Missed the meeting? No need to fret, click the link below to watch the replay.

Watch the replay here!

Thanks again to James for a fantastic presentation. Find more about James on Facebook at Facebook

Join us tonight as James Keith shows us his images and tells us his story about his South African Safari!

Hope you all can join us!

Link to Zoom is HERE.

We’ll meet at and leave from Ernest Coe Visitor’s Center parking lot at 6:30pm sharp and caravan to our sunset location. Where that is will depend on the weather and conditions, which we won’t know till that night.

We’ll stop for a sunset shoot, then either go to a new location for moonlit landscapes, or stay where we are. The whole point of tonight’s field trip is to use the light of the moon to illuminate our landscape. The sunset is just a bonus. Please RSVP by clicking the button below.

EQUIPMENT

Seeing as the moon is not as bright as the sun, our exposure times will be a bit longer and most likely you will require a tripod. Other than that, here are a few other items you’ll need.

• Camera & lenses

• Sturdy tripod

• Shutter release

• Lawn Chair or place to sit (optional)

• Drinks and/or snacks if necessary (stay hydrated!)

• Flashlights or headlamps to see where you’re going. (Keep in mind our group night photography etiquette! The only light we want in our compositions is moonlight.)

• Mosquito Repellent (see below)

• An open mind and positive attitude!

MOSQUITOES

Yes, it’s quite likely that there will be mosquitoes. Plan for it with bug spray, bug jackets, and ThermaCells if you have them. It’s not normally that buggy this time of year, but it’s been a pretty rainy winter so you never know. I’d rather you come prepared than to be miserable.

BATHROOMS

There will not be bathroom facilities where we’re going, but there is a full bathroom at Ernest Coe VC and at Long Pine Key campground. If necessary, you can drive to those places.

WEATHER

This type of photography does depend on having clear skies. But, just because it’s cloudy in Miami doesn’t mean it’ll be cloudy in the Everglades. So unless there’s no question that all of southern Florida will be under clouds and or storm warnings, we will be going.

As always, be sure to RSVP by clicking the RSVP button above. Those that RSVP will be contacted in case there is a last minute change in plans.

Hope to see you all there! Any questions, please email me at info@sfnpcc.org.

Our monthly Zoom photo review “Frame It'“. This month’s theme is “In the Style of Wes Anderson”. For those of you unfamiliar with Wes, here’s his Wikipedia page. He’s known for several off beat movies like “The Royal Tenenbaums” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, among others. This will be a fun theme!

Email us your images to info@sfnpcc.org. Be sure to size them (export) so we can see them on the screen. No smaller than 2500 pixels on the long edge.

Zoom meeting link is HERE.

If you missed this meeting, you can view the recording linked below.

SFNPCC Meeting Video Link

Find out more about Barbara’s photography on her Facebook Page here.

Tonight I’ll be presenting my photo essay of images taken in May, 2023 while on Vancouver Island. I’ll discuss my planning, my location selections, and all the details of my images. Hope you can join us!

Link to ZOOM!

Luminar & Fujifilm sunrise photo walk in Miami Beach, Florida

Join this photo walk in Miami, Florida, organized by Luminar & Fujifilm North America. Guided by Anthony Sleiman!

Date and timE:

Sunday, March 31 · 6:15am - 8:30am EDT

Location:

South Pointe Park Pier Gate, Miami Beach, FL

About this event:

Picture this: you, your camera, and a bunch of awesome people hitting the streets, parks, and hidden corners of your city. Plus, you'll get to meet the folks behind Skylum and Fujifilm in person, giving you a chance to learn from the best and get some valuable tips to up your photography game.

We believe in the power of exploring, learning, and connecting with others who share your passions. Think of these photo walks as mini-adventures that bring people together and let them see their surroundings in a whole new light. Look up the closest event to where you are and join us in this celebration of photography and this incredible community.

Luminar & Fujifilm sunrise photo walk in Miami, Florida

Guided by landscape and astro-photographer Anthony Sleiman, this photo walk is perfect opportunity to capture uncrowded Miami Beach in the morning light.

As the first light of dawn begins to break over the horizon, South Pointe Park Pier in Miami Beach transforms into a scene of unparalleled beauty and tranquility.

Standing at the end of the pier, you're surrounded by the soft hues of the pre-dawn sky, painted in shades of pale pink, lavender, and gold. The waters below are calm, reflecting the colors of the sky like a mirror, creating a breathtaking symphony of light and shadow.

