2020 Forum Speakers & Related Photos

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Feb 5, 2020, Forum speaker Dr. Harold Geller gave a fascinating presentation, “Looking for life in all the wrong places: The search for life in the universe”.
Feb 5, 2020, Forum speaker Dr. Harold Geller gave a fascinating presentation, “Looking for life in all the wrong places: The search for life in the universe”.

2020 Photography SIG Images

January 2020

Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is “2019 - The Year in Review." Members were asked to review the photos they had taken during calendar year 2019 and present their 10 favorites to the group. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.

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Richard Martin - Approaching Storm
Richard Martin - Approaching Storm

Mary Lu Bednarsky - Butterfly
Mary Lu Bednarsky - Butterfly

Kathy Dillon - Sunset in Santorini
Kathy Dillon - Sunset in Santorini

Fritz Ernst - Mateus Palace Portugal
Fritz Ernst - Mateus Palace Portugal

Buck Myers - Snake River and the Tetons
Buck Myers - Snake River and the Tetons

Arline Sachs - Spiral
Arline Sachs - Spiral

Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.

February 2020

Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is “Winter." Members were asked take photos that exemplify this chilly time of year. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.

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Winter by Richard Martin
Winter by Richard Martin

Winter by Luu Nguyen
Winter by Luu Nguyen

Winter by Kathy DIllon
Winter by Kathy DIllon

Winter by Fritz Ernst
Winter by Fritz Ernst

Winter by David Drachsler
Winter by David Drachsler

Winter by Buck Myers
Winter by Buck Myers

Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.

March 2020

Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is “Blue." Blue is another color that is all around us. For the purpose of this theme the blue object does not have to be the subject of the photo, but the color blue must be somewhere in the photo. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.

NOTE: Normally photos displayed here are the result of a selection process during our meetings as we share and discuss our photos. At present, due to the corona virus, we cannot continue that process. Instead, while monthly themes will continue to be assigned, members are encouraged to submit just their best photo for that theme. All photos submitted for the current theme are displayed here along with any descriptive comments.

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Richard Steelman - Blue drinking glasses
Richard Steelman - Blue drinking glasses

Mary Lu Bednarsky - "Sky Blue" was taken on a drive through Arlington, where the sky casting a reflection of blue over a building's glass exterior proved irresistible.
Mary Lu Bednarsky - "Sky Blue" was taken on a drive through Arlington, where the sky casting a reflection of blue over a building's glass exterior proved irresistible.

Ray Bednarsky - I was intrigued by the suggestion to experiment with an "epic nature scene using indoor optical illusions”. The result, I call "The Explorer", was created from a brown cloth, 2 crystal book ends and Lego figures.
Ray Bednarsky - I was intrigued by the suggestion to experiment with an "epic nature scene using indoor optical illusions”. The result, I call "The Explorer", was created from a brown cloth, 2 crystal book ends and Lego figures.

Luu Nguyen - Even though the color blue takes up a small area in this picture, its visual weight is large because it is the only color in this rather monochromatic photograph. In addition, the railroad tracks form leading lines that direct the eye toward the color blue.
Luu Nguyen - Even though the color blue takes up a small area in this picture, its visual weight is large because it is the only color in this rather monochromatic photograph. In addition, the railroad tracks form leading lines that direct the eye toward the color blue.

Kathy Dillon - Occoquan Regional Park is a nice quiet location and I think this photo captures the tranquility that nature brings.
Kathy Dillon - Occoquan Regional Park is a nice quiet location and I think this photo captures the tranquility that nature brings.

Fritz Ernst - Located some 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands provide interesting wildlife to photograph including the blue-footed booby. The blue foot results from the food consumed by the bird but also the blue feet play an important part in the mating dance when the male shows off his blue feet with up and down movements to attract females. The photograph shows an adult and chick.
Fritz Ernst - Located some 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands provide interesting wildlife to photograph including the blue-footed booby. The blue foot results from the food consumed by the bird but also the blue feet play an important part in the mating dance when the male shows off his blue feet with up and down movements to attract females. The photograph shows an adult and chick.

Elizabeth Lonoff - This is Huntley Meadows with contrasting moods.
Elizabeth Lonoff - This is Huntley Meadows with contrasting moods.

Buck Myers - The blue in this backyard photo is the sky
Buck Myers - The blue in this backyard photo is the sky

Arlene Gribben - The painting was done by my friend Colletta Hammond, also an LLI member.
Arlene Gribben - The painting was done by my friend Colletta Hammond, also an LLI member.

Richard Martin - Colored light and sound program inside the National Cathedral
Richard Martin - Colored light and sound program inside the National Cathedral

Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.

April 2020

Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is “Abstract Photo via Creative Blur.” For this theme photographers were asked to create an abstract picture by using creative blur techniques. Blurring can result from: subject movement, i.e., wind induced blur; deliberate camera movement; from a moving vehicle; by using selective focus or defocus; or a combination of the above. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.

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Kathy Dillon-water spout. This photo was taken as one of our late April rain showers ended, causing a little stream near my home to get fairly high and move quickly. There are a couple of rocks on one side of the stream, which caused the water to shoot up a little and change direction at an interesting angle.
Kathy Dillon-water spout. This photo was taken as one of our late April rain showers ended, causing a little stream near my home to get fairly high and move quickly. There are a couple of rocks on one side of the stream, which caused the water to shoot up a little and change direction at an interesting angle.

Richard Steelman - blurred marbles
Richard Steelman - blurred marbles

Richard Martin - Pieris plant in my garden. Rotated hand-held camera. Shutter priority, 1/10 second.

