This Group is for anyone with an interest in photography. Members have a wide range of photographic abilities and interests and include experienced photographers as well as newcomers curious to learn about photography. All share a common desire to hone existing skills or learn new ones. There is no requirement for expensive, or even dedicated camera gear. Use what you have. Smartphones are perfectly acceptable. The goal is simply to have fun with your photography. The primary photographic emphasis of the group is on digital photography: understanding the camera, photographic techniques, digital editing, and organizing and managing digital assets.
Meetings consist of a varied program centered on a specific photographic topic or area of interest decided by the group and may include lessons from the “Fundamentals of Photography” or “The Art of Travel Photography” courses which are part of the curriculum offered by The Great Courses. Meetings also include the display and discussion of photos taken by members based on a monthly theme. Monthly photographic themes allow members to concentrate on the specific subject matter and thereby practice photographic skills by capturing their personal vision of the theme. Examples include “Spring,” “Food,” “Leading Lines,” “Hands,” and “Patterns.” Members select the photos that best represent the current theme and those photos are published on the LLI/NOVA website. Time is set aside at each meeting to answer specific questions and for members to share pictures.
Come join the group if you have an interest in photography. New members are always welcome.
Announcements
In-person sessions have resumed and will continue to be held on the third Friday of each month. Meetings will be held at our long-standing meeting place: Braddock Hall Meeting Room at the Braddock District Government Center (attached to the Kings Park Library).
Next Meeting – February 21, 2025, at the Braddock District Government Center (Kings Park Library), Braddock Hall Meeting Room, 10:00AM to 12:00PM.
Future Meetings: Normally, the third Friday of every month at the Braddock District Government Center (Kings Park Library), Braddock Hall Meeting Room.
March 21, 2025
Usual Meeting Location and Time
We normally meet at the Braddock District Government Center (Kings Park Library), Braddock Hall Meeting Room, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA (on the right-hand side of the Kings Park Library). Meetings are held from 10:00AM to 12:00 PM.
Cancellation Policy
The Photography SIG normally follows the LLI/NOVA inclement weather cancellation policy (see button at right), unless members are notified otherwise by the coordinator.
Join the Photography SIG
If you are an LLI/NOVA member and you would enjoy improving your photographic abilities and skills, please log in, then join our SIG by clicking on the button at the right. [The Join button has not been implemented yet.]
Photography SIG Members
[This function has not been implemented yet.] Want to know who is a member of the Photography SIG? If you are an LLI/NOVA member, please log in, then click the button at the right.
Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "The Year in Review - 2024.” This is our seventh annual Year in Review. Members were asked to review the photos they had taken during calendar year 2024 and to select their 10 favorites. The group selected 2 photos from each member to be posted here. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.
Click on a thumbnail to open the slideshow.
Steve Brown - Lake Como, Italy
Steve Brown - Lake Como, Italy
Steve Brown - Tetons
Steve Brown - Tetons
Richard Steelman - Chocolate Service - Oaxaca, Mexico
Richard Steelman - Chocolate Service - Oaxaca, Mexico
Richard Steelman - Native plants - Oaxaca, Mexico
Richard Steelman - Native plants - Oaxaca, Mexico
Richard Martin - Oaxaca, Mexico
Richard Martin - Oaxaca, Mexico
Richard Martin - Greensprings Garden Park
Richard Martin - Greensprings Garden Park
Richard Ackerman - Hummingbird at the Feeder
Richard Ackerman - Hummingbird at the Feeder
Richard Ackerman - Bees in the Flower
Richard Ackerman - Bees in the Flower