As stated above, this is an event sponsored by Luminar and Fujifilm, NOT SFNPCC. But as it’s being led by one of our own members, Anthony Sleiman, I thought some of you would be interested.

It’s a free event, just just need to register with Eventbrite. Click here to register.

Our monthly Zoom photo review “Frame It'“. This month’s theme is “Street”.

Email us your images to info@sfnpcc.org. Be sure to size them (export) so we can see them on the screen. No smaller than 2500 pixels on the long edge.

Zoom meeting link is here.

We’ll meet outside of the McDonalds on SW 8th Street and SW 14th Ave. Park in the municipal parking lot next to the McDonalds (make sure you DON’T park IN the McDonalds parking lot).

Parking is free there until 6pm.

Please be sure to RSVP to let us know you’re coming so we don’t start without you info@sfnpcc.org.

We’ll walk the streets in the morning light, photographing the merchants along Calle Ocho (8th Street). We’ll walk for a while and then possibly meet up for lunch at Versailles.

Hope to see you all here!

Street photography is an improvisation, performed in wandering on foot, guided by the scent of great human character and fragility, poetic physical gestures of emotion or energy, explosions of life force, momentary chance encounters, and quiet interactions that imply subjective stories when stopped in time. 

In today’s meeting Delfin will be discussing, how to capture these fleeting moments and explore ways to make our photographs stronger, and more personal.

Hope to see you all there!

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Zoom room opens at 6:30pm, meeting begins at 7pm.

ZOOM LINK IS HERE

Dinner Island Ranch is a bit out of the way, but so worth the extra effort. For those that don’t know, it’s a working cattle ranch that’s also a wildlife management area. If you’d like to learn more, check out their WEBSITE. For the location, the map is linked to the left.

Some of us who love sleeping in the great outdoors are camping here this weekend. You can join us for as much or little as you like and come whenever it’s convenient and beneficial to you. That’s why I put the time from 8am till 11pm. Come when you want. Sunrise, sunset, starry skies, wildlife. You pick. All we ask is you RSVP so those of us here know when to expect you and can meet you at the “Check In” area.

Please be sure to RSVP by clicking the button below.

GETTING THERE

Make sure you have a full tank of gas before you go. That’s not a place you want to run of out fuel. There’s a Miccosukee Service Plaza on the exit from I-75 if you want to top off.

Also, when driving there be aware the most direct route will take you through the Seminole Nation’s Big Cypress Reservation. After exiting I-75 onto County Road 833/Snake Road, you’ll be in Indian Territory for the next 20 miles. The speed limit on the highway is 30 mph, even in the rural areas. I DO NOT recommend going over the speed limit or doing anything that will get you pulled over. I cannot overstate this enough. If this is a problem, maybe reroute yourself and drive up US Hwy. 27 to Clewiston then continue west on FL Hwy. 80 and then south on CR 833.

The direct route through the Big Cypress Reservation will save you 30 miles than going through Clewiston, but will only save about 10 minutes drive time. It’s up to you. Just be aware, you were warned.

CAMERA GEAR

As far as what camera gear to bring, I’d say bring it all. We generally shoot out of our vehicles so carrying gear isn’t an issue. Don’t forget your tripod!

REFRESHMENTS

Highly recommend packing a cooler full of goodies, water, or other liquid refreshments, ice, and snacks. It could possibly be hot, it’s Florida. Make sure you’re well hydrated and stay hydrated while there. There are no stores ‘around the corner’, we’re out in the middle of nowhere. If you forget something, the Miccosukee Service Plaza looks to be the last place to replenish supplies. Looks like a brand new store!

BUGS

March in Florida, will there be BUGS? Your guess is as good as mine. Would I leave the house without bug spray or ThermaCell? NEVER. Bring your Deet spray, ThermaCell, bug jackets, just in case.

TURKEY HUNTING

FYI - We will be there during Turkey Hunting season. When we’re out and about taking photographs, be aware of your surroundings and what’s possible. If you want to know more about their hunting seasons, click HERE or call the WMA office and ask for specific details. I may do that myself. If so, I’ll add here what info I get.

Until then, plan to wear bright colorful clothing, especially a shirt, and don’t dress like a turkey. lol Staying close to the roadways will pretty much ensure that we’ll be safe as well. Just be aware and don’t go off into an unknown area without safety precautions.

