Off Camera Flash

Welcome to our new home at the historic Tivoli Theater! Please check our details for access to the space on [our website](https://www.hacdc.org/visit/). Join the discord for questions / help getting in (use channel #let-me-in) [https://discord.gg/dNjuNhNmeT](https://discord.gg/dNjuNhNmeT)

​**Due to the popularity of the event, registration for lessons and the support table are required at [https://luma.com/dcmahjongg](https://luma.com/dcmahjongg).** We do not use the RSVP system on Meetup. **A drop-in game every Tuesday at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Central Library, located at the corner of 9th and G Streets NW.** The Gallery Place Metro station (9th Street entrance) is located across the street. Street parking is available. We play in the Great Hall -- as you enter the library, we are on the right of the room. **All skill levels are encouraged to participate.** Lessons for new players (as needed) at 6:00pm. Please arrive on time. Games for all skill levels begin at 6:00. Games wrap up at 8:00. **If you own a mah jongg set, we encourage you to bring.** More resources (especially for new players) are available at http://linktr.ee/davidmahj

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/3/f/8/event_160705592.jpeg (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZA8SWMLWS7WHA) NOTES 1. The conversation course is continuing education, designed to excel students' Amharic conversation skill. 2. The course runs for 12 weeks. 3. We don't give placement test. The students place themselves and they can switch to a level up or down, after they examine themselves. 4. Class cancelled due to 'Force Majeure', will be recovered at the end of the course. 5. Arriving by Metro: The closest metro stations are Farragut West and Farragut North. 6. Meter parking is also an option. It is about $ 0.25 for 8 minutes. 7. The payment for each class is $ 15.00 per person per hour. It will be $ 20.00 per person per hour for walk-ins. However, it is depending on availability. 8. Students can bring friends and pay $ 20 for 2 persons per hour. But it has to be an advance payment.

​**Due to the popularity of the event, registration is requested at [https://luma.com/dcmahjongg](https://luma.com/dcmahjongg).** We do not use the RSVP system on Meetup. **A drop-in game every other Tuesday at the Bread Me Cafe on 10th Street NW.** The coffee shop is located 2 blocks west of the Convention Center. Street parking is available. **All skill levels are encouraged to participate,** however, no lessons are given after game play. Games begin at 1:00 and ends around 3:00 **If you own a mah jongg set, we encourage you to bring.**

February is Black History Month, so we've curated a list of documentaries to choose from that celebrates and honors this moment. The votes are in and we are watching.... *Hale County This Morning This Evening* Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlOeSyl-zZk Available for FREE on Kanopy (with a library card!), and for a small rental fee on YouTube,Google Play, Fandango and Apple TV. ***Make sure to watch the film ahead of time*** and come prepared to discuss. We will not be screening the film at the meeting! What to expect the day of: * Please try to arrive on time * Meet new friends over some drinks & snacks (feel free to bring something to share!) * The host will lay some group rules and facilitate our discussion * Leave with some new insights and new friends! FYI - the free version of MeetUp limits me to 10 RSVPS, but if you're #1-5 on the waitlist please feel free to join us anyway.

7:45 PM – Beginner Bachata 8:30 PM – Beginner Salsa This Class is for absolute beginner and up. [Book Your Class Here. ](https://crowndancestudio.com/group-classes/) Choose the date. then Click "book now." $18 Per Person for 1 Class $25 Per Person for 2 Classes Do I need Partner? NO Is it a Series? No. But we review similar materials on the consistent basic. Can I drop-in? Yes. Membership & Class pass available for your better growth and progress. [www.crowndancestudio.com](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crowndancestudio.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2zhtlRxGhExkt_lh7UddK-BeWO8Qs1-EOyoeOGv-J3T0iFQh1Mcj2yiCA_aem_AcwNtPvUfkDahcWu-o_1owBvR7kH5cPtGKRaZN0cwvsy7zAKFAW0zv11GyJZeHFK3sXTqcwkHzYjvnhIdj_bZzn9&h=AT03tOQ7TaMbm8BWrbY5GVWwm5AUCbspa2tH6WSZj2P19MdXsK-Ih8hbVRlM9y0i0DuAMcN1QoF5tRzsQ-8aq-F0hneUu0Qayohk--xGdi4ODLmv7dW1y3B0veXR6xDUMxTNH1ui5a1qQMb1Cw&__tn__=q&c[0]=AT23QwS2XzF8mb_UChFebvxb_ZwrfUwkBaJHK5_0MHCyY9o9eHFqWNQPS2IJpCgWWS7KJfldFCk2N1JPAXQQGplryaicqsu-5Hpj0tsphsZ3balIXhHgvlOSxKBXhiUaH8GLAXguklvbM9QOeUG2qAJKdQJ6) Address: 2820 Dorr Avenue Fairfax, VA 22031 See less

