Savannah in Black and White
Founded in 1733, Savannah is one of America’s oldest cities and is steeped in history. From its Civil War forts and antebellum architecture to its cobblestone streets and city squares, this jewel of the south is a photographer's playground.
Workshop Details
November 10-15, 2024 — Completed
This is a 5 night, 6-day workshop. Your adventure begins in the late morning of November 10 and ends after a final slideshow on the afternoon of November 15.
$4,395. Register below.
Skill level
Advanced. Participants should be fluent in the principles of photography, completely comfortable with how to use camera gear and confident with their night photography skills.
Group size
14, with 2 instructors — 7:1 ratio
Workshop Leaders
Registration
This event has passed. Thanks for your interest!
| • Deposit of $1,395 is required to reserve your spot at the workshop. |
| • Balance of $3,000 is due on August 12, 2024. → Pay balance here. |
| • You may choose the “Pay in Full” ticket if you desire to pay all at once. |
| • Last day for a cancellation request is August 11, 2024. (see cancellation and refund policy). |
| • The workshop fee includes lodging, valet parking, and private access to Bonaventure Cemetery and other locations. |
| • The workshop fee does not include lodging, food, airfare, entrance fees, or transportation to or during the workshop. |
The Savannah Experience
Our workshop starts and ends at our hotel in the lovely downtown historic district of Savannah, Georgia. Mornings will find us in the classroom learning the nuances of making fine black and white imagery while the afternoons and evenings will be spent exploring the environs of Savannah.
We’ll wander Savannah’s unique squares in both daylight and moonlight, visit the beach and pier on Tybee Island, learn and photograph at Fort Pulaski, explore Savannah’s Waterfront, and spend two private nights in the famous Bonaventure Cemetery—the infamous garden of good and evil.
What You Should Know
This workshop caters to knowledgeable photographers with solid skill sets. Participants should be fluent in the basic principles of photography, completely comfortable with how to use camera gear and confident with their night photography skills.
If you would like to attend this workshop but are unsure whether you have adequate night photography skills, we can offer pre-workshop tutoring to get you ready for your adventure with us. Alternatively or additionally, a few of us have written books that may be productive pre-workshop reads.
What You Will Learn
Creating stunning black and white photographs is more than just pushing a button to convert your images to grayscale. In this workshop we’ll teach you how to analyze a scene, prepare your camera, and capture and process your black and white imagery.
TOPICS COVERED WILL INCLUDE:
seeing the world in black and white
best practices for capturing images to be converted black and white
the science and art behind crafting a fine black and white image
processing images with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop and DXO’s Silver Efex Pro
and more …
Night Conditions
Logistics & General Info
Travel
You are responsible for arranging and paying for your own transportation.
Nearby Airport:
Savannah/Hilton Head (SAV) — 20 minutes from the hotel
Rental Car
While our lodging is right in the Historic District of downtown Savannah, you will need a rental car to get to most of our shoot locations.
If you are interested in carpooling or sharing a rental car, let us know and we will try to connect you with another attendee looking for the same.
Lodging & Food
We have secured lodging at The Desoto Savannah in the heart of the Historic District of downtown Savannah. Step out of the hotel and you are surrounded by the boulevards of live oak trees, Southern architecture and some of Savannah’s most beloved icons: the city’s public squares.
Lodging is included in the workshop fee.
Savannah has many wonderful eateries and restaurants, most of which are within walking distance. From the classic Olde Pink House and upbeat and modern Collins Quarter to Randy’s BBQ out on Wheaton Street, you’ll be sure to find a cuisine that suits your taste.
Your are responsible for arranging and paying for your own meals.
Weather
You can leave your seersucker at home, we are visiting Savannah during the cool weather of autumn! Expect daytime highs in the low 70s F and nighttime lows in the low 50s. While the temperatures seem mild, folks from arid climates might find the humidity makes it feels a bit cooler (or warmer) than advertised.
Recommended Attire
Comfortable active/outdoor pants and shirts that allow freedom of movement. We highly recommend very dark clothing for our field shoots as we’ll be spending time light painting our scenes.
A medium-weight jacket will likely be useful, and a base layer might not be a waste of packing space. Layers will be valuable if the temps dip lower than expected.
Comfortable and protective shoes are recommended for getting around. There won’t be long hikes, but we will be walking on various types of terrain, so sturdy and comfortable footwear is recommended.
Exertion Level
The exertion level of this workshop is Easy. (See more about our classifications.)
No vigorous activity will be required during the workshop, but please consider your physical abilities prior to registering. There won’t be any long hikes, but there will be various terrain involved, and you should be comfortable carrying your own equipment over uneven ground in the dark.
Considerations
IMPORTANT: We encourage reading our FAQs section for more information about skill and gear requirements, and other information that pertains to all our workshops.
If you have questions, please contact us—we're happy to talk it over with you.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil …
“Savannah is a photographer’s paradise, a romantic’s escape and a history buff’s playground.”
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was the first book I ever listened to on tape (CD). I loved it. Really loved it. I am not a fan of the true crime genre as my go-to reading is history or historical fiction. But I had heard of Savannah and thought this might be a good introduction to the feel of the place despite the book’s literary category. My hopes were more than realized.
Murder mystery. Serious history. Humor. Travel log. Exposé. This book has it all. From the author’s hilarious and sometimes sober descriptions of real local characters to Savannah’s raison d’etre, the book reveals the eccentricity of this southern jewel.
I first visited Savannah shortly after The Book (as the folks in Savannah refer to it) was published. My initial experience was as unlikely as the story itself. I was picked up from the airport by the gentleman who was to assist me on an upcoming workshop. He asked if I had read The Book. Of course I was delighted to tell him that I had, and that I was looking forward to some time in Savannah. He responded that he was a telephone repairman during the book’s timeframe and not only worked in most of the homes mentioned in the book but also knew some of the characters personally. Did I want a tour?
We spent the next few hours driving and talking about the stories in the book, as well as plenty that were not, while visiting nearly all of the notable locations in Savannah. I was over the moon.
After my visit I realized that the book perfectly encapsulates the “Hostess City of the South,” as well as captures the charm, quirkiness, individualism, friendliness and devil-may-care spirit of the town and its people.
Savannah is a photographer’s paradise, a romantic’s escape and a history buff’s playground. I love The Book, and I love Savannah. While there is nothing at all that is simply black and white about the town, the million shades of gray are a joy to experience.
