Ultimate Camargue

Tour Leader: Serge Krouglikoff

Designed for passionate photographers – amateurs and professionals alike – this workshop covers all aspects of Camargue photography.

It encompasses several shoots of the famous Wild White Horses with varying compositions in different locations, the imposing Black Camargue Bulls thundering their way through the shallows of the marsh, iconic Pink Flamingos as they take flight in V-formation as well as a vast array of birdlife and Classic Portraits.

This workshop appeals to Wildlife and Equine photographers, but also opens the door to those wanting to learn more about all aspects of outdoor photography.

Day 1 Tuesday

Arrivals
We will collect you from Montpellier airport for transfer to your charming hotel in the centre of the medieval town of Aigues-Mortes. Take time to unwind, unpack and perhaps explore the streets of the city that lies within the mile-long rampart walls.

We will gather for a welcome drink and briefing meeting.

Informal dinner (optional).

Day 2 Wednesday

Birdlife/Flamingos with specialist bird photographer
We leave before dawn for the Parc Ornithologique, which is a natural Camargue wetlands area. Our specialist BBC Wildlife photographer, Thierry, is regular here and is expert on where to be and at what time to get the birds at their very best.

Thierry is the only person authorised to access the park before sunrise and before it opens to the public so you can capture wonderful, exclusive images as the birds fly in to begin their day.

Late afternoon we return to the Parc to capture a wide variety of shots – Camargue birds on their own and Flamingos congregating in pairs or in a group. You can also take some stunning sunset shots as the birds take flight in V-formation at the end of the day.

Day 3 Thursday

Portraits of Gardians/White horses in the marsh
After breakfast, we spend the morning shooting portraits of the Gardians (Camargue Cowboys) with their ‘weathered’ faces – they are perfect subjects for stunning black and white classic portrait photography. Serge demonstrates how to obtain a classic portrait, along with some great tips for 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.

In the afternoon, we photograph the Wild White horses running through the marsh. We shoot several drives with the horses running across and towards your field of view, offering a wide variety of action shots up until sunset. 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 some close-up portraits.

Day 4 Friday

White stallion on the beach/Black Bulls
At sunrise, we go to the beach for a shoot with a beautiful white Camargue stallion. We photograph him running and rearing on the top of the sand dunes and along the golden sand, making for striking action shots.

In the afternoon, we capture the Camargue Black bulls thundering through the marshy shallow water with their horns held high, herded by the Gardians on horseback – a unique photographic experience.

Day 5 Saturday

White horses in the marsh/Sparring Stallions
At sunrise, we have another session with the horses in the marsh but with a different composition. After the action, we then take portraits of the horses on their own or in small groups.

Late afternoon, we photograph the sparring stallions– this is a unique opportunity to see the White horses entwined at full height, in feisty temperament with their manes flying!

Day 6 Sunday

White horses on the beach
At sunrise, we capture the ultimate scene of the Wild White horses running through the surf along the beach with sea spray flying. We will also photograph them at a peaceful lagoon, with beautiful reflections. After the action, we then take single shots of the horses on their own with or without the ‘Gardians’.

Departures from mid-afternoon

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

We have strong and long established links with the local people who deeply respect the traditions and wildlife of their treasured land

  • Exclusive access throughout the workshop to private domain, inaccessible to the public
  • 2 galloping horse shoots in the marsh with several ‘drives’ per shoot, with different compositions
  • 1 shoot with the sparring Stallions
  • 1 shoot with a beautiful white stallion running and rearing on the dunes and along the beach
  • 1 galloping horse shoot on the beach/in the sea and at a peaceful lagoon
  • 1 Bulls shoot – running through the marsh
  • 1 Classical Portraits shoot
  • 1 day of birdlife photography with a professional BBC Wildlife specialist bird photographer who has access to a natural ornithological park before it opens to the public, offering exclusive photography opportunities
  • Tuition from a highly successful, professional photographer whose international career spans over 3 decades
  • 5 nights B&B at a charming 3-star hotel in a picturesque Mediaeval walled city
  • 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)
Single occupant (en-suite): £2905 per person
2 people sharing room: 5% off the workshop price
Discounts available for group bookings. 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.

FLIGHTS IMPORTANT NOTICE

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

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 they are not familiar with.
Cost including hotel £370 pp.

What is included in the price:
  • 5 nights B&B in charming 3-star Hotel (5-star hotel available on request)
  • 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 course
  • Guidance throughout by expert professional photographers

Before you book your flights, you might like to consider arriving a day or two earlier or staying a day or two after the workshop to make the most of the beautiful region and sunshine. We would be happy to recommend other excursions & activities – just ask Ros for further details.

Bookings & Payment:

Payment by bank transfer (please request our banking details) or by PayPal online

Looking for dates?
Our workshops are available throughout the year.
  • 11 – 16 June 2024

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Ultimate Camargue

£2905

Pay a deposit of 25% per item