🎶 Live Music Night at Divino – Every Tuesday 🎷 Experience Live Music in the cozy ambiance of Divino! Join us at 6:00 PM for an unforgettable evening filled with great tunes, exquisite Northern Italian cuisine, and your favorite wine and cocktails. Whether you’re unwinding after a long day or celebrating a special night out, our Live Music will hit all the right notes. Reserve your table now and let the music move you! 📍 Located in the heart of Glover Park inside the Glover Park Hotel 2505 Wisconsi Ave NW ✨ FREE PARKING (ask our host for code to access parking garage)

Well since no one else will make a Heated Rivalry Book Club, I guess it’s up to me! Join us to discuss the first book in the “Game Changers” series at Petit Monde Cafe (located at 2653 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008) on Saturday, February 7th.

This class is a practical, hands-on introduction to creating strong, dramatic portraits using a single light source. We’ll be working in a small studio environment with one model and one light, focusing on how light placement, distance, and modifier choice completely change mood and shape. This is not a lecture-only class—you’ll see the setup demonstrated and then rotate through shooting time yourself. What we’ll cover • How to shape dramatic light with a single source • Light placement for short light, broad light, and high-contrast looks • Controlling shadow depth and falloff in tight spaces • Using minimal gear to create intentional, cinematic portraits • Directing a model efficiently while lighting stays simple What to expect • Small group (10 photographers max) • One shared lighting setup, adjusted live so you can see cause and effect • Time to shoot the model and ask questions as we go • Emphasis on decision-making, not presets or gimmicks Who this is for • Beginner to early-intermediate photographers • Anyone who feels overwhelmed by multi-light setups • Photographers who want stronger, more intentional portraits What to bring • Any camera (DSLR or mirrorless) • A lens in the 35–85mm range is ideal • Fully charged batteries and memory card Lighting gear and model are provided. You just focus on shooting and learning.

The LAMA Washington DC monthly meetings are typically held on the first Saturday of each month. Our meetings are open invitation. Everyone is invited to attend! We look forward to meeting new people. If you are interested in learning more about LAMA or just want to ride, please come! If you cannot attend the meeting and/or still want to learn about LAMA please email our President at lamadcpresident@hotmail.com

• What we'll do Learn how to take great pictures BEFORE you go on that expensive trip! And we will teach you how to use your camera IN THE FIELD, not in a classroom! Join our standard Monuments and Memorials workshop, offered Wednesdays and Saturdays, in which the instructor takes you to some of DC’s most popular attractions: White House, Lafayette Park, the Einstein, Lincoln, Korea, and Vietnam Three Servicemen Memorials, and finally to Union Station, where you learn to make all the moving people DISAPPEAR! Remember, it was Confucius who said: "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do, and I understand." At Washington Photo Safari, we help you "do " and understand! That is why our motto is "See. Click. Learn." This $71 Safari (a 20% discount from the regular $89 price) begins with a 45-minute travel photography orientation, giving you basic tips in composition, F-stops and shutter speeds, portraiture, and interior photography. While you are taking pictures, you receive hands-on guidance on how to make those images even better! Advanced and smartphone photographers will appreciate the instructor’s extensive knowledge of the best camera angles in DC. This is suggested as a preliminary course before taking special safaris. Open to any photographers at any skill level with any camera, phone, or tablet. Transportation from site to site is provided by the instructor. • What to bring camera and all lenses • Important to know travel, architectural, portrait and street photography techniques

Join us for American Smooth and Rhythm Ballroom Classes Every Saturday. Please see our website schedule for the dance of the month. Smooth Dances (Walz, Tango, Foxtrot). Rhythm Dances (Cha Cha Rumba Swing). We Always Teach The Smooth Dances First, followed by the Rhythm Dances. 10:30 AM American Smooth (Waltz, Tango or Foxtrot) 11:15 AM American Rhythm (Cha Cha, Rumba or Swing). [Register Here For Classes](https://crowndancestudio.com/group-classes/#) Please see schedule on our website by clicking the link above. $25 for both classes or $18 for one. These classes, are available to total beginners on Saturday.

