What we’re about
This is a collective of people who share a passion for night and long exposure photography.
This Meetup is about gathering in groups, small or large, to capture the night and share the outcome with each other. Online events for image studies, goals review, training, as well as self-assigned challenges round out the program. Education, respectful and constructive feedback, exhibition of images and socializing during and after our gatherings are all part of our activities.
We explore old, new, popular and exotic places in the greater Boston area, southern New Hampshire and Maine, Rhode Island, northern Connecticut and central Massachusetts and there are occasional field trips to places such as New York or Maine. Inner city nightscapes are as much part of our portfolio, as will be dark sky star, astro-landscape and Milky Way shoots or light painting opportunities.
The group was founded in 2013 and has been active continuously. We average roughly one event every week, and we even keep it alive throughout the winter. Photo shoots are most frequent, but we also have online lectures, individual challenges, conferences and public events and paid excursions. Browse our hundreds of "past meetups" to see what we have been doing.
Most standard meetups are free, membership dues will cover Meetup.com costs, minor group expenses and promotional means, invited lectures and trip organization expenses. There are also some paid events, as announced in those meetups, to provide services to learn from professionals in smaller groups with formal instructions, or to cover venue costs. You can sign up for this group for free and see if this is for you during the one month trial. If you pay right away, you still get 13 months of membership.
Night photography is exciting, presents the world in a truly different light and is serene and calming in many ways. However, it is also very different from daytime shooting, sometimes physically taxing and requires to watch out for yourself and others. All our meetups are conducted with adult and mature members, who provide safety through numbers, but you will always be responsible for your own safety.
We are looking forward to seizing the night with you!
Jürgen, GBNP Organizer
Find me online at https://LinkTr.ee/JMLobert/
Upcoming events (3)
See all- BILD Expo in New YorkJavitz Center, New York, NY
We will be at the 2025 BILD Expo in New York City, organized by our favorite shop B+H Photo&Video. This expo replaced the old Photo Expo + and follows a similar paradigm: most of the large photography and videography vendors will be exhibiting onsite, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, Leica, as well as a lot of vendors for computer and video technology, and also music. Impressions from the 2023 BILD expo can be found in the photos section.
Along with that, there will be speakers and those talk will be free of charge, no need to pay anything. Three tracks are planned: photography, video and content creation. As last time (in 2023), there will be lots of photo opportunities, vendors will have their own booths with models and interesting setups to be photographed. It is fun, informational and you can try out the latest technology hands-on. Interested in that 800mm lens? Try it out!
And, as usual, we will be conducting several photo Meetups in the evening, look for separate events posted alongside.
Sign up for the expo free of charge here: https://www.bildexpo.com/
Bring friends, your family or come alone.
- Providence Pride Parade on a Gorgeous DRY Saturday!Grant's Block, Providence, RI
Saturday is going to be DRY and gorgeous!!! Join me in Providence!
Something completely new for us - The Providence Pride Parade. Because Providence starts its Pride Parade at 8 PM (half of it is after sunset.) It's night photography on steroids - full of photographic challenges and fun.
Two hours (or so) of spectacular colors, fabulous costumes, joyful people. Truly a celebration of life! Consider even coming earlier in the afternoon.
We'll meet at 6:30 to give us time to fan out and choose our locations so we can get to the front of the spectators.
I plan to set up on the same side of the street at the Reviewing Stand at the Providence Performing Arts Center. (I may change my mind to try to get out sooner - read through to the end to see what opportunities might await later.) I set up diagonally opposite the stage last year and found that I hadn't properly anticipated the challenges created by the very bright lights behind the judges.
To see the route and get an idea of where you might like to set up: Providence Pride Map
Once you're in your spot, don't plan on moving much. Two years ago, I shot it in a rainstorm and always had at least 4 people in front of me.
Then again, last year, I had an enlightening conversation with a man who had two adorable little boys with him - the dad had been fostering kids since he was in his teens and maintained a good relationship with his ex-husband. Photography, after all, is not just about pictures.
Leave the tripod in the car - you may be able to get away with a monopod. But you can travel pretty light for this one. Bring your fastest lenses and spare batteries, maybe a water bottle (and your camera.) Wear comfortable shoes as you will be standing a lot. Dress for the weather, which is forecast to be 87 and sunny during the day.
For further Pride info, including parking options: Pride webpage
The parade first turns at City Hall, then from Dorrance onto Weybosset. These are two good photo locations. The final best possibility is the Reviewing Stand, where you'd stay the latest, but get the most night shots.
If you're not interested in the Pride Parade, the Providence Water Lantern Festival is the same night with the lantern launch coinciding roughly with the parade. I think it's actually in Pawtucket, not Providence.
For further Lantern Festival info: Lantern festivalAnd for the truly committed night photographers in the group (and why I might change my location), the night will feature over 4 hours of dark, moonless sky with an 11% waning crescent moon rising at 2:17 AM. (The Milky Way 80% 3 minutes later.) There may be another meetup added, but that will depend on the clouds, on whether we can get someone else to set it up, and whether I have the energy to do it if nobody else steps up. (Frosty Drew is less than an hour south of Providence.)
Remember to check in with your host. And, as always, no guests for the meetup.