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Closest municipality is Clewiston to the north, but it’s a good 20+ miles away. Click the “(map)” link to the left if you want the specific address.

Our monthly Zoom photo review “Frame It'“. This month’s theme is “Love”.

Email us your images to info@sfnpcc.org. Be sure to size them (export) so we can see them on the screen. No smaller than 2500 pixels on the long edge.

Zoom meeting link is HERE.

This afternoon into tonight we’ll visit the Three in One trail off of the Long Pine Key picnic parking area. We’ll visit the area and stick around for sunset (6:15pm).

The 3 in 1 trail is 0.7 miles round trip, approximately 0.3 or 0.4 miles (depending on which route you take) from the parking area to the open field. How far you walk from there is up to you. Across the field are some great photo opportunities, or you can walk along the open prairie and see what you like. Its up to you.

For those unfamiliar with the area, we’ll leave from the Ernest Coe Visitor’s center at 3:30pm (don’t be late!), then caravan to the location. If you just want to meet us on location, be there by 3:45pm at the parking area shown below (next to the restroom).

Like I said, sunset is at 6:15pm, but we all know the best show is after the sun sets. You’re welcome to come and go as you please of course, but plan to get back to the cars around 7-7:30pm.

WHAT TO BRING!

Of course, bring which ever camera gear you’re comfortable carrying. Tripod is a good idea, especially when it gets closer to sunset. Don’t forget the bug spray/Thermacells. I highly recommend a headlamp for the walk back to the cars. Snake boots or sturdy shoes/boots are also recommended. You may want to bring a collapsible chair or stool if you get tired easily. A bottle of water and snack if you get hungry easily. Dress for the weather.

Please RSVP by clicking the button below. Hope to see you all there!

In this talk, Robert will share the challenges of the Everglades and the tools he uses to meet these challenges. He will also share his favorite places to shoot including his thought process and philosophy in photographing this rare and unique landscape.

Hope to see you all there!

The Everglades is more than a National Park, it is a 4,300 square mile wetland ecosystem with its headwaters starting with Shingle Creek, in Kissimmee, Florida. From Shingle Creek to Florida Bay, the Everglades is the largest sub-tropical wilderness in the United States.

This wetland is known for its birds and wildlife, but there is so much more to this vast and unique landscape. From spectacular sunrises and sunsets, and endangered plants and animals, to wonderous landscapes.

We’re going to try this one again!

Let’s meet at the Marsh Trail in the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge around 3pm for some bird photography then a beautiful sunset from the Marsh Trail or the tower. Sunset is at 6:10pm.

Please be sure to RSVP by clicking the button below so we know you’re coming.

From the “Alltrails” website:

Stop out tonight at the Seminole Theatre for a ‘meet the artists’ reception from 6pm till 8pm. Come see all the beautiful art pieces on display from the HCA, including several from SFNPCC members. Light refreshments will be offered as well. Hope to see you all there!

List of SFNPCC artists on display:

Maria Pilar Geada
Ira Hugh Hudson
Barbara Livieri
Inna Malostovker
Claudia Masella
Zeida Cecilia-Mendez
Ernesto Rodriguez
Patricia Vettorello

Our monthly Zoom photo review “Frame It'“. This month’s theme is “Best of 2023”.

Email us your images to info@sfnpcc.org. Be sure to size them (export) so we can see them on the screen. No smaller than 2500 pixels on the long edge.

Zoom meeting link will be added shortly.

Sorry folks, due to a strong storm front coming into the area this weekend, we’ve decided to switch things up a bit. Rather than drive 80+ miles to a location with severe thunderstorms (predicted), we’re going to stay closer to home! Instead of Marsh Trail we’ll head into the Everglades to Long Pine Key because… the storm front won’t have made it to Miami early in the morning, and… there’s fog predicted! Now I can’t guarantee it, but it looks promising, more promising than birds and a sunset in a thunderstorm.

Hope you can join us!

Join us for some bird photography and hopefully one of those fantastic Florida sunsets on Saturday, January 13th. We’ll meet at the Marsh Trail in the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge near Everglades City at 3:30pm. The Marsh Trail follows an old oil well road that was originally built for oil exploration. It’s now only used for recreational purposes, and we’ll be taking full advantage of it!

From the AllTrails.com website:

Head out on this 2.3-mile out-and-back trail near Naples, Florida. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 39 min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.