Ray Bednarsky - Water Wonders
Ray Bednarsky - Water Wonders

Mary Lu Bednarsky - Spring Color Cacophony
Mary Lu Bednarsky - Spring Color Cacophony

Luu Nguyen - This picture was taken with a point and shoot camera. I held the camera by the strap, tripped the shutter and let the camera swing in an arc from the strap. Mode: shutter priority at 1/2 sec. Timer delay: 2 sec.
Luu Nguyen - This picture was taken with a point and shoot camera. I held the camera by the strap, tripped the shutter and let the camera swing in an arc from the strap. Mode: shutter priority at 1/2 sec. Timer delay: 2 sec.

Fritz Ernst - This photo was created from two shots, the first using a long exposure and adjusting the zoom while the shutter remained open for 5 seconds to achieve the blur. The second shot or layer was the flower taken from an in-focus photo of the same flower and layered on top of the background to create the composite photograph.
Fritz Ernst - This photo was created from two shots, the first using a long exposure and adjusting the zoom while the shutter remained open for 5 seconds to achieve the blur. The second shot or layer was the flower taken from an in-focus photo of the same flower and layered on top of the background to create the composite photograph.

Elizabeth Lonoff - Spinning world goes off track. I thought I'd be closer to National Harbor Ferris wheel at east end of bridge. Put cellphone atop viewing scope which I moved horizontally.
Elizabeth Lonoff - Spinning world goes off track. I thought I'd be closer to National Harbor Ferris wheel at east end of bridge. Put cellphone atop viewing scope which I moved horizontally.

Arlene Gribben - I hurriedly moved my IPhone across a worked jigsaw puzzle and took a few pictures as I was moving. Then I cropped a portion of one of them. Seems like the jigsaw pieces really influenced the results.
Arlene Gribben - I hurriedly moved my IPhone across a worked jigsaw puzzle and took a few pictures as I was moving. Then I cropped a portion of one of them. Seems like the jigsaw pieces really influenced the results.

Buck Myers – Impressionism. Blur the result of camera movement and slow shutter speed. ISO 50, .8 sec, f32.
Buck Myers – Impressionism. Blur the result of camera movement and slow shutter speed. ISO 50, .8 sec, f32.

Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.

May 2020

Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is “Flower Portraits.” For this theme photographers were asked to take a picture of a specific flower rather than a group of flowers. In effect, to create a portrait of the flower. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.

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Ruth Raymer: This rose is from a bush my children gave me many years ago for Mother's Day. What welcomed beauty and happy memories it provides during this time of isolation. The photo was taken with my smart phone.
Ruth Raymer: This rose is from a bush my children gave me many years ago for Mother's Day. What welcomed beauty and happy memories it provides during this time of isolation. The photo was taken with my smart phone.

Richard Steelman: Painted bouquet - This is a tabletop photo of a dying bouquet. I lowered the saturation and applied several filters including one that made it look like a painting.
Richard Steelman: Painted bouquet - This is a tabletop photo of a dying bouquet. I lowered the saturation and applied several filters including one that made it look like a painting.

Richard Martin: Tulip
Richard Martin: Tulip

Kathy Dillon: While I don't know what this flower is, it was about 6-7" in diameter, and stood about 4 feet tall, with one other, in a church garden in Middleburg. It was unique to me and also had a bee busy inside.
Kathy Dillon: While I don't know what this flower is, it was about 6-7" in diameter, and stood about 4 feet tall, with one other, in a church garden in Middleburg. It was unique to me and also had a bee busy inside.

Joy Meyer: Peony blossom
Joy Meyer: Peony blossom

Jona Wheeler: I took this photo on one of my walks in lovely Green Spring Gardens. Taken with my Google Pixel Phone.
Jona Wheeler: I took this photo on one of my walks in lovely Green Spring Gardens. Taken with my Google Pixel Phone.

John Raymer: My vision was the new flower with a background of the spent. Sort of the daffodils laying down in respect to the next blooming flowers in the colorful spring tradition. Photo was taken in my front yard.
John Raymer: My vision was the new flower with a background of the spent. Sort of the daffodils laying down in respect to the next blooming flowers in the colorful spring tradition. Photo was taken in my front yard.

Arlen Gribben: I used my iPhone camera for this rhododendron blossom at my condo development..
Arlen Gribben: I used my iPhone camera for this rhododendron blossom at my condo development..

Arline Sachs: Rhododendron with bee taken next to my patio
Arline Sachs: Rhododendron with bee taken next to my patio

Buck Myers: Flower from a bouquet. 200mm macro lens on tripod lit with LED flashlight and converted to black and white using Silver Effects Pro.
Buck Myers: Flower from a bouquet. 200mm macro lens on tripod lit with LED flashlight and converted to black and white using Silver Effects Pro.

Charlotte Rosenfield: This collage represents my attempt to capture a rhododendron flower from bud to blossom.
Charlotte Rosenfield: This collage represents my attempt to capture a rhododendron flower from bud to blossom.

Elizabeth Lonoff: Using my cellphone camera for a closeup, I was able to capture this tiny flower as my pocket 35mm never would have.
Elizabeth Lonoff: Using my cellphone camera for a closeup, I was able to capture this tiny flower as my pocket 35mm never would have.

Fritz Ernst: Portrait of a rose from a Mother’s Day bouquet. To capture as much detail as possible, 10 photos were combined using focus stacking to blend the images. The images were taken at ISO 400, f-stop of 8, shutter speed of 1/200 sec using a 105 mm Nikon micro lens.
Fritz Ernst: Portrait of a rose from a Mother’s Day bouquet. To capture as much detail as possible, 10 photos were combined using focus stacking to blend the images. The images were taken at ISO 400, f-stop of 8, shutter speed of 1/200 sec using a 105 mm Nikon micro lens.

