MYSTICAL SWAMPS of LOUISIANA

November 18 - 22, 2021

Experience a world of mystery and beauty that will make you feel like you've traveled back in time to the Jurassic Era. Primeval, captivating, and tremendously photogenic, the mystical swamps of Louisiana are exciting to visit any time of the year, but in autumn they are especially dramatic. Early morning mist is commonly seen lying low to the water, and the orange fall colors present landscapes that are truly awe inspiring. Most of the photography is done from low-to-the-water boats, and each outing is as relaxing as it is breathtaking. Included in the this photo tour are 19th century classically beautiful ante-bellum plantation homes that make stunning photographs.

ITINERARY

Day 1, Thursday, Nov. 18

Fly or drive to New Orleans, Louisiana and navigate your way to the Crown Plaza New Orleans. This hotel is in the heart of the French Quarter, and this evening we will do night photography on the famous Bourbon Street to capture the rich flavor of this very special city. Jim will discussing capturing long exposures as well as using HDR when shooting at twilight and night.

Day 2, Friday, Nov. 19

We depart New Orleans after breakfast, and on our way to the first swamp destination we stop and photograph the historic 19th century ante-bellum home, Oak Alley. Extending in front of the beautiful facade are two rows of live oak trees that were planted a hundred years before the home was built. There is now a walkway built down the middle of the 'alley', but that doesn't detract at all from this classic photograph. This is a good time to practice obtaining complete depth of field by

using focus stacking. Forty minutes further on we stop at another stunning 19th century plantation home, Nottoway. The mansion's architecture is Greek Revival and Italianate and extremely photogenic. We have lunch here, and then continue to Lake Martin near Lafayette. Giant bald cypress trees grow out of the swampy lake, and in our small boat we can maneuver through the trees for sensational shots. We stay through sunset to capture rays of golden light streaming through the landscape. When we are back on solid ground, we can also do some night photography of the swamp where we paint the trees with light. It's also quite possible our flashlights will reflect in the eyes of nearby alligators. Overnight Lafayette.

Day 3, Saturday, Nov. 20

We depart our hotel after breakfast while it's still early and drive a short distance to the Atchafalaya Basin for a sunrise photo shoot in the largest wetland and swamp in the United States. Best known for its huge stands of cypress and tupelo trees, it is a photographers paradise. At this time of year, we have a good change of seeing low-lying fog on the water, and this makes for magical images. Following this, we drive northwest toward Caddo Lake. Stopping for lunch, we arrive in the afternoon and, after checking into our hotel, we take

another boat trip to explore this remarkable and enchanting lake that straddles both Louisiana and Texas. The autumn colors in November are orange and rust colored, and when the late afternoon and sunset light streaks through the trees, the effect is magical. We will have another chance to do night photography here. Overnight Shreveport, Louisiana.

Day 4, Sunday, Nov. 21

Caddo Lake is such a stunning place to photograph that we will have two additional boat outings to explore the best stands of bald cypress trees in different lighting scenarios. We go out at sunrise to capture low angled light mixed, hopefully, with fog. We can also find egrets and herons fishing in shallow water amongst the giant trees, so you want both a wide angle and telephoto lens. In the midday, Jim will conduct a critique of pictures you've taken thus far, and then in the afternoon we return to the lake for a tour at sunset and twilight. It will be an exciting day full of awesome photography! Overnight Shreveport, Louisiana.

Day 5, Monday, Nov. 22

We depart for home from Shreveport, knowing we've taken some of the best landscape images ever. Please note this photo tour begins in New Orleans and departs from Shreveport.

Tour cost: $2850. Includes all hotels based on double occupancy, all breakfasts, welcome and farewell dinners, five boat outings, ground transportation, and photo instruction.

Single supplement fee: $410

Not included: Transportation to New Orleans, 2 dinners, all lunches, trip cancellation insurance, and items of a personal nature.