Caddo Lake Fall Photography Workshop

Session #1

November 12-15, 2024 (limited to 5 participants)

Session #2

November 16-19, 2024 (limited to 5 participants)

$1495 per person

Experience the beauty of one of the largest Bald Cypress swamps in the world during the peak of fall color during this multiday Photography Workshop with Greg Disch. Caddo Lake is a truly unique photography destination. Bald cypress trees draped with Span­ish Moss tower over the maze of bayous, sloughs, lakes and ponds known as Caddo Lake and Big Cypress Bayou.  The workshop will include 4 photography tours on our chartered pontoon boat with plenty of room to set up tripods for photography.  We will also have kayaks available during the afternoons.

During the workshop you will learn how to create a wide variety of images in this remarkable location with emphasis on composition and controlling extreme lighting conditions.  We will use a full selection of lenses to photograph everything from wide angle landscapes to long telephoto for abundant wildlife.  During this workshop you will learn to photograph birds in flight, one of the most difficult of subjects.

This is an exceptional location which can be described with many different terms; beautiful, unique, unlike any place, eerie, magical, mysterious, historical, intriguing, but most important “a paradise for photographers”.

Caddo Lake is located between Marshall, Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana in Uncertain, Texas.  The Texas side of the lake is the major swamp area while the Louisiana side is more open water.

 

Caddo Lake (French: Lac Caddo) is a 25,400-acre lake and bayou (wetland) on the border between Texas and Louisiana. The lake is named after the Southeastern culture of Native Americans called Caddoans or Caddo, who lived in the area until their expulsion in the 19th century. It is an internationally protected wetland and includes one of the largest flooded cypress forests in the United States.

According to Caddo legend, the lake was formed by the 1811–12 New Madrid earthquakes. There may be some truth to the legend, as Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee was formed by that earthquake. Most geologists feel the lake was formed, either gradually or catastrophically, by the “Great Raft”, a 100-mile log jam on the Red River in Louisiana, possibly by flooding the existing low-lying basin.

Caddo Lake has been utilized by Native Americans for thousands of years, but substantial commercial development would only begin with invention of the steamboat and US annexation of Louisiana and Texas by treaty  in the 19th century. The cities of Port Caddo, Swanson’s Landing, and Jefferson in Texas, and Mooringsport in Louisiana, had thriving riverboat ports on the lake. Gradually as the log jams were removed in the lake and on the Red River by Captain Henry Miller Shreve and then by the Army Corps of Engineers, the lake changed shape and eventually fell over 10 feet, destroying the East Texas ports and their riverboat industry.

Industry once again came to Caddo Lake with the discovery of oil beneath it. The world’s first over water oil platform was completed in Caddo Lake in 1911. The Ferry Lake No. 1 was erected by Gulf Refining Company. The well bottomed at 2,185 feet and produced 450 barrels per day.

Wildlife inhabiting Caddo Lake includes owls, snakes, frogs, waterfowl, bobcats, river otters, beavers, eagles, and alligators.

 

About the Workshop

Our workshops are based on digital photography, the assistance that I can provide and the immediate feedback of digital make “in the field” workshops one of the most effective teaching formats available.  Whether finding the correct exposure, looking through the viewfinder for the perfect composition, or learning how to use the equipment, you can’t beat real world experience.  Classes are kept small, it’s all about personal, individual attention. Digital offers a number of benefits for learning photography including:

1. Immediate feedback on exposure and composition
2. Immediate critique from the instructor an other participants
3. Ability to do reviews and projection
4. Automatically capturing all shooting information (Meta Data)
5. Ability to manage work flow while still on location

Workshop Itinerary

Changes to the Itinerary

In order to offer the best experience possible for the workshop participants we reserve the right to alter the itinerary when our judgment warrants it.  This could be due to unforeseen circumstances, closures, weather or other conditions beyond our control.  We may also alter due to new or unexpected photographic opportunities that may arise.

Proposed Itinerary

Day 1

We will meet at the visitor center at Caddo Lake State Park at 2:00pm.  We will spend the afternoon photographing from the shore and kayaks at Caddo Lake State Park.  We will cover the basics of equipment and techniques for photographing from the kayaks.  Plans will be made for our early morning photo shoot from the pontoon boat the next day.

Day 2

Our day will start with an early morning sunrise boat tour photography session catching the cypress emerging from the mist in the early morning light before the sun rises.  We will spend the afternoon working on post processing and image evaluation before heading out for an evening sunset photo session on the boat.

Day 3

We will have our second sunrise photo session on the boat.  During the afternoon we will have time for a trip into Jefferson Texas and the Jefferson General Store and/or time for kayaking and photography. (Or possibly a nap)

Day 4

Our final day we will have our final early morning boat tour photographing the golden cypress trees and wildlife of Caddo Lake.  We will finish up with a group brunch and final question and answer wrap up session.

 

About my Kayaks

Don’t worry if you have never kayaked before, no kayaking experience is needed, we will be on flat water with no current and the average depth of the water is less than 4 feet.  I will provide all the equipment including paddles, life jackets, safety gear, and waterproof equipment cases for your camera.  Our goal is photography, we will take it slow and easy.

I have 3 Jackson Yupik and 2 Jackson Bite kayaks that we will use during the workshop.  Jackson Kayaks are known for having some of the most comfortable seats and are Made in America built in Sparta Tennessee.

Named for the native Alaskan peoples that coined the word “kayak” (qayaq), the Jackson YuPIK changes the very definition of versatility. The clean, open deck, infinite outfitting, rigging options and storage areas make it the most versatile kayak on the market.  Designed with an open, stable deck, the YuPik is as stand-able and roomy as any other boat in the Jackson line up.