Ray Bednarsky: "A look into the world of a spring pollinator hard at work." Taken with my Nikon D500 Micro 85mm 1.35 lens.at 1/1600 F3.5 ISO 100 85mm RAW.
Ray Bednarsky: "A look into the world of a spring pollinator hard at work." Taken with my Nikon D500 Micro 85mm 1.35 lens.at 1/1600 F3.5 ISO 100 85mm RAW.

Mary Lu Bednarsky: Looked at so many flowers, So hard to choose. Then I spotted my favorite Clematis right in my own backyard. Taken with my iPhone.
Mary Lu Bednarsky: Looked at so many flowers, So hard to choose. Then I spotted my favorite Clematis right in my own backyard. Taken with my iPhone.

Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.

June 2020

Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "In the Kitchen." The object is the creative photography of items found in your kitchen. This can be kitchen tools, appliances, food, or anything that you normally find in your kitchen. There are no other restrictions except that your images must be taken during the months of May, June and July 2020. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.

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Richard Steelman - Kitchen: Lemon Squeezer
Richard Steelman - Kitchen: Lemon Squeezer

Richard Martin - Kitchen: Picture of a “red acre cabbage” split in half to reveal its convoluted inside. Taken in my kitchen with a Panasonic Lumix camera using macro telephoto closeup setting because the cabbage is only about 2 1/2 inches in diameter.
Richard Martin - Kitchen: Picture of a “red acre cabbage” split in half to reveal its convoluted inside. Taken in my kitchen with a Panasonic Lumix camera using macro telephoto closeup setting because the cabbage is only about 2 1/2 inches in diameter.

Ray Bednarsky - Kitchen: Taken in the kitchen with my iPhone in available light and creatively edited with Photoshop Elements and ON1.
Ray Bednarsky - Kitchen: Taken in the kitchen with my iPhone in available light and creatively edited with Photoshop Elements and ON1.

Mary Lu Bednarsky - Kitchen: Photo of my kitchen cookie jar and just-baked oatmeal-raisin cookies in available light; edited with Photoshop Elements.
Mary Lu Bednarsky - Kitchen: Photo of my kitchen cookie jar and just-baked oatmeal-raisin cookies in available light; edited with Photoshop Elements.

Luu Nguyen - Kitchen: For the picture of the red pepper, I used a roll of white paper hung from the wall and draped over a table. For the lighting I used a ring light attached to the front of the lens to avoid shadows. The picture was cropped in a square frame for balance.
Luu Nguyen - Kitchen: For the picture of the red pepper, I used a roll of white paper hung from the wall and draped over a table. For the lighting I used a ring light attached to the front of the lens to avoid shadows. The picture was cropped in a square frame for balance.

Linda Brittain - Kitchen
Linda Brittain - Kitchen

Kathy Dillon - Kitchen: I had a hard time coming up with a kitchen photo. Tonight my 9 year old grandson Facetimed so I could watch him make fried rice. He was so skilled, and knew the recipe by heart, that as he narrated each step, I began to take screen shots of his preparations. I opted to submit the final step, stirring in the egg. The saying that "your best camera is the one in your hand" came to mind, so I have submitted an Iphone XS photo.
Kathy Dillon - Kitchen: I had a hard time coming up with a kitchen photo. Tonight my 9 year old grandson Facetimed so I could watch him make fried rice. He was so skilled, and knew the recipe by heart, that as he narrated each step, I began to take screen shots of his preparations. I opted to submit the final step, stirring in the egg. The saying that "your best camera is the one in your hand" came to mind, so I have submitted an Iphone XS photo.

Jona Wheeler - Kitchen: This photo is of my attempt to learn to make Icelandic "flatkokur" or flatbread.
Jona Wheeler - Kitchen: This photo is of my attempt to learn to make Icelandic "flatkokur" or flatbread.

Arlene Gribben - Kitchen: I took this picture with my IPhone - no adjustments made.
Arlene Gribben - Kitchen: I took this picture with my IPhone - no adjustments made.

Buck Myers - Kitchen: Microwave shot from low angle with iPhone and given a “noir” treatment in Lightroom and Silver Effects Pro.
Buck Myers - Kitchen: Microwave shot from low angle with iPhone and given a “noir” treatment in Lightroom and Silver Effects Pro.

Charlotte Rosenfield - Kitchen: The picture was taken with my phone, and edited in Photoshop Elements.
Charlotte Rosenfield - Kitchen: The picture was taken with my phone, and edited in Photoshop Elements.

Eliabeth Lonoff - Kitchen: Cellphone close up of sand timer filling; bigger than a standard kitchen model.
Eliabeth Lonoff - Kitchen: Cellphone close up of sand timer filling; bigger than a standard kitchen model.

Fritz Ernst - Kitchen: The topic of food combined with the 4th of July holiday provided the inspiration for my “happy meal” and festive table setting. The mask provided a reminder of all those working so hard to eliminate the pandemic. The photo was simply taken with my iPad - no special equipment needed. All the items on the plate were edible and in fact provide my breakfast that day.
Fritz Ernst - Kitchen: The topic of food combined with the 4th of July holiday provided the inspiration for my “happy meal” and festive table setting. The mask provided a reminder of all those working so hard to eliminate the pandemic. The photo was simply taken with my iPad - no special equipment needed. All the items on the plate were edible and in fact provide my breakfast that day.

Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.

July 2020

Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "Lockdown 2020 Photo Challenge.” Photographers are challenged to get creative and create some interesting or wall worthy photographs - without leaving home. Any subject is acceptable, but photos must be shot in or around your home, including your yard or garden. Your photo must be current which means it has to have been shot between March 10 and August 15, 2020. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.

