Camargue Wildlife & Festival

Tour Leader: Serge Krouglikoff

When you think of the Camargue, you picture Wild White Horses running free, imperious black bulls thundering through the marsh and Pink Flamingos flying in V-formation. On this workshop, we’ve combined all three, so you get the best of all Camargue wildlife.

Photographing the Wild White Horses is a dream come true for most people. It’s an exceptional experience to see this world-renowned and noble breed splashing through the shallow waters of the marshland with the Gardians (Camargue Cowboys) on horseback.

The famous Black Bulls are also a big part of life in the Camargue and we offer a unique opportunity of capturing the bulls thundering through the marshy shallow water with their horns held high.

Our extraordinary Flamingos & birdlife photography is run by our talented specialist BBC Wildlife birdlife photographer. The Camargue is surrounded by the largest cultivated reed-bed in Western Europe, offering an unbelievably wide range of habitats, each with its characteristic flora and fauna and migrating birds.

This workshop takes place during the exhilarating Camargue Festival, where you can capture horses and bulls galloping through the narrow streets of the mediaeval village, at full throttle!

Your days will be filled with organized wildlife shoots, portraits, festival life and street photography.

Day 1

We will collect you from Montpellier airport (by mid-afternoon) for transfer to your hotel in the medieval town of Aigues-Mortes.

We will meet late afternoon for a welcome/briefing meeting.

Day 2

Before sunrise, we head for the Parc Ornithologique, which is a natural Camargue wetlands park of great importance. Led by our bird specialist, who has access before it opens to the public, you will be taken to the ideal spots to get the birds at their very best, as they fly over at sunrise. He knows the best hide-outs at the right time of the day to capture single birds perched on a tree or when to enjoy the vast lakes for flocks of pink Flamingos and the largest array of birdlife in Europe.

In the afternoon, we photograph the Camargue Black bulls in action thundering their way through the marshy shallow water, their horns held high, herded by the Gardians on horseback – an exhilarating photographic experience!

Day 3

In the morning, we head to the beach for a shoot with a beautiful trained white Camargue stallion. We photograph him rearing on the top of the sand dunes and running along the golden sand of the beach, and in and out of the sea, making for striking action shots and beautiful portraits.

In the afternoon, we photograph a group of wild white horses running through the marsh. We shoot several drives with the horses running across and towards your field of view. We will also take shots of the ‘Gardians’ (Camargue Cowboys) dressed in their traditional Camargue shirts & hats, trident in hand, surrounded by the herd, as well as close-up portraits of the ‘weathered’ ranchers.

Day 4

We spend the morning shooting portraits of the Gardians (Camargue Cowboys) with their ‘weathered’ faces – they are perfect subjects for stunning black and white portraits. Serge demonstrates how to obtain a classic portrait, along with helpful tips when working with subjects who may not be comfortable in front of the lens. You will learn about composition, lighting techniques, using daylight and portable flash, lens choice and how to deal with the elements around you.

Late afternoon, we head to the beach for the iconic shoot of the wild white horses running along the golden beach and in the sea, as the sun sets in the surf spray! We also capture the horses in a peaceful lagoon with beautiful reflections, offering minimalist and graphic images.

Day 5

We start with traditional breakfast (‘casse-croûte’) in the meadow with the Gardians and locals, in traditional Camargue dress. Standing in the shallow stream, we are in the centre of the action to capture the Gardians rounding up the bulls to herd them into town for the Abrivado (the arrival).

Early afternoon capture festival life in and around the beautiful town of Aigues-Mortes, including bull racing; pop up theatre animation; abundant food and wine! At midday and in the evening, there is a party atmosphere with a ball and concert on the main square.

Late afternoon, in Aigues-Mortes, it is time for the Bandido (the departure) – the Gardians flank one bull at a time as they gallop back through the narrow streets of town. The youngsters test their bravery by standing in the way as long as possible, to destabilise the horses and allow the bull to escape! Capture stunning action pictures of the horses and bulls, with the sun setting behind the stone archways of the old city gates.

Day 6

In the morning we capture the Abrivado, as they arrive for the day’s festivities. Again, the Gardians flank the bulls and they arrive at a gallop, clattering through the cobbled streets. Each farm (Mas) displays their skills with the bulls, herded by Gardians on horseback. Young lads attempt to get the better of the young bulls by distracting the horses –called the ‘Vachette’.

In the afternoon, we return to the meadow to capture the action of the arrival of the Bandido.

Day 7

At dawn, we photograph the sparring stallions – this is a unique opportunity to see the wild white horses entwined at full height, in feisty temperament with their manes flying.

Early afternoon departures to the airport.

Please note that itineraries are subject to change, due to unforeseen circumstances

Create Away is the only photography workshop company actually based in the Camargue, making us the number one specialist.

We have strong and long-established links with the local people who are passionate about the Camargue, its traditions and folklore.

3 different Camargue horses shoots – running in the marsh and on the beach
Full throttle action shoot with the bulls running through the marsh
1 Flamingos/birdlife shoot
1 Portraits shoot with the Gardians (Camargue cowboys)
2 days Festival photography
Led by a highly successful, professional photographer whose international career spans over 3 decades
B&B at a charming hotel in a picturesque Mediaeval walled city
Airport transfers to and from Montpellier airport

Single occupant (en-suite): £2999 per person

2 people sharing room: 5% oﬀ the workshop price

Discounts available for group bookings (6+). Please enquire to ﬁnd out more

A deposit of 25% is payable at the time of booking

To join our workshops, you need to have a good understanding of how your own camera works (how to set it up in Manual, Aperture and Shutter priority) and understand about exposure. If this is not the case, you can book a pre-workshop course

FLIGHTS IMPORTANT NOTICE

Please note we sometimes run this workshop back to front. Also, there is a minimum number of people required, so please do not book your flights until you have checked with us.

Pre-workshop course (subject to availability)
Cost including hotel £370 pp.

If you would like to arrive a day early to beneﬁt from a course on your camera, settings, techniques and how to obtain the best out of your workshop, please let us know. We consider the pre-course very worthwhile for intermediate-level photographers and essential for beginners or photographers with new equipment with which they are not familiar.

What is included in the price:

6 nights B&B in 3-star Hotel (5-star hotel with price available on request) in Mediaeval Aigues-Mortes
Airport transfers to and from Montpellier airport – arrivals day between 09h00 and mid-afternoon/departures day between 09h00 and 19h00 (other transfers are not included but can be arranged by us)
All transportation during your workshop
Guidance throughout by expert photographers

Before you book your flights, you might like to consider extending your stay before or after the workshop to make the most of the beautiful region and sunshine – just ask Ros for further details.