The Marsh Trail travels through the wetland environment of the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge and as such the real highlight is the wildlife viewing opportunities. The first section of the trail from the parking lot is made of tarmac and the rest is crushed shell. There are a number of benches along the route at viewpoints. Alligators are often seen in the water so take care on the trail and do not bring pets. A number of canoe routes also begin here.

Please be sure to RSVP so we know you’re coming. Click the button below.

Be aware, it’s approximately 72 miles from the Miccosukee Casino & Resort, so be sure to leave home with plenty of time to arrive promptly.

Sunset is at 5:54pm. Arriving at 3:30pm gives us a couple of hours to photograph birds before setting up for sunset. Hope to see you all there!

Wild Florida: An Animal Odyssey by Kirsten Hines

Florida is widely known for its alligators, panthers, pythons, and pesky mosquitoes, but did you know it also has crocodiles, bears, scarlet-striped snakes, and more species of fireflies than any other state?

How about a tiny lizard that swims through central Florida’s ancient sand dunes, a red widow spider that hides in palmettos, or that wild flamingos, common two centuries ago, are reappearing?

Join author, wildlife photographer, and conservationist Kirsten Hines for a visual and descriptive journey from the temperate Panhandle through the state’s myriad habitats all the way to the tropical islands of Dry Tortugas National Park, deep into Florida’s wilds to explore its impressive array of animals as captured in her latest book Wild Florida: An Animal Odyssey.

We’re starting the year out with a bang, a very special guest speaker, author, conservationist, AND wildlife photographer Kirsten Hines! Some of you that have been members for a while may remember Kirsten gave a talk to us back in February of 2018. Kirsten is based here in Miami, but is a world traveler. We’re so lucky to have her back again.

Back in 2018 she had just released her book, Images of Modern America, Biscayne National Park, and as of the meeting date, will have released another book called Wild Florida: An Animal Odyssey, as well as a field guide for native Florida birds. She also has other books on south Florida, Dry Tortugas, Everglades, and Key Biscayne to name a few. I encourage you to take a look at her website and see all the books she has to offer.

Happy half-hour starts at 6:30pm, meeting begins at 7. Hope to see you all there!

Never thought I’d have to cancel plans due to weather in DECEMBER, but here we are with a subtropical storm dumping a season’s worth of rain on us in a weekend. Needless to say, because it was supposed to be a FUN and RELAXING stroll through the woods, we’re cancelling. Those of us who are going to dinner afterward most likely don’t want to show up soaking wet.

Dinner will proceed at 5pm, the nature walk part is cancelled. Sorry!

SFNPCC HOLIDAY PARTY

We’re having a two-fer holiday party - a mini photo walk AND nice dinner with fellow photographers and friends at the Melting Pot.

First, we’ll meet at Kendall Indian Hammocks Park for a short nature/photo walk. There’s a 1/2 mile nature trail on the northern edge of the park that would be perfect for a casual stroll. We’ll meet at the park at 3:00pm (parking area just north of the baseball fields) and leave about 30 minutes before our reservations just down the road.

Then, we’ll meet up at The Melting Pot restaurant for a nice dinner with friends.

Dinner Choices

Garden Pot - $45 per person - assorted vegetables (waiting on a full ‘dipper’ list from MP) 
Regular Dinner - $49 per person - chicken breast, pasta, filet mignon, shrimp, teriyaki sirloin
Lobster Dinner - $54 per person - same as above, with a lobster tail
Twin Lobster Indulgence - $59 per person - same as above but with 2 lobster tails
Each dinner comes with all four courses and includes soft drinks (soda, coffee, or iced tea).

Please RSVP with how many will be attending and which main dish for each.

Deadline to RSVPs is Friday, December 8th!

Tonight’s meeting will be a roundtable type of discussion. We’ll just gather to talk photography related subjects; locations, gear, techniques, post processing, what’s new for SFNPCC in 2024!

Casual, friendly, fun! I encourage everyone to come up with a topic or two so we can keep the conversation lively!

Hope you join us on Zoom. Link is here https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81202484613?pwd=2b7GArDzarQsqbOMC2YWwnJcq4Sp04.1

Join us as we visit Fairchild Tropical Gardens for an early morning “bird” photography (you can photograph flowers too). The only way we can gain early entrance is by joining the weekly Saturday morning bird walk.

As I was informed by their Coordinator, EVERYONE must register for the bird walk in advance ASAP! Members of Fairchild as well as NON Members must register. They have a maximum number of people allowed on the walk. If they sell out before you register, you will NOT be able to attend.

IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF FAIRCHILD

You just need to register. It is free to do so, but they require pre-registration. I would do it ASAP, like I said, they have maximum number allowed to attend the walk. CLICK HERE TO PRE-REGISTER

IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER OF FAIRCHILD

Do this ASAP!

You can click here to PURCHASE A TICKET & REGISTER for the bird walk. Again, they have a maximum allowed for these walks. DO NOT WAIT to register or you may miss out on the walk. Adults are $24.95 and Seniors are $17.95. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A TICKET & PRE REGISTER

More details on what to bring will follow.

Link to Anne Belmont’s E-Book is HERE. And you can follow her on IG HERE, and Facebook HERE.

Here’s a link to the video from the meeting.

Here’s a link to the presentation, minus the book section.

In tonight’s meeting Barb will be discussing flower photography, different techniques, different equipment you might need, and how to get those original dreamy flower photos we all love.

Hope you can join us!

Join us as we attend the Day of the Dead festival in Doral. See all the info on the Miami-Dade County activities website HERE! Also, Eventbrite has a site you can register for (it’s free).

We’ll meet at the fountain on Paseo Blvd. It’s located between N.W. 53rd Terrace (to the north) and N.W. 53rd Street (to the south). Fountain is in the middle near “Santo Dulce Churros”. Link to the Google Map location is HERE.

I see there are a couple parking garages on the map. One is just east of Paseo Blvd on N.W. 53rd Street. And there’s a parking lot on N.W. 87th Avenue, just north of N.W. 53rd Street. I’d highly recommend looking at the Downtown Doral website linked HERE for additional parking info BEFORE you go. Looks like a crazy busy place.

Be sure to RSVP by clicking the button below!

Here’s a map of the parking areas. (Be aware, left is north, right is south, top is east, bottom is west).

Hey folks! Ira “Hugh” Hudson will be leading this year’s Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk for charity! This is not a SFNPCC specific event, we’re posting it here for your information. This walk is open to the public, and to photographers of all levels and genres.

This year it will be held in the beautiful and historic Cauley Square. See below for the info and click the link HERE to register with Kelby One (don’t forget to buy a t-shirt!), remember, its all for charity. All the info about the charity is on his website.

Hope to see you all there!

DATE/TIME

Saturday, October 7th, 2023 | 2:00pm - 4:15pm

WHERE WE WILL MEET

Courtyard at entrance closest to Old Dixie Hwy.

WHERE THE WALK WILL END

One of the restaurants in Cauley Square TBD

ABOUT THE WALK

Cauley Square Historic Village, originally built as a railroad village to support Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railroad’s expansion to Homestead, and eventually to Key West, is now a 10-acre tropical oasis. With trails, fountained courtyards, shops in period buildings, and art galleries, it offers a “target rich environment” for photographers of all levels.

We’ll meet in the courtyard close to the entrance and meander throughout the area. There will be opportunities for photos of architecture, nature, people, animals, and… we’ll finish at one of the restaurants (TBD) with drinks and appetizers to talk about our walk and the images we’ve captured.

Parking is available along the main street and in several parking areas to the left and right. Overflow parking is available across 124th Avenue.

Tonight we’ll have a new speaker! Long time member James Keith will give his presentation of images from previous festivals via Zoom, and explain what works for him, how he plans, what kind of gear he uses, and all the ins and outs of creating a good festival photo. Hope you can join us!

Zoom link is HERE.

Since our August FrameIt! had to be postponed, “abstract” is moved to September. If you submitted images in August, we still have them. If you have not, go ahead and email them to us.

Our monthly Zoom photo review “Frame It'“. This month’s theme is “Abstract”.

Email us your images to info@sfnpcc.org. Be sure to size them (export) so we can see them on the screen. No smaller than 2500 pixels on the long edge.

Zoom meeting link HERE.

Come on out to the Wirtz Gallery inside the First National Bank of South Miami for a “meet the artists” reception.

Refreshments will be available.

SFNPCC presenting artists are:
Anthony Sleiman
Barbara Livieri
Claudia Masella
Delfin Hernandez
Ernesto Rodriguez
Ira “Hugh” Hudson
Inna Malostovker
Marta Cubillas
Maria-Pilar Geada
Robert L. Chaplin
Zeida Cecilia-Mendez

Big thanks to all who helped organize, set up, and produce their artwork for this great occasion. Hope to see you all here!