Tonight we’ll review and discuss all the images from the summer creativity challenge.

Hey folks, this was a last minute addition to our August calendar. We’re still working on the details. So stay tuned!

WHERE: We’re meeting at the Capital One Cafe - 1029 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (next to the Apple Store). There’s a parking lot right across the street, but do your research for an alternate in case it’s full.

WHAT to bring: Since you’ll be on your feet the whole time, I would recommend carrying a light load. One camera and one lens will be plenty. Minimal gear.

It’s been since September 2024 that we’ve done an “in the style of” FrameIt! Tonight’s will be in the style of Japanese photographer Rinko Kawauchi! Haven’t heard of her? I hadn’t either. Check out her website to capture her “vibe”. Then see what photos of your own that is in that style . https://rinkokawauchi.com/en/

Need more inspiration? Check out this link on YouTube
As always, submit your images to fit the theme by 5pm on the date of the meeting. Export them using 2500 pixels on the long edge.

Link to the Zoom meeting will be sent shortly before the meeting. Hope to see you there!

The peak of the Perseids meteor shower is just before dawn on the mornings of Aug. 12th and 13th, which doesn’t fall on a weekend. If you really want to photograph meteors, I recommend going out in the early morning of the 12th and 13th (a few hours before dawn) to capture them fully. Unfortunately, I have to work so you’ll have to do this on your own.

However, we can try our luck on Saturday the 15th! The moon will be up until around 9:30pm, but it’ll just be a sliver. No real effect on our photos. We can take advantage of a dark sky for milky way and any errant meteors that come across our field of view.

• Meet at Ernest Coe - Caravan rolls out at 6:30pm sharp so be early.

• Arrive at Location at 7pm - set up and shoot for the sunset (8pm)

• Nautical Twilight ends around 8:48pm - we should be able to see stars shortly after. The moon sets around 9:30pm, but it’s a small sliver. Shouldn’t affect our photos.

• Feel free to set up for any meteors by using a timelapse, or just shoot the Milky Way.

• Stay until you’ve had enough.

Photographing a meteor or meteor shower is like photographing lightning. If you try to capture it after you see it, you’ll never capture it. Its just too fast. Photographing meteors requires planning, specific camera setup, and patience! You need to get set up ahead of time so your camera can capture the meteors as they happen, not after you see them fly by.

What to bring!

Gear: Camera, widest lens with fast aperture (low numbered F-stop), sturdy tripod, remote shutter release cable (or similar).

Extras: chair to relax in, refreshments: water, coffee, snacks, etc.

BUG SPRAY, THERMACELLS, BUG JACKETS, BRING YOUR ENTIRE BUG REPELLENT ARSENAL!

Be sure your car is fully gassed up as we’ll be going pretty deep into the Glades.

What to know! - DO YOUR RESEARCH AHEAD OF TIME!

Study up on how to focus to infinity in the dark. If you’re unsure, do a YouTube search for your specific camera make and model and “focus to infinity for night photography”. If you can’t find anything, just shoot me an email and let me know. I’ll see if I can find something for you. The time to ask these questions isn’t on the day of the event. Just sayin’! And FYI, you don’t need to be in the deep dark night to practice focusing; you can practice in your backyard.

How to set up your camera to shoot intervals. Best way to shoot meteors is to set up your camera to automatically shoot in intervals, like for a timelapse, and then pick our the frames afterward that have the meteors in them. And when you’re done, you’ll have a grouping of images to use for a timelapse video if you so desire. So learn how to program your camera to shoot in intervals, or use a wired shutter release to do the same. 

Hope to see you there!

F8 and Be There, Is There More to Photojournalism?

For our August meeting, past president and current board member Hugh Hudson, will talk about a unique genre of photography, photojournalism. He has been a photojournalist and writer with the South Dade News Leader for ten years.

Hugh will cover his personal journey from the beginning with how he got “roped in” to the job, to his current job description.

During the presentation, Hugh will cover the rules and ethics of photography used to support reporting and news coverage. He’ll also include discussion of equipment and techniques used, and he’ll illustrate with many images from stories he has covered.

This will be a fascinating intro into a genre we’ve not covered with the SFNPCC so far. Hope to see you all there!

