The title of this workshop is inspired by the book Il mare non bagna Napoli, written by Anna Maria Orteseandfirstpublishedin1953. Inthebook, theseais not merelyageographicalelement of thecity but a powerful symbolic figure. Although it is omnipresent, the sea seems not to truly reach the life of the cityand its inhabitants; it remains at a distance, as if a fracture existed between the city’s potential and everyday reality.

The oxymoron contained in the phrase “My daughter, it is better not to see the world than to see it” introduces a reflection on the act of looking: to see means to become aware of the contradictions, inequalities,and tensions that in habit urban space offer in garadical critique of the distance between image and reality.

The sea thus becomes a metaphor for this distance. It is not simply the city’s coastal landscape, but the symbol of a denied or unfulfilled possibility: a line of tension between openness and closure, between access and exclusion. Even today, Naples continues to reflect these tensions, through urban transformations, industrial memories, economic interests, and the everyday uses of space.

The workshop situates itself within this critical perspective, inviting photographers to question the sea not only as a visual subject but as a metaphorical device to read the city. Photographing Naples’ sea therefore means confronting what appears and what remains hidden; the photographic gaze becomes a tool to challenge the apparent image of the city and to investigate its deeper contradictions.

A unique opportunity to refine your photographic practice. Join Jérôme Sessini in Naples for an intensive week-long workshop. Working in a small group, you will receive personalized guidance through portfolio reviews to help shape your visual language, participate in daily shooting and editing
sessions, and take part in a final group review of participants’ work.

The workshop focuses on the analysis and critique of participants’ work from both a technical and creative perspective. Drawing on his experience as a field photographer, Jérôme encourages students to understand and embrace the importance of intention in photography.

Participants will work on:

• Developing a photographic statement (the “propos”).
• Understanding photographic distance.
• Emphasizing questions over answers.
• Recognizing that the meaning behind a photograph is as important as the image itself.

As an instructor, Jérôme’s guiding principle is to raise awareness of intention. His approach is more about sensitizing than strictly teaching: exploring what it truly means to be a photographer and how to initiate a personal process. He also emphasizes the importance of always being able to illustrate one’s intention with concrete examples—especially when presenting work to an editor or recruiter. Observation and memory play a key role: not only what the photograph shows, but also how it is framed and contained.

9/9 – Arrival in Naples & Check-in
Arrival of participants in Naples.
Check-in and accommodation in the lodgings.
Free time to settle in and welcome meeting with the CFI team.

10/9 – Introduction & Portfolio Review
Welcome meeting and workshop presentation.
Review of each participant’s portfolio.
Discussion on visual language, narrative intentions, and personal goals.

10/9 – Introduction & Portfolio Review
Welcome meeting and workshop presentation.
Review of each participant’s portfolio.
Discussion on visual language, narrative intentions, and personal goals.

11/9 – Fieldwork & Mentoring
Outdoor shooting in Naples.
One-to-one mentoring in the field.
Evening group discussion and image review.

12/9 – Production & Editing
Morning: independent shooting in the city.
Afternoon: editing session with Jérôme, focusing on selection and sequencing.
Group critique to encourage dialogue and feedback.

13/9 – Visual Narrative Development
Shooting to deepen participants’ chosen themes.
Editing workshop: shaping a coherent narrative from the day’s work.
Discussion on strategies for long-term project development.

14/9 – Advanced Editing & Sequencing
Final shooting sessions or project consolidation.
Intensive editing session on the daily work produced.
Introduction to sequencing for photobooks and exhibitions.

15/9 – Final Production & Review
Complete editing and sequencing of each participant’s work.
Preparation for the final review.
Collective review of participants’ final projects.
Group discussion and feedback session.

16/9 – Final Production & Review
Check-out from the accommodation.
Departure of participants from Naples.

Additional Information
Price: €1,600
Early Bird: €200 discount for registrations completed by August 7th.
The fee covers all course-related activities. Travel, accommodation, insurance, and personal expenses are not included.
Participants: Maximum 10, to ensure personalized guidance.

1. Submit Application – Download and fill in the registration form found at the end of the page.
2. Deposit Payment – Pay a non-refundable deposit of €300 to secure your spot  at IT18U0306909606100000407014 payable to Centro di Fotografia  Indipendente BIC BCITTIMM.
3. Final Payment – The remaining balance (€1,300) must be paid by august 28 th 2026; for some participants, payment in cash on site may be possible.
4. Preparation for the Course – Once full payment is received, participants will receive a detailed welcome pack with the final schedule, gear recommendations, and useful information for local travel with the final schedule, gear recommendations, and local travel tips