The Finger Lakes Region of New York boasts one of the best concentrations of world class waterfalls in the U.S. What could be better than spending a long weekend photographing some many of these waterfalls? Photographing them with fall color! 

This 5 day workshop will be dedicated to the techniques involved with photographing waterfalls in the Finger Lakes Region near Ithaca and Watkins Glen, New York.  Each day we will head into the field to capture a number of my favorite waterfalls, including Taughannock Falls, Watkins Glen, Buttermilk Falls and Ithaca Falls as well as Robert Treman & Letchworth State Parks.  Each afternoon we will return to a lovely Craftsman Cottage near Ithaca to take part in classroom sessions and post-processing our images. The workshop will end with a group slide show and critique on Sunday morning. 

   Field lessons will include tips & techniques for

• Capturing the power and/or silky smoothness of moving water and waterfalls
• Making your fall color images pop 
• How to capture good images in challenging lighting conditions
• varying shutter speed for creative effect
• Reading and shooting the light
• working with a range of lenses for a variety of compositions
• using filters to improve artistic results

 - Fall foliage photography techniques

 - Adobe Lightroom post processing workflow for getting the most from your waterfalls images

 - Creating dynamic black and white images from digital color captures 

 - A positive group slide show and critique of images to end the workshop. This can be a wonderful lesson in composition and seeing the world through other artists' eyes.  

Skill Levels

All skill levels are  welcome.  Participants who have a good working  knowledge of their  cameras, a basic understanding of digital workflow,  and knowledge or exposure to Adobe Lightroom and/or Photoshop will get the most from this workshop.   

Physical Demands

Though  locations visited during this workshop are readily accessible, the hilly terrain requires some moderate hiking (typically less than 3 miles round trip). Participants MUST BE IN GOOD PHYSICAL SHAPE and able to climb and descend moderate to steep inclines and stairs. They should wear sturdy  boots and use caution on slippery and rocky slopes.  

Group Size

Maximum 6 photographers (new for 2025 - smaller groups make for more one-on-one instruction)

 Accommodations are available in the 4BR vacation rental property that will be the home base for the workshop, giving us a  place to gather for classroom sessions, a kitchen to use for meals, and a chance to mingle with and learn from your fellow photographers.   Prices shown do not include local taxes.

• Private bedroom (King bed, shared bath (1 avail): $225/night single occ, $275/night dbl occ. 
• Private bedroom (Queen bed, shared bath (2 avail): $195/night - $235/nt dbl Occ 
• Private bedroom (full bed, shared bath (1 avail): $160/night 

Room packages include workshop registration plus one of the options above.  If a room you are interested in is not available, we can add you to a wait list for rooms.   There are various good chain and independent hotels/motels in Ithaca, NY,  but they are all on the pricey side.  Contact colin@Lightandphoto.com with questions.

Registration fee: $1200 per person 

Deposit to reserve a date: $500

Dates and Times

Workshop begins Wed, Oct 15, 2025 at 3pm, and ends Sun, Oct 19 at 11am.

Non-photographer/tag-along rate:  $400 - for a spouse/partner/friend who wants to come along, eat meals with the group, and travel to some of our shooting locations.  Note there is a double occupancy rate for the lodging options at the vacation rental properties.

Where to Meet

Participants will gather and be based at the Ithaca, NY vacation rental property that will be the home base for our workshop (320 Hook Place, Ithaca, NY 14850)    Directions and details will be sent well in advance of the workshop.

How to Get to Ithaca:

The closest major airports are in Syracuse (SYR) about 75 minutes away, or Rochester (ROC) about 2 hours away. There is also a small airport in Ithaca (ITH) with daily flights from Newark and JFK. Ithaca is approximately 4 hours drive from New York City.