This IS a hybrid meeting, meaning we’ll be meeting in person as well as doing a live broadcast via Zoom (which will also be recorded). After the meeting, the recording will be uploaded to our website. Link to the library’s registration page is below. 

To watch via Zoom, you MUST pre-register! Click the Library Logo below, which takes you to their website to register. Click “REGISTER TO ATTEND ONLINE” Give your name, email, and phone number and click “register”. They’ll send you the Zoom link (no library card or pin required).

NO NEED TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE IF ATTENDING IN PERSON.

The Dog Days of Summer are here, and that’s this month’s theme. You can interpret that any way you like!

As always, submit your images to fit the theme before 5pm on the meeting date. When you export them, be sure they are resized to 2,000 pixels on the long edge. 

Link to the Zoom meeting is below, and an invite will be sent shortly before the meeting.

Come in the afternoon for some dramatic skies. Stick around for the sunset. And if you’re up for it, stay for the evening Milky Way. Or just come when you can and stay as long as you like.

This won’t be a usual field trip where we all gather and shoot together. You can pair up if you like, of course, but Dinner Island Ranch is a big place. Its for sure worth at least one trip around the 8 mile loop to see what’s there. For sure, it’ll give us cows, and they’re just so cute! Most likely you’ll see many birds. Maybe even the elusive Crested Caracara!

We can explore on our own for the afternoon and meet up for a sunset and then stick together for the milky way. Its entirely up to you. The link to the Google Maps is here. Plug that into your GPS and it’ll take you right to the check station. 

Click below to RSVP.

Dinner Island Ranch is a HUGE piece of property. I highly recommend you do a little research (if you haven’t been here before) to get a lay of the land before showing up. Click the LINK here. In short, it was once owned by the Hilliard family as a cattle ranch but also grew a bit of citrus and sugarcane.  Eventually the State became the owners of the property and its now operated as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) that still allows cattle ranching. And there are cows everywhere roaming the prairie and woods. There are a few buildings located on the property that make for great photos. And as a WMA, there are plenty of birds and other wildlife. I’ve seen deer and alligators, and of course, mosquitoes.

We’ll meet at the Check Station circled in red below. I recommend we all take advantage of slow photography. And by ‘slow photography’ I don’t mean long exposure! 😄 It’s about going out with no expectations and just looking around, seeing what excites you, what makes you want to get out of your car and explore. Then, take your time, get to know your subject, explore all the angles and come up with your unique way of photographing the subject. 

I’ve found that everyone has different interests when it comes to DIR. There are the cows and birds (and other wildlife), there are the former cypress domes teeming with gorgeous moss-covered trees, there are man-made structures and wildflowers, there are waterways with lily pads, and prairies galore! So much to fill up an afternoon and evening.

Sunset is 8:20pm

Moonrise is 4:20am Sunday

Don’t forget to RSVP!!

One Camera One Lens: Less is More

“The one camera one lens philosophy is a minimalist approach to photography that encourages mastery of the equipment you have, thus helping to eliminate GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). It aims to improve creative focus, visual coherence, freedom, and simplicity.”

In tonight’s meeting Delfin will talk about going out to photograph with just one camera and one lens. This exercise in limiting your choices will expand your mind in making you become more creative with the equipment that you have. Hope you can join us for this fascinating topic!

This IS a hybrid meeting, meaning we’ll be meeting in person as well as doing a live broadcast via Zoom (which will also be recorded). After the meeting, the recording will be uploaded to our website. Link to the library’s registration page is below. 

To watch via Zoom, you MUST pre-register! Click the Library Logo below, which takes you to their website to register. Click “REGISTER TO ATTEND ONLINE” Give your name, email, and phone number and click “register”. They’ll send you the Zoom link (no library card or pin required).

NO NEED TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE IF ATTENDING IN PERSON.

(At the time of this writing, the library hasn’t created a link for this meeting, yet. I’ll add it as soon as they do.)

We’ll meet at 4:30 at Ernest Coe Visitor’s Center (Homestead Entrance) and caravan to our photographing location. When we arrive, we’ll learn different techniques using multiple exposures, such as panoramas, high dynamic range (for exposure blending), and focus stacking. If there’s time, we can get more artistic and try blending ICM with multiple exposures. Fun! 