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Ray Bednarsky - Lockdown Challenge: Curious Friends. "A composition of 3 in-house elements: a bird emerging from a bamboo tree and a cat eying his every move." Shot in our home with my iPhone X Max in natural light. Processed in Photoshop Elements 2020 and ON1 Photo Raw 2020.5
Ray Bednarsky - Lockdown Challenge: Curious Friends. "A composition of 3 in-house elements: a bird emerging from a bamboo tree and a cat eying his every move." Shot in our home with my iPhone X Max in natural light. Processed in Photoshop Elements 2020 and ON1 Photo Raw 2020.5

Mary Lu Bednarsky- Lockdown Challenge: Cinnamon. "From a shelter to a sheltered life." A photo of my dear cat, Cinnamon, in a dreamy relaxed moment, taken with my iPhone X Max in natural light. Processed in Photoshop Elements 2020 and ON1 Photo Raw 2020.5.
Mary Lu Bednarsky- Lockdown Challenge: Cinnamon. "From a shelter to a sheltered life." A photo of my dear cat, Cinnamon, in a dreamy relaxed moment, taken with my iPhone X Max in natural light. Processed in Photoshop Elements 2020 and ON1 Photo Raw 2020.5.

Luu Nguyen - Lockdown Challenge: Clouds. Taken from my backyard. Converted to B&W in Silver Efex Pro. Red filter applied. Cyanotype toning.
Luu Nguyen - Lockdown Challenge: Clouds. Taken from my backyard. Converted to B&W in Silver Efex Pro. Red filter applied. Cyanotype toning.

Kathy Dillon - Lockdown Challenge: This photo of some of my grandchildren sitting at our kitchen table, was taken on my Nikon D5500. It captured a moment frequently seen and always treasured.
Kathy Dillon - Lockdown Challenge: This photo of some of my grandchildren sitting at our kitchen table, was taken on my Nikon D5500. It captured a moment frequently seen and always treasured.

Jona Wheeler - Lockdown Challenge: Coping with summer 2020 - masks for protection, Britbox for entertainment, and flowers for joy! Taken on Google Pixel cell phone.
Jona Wheeler - Lockdown Challenge: Coping with summer 2020 - masks for protection, Britbox for entertainment, and flowers for joy! Taken on Google Pixel cell phone.

Fritz Ernst - Lockdown Challenge: A compact disk and an 80 mm crystal lens ball provide the medium for refracted light to produce a rainbow of colors that is ever changing, depending on the position of the camera and object. No special lighting was necessary to create the prism effect. The photograph was taken with a Nikon D810 camera with Nikkor 60 mm 1:2.8G ED micro lens. Camera settings were ISO 200, f6.3, at 1/100 sec.
Fritz Ernst - Lockdown Challenge: A compact disk and an 80 mm crystal lens ball provide the medium for refracted light to produce a rainbow of colors that is ever changing, depending on the position of the camera and object. No special lighting was necessary to create the prism effect. The photograph was taken with a Nikon D810 camera with Nikkor 60 mm 1:2.8G ED micro lens. Camera settings were ISO 200, f6.3, at 1/100 sec.

Elizabeth Lonoff - Lockdown Challenge: Rose between showers
Elizabeth Lonoff - Lockdown Challenge: Rose between showers

Dick Martin - Lockdown Challenge: Weathering the Pandemic. Shot with my Panasonic Lumix camera on its fully automatic “point ’n shoot” setting because that’s the laziest setting and therefore appropriate for the subject.
Dick Martin - Lockdown Challenge: Weathering the Pandemic. Shot with my Panasonic Lumix camera on its fully automatic “point ’n shoot” setting because that’s the laziest setting and therefore appropriate for the subject.

David Drachsler - Lockdown Challenge: Lily. The lily is at our house in Shenandoah County. Taken with my Canon SL1 with a Sigma 18-250 zoom lens. I underexposed one full stop to enhance the saturation.
David Drachsler - Lockdown Challenge: Lily. The lily is at our house in Shenandoah County. Taken with my Canon SL1 with a Sigma 18-250 zoom lens. I underexposed one full stop to enhance the saturation.

Charlotte Rosenfield - Lockdown Challenge: This picture attempts to show hope for the future within the reality of lockdown. The basic picture was taken in with my iPhone from my deck and edited in Photoshop Elements to insert an old beach photo.
Charlotte Rosenfield - Lockdown Challenge: This picture attempts to show hope for the future within the reality of lockdown. The basic picture was taken in with my iPhone from my deck and edited in Photoshop Elements to insert an old beach photo.

Buck Myers - Lockdown Challenge: Chipmunk overlooking our backyard deck hoping for more bird seeds. Taken through a slightly ajar door. Tripod mounted Nikon D500, f/5, 300mm lens, TTL flash. Edited in Lightroom.
Buck Myers - Lockdown Challenge: Chipmunk overlooking our backyard deck hoping for more bird seeds. Taken through a slightly ajar door. Tripod mounted Nikon D500, f/5, 300mm lens, TTL flash. Edited in Lightroom.

Arline Sachs – Lockdown Challenge: Sunny Rain. The small white streaks are RAIN. Also note that the sun is shining! This picture was taken from my patio.
Arline Sachs – Lockdown Challenge: Sunny Rain. The small white streaks are RAIN. Also note that the sun is shining! This picture was taken from my patio.

Arlene Gribben - Lockdown Challenge: My photo shows "What many of us are doing in our home to entertain ourselves during the COVID19 pandemic." Taken with my iPhone -- basically just "point and shoot" after I set up a collage.
Arlene Gribben - Lockdown Challenge: My photo shows "What many of us are doing in our home to entertain ourselves during the COVID19 pandemic." Taken with my iPhone -- basically just "point and shoot" after I set up a collage.

Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.

August 2020

Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "Garden.” These can be photos in or of any garden. This includes plants, statuary, architectural features, etc. The intent is that the picture is taken for this specific theme. However, any photos taken during the Spring and Summer of 2020 may be submitted. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.

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Richard Steelman - Garden: Iris, taken at Greensprings Gardens about a month ago. Just normal LR refinement and vignette
Richard Steelman - Garden: Iris, taken at Greensprings Gardens about a month ago. Just normal LR refinement and vignette

Richard Martin - Garden: Here’s a monarch butterfly photo taken August 4 on a milkweed in my backyard. ISO - 800; telephoto 66.8mm; f/6; shutter 1/400 sec.
Richard Martin - Garden: Here’s a monarch butterfly photo taken August 4 on a milkweed in my backyard. ISO - 800; telephoto 66.8mm; f/6; shutter 1/400 sec.

Ray Bednarsky – Garden: A Flower's Friend. "In Green Spring Gardens, a moth, drawn by its red beauty befriended a flower. " Shot with my Nikon D500 at ISO 100, 1/200, F5.6, 240mm Lens and processed in ON1 Photo Raw 2020.5
Ray Bednarsky – Garden: A Flower's Friend. "In Green Spring Gardens, a moth, drawn by its red beauty befriended a flower. " Shot with my Nikon D500 at ISO 100, 1/200, F5.6, 240mm Lens and processed in ON1 Photo Raw 2020.5

Mary Lu Bednarsky – Garden: Gerbera Garvines Sweet Memories. A photo of a colorful Gerbera flower whose color just popped out against the vibrant green foliage, taken with my iPhone X Max in natural light.
Mary Lu Bednarsky – Garden: Gerbera Garvines Sweet Memories. A photo of a colorful Gerbera flower whose color just popped out against the vibrant green foliage, taken with my iPhone X Max in natural light.

Luu Nguyen - Garden: Title: Neglect Details: Black and White conversion. Sepia toning.
Luu Nguyen - Garden: Title: Neglect Details: Black and White conversion. Sepia toning.

Kathy Dillon - Garden: My photo was taken at Hidden Pond with my Nikon 5500 using Scene mode. Drawing on my newfound garden club knowledge, I looked to integrate nature, in this case a log sitting in very shallow water, with the natural grasses that thrive in such a setting and the "wildlife" it supports - frogs!
Kathy Dillon - Garden: My photo was taken at Hidden Pond with my Nikon 5500 using Scene mode. Drawing on my newfound garden club knowledge, I looked to integrate nature, in this case a log sitting in very shallow water, with the natural grasses that thrive in such a setting and the "wildlife" it supports - frogs!

Jona Wheeler - Garden: This was taken on my Google Pixel cell phone, and it is one of the garden ponds in my neighborhood
Jona Wheeler - Garden: This was taken on my Google Pixel cell phone, and it is one of the garden ponds in my neighborhood

Janice Smith - Garden: I have 13 gardens. One is a milkweed garden where I capture the caterpillars for the Monarch to cage them. We are trying to save as many as possible. This is a monarch that we released that stayed with us for most of the day. My husband Walt sat there patiently until it flew away.
Janice Smith - Garden: I have 13 gardens. One is a milkweed garden where I capture the caterpillars for the Monarch to cage them. We are trying to save as many as possible. This is a monarch that we released that stayed with us for most of the day. My husband Walt sat there patiently until it flew away.

Fritz Ernst - Garden: A spider flower provides the main subject of this photo with the added bonus of a small but colorful bug clinging to the pedals. The photo is a merge of two shots taken with a 60 mm micro lens (f4 at 1/100s exposure, ISO 125) for focus stacking and enhanced depth of field. The resulting photo was post processed in PhotoShop to include adding a black and white top layer but allowing the background color layer to show for the bug only, thereby providing some emphasis on the colorful bug.
Fritz Ernst - Garden: A spider flower provides the main subject of this photo with the added bonus of a small but colorful bug clinging to the pedals. The photo is a merge of two shots taken with a 60 mm micro lens (f4 at 1/100s exposure, ISO 125) for focus stacking and enhanced depth of field. The resulting photo was post processed in PhotoShop to include adding a black and white top layer but allowing the background color layer to show for the bug only, thereby providing some emphasis on the colorful bug.

Elizabeth Lonoff - Garden: Explaining "social distancing" to the new gardener
Elizabeth Lonoff - Garden: Explaining "social distancing" to the new gardener

David Drachsler - Garden: Taken with a mirrorless Panasonic DMC-FZ1000 with a Leica 25-400 zoom (not interchangeable) that has a full size sensor.
David Drachsler - Garden: Taken with a mirrorless Panasonic DMC-FZ1000 with a Leica 25-400 zoom (not interchangeable) that has a full size sensor.

Charlotte Rosenfield - Garden: photo taken with Canon SX620 and edited with Photoshop Elements.
Charlotte Rosenfield - Garden: photo taken with Canon SX620 and edited with Photoshop Elements.

Buck Myers - Garden: Brown-headed Cow bird at a backyard feeding station. 300mm lens, f/8, 1/60 sec., with fill flash. Was experimenting with flash and fast moving subjects. Luckily ended up with sharp eyes and head and motion blur in the rest of the image to show the action.
Buck Myers - Garden: Brown-headed Cow bird at a backyard feeding station. 300mm lens, f/8, 1/60 sec., with fill flash. Was experimenting with flash and fast moving subjects. Luckily ended up with sharp eyes and head and motion blur in the rest of the image to show the action.

