Upcoming Events
MAPV Begins!
“Mid-Atlantic Photo Visions (MAPV) is a premier photography event that has been showcasing the talents of local photographers since 2003. This annual event, organized by eight dedicated photography clubs in the Mid-Atlantic region, serves as a platform for artists to connect, learn, and share their passion for photography. With a focus on community engagement, MAPV attracts a diverse audience of 500 to 600 participants, including vendors and educators, making it a must-visit event each November.”
Nov '26 Speaker Series
Scott Setterberg is an award-winning professional photographer with 35+ years of experience and the founder of ColorTexturePhotoTours. He leads small-group photography workshops and private tours throughout Costa Rica, Oregon, and Washington, combining immersive field photography with personalized instruction and post-processing education. Scott's photography celebrates the diversity of the natural world, with a particular passion for landscapes, waterfalls, coastlines, wildlife, and extraordinary natural environments.
Dec '26 Speaker Series
Join professional photographer Jeff Mauritzen as he shares the secrets on how best to document wildlife and diverse ecosystems around the world. (Read more on the Events page.)
Dec ‘26 Competition
Genre: Autumn
The autumn season is a season full of color, and change. Images should capture the essence of autumn: trees turning color, fall festivals, pumpkins, changing weather, etc. Images may focus on the natural aspect of the turning of seasons, or the human and cultural aspects of the season.
Key Visual Elements
Foliage & Textures: Images often focus on the intricate details of individual leaves, their veins, and the "colorful carpet" they form on forest floors.
Atmospheric Conditions: Photographers frequently seek out mist and fog to create "moody" or "ethereal" scenes, as these conditions naturally saturate colors and simplify busy backgrounds.
Reflections: Still bodies of water, like lakes or even puddles, are used to create symmetrical compositions that double the impact of vibrant autumn hues.
Contrast: Effective shots often pair warm foliage colors (reds and yellows) with complementary cool tones, such as a crisp blue sky or dark, wet rocks, to make the subjects "pop".
Jan '27 Speaker Series
Mike Moats is an international award-winning, professional macro photographer from Sterling Heights, Michigan. Mike's love of photography, which started out as a hobby in 2001, has since evolved into a full-time business. In addition to creating his own images, Mike added "Close-Up/Macro Workshops" into the mix in 2006, and he now also makes speaking appearances at photo conferences nationwide,… (Read more in the event description.)
Jan ‘27 Competition
Leading Lines - Leading lines refers to a technique of composition where the viewer of your photos attention is drawn to lines that lead to the main subject of the image. A leading line paves an easy path for the eye to follow… (Read the full description on the events page.)
Feb '27 Speaker Series
Having grown up in Detroit, Marie couldn’t wait to travel the country and explore beautiful places. After college, she hit the road and spent several years doing just that. One of the most memorable things from that trip was her purchase of a real camera which marked the beginning of a rewarding journey learning the craft of photography….. (Read more on the events page.)
Feb ‘27 Competition
Theme: “Macro/Close up”
Judge: Cory Hilz
Macro/Close-Up
The photograph should be taken from a position very near the subject. Generally, this means that the lens should be focused at or near its closest focusing position. The use of screw on close up filters, extension tubes and macro lenses is permitted.
Macro photography is the art of capturing extreme close-ups of small subjects, making them appear life-size or larger in the final image. It typically achieves a magnification ratio (or higher), where an object is projected as or larger on the camera sensor. This technique reveals intricate details, such as insect eyes or plant textures, that are often invisible to the naked eye.
Key Characteristics and Techniques:
Magnification Ratio: True macro photography starts at 1 to 1,(life-size), but many lenses offer up to 2 to 1 or even 5 to 1 magnification.
Working Distance Because subjects are tiny, photographers often work at very close distances, necessitating specialized macro lenses, which usually have focal lengths between 50mm and 200mm
Depth of Field: Macro photos often have a very shallow depth of field, which requires using narrower apertures to get more of the subject in focus.
Essential Equipment: While dedicated macro lenses are best, beginners can use extension tubes, close-up filters, or even reverse a standard lens to start. A tripod is crucial to prevent blur caused by slight movements.
Common Subjects: Insects, flowers, dewdrops, textures, and small products are popular subjects.
Cory’s Brief Bio:
Photography is my way of sharing with others how I see the world around me and provides me with an artistic escape from my day job as an aerospace engineer. My photos are mainly from adventures traveling the US and hiking in various parks, where I enjoy the challenge of finding interesting shapes and juxtapositions in nature and making the most of situations I discover.
I find that the little scenes often overlooked by others are the ones that fuel my photographic creativity. I am always looking beyond the obvious and photographing the things that others might not even notice like an acorn sprouting, the patterns made by rust and faded paint on an old automobile, or textures in the windblown sand on a local beach. Sometimes the most amazing images are right there under your feet.
I enjoy teaching others and sharing my passion and I am available to speak or judge at your camera club. I have been praised for my constructive critiques and ability to tailor my feedback to different levels of photographers.