We’ll learn how to properly set up and take multiple-exposures for a panoramic image that you can blend in either Lr or Ps.

Then we’ll learn how to set up in-camera high dynamic range (HDR) (as well as how to do it manually) to merge in Lr or Ps. This type of blend is great for bright skies and dark foregrounds that your camera can’t capture in one shot. 

Then we’ll learn how to set up in-camera focus stacking (as well as how to do it manually) to stack later in Ps or dedicated focus stacking software such as Helicon Focus or Zerene Stacker.

If there’s time, we’ll go over how to setup (if your camera has this feature) in-camera multiple exposure. If your camera doesn’t, you can always merge them in Ps. But this technique is for artistic value. We can play with ICM and multiple exposures.

And finally, if you’re up for a moonrise and sunset to follow, we’ll set up somewhere and finish out the night.

Moonrise is 7pm
Sunset is 8:20p
Don’t forget your tripod and bug repellent(s)!

Hope you can join us! Please RSVP if you plan on attending. ⬇️

Tonight’s FrameIt! theme is “DRAMATIC SKIES”. Show us what you’ve got.

As always, submit your images to fit the theme before 5pm on the meeting date. When you export them, be sure they are resized to 2,000 pixels on the long edge. 

Link to the Zoom meeting is below, and an invite will be sent shortly before the meeting.

Tonight we’ll review images from members who submitted for the Spring “4 for 4” challenge, and discuss what insights we’ve learned from taking and viewing others. Hope to see you all there!

Click the button below to upload your images for tonight’s meeting.

This IS a hybrid meeting, meaning we’ll be meeting in person as well as doing a live broadcast via Zoom (which will also be recorded). After the meeting, the recording will be uploaded to our website. Link to the library’s registration page is below. 

To watch via Zoom, you MUST pre-register! Click the Library Logo below, which takes you to their website to register. Click “REGISTER TO ATTEND ONLINE” Give your name, email, and phone number and click “register”. They’ll send you the Zoom link (no library card or pin required).

NO NEED TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE IF ATTENDING IN PERSON.

This Saturday, Robert Chaplin will lead us on a quest for some dramatic summer skies! With weather being what it is, unpredictable, Robert will be keeping an eye on all the best forecasting apps and will let us know when the best time to go out looking for a storm. The timing Saturday could be anywhere from early afternoon to later afternoon into the evening. Its too soon to know right now.

However, Robert wants folks to RSVP as soon as you can if you are interested in attending. If something happens between now and then, so be it. But we need an idea of how many of you want to attend. When you RSVP, give your phone number as well, and I’ll send you the meeting location. Robert will keep us all up to date, most likely with a group text. This is going to be so much fun! Hope to see you all there.

Click the button below to RSVP!

In tonight’s session I’ll show how I merge images to create many multi-image blends. Such as:

• High Dynamic Range or Exposure Blending

• Panoramic Blending

• Focus Stacked Blending

• Double Exposure Blending

This will be a good introduction into each process for our upcoming field trip on June 27th, where we learn how to actually take the photos we’ll use for multiple exposures. Then when you return home, you’ll know how to merge your images in post production.

We’ll be using Lightroom, Photoshop, and a second software for focus stacking, Helicon Focus.

Should be fun! Hope to see you here.

Click the button below for the Zoom link.

What’s the saying? “Third time’s a charm?” Let’s hope this one sticks.

We’ve attempted doing a simultaneous sunset / moonrise for the last two years, only to be skunked by 1) the Saharan dust, and 2) a humongous thunderstorm. This year, it’s gotta work!

Meet at EC at 6:30 and we’ll caravan to our location where we’ll set up for a 7:50pm moonrise and 8pm sunset. Be sure to RSVP by clicking the button below!

Tonight’s theme is “Fog, Smoke, & Mist!” I encourage everyone to GET CREATIVE and have fun! Send us your images to fit this theme before 5pm on the date of the meeting.

When you export them, be sure they are resized to 2,000 pixels on the long edge. 

Click the button below to email them to us.

