Adobe Lightroom Classic Retreat
April 28-May 2, 2025
Limited to 4 participants
Adobe Lightroom Classic is a very powerful program for organizing and post processing your digital photography. I feel like it is easy and fast to use, but difficult to learn the full power of the program. Adobe has done a really good job of hiding many features and it is not intuitive to learn. I offer a 2 day Lightroom Classic Workshop and one of the comments that get is that it is to much information to absorb and I have to agree. During this retreat we will be able to spread out the instruction over 5 days and have time to do photography between lightroom sessions. In addition we can go into greater detail and get more actual hands on experience. Not only is there a lot of new features in Adobe Lightroom classic, which we will cover in great detail, but there is some very exciting new features on the way. With a maximum of only 4 people during this workshop we will have a great deal of flexibility as to what is covered, and be able to help each participant with the area that they wish to have in depth instruction.
I will host this at my cabin at Lake Ouachita, where participants will stay for the workshop. This will be a great learning experience where we can talk photography while cooking steaks on the grill or kicking back on the porch.
The schedule for this event will be very dependent upon the interests of the participants. During the week though we will plan to photograph locations such as Little Missouri Falls and Cossatot River Falls, star trails and the night sky, Hot Springs National Park, Talimena Scenic Drive, Garvan Woodland Gardens, Petit Jean State Park and other locations.
Lodging and most meals are included in the workshop fee.
This will be a 5 day long intense photography learning opportunity, including classroom work, photo shoots, and post processing with Adobe Lightroom. This will be a very small group and a great way for obtaining one on one photography education, while having a good time and making new friends.
Lake Ouachita
Lake Ouachita – Arkansas’s Largest Lake. With very little shoreline development. A Pristine Public Corps of Engineers Lake with 66,324 total acres of Land and Water surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest of more than 1.8 million acres. With over 40,000 acres of water, Lake Ouachita averages 50 feet deep. The deepest area touching 200 feet.
Ouachita National Forest
The Ouachita National Forest is the oldest National Forest in the southern United States. The forest encompasses 1,784,457 acres, including most of the scenic Ouachita Mountain Range. Six locations in the forest, comprising 65,000 acres, have been congressionally-designated as wilderness areas.
The Talimena Scenic Drive, which is Highway 1 in Oklahoma and Highway 88 in Arkansas, is a National Scenic Byway which meanders through the forest providing amazing vistas and excellent photo opportunities. The Scenic Drive passes through old-growth oak woodlands on Winding Stair and Rich Mountains.
Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs Reservation was initially created by an act of the United States Congress on April 20, 1832 to be preserved for future recreation. Established before the concept of a national park existed, it was the first time that land had been set aside by the federal government to preserve its use as an area for recreation. The hot spring water has been popularly believed for centuries to possess medicinal properties, and was a subject of legend among several Native American tribes. Following federal protection in 1832, the city developed into a successful spa town.
Incorporated January 10, 1851, the city was known in the early 20th century as the home to Major League Baseball spring training, illegal gambling, speakeasies during the Prohibition era, and gangsters such as Al Capone, horse racing at Oaklawn Park, the Army and Navy Hospital, and 42nd President Bill Clinton. The area was established as a national park on March 4, 1921. Since Hot Springs National Park is the oldest park maintained by the National Park Service, it was the first to receive its own US quarter in April 2010 as part of the America the Beautiful Quarters coin series.
The Milky Way seen next to the Rich Mountain Fire Tower on the Talimena Scenic Drive in Arkansas.
The retreat is scheduled during the new moon so if we have some clear nights we will be able to do some Milky Way photography.
Kayak Photography
An option available during the workshop will be the opportunity to photograph from a kayak, which is a great way to be able to get close to birds and other wildlife.
Don’t worry if you have never kayaked before, no kayaking experience is needed. 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.
Workshop Itinerary
During this workshop the itinerary is totally flexible and determined by the interests of the participants.
Workshop Policies and Information
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:
- Immediate feedback on exposure and composition
- Immediate critique from the instructor an other participants
- Ability to do reviews and projection
- Automatically capturing all shooting information (Meta Data)
- Ability to manage work flow while still on location
What to Bring
Equipment Needed
• Tripod – A really good steady tripod is essential. It is also very important to properly set up your tripod making sure all adjustment are good and tight and will not creep during the very long exposure times needed night photography.
• Digital Camera – Any digital camera that you can set manually.
• A selection of lenses
• Cable Release – or other method of activating the shutter continuously without touching the camera.
•A bag or way to carry your camera gear.
You will need a laptop computer to use with Adobe Lightroom Classic installed. Remember to bring all cords, chargers, memory cards, extra batteries, and camera manuals when attending any workshop.
Cost
The full cost of the workshop is $1995 per individual participant or $3495 for a couple (savings of $500).
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 of 4 participants and will be conducted with only 1 participant.
Changes to the Itinerary
Any night shoots will be dependent upon the weather and cloud cover, we will shoot according to the conditions we have.
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.
Transportation During Workshop
Transportation will be provided during this workshop. This helps to keep down the number of vehicles on the road and to keep parking simpler, as well as the opportunity to make friends with the other participants.
What is Not Included
Transportation to and from the workshop, meals at restaurants, entrance fees to locations we may visit, incidental expenses, gratuities, and items of a personal nature.
Lodging
Lodging is included in the workshop. Lodging will be in my cabin near Lake Ouachita outside of Mt Ida. A couple will share a bedroom and bed, all will have a shared bathroom and living area.
Meals
Meals that we prepare and eat at the cabin will be included, meals we eat out at restaurants on photo-shoots and day trips will be the responsibility of the participant. We will take turns cooking and doing cleanup.
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. 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 me before registering.
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. Full payment is required to reserve your space. 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. All workshop require a minimum number of participants or they will be canceled
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 (or at our option) we will give full credit towards another workshop.
Cancellation Policy
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 30 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 will be canceled.
Liability Waiver
All participants will be required to sigh a liability waiver before beginning a workshop. We will not be liable for injury, accident or theft resulting from participation in our workshop program.
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.
My cabin is located on private property in the middle of the Ouachita National Forest just a half a mile from Lake Ouachita. It is very quiet with no close neighbors and a dead end road.
the cabin is an old mobile home that I have completely remodeled the interior. There are two bedrooms one with a queen bed and a set of bunk beds and one with a queen bed, one bathroom with a tub shower combo and a washer and dryer.
We use window units for air conditioning and have electric space heaters for all electric.
We have a cell phone booster which provides phone service and limited internet service with ATT, there is a verizon tower very close.