Excellent tracking and stability make it a great boat for small lakes, ponds, large lakes, and saltwater inshore paddling. Huge storage and tie down areas make the YuPIK ideally suited for long paddles, as well as overnight and multi day camping trips.

 

Workshop Policies and Information

Cost

The workshop fee per session will $1495.00 per participant.

What is Included

Your workshop fees include full instruction and location guiding as well use of kayaks during the workshop.  The four chartered boat tours we will take into the swamp are also included in the workshop fee.

What is Not Included

Transportation to and from the workshop, lodging, meals, incidental expenses, gratuities, and items of a personal nature are not included. My philosophy on lodging and meals is that by not including them in the workshop each participant is free to choose their own level of accommodation and choice of meals.  I have some participants stay in high end motels or Airbnb, while others prefer camping or RV’s.

Lodging

Lodging is not included in the workshop fee. There is a wide variety of lodging options including many Air BnB’s and nightly rentals in and around Uncertain Texas, the Caddo Lake State Park with camping and cabins, and motels in Jefferson and Marshall Texas.

Meals

Meals, drinks, and snacks are not provided, and are the responsibility of the participant.  We may eat as a group, but you are free to eat on your own if you wish.

Group Size

We keep our group size small, this provides for a high degree of personal attention and a great amount of flexibility in making the workshop the best possible experience for the participants. This workshop is limited to a maximum or 5 participants.

Health and Physical Considerations

All participants should be in generally good health, walking and moderate climbing may be necessary in outdoor workshops and you will be responsible for carrying of your own equipment on location shoots. For this workshop there will be minimal walking with easy access to the boat.  If you are taking any medications be sure to bring a supply sufficient for the duration of the workshop. If you have any concern about your ability to participate in a workshop please contact us before registering.

Equipment Needed

To get the most from the workshop you should have a Digital Single Lens Reflex  (DSLR) or mirrorless camera, tripod and an assortment of lenses.  That being said, it is the photographer not the camera that makes the photo.  You will need a laptop computer to use, remember to bring all software, drivers, cords, and camera manuals when attending any workshop. Our post processing will be done using Adobe Lightroom Classic.

We have a great variety of subjects and shooting situations so a good selection of lenses is suggested.  Be sure to bring a camera backpack or bag to carry and protect your equipment. I recommend bringing two camera bodies if you have them as we may be shooting landscapes and within seconds have an opportunity for birds or wildlife requiring a telephoto lens.

We will going out on the lake on a pontoon boat early in the morning and it will be cold, even if the temps are going to be in the 70’s. Bring cold weather clothing that you can layer and adjust during the day.

If you decide to kayak bring boots or sandals that can get wet getting in and out of the kayak.  Even if you have never kayaked before my kayaks are very stable and comfortable and you should plan to give it a try. The water depth where we will kayak will be from inches to less than 4 foot deep. I will furnish waterproof pelican cases for your camera gear while using the kayaks.

Registration, Payment, and Refund Policy

You can register any way you like, just so I get your information, you can use the online registration, the contact form, email,  postal mail, or call me on the phone (479-414-6889) either to register or just ask a question.  Registration is done on a first come basis, so register early to secure your space.   A deposit of $300 is required to reserve your space, and full payment  is due 30 days prior to the workshop. Enrollment is limited in our workshops, so once you have been accepted your participation is important to us – we are counting on you to attend. If you must withdraw from a course, we must receive written notice of your cancellation, and then apply the following refund policy:   We do not make refunds on workshop fees. We do not make partial refunds for unused portions or services of a workshop for any reason whatsoever. If we are able to fill your space in the workshop we will give full credit towards another workshop. If we are not able to fill your space we will issue 50% credit towards a future workshop.  If there are openings I will accept last minute registrations when possible.

We can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in the services to be provided. We reserve the right to change our arrangements should conditions necessitate, or to cancel any aspect of the workshop due to exceptional circumstances.

In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a workshop we will refund all monies paid, in full. Notification of our cancellation will be made via either a telephone call or an e-mail to you at least 14 days prior to the beginning of a workshop other than an emergency. We cannot be responsible for phone messages and e-mails not being received in a timely matter due to your service providers. We cannot be responsible for non-refundable airline tickets unused or other travel arrangements because of a workshop cancellation. All workshops have a minimum participation level which must be met or the workshop may be canceled.

Non Photographer (Spouse, significant other, or friend)

We welcome spouses to join you on the workshop experience however “workshop activities” are limited to registered, paid attendees.  You may have a non photographer accompany you to all activities but they must pay for the workshop.  If they wish to accompany you on the trip but not attend the workshop activities, but stay with you, finding other activities during the day,  and  meet for meals and social type events that is perfectly acceptable.

Liability Waiver

All participants will be required to sigh a liability waiver before beginning a workshop.  As there is always an element of risk in any adventure associated with the outdoors, participants must read the liability release form carefully. Participant’s signed/dated release will certify that said participant is physically fit and capable of participating in outdoor photography exercises in field locations, and is fully and completely aware of any associated risks created by field locations and weather.

 

Weather

The more the better, at least as far as the photography goes.  Workshops will not be canceled and no refunds will be made due to weather, we will not be responsible for any additional costs that may be incurred by weather delays or cancellations due to weather, flight delays, or other. Participants should come to the workshop prepared for all weather conditions.

Trip Extensions

We may be able to extend your trip in the area, if you would like more time and personal instruction.  Please contact us for more information and rates before the workshop.

Smoking

We prefer that you do not smoke, however if you must please abide by the following guidelines.  Smoking is not allowed in or near vehicles, during instructional sessions, during group meals, or at other times when in close quarters with other workshop participants.

 

 

gdisch On December 26, 2023   /   Current Workshops and Classes   /   Leave a comment