**NOTE: AN RSVP ON MEETUP DOES NOT SERVE AS A BOOKED SPOT. YOU MUST BOOK VIA LINK BELOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT.** **You must book your spot through our website: [[Booking Link Here](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events/firearm-safety-2-7-26)]** Lesbifriends Travel is proud to partner with certified firearm instructor Paquita Wiggins to offer a comprehensive, safety-focused gun training tailored for queer Black folks. Whether you’re seeking to obtain your Handgun Qualification License (HQL) or a Concealed Carry Permit, this training will provide you with the education, hands-on experience, and confidence needed to protect yourself and your community responsibly. In a welcoming, affirming space, participants will learn firearm safety, self-defense principles, and legal considerations, all while gaining real experience at the shooting range. **Event Details You Should Know:** 📅 **Class Date:** Saturday, February 7 (Classroom Training) 📅 **Shooting Range Date:** Date scheduled by you **🕖Time:** 9 AM - 11:30 AM (for HQL) & 9 AM - 5:30 PM (for CCP) *Local Time Zone is Eastern Time (ET)* **Class** **Location:** Northwest, Washington, DC **Shooting Range:** Baltimore, MD Area *(Exact addresses shared with confirmed participants and will be shared week of event. While firearm safety and protection training is typically a 16-hour process, our comprehensive approach ensures that participants receive the necessary instruction efficiently.)* **Who This Event Is For:** Queer Black Folks looking to learn about gun safety in an exclusively curated, community-centered environment. ### **Course Options & Pricing:** #### **Option 1: Handgun Qualification License (HQL) - $75** ✅ 2 hours of classroom education **(Arrival/Check-in at 9 AM. Class Time 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM)** ✅ Hour of firearm handling (at the range) ✅ All firearms and ammunition provided ✅ Expert instruction from a certified USCCA instructor ❌ No food & drinks included (Feel free to bring your own) **\*IMPORTANT NOTE: This option includes the required training course and certificate, which you will need to obtain your Handgun Qualification License (HQL) in Maryland. However, fingerprinting and the application submission are not included in the ticket price and must be completed separately.** **Since the state of Maryland is responsible for issuing the HQL, you will not leave the class fully licensed. Instead, you will receive the training certificate, which is a required step in the licensing process.** #### **Option 2: Concealed Carry Permit - $300** ✅ 8 hours of classroom education **(Arrival/Check-in at 9 AM. Class Time 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM)** ✅ Hour of firearm handling (at the range) ✅ All firearms and ammunition provided ✅ Expert instruction from a certified USCCA instructor ❌ No food & drinks included. There will be a 30 min lunch break. (You’re encouraged to bring your own food. There are also places to grab food close to the class location.) **\*IMPORTANT NOTE: While firearm safety and protection training is typically a 16-hour process, our comprehensive approach ensures that participants receive the necessary instruction efficiently.** ### **What to Expect:** 📖 **Day 1: Classroom Training (February 7)** * Firearm safety, responsible ownership, and state gun laws * Self-defense principles & legal considerations * Hands-on firearm handling in a controlled setting 🎯 **Day 2: Shooting Range Practice (TBD)** * Live-fire training & confidence-building exercises * Tactical drills & supervised shooting practice ### **💪🏽Why Train With Us?** ✔ **Led by a Certified Instructor:** Paquita Wiggins is a **licensed USCCA instructor with 15+ years of experience.** ✔ **A Safe & Supportive Environment:** Learn without intimidation in a space designed for queer Black folks. ✔ **Empowerment Through Education:** This isn’t just about firearms—it’s about preparedness, protection, and community strength. **Spaces are limited.** Learn more details and claim your spot here: **[Firearm Safety Training](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events/firearm-safety-2-7-26)**! **Booking deadline is January 28, 2026.** **Note:** By attending this event, you agree to being photographed. However, if communicated, we will try our best not to capture you in photos and post you publicly. That request must be communicated ahead of time/at the beginning of the event to photographer and host.