Arlene Gribben - Garden: Picture of a unique cactus garden at a home in the neighborhood.
Arlene Gribben - Garden: Picture of a unique cactus garden at a home in the neighborhood.

Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.

September 2020

Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "Clouds.” These can be photos whose main subject is clouds or it can be photos whose subject is not clouds, but clouds must be visible in the image. The intent is that the picture is taken for this specific theme. However, any photos taken during the Spring and Summer of 2020 may be submitted. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.

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Richard Steelman – Clouds: “Thistles and Clouds”. This was taken at Green Spring Gardens in April. No special effects, just Lightroom adjustments and cropping.
Richard Steelman – Clouds: “Thistles and Clouds”. This was taken at Green Spring Gardens in April. No special effects, just Lightroom adjustments and cropping.

Ray Bednarsky – Clouds: “Sunset Clouds”. A magnificent clouded sunset captured at the peak moment. Shot with my Nikon D500 at ISO 100, 1/320 sec., f/9 300mm Lens and processed in ON1 Photo Raw 2020.5
Ray Bednarsky – Clouds: “Sunset Clouds”. A magnificent clouded sunset captured at the peak moment. Shot with my Nikon D500 at ISO 100, 1/320 sec., f/9 300mm Lens and processed in ON1 Photo Raw 2020.5

Mary Lu Bednarsky – Clouds: “Autumn Clouds”. A photo taken while on a neighborhood walk. Taken with my iPhone X Max on a beautiful clear day. Processed in On1 Photo Raw 2020.5
Mary Lu Bednarsky – Clouds: “Autumn Clouds”. A photo taken while on a neighborhood walk. Taken with my iPhone X Max on a beautiful clear day. Processed in On1 Photo Raw 2020.5

uu Nguyen - Clouds: “Two Children”, Fuji Color 400 film

Kathy Dillon – Clouds: “View from Brickmalers Café”. My photo was taken in late September, after 2 weeks of cloudless skies! I drove around and ended up at a favorite spot, Occoquan Park. I had my Nikon 5500 with me, on the landscape setting, when I saw a pretty view of a dock and thought, this is going to be my entry. As is a good practice I turned around to see what I had missed, and liked the view behind me even better.
Kathy Dillon – Clouds: “View from Brickmalers Café”. My photo was taken in late September, after 2 weeks of cloudless skies! I drove around and ended up at a favorite spot, Occoquan Park. I had my Nikon 5500 with me, on the landscape setting, when I saw a pretty view of a dock and thought, this is going to be my entry. As is a good practice I turned around to see what I had missed, and liked the view behind me even better.

Jona Wheeler – Clouds: This photo was taken during my Blue Ridge Parkway trip in September on my Google Pixel cell phone. This is taken near the Rocky Knob section of the Parkway in Virgina.
Jona Wheeler – Clouds: This photo was taken during my Blue Ridge Parkway trip in September on my Google Pixel cell phone. This is taken near the Rocky Knob section of the Parkway in Virgina.

Janice Smith – Clouds: After weeks of colder weather the Monarchs are coming out today. Thought we would lose all of them.
Janice Smith – Clouds: After weeks of colder weather the Monarchs are coming out today. Thought we would lose all of them.

Fritz Ernst – Clouds: Burke Lake and just a hint of the close foliage in the upper right corner provided a magical foreground for the high clouds and muted reflections in the water on a sunny, Sunday afternoon. The photo was rendered mostly in black and white to highlight the clouds with just the dark green of the trees revealed to provide a bit of color for added interest. The photo was taken with a Nikon D810 and 24-70 zoom lens (ISO 125, focal length 31 mm, f9, at 1/640 sec). Post processing was done with PhotoShop and ON1.
Fritz Ernst – Clouds: Burke Lake and just a hint of the close foliage in the upper right corner provided a magical foreground for the high clouds and muted reflections in the water on a sunny, Sunday afternoon. The photo was rendered mostly in black and white to highlight the clouds with just the dark green of the trees revealed to provide a bit of color for added interest. The photo was taken with a Nikon D810 and 24-70 zoom lens (ISO 125, focal length 31 mm, f9, at 1/640 sec). Post processing was done with PhotoShop and ON1.

Elizabeth Lonoff – Clouds: Saw clouds, pulled into large parking lot, and waited with cellphone.
Elizabeth Lonoff – Clouds: Saw clouds, pulled into large parking lot, and waited with cellphone.

Richard Martin – Clouds: Photo taken on iPhone and edited for greater contrast.
Richard Martin – Clouds: Photo taken on iPhone and edited for greater contrast.

Charlotte Rosenfield – Clouds: “Early morning at Rolling Road Station”. My photo was taken in September at Rolling Road VRE station with iPhone. Removed color with Photoshop Elements.
Charlotte Rosenfield – Clouds: “Early morning at Rolling Road Station”. My photo was taken in September at Rolling Road VRE station with iPhone. Removed color with Photoshop Elements.

Buck Myers – Clouds: “October Sunrise.” Nikon D500, f/6.3, zoom lens at 38mm. Edited in Lightroom.
Buck Myers – Clouds: “October Sunrise.” Nikon D500, f/6.3, zoom lens at 38mm. Edited in Lightroom.

Arline Sachs - Clouds
Arline Sachs - Clouds

Arlene Gribben – Clouds: Taken with my iPhone as the sun started to set. Only adjustment was to crop extraneous out of the picture.
Arlene Gribben – Clouds: Taken with my iPhone as the sun started to set. Only adjustment was to crop extraneous out of the picture.

