What we’re about
This is a group of folks of all levels who enjoy getting out, exploring, and photographing the great nature around us by visiting local parks in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland around the I495 Beltway. We are planning to provide ways to get together to learn digital photography techniques and do some portrait and street photography. There is a Facebook Group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/286732975305378
I wrote the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup Group Guide Book which lists 25 locations that the group has visited. There is an Info to Know section with links for directions and information about the location, plus photographs I have taken at the locations. Here is the link to the paperback book and Kindle version: https://cutt.ly/VBPMGB_Amazon The website for the Guide Book is https://cutt.ly/VBPMGB and has an Update and Errata document that lists the changes in the Guide Book since it was first published.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 3 Day OM System (Olympus) Photography Retreat at Huntley MeadowsHuntley Meadows - South Kings Highway, Alexandria, VA
# OM SYSTEM Nature Photography RETREAT May 2, 3, 4 2025 Virginia
https://www.omsystemretreats.com/register-here/p/nature-may2025
$699.00
Use Code Rob2025 for $50 off
(Do not sign up here; use the link above)OM SYSTEM Nature Photography RETREAT — May 2, 3, 4 2025
Virginia. All times are Eastern time. Nearby Airports: Alexandria VA (Nearby DC airports are Ronald Reagan Airport [DCA] and Dulles [IAD])
Join us for this immersive hands-on NATURE photography retreat featuring OM SYSTEM ambassadors as workshop leaders. This retreat will focus on Nature Photography and provide fodder (insight, instruction and inspiration) for some of the computational technologies like in-camera focus stacking, bird AF subject detection, Pro-capture, and depending on the conditions computational technologies like live neutral density, sequential and overlay multiple exposure, Live Time, daylight light painting using Live Composite, graduated neutral density (OM1 mark II or OM3), and more. Any camera model is welcome.
Join us for this immersive, hands-on photography retreat featuring FOUR OM SYSTEM ambassadors as workshop leaders.- Small group environment
- Low participant-to-instructor ratio
- Students rotate through each instructor/topic
- In-depth instruction and inspiration with Four OM SYSTEM ambassadors: Frank Smith, Chris McGinnis, Tom Cuchara, and Lisa Cuchara
Pre-Retreat Zoom
Friday- Meet and Greet, Discussion, Camera Setup 1pm
- Session 1 3:30pm to 7:30pm ET
Saturday
- Session 2 5:30am to 9:30am ET
- Discussion, Camera Setup 1pm to 3pm
- Session 3 3:30pm to 7:30pm ET
- Optional dinner* (not included in retreat fee)
Sunday
- Session 4 5:30am to 9:30am ET
Post Retreat Image Sharing
- Show and Tell — Share your images with retreat leaders and participants
- Optional: Submit 1-3 images for Critique
This retreat will focus on Nature Photography:
- Bird photography
- Bugs (Macro/Close-up Insect and Flora Photography, flash, focus stacking, focus bracketing, etc.)
- Beautiful Landscapes (Creative Nature photography, Creative Compositions, Frogs, mushrooms, focus stacking, patterns, cloud stacking, pareidolia, etc.)
- Photograph National Park Free Entrance - Thursday, June 19thC & O Canal Great Falls Park, Potomac, MD, Potomac, MD
Feel free to go to any of the National Parks.
I plan on going to Great Falls on the Maryland side.The National Park Service has free entrance on Juneteenth (June 19th), 2025! The Entrance fees are waived on June 19 to kick off National Park Week.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/juneteenth.htm
Bring Water, a Tripod, comfortable shoes, fully charged batteries, and empty cards
By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I agree to abide by the rules and regulations (where applicable) of the event location and I am also agreeing to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees, and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.
- National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race - Saturday, July 12124 N Market St, Frederick, MD
Perhaps the only time you will ever see someone riding a Big Wheel Bike.
This awesome event returns to downtown Frederick MD this July 13th.
I will be parking in the parking garage (Carroll Creek Parking Garage) next to the C. Burr Artz Public Library and walking to Brewer's Alley around 11:30 AM. That is where the start/finish line is located. It will get crowded and tough to find folks. I will have my red hat on.
There are two qualifying rounds starting at 12:15 and the big race takes place at 2:00 pm.
This is a great event to practice your panning skills. The image above was taken at 1/15 of a second, but I would suggest you experiment with shutter speeds that are faster and slower and see what results you find most pleasing.
If it is a bright sunny day you might want to use a polarizer filter or a 3-stop ND filter just to be sure you can get your shutter speeds low enough for panning. The shot above was also taken at ISO100 and F20. I did not have much latitude to go with a slower shutter speed without the risk of overexposing.
More Info is available from
https://www.highwheelrace.com/schedule-of-events/By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I am also agreeing to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees, and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.