Fine art nature photographer Robert Chaplin will be presenting how to photograph dramatic skies and possibly lightning (and how to stay safe). Florida is the number one state for lightning strikes. Being one of the most unpredictable forces of nature, lightning storms present a unique challenge for most photographers.  

I sure hope you can join us for this fun and informative meeting. This is especially important for members who have never photographed this type of photography before and plan on attending our dramatic sky field trip in June.

This IS a hybrid meeting, meaning we’ll be meeting in person as well as doing a live broadcast via Zoom (which will also be recorded). After the meeting, the recording will be uploaded to our website. Link to the library’s registration page is below. 

To watch via Zoom, you MUST pre-register! Click the Library Logo below, which takes you to their website to register. Click “REGISTER TO ATTEND ONLINE” Give your name, email, and phone number and click “register”. They’ll send you the Zoom link (no library card or pin required).

NO NEED TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE IF ATTENDING IN PERSON.

Lets meet at the PaHayOkee Overlook and photograph a sunrise! We will meet right PaHayOkee parking lot rather than at the Visitor’s center. I think we all know where it is. (If anyone is unsure and wants to meet me at the Visitors Center, let me know when you RSVP.) Click the name above for the Google Maps link of the location.

Details:

Sunrise time - 6:48am - rising in the east-northeast

This will be a nice and easy and relaxing photo shoot with friends to enjoy the sunrise. Your car will just be feet away so no need to worry about carrying heavy gear down a long trail. The boardwalk is long with the platform, plenty of room for us all to enjoy. 

What to bring:

• Camera

• Lenses

• Tripod

• Filters (optional)

• Shutter release (optional)

• Bug Spray and assorted repellent

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

Tonight’s theme is “Wet”! I encourage everyone to GET CREATIVE! Send us your images to fit this theme before 5pm on the date of the meeting.

When you export them, be sure they are resized to 2,000 pixels on the long edge. 

Click the button below to email them to us.

Click the logo below to link to the Zoom meeting, or wait for the invitation in an email.

Monday, April 6, 2026

Sorry folks, we’ve had to cancel the meeting due to scheduling conflicts. Any upcoming night photography events we’ll do a quick “how to” before the field trip to catch folks up. Sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks! Barb

Tonight Barb will discuss the basics of night photography, settings, gear, and helpful apps. We’ll also review etiquette for photographing night skies in a group setting.

This IS a hybrid meeting, meaning we’ll be meeting in person as well as doing a live broadcast via Zoom (which will also be recorded). After the meeting, the recording will be uploaded to our website. Link to the library’s registration page is below. 

To watch via Zoom, you MUST pre-register! Click the Library Logo below, which takes you to their website to register. Click “REGISTER TO ATTEND ONLINE” Give your name, email, and phone number and click “register”. They’ll send you the Zoom link (no library card or pin required).

NO NEED TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE IF ATTENDING IN PERSON.

FYI - NOW STARTING AT 7:30PM!

Thought I’d redo one of our back to basic style videos. Something I see people get confused about is importing and exporting. And collections is a great way to have multiple ways of organizing or “collecting” your images into groups.

Importing - Exporting - Collections

These three procedures in Lightroom are what make Lr so special. Its organizational possibilities!

First we’ll start with importing. I’ll show how to import images from a folder already saved on your computer or hard drive (ADD). Then I’ll show how to import and copy files from your memory card or camera (COPY) at the same time. And lastly I’ll discuss my thoughts on the MOVE option as well as the COPY AS DNG option. (Hint, I don’t recommend.)

Next we’ll go into exporting. What seems like a simple task seems to trip folks up. We’ll go over each module in the Export dialog box and talk about your choices so you can choose which setting is best for you. Then I’ll show you how to save your export job as a “preset” so you don’t have to keep going over each module every time.

Lastly, we’ll talk collections. Lr’s collections feature is so well done it makes fine-tuning your image organization so versatile. We’ll talk about regular collections as well as smart collections, when to use each and not to. I’ll also discuss keywording, which if done well, can make using collections seamless. 

Link to the Zoom meeting is below. Hope to see you there!

Tonight’s theme is “Bold Vibes & Bright Colors”! Send us your images to fit this cheerful theme. 

