Mention Savannah, Georgia, and for most people that conjures visions of stately old homes and historic squares full of massive oak trees dripping Spanish moss. And that’s an accurate description. But it doesn’t do justice to everything else the city and its surrounding area have to offer – so much variety! So it should come as no surprise that it’s great place to visit for photography, and so in March I led my third trip there.
An added bonus to running a photo trip to Sedona is that it’s the home of my old friend, and long-time photography teacher Bill Durrence. Bill was born and raised there, lived there most of his life and has a deep love and knowledge of the area. Partnering with Bill to lead the trip means that I’m actually in a secondary role as trip leader, a nice change for me. And it means there’s no question we’ll visit the most photogenic spots in the area. Here are some of them, and some of the photos I made while there:
For sunrise our first morning, we visited “Isle of Hope,” an area along the Skidaway River where people of means would go to trying to escape cholera outbreaks. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 200, 1/50 at f/9 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 18mm.
First day of Savannah photo trip. Sunrise on Bluff Drive (Island of Hope), then walking tour of Savannah. (Photo by Reed Hoffmann on 3/12/26) NIKON Z 8, Aperture Priority, NATURAL AUTO white balance, 4580K, ISO 320, 1/320 at f/7.6 in multi-segment metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 160mm. Photo copyright Reed Hoffmann.
After a hearty breakfast, it was time for a walking tour of Savannah, working our way through a number of the historic squares. NIKON Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 200, 1/1250 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -1.0 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 290mm.
After lunch, we were off to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, to look for birds and other wildlife. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 400, 1/3200 at f/6 in Matrix metering, -1.0 EV, Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 470mm.
Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 400, 1/500 at f/6.3 in Matrix metering, +0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 600mm.
Our final shoot of that first day was at Forsyth park, and its fountain. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 250, 13 at f/16 in Matrix metering, -2.0 EV, Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 lens at 28mm.
With rain forecast overnight, we had a late-morning start to our second day, visiting Skidaway State Park and taking advantage of the dramatic sky. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 160, 1/2000 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm.
After lunch it was off to Bonaventure Cemetery. With a mix of sun and clouds, there were loads of great photo opportunities to be had. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 200, 1/250 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 290mm.
Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 200, 1/40 at f/8 in Matrix metering, +0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 105mm.
In this case I used a ten-stop neutral density filter to create blur in the clouds. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 32, 15 at f/10 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 33mm.
For dinner that second night we visited Plant Riverside, an old electrical generating plant that’s been converted into a hotel and art gallery. A walk along the river at sunset let us photograph the Georgia Queen. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 500, 1/1250 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -1.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 115mm.
The third day was the biggest one for us. We were up early to photograph sunrise at the beach on Tybee Island. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 640, 1/500 at f/6 in Matrix metering, -1.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 66mm.
Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 320, 1/1250 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -1.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 330mm.
From the beach it was a short trip over to the lighthouse. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 100, 1/400 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 18mm.
Then it was time for breakfast at a small cafe near the Strand, followed by exploring this old tourist area. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 160, 1/400 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -1.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 300mm.
Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 160, 1/5000 at f/4 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 17mm.
Leaving Tybee Island, we visited Fort Pulaski, which played an important role in the Civil War. Nikon Z 6 converted to IR, Aperture Priority, Preset 3 white balance, ISO 100, 1/160 at f/11 in Matrix metering, +1.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm.
Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 400, 1/160 at f/6.3 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 47mm.
After a break fro lunch, we headed over to the Green-Meldrim House, to photograph a few of their docents dressed in period outfits. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 200, 1/250 at f/2.8 in Matrix metering, +1.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 lens.
Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 640, 1/30 at f/4 in Matrix metering, +0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 16mm.
Our final shoot that day was at the Georgia Railroad Museum. We had arranged to be there after closing hours, both to shoot in late-day light as well as do some light painting. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Daylight white balance, ISO 100, 1/250 at f/9 in Matrix metering, -1.0 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 20mm.
Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 200, 1/320 at f/6.3 in Matrix metering, -1.7 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 105mm.
Using four lights, I demonstrated how to do low-level lighting for this photo of an old streetcar. Nikon Z 8, Manual exposure, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 400, 25 at f/5 in Matrix metering, -1.0 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 15mm.
We spent our fourth and final day in Charleston, starting with a walking tour of the old city. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, We spent our fourth and final day in Charleston, starting with a walking tour of the old city. white balance, ISO 100, 1/250 at f/9 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 28mm.
Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 200, 1/1000 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 125mm.
Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 100, 1/250 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -1.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 17mm.
After lunch we drove out to Magnolia Plantation, well worth a few hours of exploration. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 64, 1/100 at f/9 in Matrix metering, -1.0 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 20mm.
Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 64, 1/200 at f/7.1 in Matrix metering, -1.3 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 62mm.
The plantation also has a nice set of trails in the adjacent woods, where we were able to find some wildlife. Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 800, 1/1000 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 400mm.
Nikon Z 8, Aperture Priority, Natural Auto white balance, ISO 500, 1/500 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens at 400mm.
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