Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup

NOTICE: The park is open until 8:45 PM for Sunset Closing
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanical-gardens/events/sunset-in-the-gardens-845pm-closing

Sunset is 8:25 PM

Fees: $5 for ages 6-17 & ages 55+, $9 for ages 18-54, and free for ages 5 & under

We will meet at the visitor center.

Bring Water, Tripod, comfortable shoes, fully charged batteries, and empty cards

There is no specific route in this park. Folks are free to wander around the trails in the park at their own pace.

Check out Rob Trek's video from May 16, 2021: https://youtu.be/QwNR_TuxM4Y

For dinner, after the field trip around 8:30 PM, we will head to Anita's New Mexico Style Restaurant, 521 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3T7gw87tjvVuwDT96

Share only your very best, most interesting shots after the field trip, and keep it down to between 5 and 10 photos.

Beauty, conservation, education, and discovery flourish throughout the year at this 95-acre complex of large ornamental display gardens and unique native plant collections. Walking trails, lakes, more than twenty varieties of cherry trees, irises, peonies, an extensive shade garden, native wildflowers, gazebos, birds, butterflies, seasonal blooms, and foliage create a sanctuary of beauty and nature.
https://www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens/

By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I am also agreeing to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees, and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.

Shenandoah Reverse #drifting #driftnirvana

https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/drift-nirvana-reverse-sc-june-7-summit-point-shenandoah-circuit-554408

$15 online and $20 at the door per person
https://events.summitpointmp.com/products/june-7-2026-drift-nirvana-reverse

Event Schedule (subject to change):

7:30-8:45 Tech and Registration
8:45 Driver's meeting
9:00 - 12:00 Hot Track
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch break
1:00 - 5:00 Hot Track
5:00 End of Day

There is a place to have lunch at the track that is not too bad...
See cars race around the track and burn rubber like in Fast and Furious.

Bring: Water, fully charged batteries, empty cards, a tripod, and comfortable shoes

Share only your very best, most interesting shots after the field trip, and keep it down to between 5 and 10 photos.

By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I am also agreeing to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.

What Three Words Address:
///reporter.seasonings.clarifying

Located west of Frederick, MD, visit a small-town Independence Day celebration including fireworks at 9:30 PM over a pond.
https://www.middletown.md.us/index.asp?SEC=AD6329B9-FD42-4DD6-95F2-1F11DBA8774B&DE=877367B7-4A01-4A6F-A1FF-B0BE65E0A3BD&Type=B_EV&mobile=false

Here are some photos I took in 2013:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsjGuqsXA

It does help to have a wide lens, as you can get to see more of the reflections. The lens I used above is an 18mm.

Here is a quick take on how I photograph fireworks:

1. Have the camera on a tripod
2. Use a wide lens as wide as you can get, as the fireworks will show up as reflections in the pond
3. Set the ISO to 100
4. Set the aperture to f/11 or f/14 - The higher the number, the smaller the aperture and the thinner the lines in the fireworks
5. Set the shutter speed to Bulb
6. Focus on infinity
7. Have a remote trigger to not shake the camera
8. As soon as you hear the sound of the firework going off, press the trigger to open the shutter
9. Wait for the burst of the firework and close the shutter
10. In some cases, you can leave the shutter open to capture multiple bursts
11. Be careful for the grand finale, as it gets bright fast, and you don't want to leave the shutter open very long

By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I am also agreeing to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees, and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.