As always, submit your images to fit the theme before 5pm on the meeting date. When you export them, be sure they are resized to 2,000 pixels on the long edge. 

Our OG prez Jason will be leading us through the Wakodahatchee Wetlands for some fantastic birding! Click the button below to RSVP!

Click the image below to open the presentation file with full color and resolution images.

Tonight we’ll review all the images from our winter creativity challenge and discuss accordingly.

If you haven’t already, please upload your images (along with RAW files) to this link. Or, you can also email them to us by clicking the button below.

Very excited to see what everyone has to share!

This IS a hybrid meeting, meaning we’ll be meeting in person as well as doing a live broadcast via Zoom (which will also be recorded). After the meeting, the recording will be uploaded to our website. Link to the library’s registration page is below. 

The library is the host of our Zoom broadcasts and you need to register with them to get the ZOOM link. WE WILL NOT BE SENDING A LINK!

To watch via Zoom, you MUST pre-register! Click the Library Logo below, which takes you to their website to register. Click “REGISTER TO ATTEND ONLINE” Give your name, email, and phone number and click “register”. They’ll send you the Zoom link (no library card or pin required).

NO NEED TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE IF ATTENDING IN PERSON.

I set the arrival time for 9:30am so you’re able to arrive and assemble in front of the entrance by 9:45am. The event opens at 10am.

Here’s a link to the Ren-Fest to find out their schedule, buy tickets, etc.

Click the button below to RSVP.

Join us as we meet at Kirby Storter Wayside Park at 5:30pm. We’ll get set up and enjoy a beautiful sunset (sunset is at 6:22pm). Then we’ll prepare for the night shoot. By 7:15 - 7:45 it should be plenty dark for some night photography!

Join our OG leader Jason once again for a great evening of photography.

Tonight’s theme is “RED for St. Valentine’s Day” Send us your images to fit this loveable theme.

As always, submit your images to fit the theme before 5pm on the meeting date. When you export them, be sure they are resized to 2,000 pixels on the long edge. 

Link to the Zoom meeting is below, and an invite will be sent shortly before the meeting.

Join us as we take advantage of the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s Early Entry for their guided bird walk.

THIS IS A PAID EVENT - PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS ON BUYING TICKETS

Non-members will need to purchase a ticket to attend. MEMBERS get in free, but they must register. Click the link below to purchase your ticket AND register.

BUY TICKETS HERE

We’ve done this tour in years past and for some reason the guide never showed up so we were allowed to wander. I can’t guarantee that will happen again, but either or, it’ll be a nice visit whether we are guided or left to explore on our own.

The tour begins at 7:30am, but I’m asking folks to plan on arriving at 7am just in case, and so we’re all geared up and ready when the guide arrives. Be sure to RSVP if you plan on attending. Hope to see you all there!

Also, be sure to arrive and park at the SOUTH entrance, not the main entrance, as shown below.

Here’s a Google Maps Link for the south entrance.

To ease into the new year, Barb will be presenting her photos from her autumn trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northern Wisconsin. Hope you can make it!

This IS a hybrid meeting, meaning we’ll be meeting in person as well as doing a live broadcast via Zoom (which will also be recorded). After the meeting, the recording will be uploaded to our website. Link to the library’s registration page is below. 

The library is the host of our Zoom broadcasts and you need to register with them to get the ZOOM link. WE WILL NOT BE SENDING A LINK!

To watch via Zoom, you just click the button “Library Registration Link” below, which takes you to their website, then click the button to “register to attend online”, give your name and info and they’ll send you the Zoom link (no library card or pin required). NO NEED TO REGISTER IF ATTENDING IN PERSON.

In tonight’s presentation, Barb will go over how to assemble hundreds of image files into a star trails image. In addition, she’ll go over how she processes night images. She’ll be using Lightroom AND Photoshop.

Below find a file outlining the basic steps to editing and assembling star trails.

Join us as we meet at an undisclosed “garden” in the West Sunset area of Miami. Once you RSVP, I’ll give you the address. Once we’ve all arrived, we’ll spread out, explore, and photograph the beautiful gardens for a few hours. Hope to see you then!

Click the button below to RSVP!