David Drachsler – Clouds: This is the view from Cullers Overlook in Guest-Shenandoah River State Park about 20 miles south of Front Royal, Va. This is the South Fork of the Shenandoah River with Massanutten Mountain in the background. It was taken with my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 set on aperture priority, f8 at 1/160. I processed it with Photoshop Elements, using haze removal and slight shadow lightening.
David Drachsler – Clouds: This is the view from Cullers Overlook in Guest-Shenandoah River State Park about 20 miles south of Front Royal, Va. This is the South Fork of the Shenandoah River with Massanutten Mountain in the background. It was taken with my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 set on aperture priority, f8 at 1/160. I processed it with Photoshop Elements, using haze removal and slight shadow lightening.

Joy Meyer – Clouds: “Threatening Clouds.” NIKON COOLPIX camera set for outdoor scene.
Joy Meyer – Clouds: “Threatening Clouds.” NIKON COOLPIX camera set for outdoor scene.

Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.

October 2020

Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "Mirror, Mirror.” The idea is to incorporate a mirror in the photo to provide an unusual or double look at something while trying to keep the actual camera out of the shot unless it is part of the composition. The intent is that the picture is taken for this specific theme. However, any photos taken no earlier than Summer of 2020 may be submitted. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.

Click on a thumbnail to open the slideshow

Richard Martin - Mirror: taken with Panasonic Lumix with flash, ISO 800, f 3.5, 1/125th sec
Richard Martin - Mirror: taken with Panasonic Lumix with flash, ISO 800, f 3.5, 1/125th sec

Ray Bednarsky – Mirror: Reflections on a Thanksgiving Holiday. A home-staged photo of our upcoming Thanksgiving feast. Captured with my Nikon D500 at ISO 400, 1/6 sec., f/7.1, 16-80mm Lens at 38mm and processed in Photoshop 2020 and ON1 Photo Raw 2020.5
Ray Bednarsky – Mirror: Reflections on a Thanksgiving Holiday. A home-staged photo of our upcoming Thanksgiving feast. Captured with my Nikon D500 at ISO 400, 1/6 sec., f/7.1, 16-80mm Lens at 38mm and processed in Photoshop 2020 and ON1 Photo Raw 2020.5

Mary Lu Bednarsky- Mirror: Cinnamon, a Curious Cat. A home-staged photo. The trick was getting the cat to cooperate. Taken with my iPhone X Max at home. Processed in On1 Photo Raw 2020.5
Mary Lu Bednarsky- Mirror: Cinnamon, a Curious Cat. A home-staged photo. The trick was getting the cat to cooperate. Taken with my iPhone X Max at home. Processed in On1 Photo Raw 2020.5

Kathy Dillon - Mirror: This was the last photo I took for the mirror mirror topic. Backing out of my parking space a couple of days ago, I saw the view I had been after, pulled back in the spot and took out the only camera I had with me, my iPhone!
Kathy Dillon - Mirror: This was the last photo I took for the mirror mirror topic. Backing out of my parking space a couple of days ago, I saw the view I had been after, pulled back in the spot and took out the only camera I had with me, my iPhone!

Jona Wheeler - Mirror: The photo was taken at IKEA with my Google Pixel cell phone last month.
Jona Wheeler - Mirror: The photo was taken at IKEA with my Google Pixel cell phone last month.

Janice Smith - Mirror: I waited at the emergency room yesterday for Walt and played with the distorted mirror.
Janice Smith - Mirror: I waited at the emergency room yesterday for Walt and played with the distorted mirror.

Fritiz Ernst - Mirror: During the time of Covid, we all need a new game to play so I invented “Bowling for Dewar’s” played simply with little bottles of Dewar’s and a crystal ball. Roll the ball and you get to drink what you knock over. Pretty soon, you start seeing double the number of bottles actually there. With a mirror as the backdrop, you can not only see the images of the bottles in the crystal ball but also the images of the bottles and their reflections. The photo is a blended composite of five images with different focus points, combined to get the desired depth of field (focus stacking). The photos were taken with a Nikon D810 with 70-200 mm lens (ISO 100; focal length 110; f-stop 2.8; and shutter speed of 1/20 sec).
Fritiz Ernst - Mirror: During the time of Covid, we all need a new game to play so I invented “Bowling for Dewar’s” played simply with little bottles of Dewar’s and a crystal ball. Roll the ball and you get to drink what you knock over. Pretty soon, you start seeing double the number of bottles actually there. With a mirror as the backdrop, you can not only see the images of the bottles in the crystal ball but also the images of the bottles and their reflections. The photo is a blended composite of five images with different focus points, combined to get the desired depth of field (focus stacking). The photos were taken with a Nikon D810 with 70-200 mm lens (ISO 100; focal length 110; f-stop 2.8; and shutter speed of 1/20 sec).

Elizabeth Lonoff - Mirror: Rear view mirror - farewell to Indian Summer.
Elizabeth Lonoff - Mirror: Rear view mirror - farewell to Indian Summer.

Charlotte Rosenfield - Mirror: “Cricket Vanity” Taken with my i-phone, cropped and edited for contrast in Photoshop Elements.
Charlotte Rosenfield - Mirror: “Cricket Vanity” Taken with my i-phone, cropped and edited for contrast in Photoshop Elements.

Buck Myers – Mirror: “Three for 1” taken with my iPhone and edited in Lightroom.
Buck Myers – Mirror: “Three for 1” taken with my iPhone and edited in Lightroom.

Arline Sachs - Mirror: This picture was taken with an iphone. Here the computer is acting as a mirror. The computer is off. I cropped it and increased and added some contrast.
Arline Sachs - Mirror: This picture was taken with an iphone. Here the computer is acting as a mirror. The computer is off. I cropped it and increased and added some contrast.

