Capture the wonderful magic of the Ozark Mountains in north east Arkansas with beautiful colors and lovely waterfalls. Believe it or not, there could even be an elk or two.

Benton Downs’ Arkansas workshop is designed as an immersive fall photography experience in and around the Ozark National Forest near Russellville, where participants chase vibrant autumn color, cascading waterfalls, elk, and even dark-sky opportunities. The workshop blends beautiful locations with practical instruction, including guidance on composition, camera settings,

filters, and field technique, while still allowing room to explore and create. A pre-workshop Zoom session helps everyone arrive prepared, and the included opening-night dinner sets a welcoming tone for the group. During the trip, participants benefit from hands-on coaching in small-group settings, plus an optional critique and editing session on Day 3. Afterward, a post-workshop Zoom continues the learning with fall color editing guidance and additional feedback.

• Reading waterfall scenes for the strongest composition

• Using shutter speed for water flow effects

• Composing with fall color, depth, and layers

• Selecting focal lengths for landscape storytelling

• Choosing filters for glare, reflection, and exposure control

• Dialing in settings for changing light conditions

• Improving composition in real time on location

• Photographing elk with awareness, patience, and reach

• Working scenes beyond the obvious first composition

• Pre-Workshop Zoom Session to Prepare for the Workshop

• Post-Workshop Editing Session for vibrant, true to life colors

• Enhancing the appearance of smooth flowing water

• Artistic techniques to create unique art from your images

• Day 3 image critique and feedback session

• Lightroom workflow for fall color refinement

• Editing choices for mood, color, and realism

• Post-workshop Zoom for editing instruction

• Additional critique guidance after the trip

• Preparing images for sharing, printing, or competition

Nearest Airport:

Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT)

Recommended Hotels:
Hampton Inn Russellville

Participants gather at the Hampton Inn dining area at 2:30 PM for introductions and an overview of the workshop, then head to the first shooting location, a new spot for the group. The evening continues with dinner at Colton’s Steakhouse at 7:30 PM, giving everyone a chance to get acquainted, settle in, and talk through the plan for the next three days.

Days 2 and 3 form the heart of the Arkansas workshop experience, combining long hours in the field with practical instruction and varied photographic opportunities. Day 2 is planned as a full day of shooting, weather permitting, with emphasis on finding the strongest fall color and best waterfall flow, while also hoping to photograph elk in Boxley Valley. Participants should expect an early start before dawn and a return after dark. On the morning of Day 3, the group heads back out for more shooting before returning to the hotel for rest and optional processing instruction in Lightroom and Photoshop. Later that day, the workshop shifts to a recreation area featuring falling water and calm reflection pools, then closes with night-sky photography. If needed, light painting may be used to help shape the final image around the falls and create a memorable finish to the workshop.

The final morning includes an optional return to a favorite location so participants can capture a missed image or improve on a composition or exposure from earlier in the workshop. The group Benton Downs Workshop Master Build Worksheet - Test Version 8

is scheduled to be back at the hotel and wrapped up by mid-morning, allowing time for checkout and departure.