May 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, 2027
$545
In the Rivertowns photography workshop we explore the charm and character of small towns that grew up along the Mississippi River and Wisconsin River. These Driftless Area communities and landscapes present infinite photo opportunities.
The workshop is based in the historic town of Prairie du Chien at the confluence of the Wisconsin River and Mississippi River. This beautiful area has been a crossroads of many cultures dating back thousands of years.
We explore nearby towns in Wisconsin and Iowa as well. We also visit Effigy Mounds National Monument, one of the largest surviving collections of effigy mounds left by native people long before European settlement.
Who is the Rivertowns workshop for?
This workshop is for beginners to advanced amateurs who like wandering charming towns and surrounding landscapes looking for spontaneous creative images. The aim for my workshops is to practice broadening your vision and explore your own unique way of seeing.
Equipment needed
Most any DSLR or mirrorless camera will be fine. No special equipment or long lenses required. I suggest traveling light to make wandering around the towns easier. A tripod is optional.
A laptop and some form of editing software is needed to pick your photos and upload them for the photo sharing sessions.
Workshop details
The workshop is based in Prairie du Chien, but we will visit other small towns. Our meetings and photo shares will be in the Microtel Inn & Suites. The photography sessions start at first light and go late in the day to take advantage of nice light. Our photo shares take place mid-day with time for editing, lunch, and some rest.
This workshop is limited to just seven students to allow for a lot of one-on -one attention. A minimum of five students is required. Lodging, meals, and transportation are not included. There is a $100 deposit to hold your spot.
Terrain difficulty- easy to moderate
Most of this workshop involves easy walking, but we will be on our feet quite a bit. The Effigy Mound National Monument is a well maintained trail, but is a steady uphill 1.5 mile hike with a 300 foot elevation gain. Easier alternative locations are available in lieu of this portion of the workshop.
Reserve your spot today with a $100 deposit
About Cameron
Cameron Gillie has been a full time professional photographer for thirty years telling visual stories and creating art in a variety of fields. He started as a photojournalist at daily newspapers and has recently published two books. “Around Wisco: Hiking the Ice Age Trail” and “Ristad Farms: Grain Farming in the Red River Valley”.
Cameron has exhibited in art fairs around the country with his nature photography and fine art film photography. His project “The Pinhole Thing” is an award winning experiment creating art with nothing but a light tight box with film on one side and a tiny pinhole on the other.
He uses everything from DSLRs, drones, and mirrorless cameras to pinhole cameras and vintage film cameras. These variety of skills makes him a well rounded and experienced photographer to learn from.