Arlene Gribben - Mirror: Furry friend Gracie, sitting on the bed, checking out herself in the closet door mirrors.
Arlene Gribben - Mirror: Furry friend Gracie, sitting on the bed, checking out herself in the closet door mirrors.

Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.

November 2020

Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "Rocks and Sticks.” This is for Fall which has leaves and often branches falling. Fall is a great time for walking through parks and/or nature...rocks and boulders can be quite attractive. The intent is that the picture is taken for this specific theme. That means photos have to have been taken during Fall 2020. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.

Click on a thumbnail to open the slideshow

Richard Martin – November 2020: Photo taken at Great Falls MD National Park, 11/21/20, Panasonic Lumix camera, ISO 160, f 4.1. 1/160
Richard Martin – November 2020: Photo taken at Great Falls MD National Park, 11/21/20, Panasonic Lumix camera, ISO 160, f 4.1. 1/160

Ray Bednarsky– November 2020: Turquoise rocks jutting out among the sticks and fallen leaves. Captured with my Nikon D500 at ISO 640, 1/200 sec., f/7.1, 300mm Lens at 16mm and processed in Photoshop 2020 and ON1 Photo Raw 2021.
Ray Bednarsky– November 2020: Turquoise rocks jutting out among the sticks and fallen leaves. Captured with my Nikon D500 at ISO 640, 1/200 sec., f/7.1, 300mm Lens at 16mm and processed in Photoshop 2020 and ON1 Photo Raw 2021.

Mary Lu Bednarsky– November 2020: One of the many views on the Cross Country Trail in Springfield. Taken with my iPhone X Max and processed in Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020.
Mary Lu Bednarsky– November 2020: One of the many views on the Cross Country Trail in Springfield. Taken with my iPhone X Max and processed in Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020.

Kathy Dillon– November 2020: This photo was taken between 1-4 PM. The shadows at that time of day were so interesting! I used the Scene/landscape setting on my Nikon D5500 and did make minimal adjustments with exposure and lighting using Photoshop.
Kathy Dillon– November 2020: This photo was taken between 1-4 PM. The shadows at that time of day were so interesting! I used the Scene/landscape setting on my Nikon D5500 and did make minimal adjustments with exposure and lighting using Photoshop.

Jona Wheeler– November 2020: This photo was taken by the Pinecrest Golf course fence on my Google Pixel cell. I took it in color but liked it better in black and white.
Jona Wheeler– November 2020: This photo was taken by the Pinecrest Golf course fence on my Google Pixel cell. I took it in color but liked it better in black and white.

Janice Smith– November 2020: My backyard. Rock painted by my husband. Fungus on tree stump can be used to make great display.
Janice Smith– November 2020: My backyard. Rock painted by my husband. Fungus on tree stump can be used to make great display.

Fritz Ernst– November 2020: Photo taken at Hidden Pond Nature Center. The rocks, sticks, and leaves created a small spillway for the cascading water, which, because of a longer exposure, seemed to provide a smooth ribbon of water over the rocks. Above the photo unfolds the entire pond but zooming in on the very small section seemed to provide a good combination of form, substance, and color. Technical details on the photo - taken with a Nikon D810 and 70-200 mm lens; ISO 200; f-length 105 mm; aperture f-22; and 0.6 sec exposure. Post-processing with Photoshop and ON1 Photo Raw 2020.
Fritz Ernst– November 2020: Photo taken at Hidden Pond Nature Center. The rocks, sticks, and leaves created a small spillway for the cascading water, which, because of a longer exposure, seemed to provide a smooth ribbon of water over the rocks. Above the photo unfolds the entire pond but zooming in on the very small section seemed to provide a good combination of form, substance, and color. Technical details on the photo - taken with a Nikon D810 and 70-200 mm lens; ISO 200; f-length 105 mm; aperture f-22; and 0.6 sec exposure. Post-processing with Photoshop and ON1 Photo Raw 2020.

Elizabeth Lonoff– November 2020: Nothing interesting around except this stick that started blooming by my front door this month
Elizabeth Lonoff– November 2020: Nothing interesting around except this stick that started blooming by my front door this month

David Drachsler– November 2020: This is a country road through Bean Hollow in Shenandoah County, Va. It was initially shot in Camera RAW and saved in hi res JPEG. It was taken with my Panasonic DMC-FZ1000 at 33mm, f3.8 at 1/160.
David Drachsler– November 2020: This is a country road through Bean Hollow in Shenandoah County, Va. It was initially shot in Camera RAW and saved in hi res JPEG. It was taken with my Panasonic DMC-FZ1000 at 33mm, f3.8 at 1/160.

Charlotte Rosenfield– November 2020: The photo was taken at the Rolling Road VRE station with my iPhone.
Charlotte Rosenfield– November 2020: The photo was taken at the Rolling Road VRE station with my iPhone.

Buck Myers–November 2020: Photo taken with iPhone 7. Post processing and selective tinting in Silver Effex Pro.. — Buck Myers–November 2020: Photo taken with iPhone 7. Post processing and selective tinting in Silver Effex Pro.
Buck Myers–November 2020: Photo taken with iPhone 7. Post processing and selective tinting in Silver Effex Pro.

Arline Sachs– November 2020: The picture was taken with an iphone. No changes or cropping was done.
Arline Sachs– November 2020: The picture was taken with an iphone. No changes or cropping was done.

Images in this gallery are the exclusive property of the persons who created them and are shown here by their permission.

December 2020

Members periodically select specific subjects or themes for their photographs. The current theme is "The Holiday Season.” This is meant to be for the December 2020 Holiday Season. This can include decorations, lights, people, food, events or anything that is reflective of the Holiday Season. Photos for this theme must have been taken in December 2020. The following photos, taken and selected by members, exemplify that theme.