge say?" I have learnt so much!

I joined the Institute of Photography Masterclass in May 2026 and was initially discouraged because the focus was on Landscape, Cityscape and Seascape whereas my focus was on Birds and other Wildlife. However, things changed when both Sabastion and Felipe said on separate occasions, that I should not just do wildlife portraits, but capture wildlife in spectacular Landscapes and Seascapes. Additional there was also a fundamental flaw in my retouching process, I did not know how to make the “hero” of my picture obvious. For example, I didn’t understand that your eyes are drawn to light in the picture, but with simple masking or dodge and burning, I could pull the viewers eyes to focus immediately on the “hero” of the picture. I have been using the Natural Drama Formula on all new pictures, but 3 months into the program, I remembered I have this treasure store of almost 14 years of raw pictures in my Light Room Catalogues. Almost all of these pictures had a clinical feel and sharp focus, but no “wow factor”. I now have a second chance at making them spectacular. I started with ad-hoc testing the Natural Drama Formula and wow! I soon learned how to quickly identify what pictures I could make “spectacular” and what pictures were just a lost cause. A game changer for several of my wildlife pictures was to not crop in so tightly but include some of the landscape. Then combine that with a sky replacement and it cases where water is involved, reflect the new Sky in the water. I was now moving the needle on wildlife pictures from clinical to spectacular. Friday sessions provided me with precious feedback and it continues to help me quickly identify the hallmarks of a picture that is a diamond in the rough. As I watch Filipe edit pictures live, I am familiarizing myself with the power of Light Room and Photoshop to pull the best out of my pictures. My eventual goal is to take a systematic approach to review all my old raw files and pull out the gems. Today I am learning not just how to master Landscapes, Cityscapes and Seascapes, but surprise, I am also learning how improve my wildlife pictures along with the other wildlife photographers in the program. I am not done learning, the journey continues, and I look forward to having Serge look over my shoulder in real time at his workshops to hone my retouching skills. Dr. Robert Burnett

Being taught by Serge is a very fine experience. I happened in Tuscany, Florence, Venetia and New-York. It made me look more patiently to a scene before shooting, hence preparing the outcome already in the camera.

On Serge workshops you get the opportunity to learn form one of the best fine art photographers on the planet, Serge always takes the time to coach you on the best composition in the best light and yes this means early mornings and late evenings. The afternoon session in the "classroom" he will show you his techniques in Lightroom Classic and Photoshop and is always there to assist you on processing your images. To get the best out of the workshops have a reasonable understanding of your camera menu system how to work in manual mode, the basics of ND filters and a good basic knowledge of LrC Be prepared to keep up with Serge's enthusiasm!

Excellent facilities and excellent instruction. The photography locations were superior. Serge Ramelli workshops are worth every dollar you pay. I would without hesitation recommend his workshops to any photographer. I have had Provence lavender fields on my list of must visit for years. The two days at Mont Saint Michel were priceless

It was a lot of fun shooting sunrises and sunset in Paris. With 6 am starts and wrapping up around 11:30 at night after the sun set and night shooting, it made for a very long day. And did I mention, we were in a heat spell, 98 degrees and 80 humidity. We also went to Mont Saint-Michel, beautiful! It was a great time, we learned a lot and I came back with unbelievable photographs!!!

Serge took us to not-your-typical-stereotype photo locations to get GREAT shots. He provides advice on how best to capture the shot. His post-processing instruction and advice ensures you get the best out of photos you take.