Ray Bednarsky - Flamingoes
Ray Bednarsky - Flamingoes
Ray Bednarsky - Tall Grass
Ray Bednarsky - Tall Grass
Michael Hamilton - Luray Caverns
Michael Hamilton - Luray Caverns
Michael Hamilton - Toucan
Michael Hamilton - Toucan
MaryLu Bednarsky - Sunset
MaryLu Bednarsky - Sunset
MaryLu Bednarsky - Green Springs Garden Park
MaryLu Bednarsky - Green Springs Garden Park
Kathy Dillon - Elephants seen on Safari
Kathy Dillon - Elephants seen on Safari
Kathy Dillon - Sunset at Sandbridge
Kathy Dillon - Sunset at Sandbridge
Jona Wheeler - Iceland Sunset
Jona Wheeler - Iceland Sunset
Jona Wheeler - Iceland
Jona Wheeler - Iceland
Fritz Ernst - Fog shrouded trees
Fritz Ernst - Fog shrouded trees
Fritz Ernst - Owl up close and Personal
Fritz Ernst - Owl up close and Personal
Elizabeth Lonoff - Night Life
Elizabeth Lonoff - Night Life
Elizabeth Lonoff - Beauty Berry
Elizabeth Lonoff - Beauty Berry
Doug O'Boyle - Ship under the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver
Doug O'Boyle - Ship under the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver
Doug O'Boyle - Light House
Doug O'Boyle - Light House
David Drachsler - Whale watching
David Drachsler - Whale watching
David Drachsler - Lake
David Drachsler - Lake
Charlotte Rosenfield - Positano, Amalfi Coast
Charlotte Rosenfield - Positano, Amalfi Coast
Charlotte Rosenfield - Rolling Road VRE Station
Charlotte Rosenfield - Rolling Road VRE Station
Buck Myers - Tuscany
Buck Myers - Tuscany
Buck Myers - Tuscan vista from Montipulciano
Buck Myers - Tuscan vista from Montipulciano
Arlene Gribben - Tabletop Arrangement
Arlene Gribben - Tabletop Arrangement
Arlene Gribben - Burke Lake
Arlene Gribben - Burke Lake
Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.
Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "The Year in Review - 2023.” This is our sixth annual Year in Review. Members were asked to review the photos they had taken during calendar year 2023 and to select their 10 favorites. The group selected 2 photos from each member to be posted here. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.
Click on a thumbnail to open the slideshow.
Steve Brown-CY2023-Patagonia
Steve Brown-CY2023-Patagonia
Steve Brown-CY2023-Easter Island
Steve Brown-CY2023-Easter Island
Richard Steelman-CY2023-Nightime cItyscape
Richard Steelman-CY2023-Nightime cItyscape
Richard Steelman-CY2023-large sculpture
Richard Steelman-CY2023-large sculpture
RIchard Martin-CY2023-Street in Mexico
RIchard Martin-CY2023-Street in Mexico
Richard Martin-CY2023-Painted Dog
Richard Martin-CY2023-Painted Dog
Ray Bednarsky-CY2023-Two Camouflaged birds
Ray Bednarsky-CY2023-Two Camouflaged birds
Ray Bednarsky-CY2023-Daisies
Ray Bednarsky-CY2023-Daisies
MaryLu Bednarsky-CY2023-Cat escaping
MaryLu Bednarsky-CY2023-Cat escaping
MaryLu Bednarsky-CY2023-Beach Scene
MaryLu Bednarsky-CY2023-Beach Scene
Kathy Dillon-CY2023-Plaza de Espana, Seville Spain
Kathy Dillon-CY2023-Plaza de Espana, Seville Spain
Kathy Dillon-CY2023-Lakewood Ranch
Kathy Dillon-CY2023-Lakewood Ranch
Jona Wheeler-CY2023-Bug meets windshield
Jona Wheeler-CY2023-Bug meets windshield
Jona Wheeler-CY2023-Alhambra, Granada, Spain
Jona Wheeler-CY2023-Alhambra, Granada, Spain
Fritz Ernst-CY2023-Heron
Fritz Ernst-CY2023-Heron
Fritz Ernst-CY2023-Greenland Iceberg
Fritz Ernst-CY2023-Greenland Iceberg
Elizabeth Lonoff-CY2023-White Horse
Elizabeth Lonoff-CY2023-White Horse
Elizabeth Lonoff-CY2023-Ireland
Elizabeth Lonoff-CY2023-Ireland
Doug O'Boyle-CY2023-Kayak emerges from water Great Falls
Doug O'Boyle-CY2023-Kayak emerges from water Great Falls
Doug O'Boyle-CY2023-Black swan
Doug O'Boyle-CY2023-Black swan
Charlotte Rosenfield-CY2023-Chestnut
Charlotte Rosenfield-CY2023-Chestnut
Charlotte Rosenfield-CY203-Bunny Wabbit
Charlotte Rosenfield-CY203-Bunny Wabbit
Buck Myers-CY2023-Chartres Cathedral
Buck Myers-CY2023-Chartres Cathedral
Buck Myers-CY2023-Squirrel
Buck Myers-CY2023-Squirrel
Arlene Gribben-CY2023-Hands and piano
Arlene Gribben-CY2023-Hands and piano
Arlene Gribben-CY2023-Frost crystals
Arlene Gribben-CY2023-Frost crystals
Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.
Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "The Outdoors at Night.” This means you must take a photograph outside after dark. Think about lighting, any features you think might look good in a photo and how to photograph them. Keep an eye on your exposure to avoid blown highlights. Also beware of camera shake/movement with slower shutter speeds. As always, experiment and have fun. The group selected 1 photo from each participant to be posted here. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.
Click on a thumbnail to open the slideshow.
Steve Brown - Outdoors at Night
Steve Brown - Outdoors at Night
Richard Steelman - Outdoors at Night
Richard Steelman - Outdoors at Night
Richard Martin - Outdoors at Night - Christmas Lights
Richard Martin - Outdoors at Night - Christmas Lights
Richard Ackerman - Outdoors at Night
Richard Ackerman - Outdoors at Night
Ray Bednarsky - Outdoors at Night
Ray Bednarsky - Outdoors at Night
Michael Hamilton - Outdoors at Night
Michael Hamilton - Outdoors at Night
MaryLu Bednarsky - Outdoors at Night
MaryLu Bednarsky - Outdoors at Night
Luis Granados - Outdoors at Night
Luis Granados - Outdoors at Night
Fritz Ernst - Outdoors at Night
Fritz Ernst - Outdoors at Night
Elizabeth Lonoff - Outdoors at Night
Elizabeth Lonoff - Outdoors at Night
Doug O'Boyle - Outdoors at Night - Sandhill Cranes
Doug O'Boyle - Outdoors at Night - Sandhill Cranes
Buck Myers - Outdoors at Night - Prague
Buck Myers - Outdoors at Night - Prague
Kathy Dillon - The Outdoors at Night
Kathy Dillon - The Outdoors at Night
Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.
Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "Get Close.” Try to take a photograph of your subject at very close range. This can be a macro photo designed to reveal intricate details not visible to the naked eye. Or it can be simply something you can focus on as close as possible. The key is to maintain sharp focus at very close range. Test the focus limits of your lens. Phone cameras can focus at close range. The group selected 1 photo from each participant to be posted here. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.
Click on a thumbnail to open the slideshow.
Steve Brown - Get Close
Steve Brown - Get Close
Richard Steelman - Get Close - Toothpicks
Richard Steelman - Get Close - Toothpicks
Richard Martin - Get Close
Richard Martin - Get Close
Michael Hamilton - Get Close
Michael Hamilton - Get Close
Luis Granados - Get Close
Luis Granados - Get Close
Kathy Dillon - Get Close
Kathy Dillon - Get Close
Jona Wheeler - Get Close
Jona Wheeler - Get Close
Arlene Gribben - Get Close - Jigsaw Puzzle
Arlene Gribben - Get Close - Jigsaw Puzzle
Arline Sachs - Get Close - Origami flower
Arline Sachs - Get Close - Origami flower
Buck Myers - Get Close - Backlit Daylilly
Buck Myers - Get Close - Backlit Daylilly
Charlotte Rosenfield - Get Close - Backlit Tulip
Charlotte Rosenfield - Get Close - Backlit Tulip
Doug O'Boyle - Get Close
Doug O'Boyle - Get Close
Elizabeth Lonoff - Get Close - Mushrooms
Elizabeth Lonoff - Get Close - Mushrooms
Fritz Ernst - Get Close
Fritz Ernst - Get Close
Mary Lu Bednarsky - Tulip
Mary Lu Bednarsky - Tulip
Ray Bednarsky - Bird Landing
Ray Bednarsky - Bird Landing
Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.
Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "Green Spring Gardens Park.” Photos must be taken at Green Springs Gardens during April, May and June 2024. We will spread this theme over three months to give everyone ample opportunity to visit and photograph Green Spring Gardens. It will be interesting to see and compare everyone’s individual take on the park. The group selected 1 photo from each participant to be posted here. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.
Click on a thumbnail to open the slideshow.
Richard Steelman - Green Spring Gardens
Richard Steelman - Green Spring Gardens
Richard Martin - Green Spring Gardens
Richard Martin - Green Spring Gardens
Richard Ackerman - Green Spring Gardens
Richard Ackerman - Green Spring Gardens
Ray Bednarsky - Green Spring Gardens
Ray Bednarsky - Green Spring Gardens
Mary Lu Bednarsky - Green Spring Gardens
Mary Lu Bednarsky - Green Spring Gardens
Luis Granados - Green Spring Gardens
Luis Granados - Green Spring Gardens
Arlene Gribben - Green Spring Gardens
Arlene Gribben - Green Spring Gardens
Buck Myers - Green Spring Gardens
Buck Myers - Green Spring Gardens
Charlotte Rosenfield - Green Spring Gardens
Charlotte Rosenfield - Green Spring Gardens
Doug O'Boyle - Green Spring Gardens
Doug O'Boyle - Green Spring Gardens
Elizabeth Lonoff - Green Spring Gardens
Elizabeth Lonoff - Green Spring Gardens
Fritiz Ernst - Green Spring Gardens
Fritiz Ernst - Green Spring Gardens
Jona Wheeler - Green Spring Gardens
Jona Wheeler - Green Spring Gardens
Kathy Dillon - Green Spring Gardens
Kathy Dillon - Green Spring Gardens
Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.
Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "The Letter L.” The subject of this theme is anything that STARTS with the letter “L”. Use your imagination and try to be creative. The group selected 1 photo from each participant to be posted here. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.
Click on a thumbnail to open the slideshow.
Steve Brown - Large Wheel
Steve Brown - Large Wheel
Richard Steelman - Leap
Richard Steelman - Leap
Ray Bednarsky - Sea Lion
Ray Bednarsky - Sea Lion
Mary Lu Bednarsky - Locks & Bagels
Mary Lu Bednarsky - Locks & Bagels
Luis Granados - Library
Luis Granados - Library
Kathy Dillon - Lions
Kathy Dillon - Lions
Jona Wheeler - Line of Roofs
Jona Wheeler - Line of Roofs
Fritz Ernst - Liquid
Fritz Ernst - Liquid
Arlene Gribben - Light
Arlene Gribben - Light
Buck Myers - Lilly Pads
Buck Myers - Lilly Pads
Charlotte Rosenfield - Little Library
Charlotte Rosenfield - Little Library
David Drachsler - 2 Medicine Lake
David Drachsler - 2 Medicine Lake
Dick Martin - Lumber
Dick Martin - Lumber
Doug O'Boyle - Lincoln
Doug O'Boyle - Lincoln
Elizabeth Lonoff - Leaves
Elizabeth Lonoff - Leaves
Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.
Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "Signs.” Signs are the subject of this theme. “Signs” means street signs, posters, signs on buildings, graffiti, neon signs, etc. Signs, or a sign, do not have to be the subject of the picture but must be in the picture. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.
Click on a thumbnail to open the slideshow.
Arlene Gribben - Signs
Arlene Gribben - Signs
Buck Myers - Signs
Buck Myers - Signs
Charlotte Rosenfield - Signs
Charlotte Rosenfield - Signs
Doug O'Boyle - Signs
Doug O'Boyle - Signs
Steve Brown - Signs
Steve Brown - Signs
Richard Martin - Signs
Richard Martin - Signs
Ray Bednarsky - Signs
Ray Bednarsky - Signs
Mary Lu Bednarsky - Signs
Mary Lu Bednarsky - Signs
Kathy DIllon - Signs
Kathy DIllon - Signs
Jona Wheeler - Signs
Jona Wheeler - Signs
Fritz Ernst - Signs
Fritz Ernst - Signs
Elizabeth Lonoff - Signs
Elizabeth Lonoff - Signs
Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.
Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "Vehicles.” Broadly defined, a vehicle is any means in or by which someone travels or something is carried or conveyed. Vehicles are everywhere and include trucks, cars, buses, motorcycles, bikes etc. Your photo may contain an image of the full vehicle or just a part of the vehicle or some detail you find interesting. Try to be creative and think of angles, perspective and lighting. The vehicle or vehicles do not have to be the subject of the photo but must be identifiable in the photo. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.
Click on a thumbnail to open the slideshow.
Steve Brown - Vehicles
Steve Brown - Vehicles
Richard Martin - Vehicles
Richard Martin - Vehicles
Richard Ackerman - Vehicles
Richard Ackerman - Vehicles
Ray Bednarsky - Vehicles
Ray Bednarsky - Vehicles
Michael Hamilton - Vehicles
Michael Hamilton - Vehicles
Mary Lu Bednarsky - Vehicles
Mary Lu Bednarsky - Vehicles
Kathy Dillon - Vehicles - Sunset on the Zambezi
Kathy Dillon - Vehicles - Sunset on the Zambezi
Jona Wheeler - Vehicles
Jona Wheeler - Vehicles
Fritz Ernst - Vehicles
Fritz Ernst - Vehicles
Elizabeth Lonoff - Vehicles
Elizabeth Lonoff - Vehicles
Doug O'Boyle - Vehicles
Charlotte Rosenfield - Vehicles
Charlotte Rosenfield - Vehicles
Buck Myers - Vehicles
Buck Myers - Vehicles
Arlene Gribben - Vehicles
Arlene Gribben - Vehicles
Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.
Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "Architectural Details.” The goal of this theme is to focus on specific elements or small details of a larger structure. Architectural features and details play several roles in defining the character of a structure: they add visual interest, define certain building styles and types, and often showcase superior craftsmanship and architectural design. Look for a small piece of the whole that has the power to characterize and define the building or its style. Try to be creative and think of angles, perspective and lighting. The chosen elements do not have to be the subject of the photo but must be identifiable in the photo. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.
Click on a thumbnail to open the slideshow.
Steve Brown - Architectural Details
Steve Brown - Architectural Details
Richard Steelman - Architectural Details
Richard Steelman - Architectural Details
Richard Martin - Architectural Details
Richard Martin - Architectural Details
Ray Bednarsky - Architectural Details
Ray Bednarsky - Architectural Details
Michael Hamilton - Architectural Details
Michael Hamilton - Architectural Details
MaryLu Bednarsky - Architectural Details
MaryLu Bednarsky - Architectural Details
Kathy Dillon - Architectural Details
Kathy Dillon - Architectural Details
Jona Wheeler - Architectural Details
Jona Wheeler - Architectural Details
Fritz Ernst - Architectural Details
Fritz Ernst - Architectural Details
Elizabeth Lonoff - Architectural Details
Elizabeth Lonoff - Architectural Details
Doug O'Boyle - Architectural Details
Doug O'Boyle - Architectural Details
Charlotte Rosenfield - Architectural Details
Charlotte Rosenfield - Architectural Details
Buck Myers - Architectural Details
Buck Myers - Architectural Details
Arlene Gribben - Architectural Details
Arlene Gribben - Architectural Details
Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.
Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "Color.” Pick a color and take photos where that color is dominant in the image. The dominant color can vary from photo to photo and does not have to be the subject of the photo.The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.
Click on a thumbnail to open the slideshow.
Steve Brown - Color
Steve Brown - Color
Richard Martin - Color
Richard Martin - Color
Ray Bednarsky - Color
Ray Bednarsky - Color
Michael Hamilton - Color
Michael Hamilton - Color
Mary Lu Bednarsky - Color
Mary Lu Bednarsky - Color
Kathy Dillon - Color
Kathy Dillon - Color
Jona Wheeler - Color
Jona Wheeler - Color
Fritz Ernst - Color
Fritz Ernst - Color
Elizabeth Lonoff - Color
Elizabeth Lonoff - Color
Doug O'Boyle - Color
Doug O'Boyle - Color
David Drachsler - Color
David Drachsler - Color
Charlotte Rosenfield - Color
Charlotte Rosenfield - Color
Buck Myers - Color
Buck Myers - Color
Arlene Gribben - Color
Arlene Gribben - Color
Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.