Genre
Portrait, Gaucho's Culture, Wildlife
Dates
9 to 12 November 2023
Price
Difficulty
Easy
Group
Min 6 - Max 9
Gaucho Culture in the Corrientes Wetlands
Enjoy a Unique Experience and learn about the work of the Gauchos, their culture and traditions in an incredible place, totally immersed in nature.
With the help of our Lead Photographer, we will explore an estancia in activity, its surroundings and the Estero Pucú, with many possibilities to photograph nature and landscapes.
One of the highlights of the workshop is the moment of the herding between the wetlands, where we will photograph the gauchos in full action; there we will be able to capture the connection between the man and his horse.
If the conditions are good, we will be able to see different animal species, among them caimans, capybaras, kingfishers and many more. We will also find majestic centennial trees, ideal for photographic composition.
Finally, the most important thing, the gastronomy, we will enjoy excellent typical dishes in a charming atmosphere that takes us back to the past century.
ITINERARY
In the afternoon we will settle in the estancia and the guiding photographer will illustrate the workshop activities.
Introduction to the estancia by our host Miguel and walk around the main house and surroundings at sunset, with opportunities to photograph wildlife, landscapes, and the working areas of the Corrientes gaucho.
Dinner and Night at the Estancia.
At dawn we will listen to the awakening of nature, photographing the animals living in the estancia with the first rays of the sun.
Breakfast.
During the morning we will explore the estancia lands in search of wild animals living in the surrounding lagoons, such as the caiman.
Lunch.
In the afternoon, we will document the work of the gauchos, portray them and photograph the herding in the wetlands.
At sunset we will engage in landscape photography, with the gaucho as the protagonist, taking advantage of the estancia’s centuries-old trees for image composition.
Snack.
Analysis of the work done.
Dinner and Night at the Estancia.
Breakfast.
We will dedicate the whole day to nature photography, exploring the nearby “Estero Pucú” lagoon by boat, searching for caimans and other wild species of the Corrientes province.
It will be a unique opportunity to experience and photograph the navigation “a botador”.
Lunch in the field.
We will also have more chances to portray the gauchos who accompany us on this expedition, immersed in nature.
In the late afternoon we will return to the estancia with time to discuss the work done.
Snack and Dinner.
After dinner, for those who wish, we will practice night photography.
Night at the Estancia.
After breakfast, we will say goodbye until the next adventure!
The estancia is located in an area far from Buenos Aires (approximately 800km), natural and poorly connected to public transportation services. This makes the place even more unique, however, not easy to reach.
If needed, we are available to coordinate round-trip transportation from Buenos Aires.
What's included?
- Professional Photographer
- Local Guide at the Estancia
- Small Group
- Analysis of the Work Done
- 3 nights accommodation at the Estancia
- All Excursions and Photography Activities
- All Meals, Water, Coffee, Tea
What's not!
- Transport from your origin point to the Estancia
- Travel & Medical Insurance
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal Expenses
- Tips
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
Please note that these are only suggestions given by our experience. It is not necessary to have all the equipment reported, everyone prepares for the journey according to their needs.
For example, some people may only want to take pictures with a smartphone while others will want to take a drone with them. But it is our duty to guide you to a better choice.
Although you can participate with any type of photographic device, we recommend a reflex or mirrorless camera, which allow much more freedom and creativity.
The workshop is mainly aimed at Portrait and Wildlife Photography.
For Portrait Photography the ideal focal lengths usually range from 50 to 200 mm, depending on what we want to achieve.
For Wildlife Photography we suggest a super-tele lens, generally from 100 to 800mm.
Since the prime lenses are very expensive and generally heavy, most photographers who are not only dedicated to this type of photography opt for zoom lenses, that allow to cover different focal lengths, saving space in the backpack and in the wallet.
More specifically, depending on the brand you use, different zoom lenses are available.
Consider also buying a tele converter to increase the focal length of the lens: 1.4x or 2x. Even if with loss of luminosity.
Finally, choosing the right set of lenses is not easy. If you encounter difficulties and need some suggestions do not hesitate to contact us.
Although the workshop is not primarily aimed at Landscape Photography, we suggest to bring a tripod. A good opportunity to use it always happens.
The most important feature of a tripod is its stability and weight.
We suggest a good carbon tripod that maintains a good balance between weight and stability, that can easily change from one height to another and that locks in little space.
Aluminum is also fine, as carbon is generally much more expensive. We know that choosing a tripod is not easy and we are available to help you choose the right model for you.
We recommend to bring on travel UV protective filter for each lens, and a Polarizer, to saturate colors, increase contrast and especially reduce reflections.
Finding the right photo backpack can be a difficult challenge. We recommend you to rely on a brand with quality and experience.
The type of backpack clearly depends on your equipment. But what really matters is that you feel comfortable with it and possibly fitted with a rain cover.
You can’t miss in your backpack: a cleaning kit for the lenses, a remote control to shoot without touching the camera, hood for the lenses (to avoid flare) and a robust / comfortable camera strap.
It is also important to take spare batteries with you.
If you are interested in POST-PRODUCTION we suggest bringing your laptop with some editing software already installed. The Lead Photographer, at the end of the day, will answer your questions.
WORKSHOP FAQ
Argentine Mesopotamia is one of the richest areas of fauna in the world, a paradise for enthusiasts.
We will have the chance to meet Caimans, Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), Kingfishers, Hummingbirds, Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), Spoonbills, Vultures, Egrets, Herons, Cormorants, Ducks, Cardinals, among many others.
The hottest months in the Corrientes province are December to February, with average maximum temperatures of 32-33 °C (89.6-91.4°F) and a higher chance of precipitation, although the annual average is low. For the rest of the year, generally a mild climate prevails with little rain.
Most of the planned excursions around the estancia cask are of low fitness difficulty.
We recommend taking a pair of waterproof boots, rain protection, a hat, sunscreen, and mosquito spray with you.