**Photography 102: A Deeper Dive Into Photography** **Are you ready to dig deeper into photography? Then this intermediate photography course is perfect for expanding your knowledge of photography!** This intermediate photography class builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired in the Photography 101 class. It focuses on empowering students to move beyond automatic camera modes and take greater creative control over their images. This course uses an engaging and practical hands-on approach to reinforcing these newer and more advanced photographic concepts. **Through hands-on exercises and insightful lessons, you will learn:** * **Master More Advanced Camera Settings** * **Aperture and F-stops:** Understanding how aperture controls depth of field and using it to create blurry backgrounds (shallow depth of field) for portraits or sharp focus throughout a landscape (deep depth of field). * **Shutter Speed:** Learning to utilize shutter speed to freeze fast action or intentionally blur motion for artistic effects. * **ISO:** Exploring ISO settings for optimal image quality in different lighting conditions, understanding the trade-off between sensitivity and potential image noise/grain. * **Exposure Modes:** Beyond "Auto", understanding and utilizing manual (M), aperture-priority (A or Av), shutter-priority (S or Tv), and program (P) modes for specific shooting scenarios. * **White Balance:** Learn how to effectively set white balance controls to represent colors in varying lighting conditions properly. * **Metering and Exposure Compensation:** Understanding how the camera measures light and how to use exposure compensation to fine-tune exposure for desired results. * **On-Camera Flash Basics:** Gaining a basic understanding of when and how to use the built-in flash or external flash units effectively. * **Advanced Concepts and Techniques** * **Composition Beyond the Basics:** Looking at some more advanced composition concepts and taking a deeper look at the Elements of Design, learning to use space more effectively, controlling the elements of the scene that are drawing attention, and mastering visual weight. * **Lighting Beyond Natural Light:** Introduction to artificial lighting, such as off-camera flash, reflectors, and softboxes, to control and shape light for different effects. * **Basic Image Editing:** An introduction to photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, covering essential tools for adjusting brightness, contrast, color, and sharpness. * **Developing a Personal Style:** Exploring ways to refine a unique artistic voice and create a consistent photographic style. **This class provides the next step in the path to becoming a more proficient and artistic photographer, allowing for more advanced usage of the camera system.** **Prerequisites:** * A camera (film, DSLR, or mirrorless) that has manual controls is required. Hands-on exercises make having the camera in class highly beneficial. You will need at least one lens to evaluate the results of control exercises. * You may attend this class in one of two ways: 1. With a class voucher provided by your retail camera store 2. Purchasing a seat in the class

**Photography 101: Discover The Photographer Within** **Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your camera? Then this beginning photography course is perfect for you!** This beginner-friendly photography class is your gateway to unlocking the power of your camera and developing a confident artistic vision. This course offers an engaging and practical approach to essential techniques and creative principles for impactful photography. We will explore the use of camera settings, composition, and light to tell a story that evokes emotion in the viewer. **Through hands-on exercises and insightful lessons, you will learn to:** * **Master Your Camera:** Learn fundamental camera functions, including aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, so you can confidently control exposure and creative effects in any lighting situation. * **Compose Captivating Images:** Explore and apply classic composition principles like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing to create visually appealing and impactful photographs. * **Harness the Power of Light:** Understand how different light sources (natural and artificial) affect your images and learn to manipulate them to create mood, texture, and enhance the overall quality of your photos. * **Control Focus and Depth of Field:** Discover how to effectively utilize depth of field to isolate your subject and achieve captivating background blur (bokeh) or ensure sharpness throughout your landscape shots. * **Work with Lenses and Filters:** Explore the impact of various lens types and focal lengths on photographs and learn how filters can add creative control and protection. **This class provides the foundation needed to confidently create high-quality images and begin a photographic journey, regardless of the camera used.** **Prerequisites:** * A camera (film, DSLR, or mirrorless) that has manual controls is required. Hands-on exercises make having the camera in class highly beneficial. You will need at least one lens to evaluate the results of control exercises. * You may attend this class in one of two ways: 1. With a class voucher provided by your retail camera store 2. Purchasing a seat in the class

**To Be Announced!**

Okay, so here's another one by request... **"An Evening with Topaz Labs"** The Topaz Labs tools are regarded as some of the finest photo editing plug-ins that you can add to your photo editing workflow. From noise reduction to resizing to sharpening, the results of these plugins are highly regarded and well reviewed in industry editing blogs. Join us for the evening and I will give you a preview of the most popular Topaz Lab tools and show you how I have used them in my digitial editing workflow. Meeting Schedule: 1. 6:00 - Introduction, Meet New Members 2. 6:10 - Old Business 3. 6:20 - New Business 4. 6:30 - Pre-Shoot Briefing/Education 5. 7:15 - Break 6. 7:30 - Image Critique 7. 8:00 - Adjourn Pre-Shoot Brief/Education: Topaz Labs Image Critique: Previous Photoshoot Images (TBD). If anyone has images they would like critiqued, please provide them at the beginning of the meeting. Providing Images for Critique: For now, I will collect images at the beginning of the meeting on a USB memory stick. My computer has USB-C ports, so a USB-C memory stick or one with dual (USB-C / USB-A) ports will be needed. Images should follow these format rules: JPG - 80% quality or higher 132 dpi resolution 2048 pixels across the long edge Embedded colorspace - sRGB

**Back By Popular Request!** Spend an evening exploring the ins and outs of flash photography and off-camera lighting techniques. We will be in the studio for this meeting and will learn how to use supplemental lighting to improve our images! **Meeting Schedule:** 1. 4:00 - Introduction, Meet New Members 2. 4:10 - Old Business 3. 4:20 - New Business 4. 4:30 - Pre-Shoot Briefing/Education 5. 6:00 - Break 6. 6:05 - Continue Presentation 7. 7:00 - Adjourn

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, February 11 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

TBA...