Mar '27 Speaker Series
My name is Seth Hamel and I'm a professional landscape photographer, but my journey into photography started in the world of rock climbing. Capturing climbers in motion, suspended high above the ground, ignited my passion for photography. Over time, my lens began to widen,….(Read more in the event description.)
Mar ‘27 Competition
Long Exposure - Long exposure photography involves using a slow shutter speed to capture the passage of time. By leaving the camera's shutter open for seconds or minutes… (Read more on the event description page.)
Apr '27 Speaker Series
After spending 25+ years working as a Sports Illustrated photographer, I wanted to change what I did and still keep my passion for photography. I will talk about haw I transitioned my career from Sports / Action / Portrait photography to Landscape / Nature and workshop photography.
Apr ’ 27 Competition
Photo by Sue Bloom.
Looks Like a Painting
A photograph that appears to be a painting. This effect could be achieved in-camera or through post processing techniques. We have all seen photographs that when first viewed appeared to be a painting. This can be accomplished through composition, … (Read more on the event description page.)
Oct ‘26 Competition
Theme: “In My Yard/Neighborhood”
Judge: Kristi Odom
Brief Bio:
Kristi Odom is a Nikon Ambassador, award-winning wildlife photographer, filmmaker, and conservation storyteller. An Associate Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, her work is driven by one goal: using powerful visual storytelling to protect wildlife and the places they depend on.
With a background in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Sydney, Australia, Kristi blends technical expertise with an intentional, emotion-driven artistic vision into some of the most challenging environments on Earth. Her photography has been recognized by National Geographic, Nature’s Best, and other leading organizations for their emotional impact and conservation value.
In addition to her fieldwork, Kristi is an in-demand keynote speaker and educator who speaks globally for organizations, conferences, and brands including Nikon. Through her keynotes, public speaking, workshops, and conservation filmmaking, she has helped raise large-scale funding for conservation efforts supporting ecosystems from mangroves and grasslands to pollinators and alpine species like pikas, while amplifying the work of scientists, local communities, and conservation organizations.
Through education, keynotes, and workshops, Kristi encourages photographers to lead with their own love and connection to wildlife and create visuals rooted in that passion. Her goal is to help others use visual storytelling to amplify care, inspire real change, and protect the extraordinary planet we share.
Oct '26 Speaker Series
Speaker: Kristi Odom
Topic: Bugs, Birds, & Plants
From the patterns on a dragonfly’s back, to a bird in flight, to mushrooms growing, there truly is beauty all around us. Some of the most incredible subjects to photograph can be found right in our own backyards, local parks, and nature trails.
In this talk, Nikon Ambassador Kristi Odom shares tips and techniques for using macro and telephoto photography to photograph bugs, birds, and plants in creative and personal ways. Through stories, images, and lessons from the field, Kristi will explore different camera techniques, ways to find and approach subjects close to home, and how curiosity and experimentation can help you put your own unique voice into your images.
The goal is not only to strengthen your camera skills, but to become a more confident photographer, storyteller, and artist while discovering just how much beauty is waiting right outside your door.
Looking forward to seeing everyone on October 8!
With gratitude,
Kristi Odom
Photographer / Public Speaker / Nikon Ambassador
Associate Fellow at the International League of Conservation Photographers
Click to read Pika story for National Geographic
Brief Bio:
Kristi Odom is a Nikon Ambassador, award-winning wildlife photographer, filmmaker, and conservation storyteller. An Associate Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, her work is driven by one goal: using powerful visual storytelling to protect wildlife and the places they depend on.
With a background in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Sydney, Australia, Kristi blends technical expertise with an intentional, emotion-driven artistic vision into some of the most challenging environments on Earth. Her photography has been recognized by National Geographic, Nature’s Best, and other leading organizations for their emotional impact and conservation value.
In addition to her fieldwork, Kristi is an in-demand keynote speaker and educator who speaks globally for organizations, conferences, and brands including Nikon. Through her keynotes, public speaking, workshops, and conservation filmmaking, she has helped raise large-scale funding for conservation efforts supporting ecosystems from mangroves and grasslands to pollinators and alpine species like pikas, while amplifying the work of scientists, local communities, and conservation organizations.
Through education, keynotes, and workshops, Kristi encourages photographers to lead with their own love and connection to wildlife and create visuals rooted in that passion. Her goal is to help others use visual storytelling to amplify care, inspire real change, and protect the extraordinary planet we share.
Kristi’s website: https://www.kristiodomfineart.com
Accepted images announced for MAPV
Be sure to check your email folders for news about your submitted photos. If not in your inbox, check the trash, spam, promotions, etc.
Sep ‘26 Competition
Theme: “What I Did This Summer”
Our first competition of the year will be a photo taken this summer. The image must have been captured between 26 May 2026 and 22 September 2026. The image can be of any subject and must comply with our updated Competition Guidelines. It can be any genre as long as it fits the title. You may enter color or black & white photos. To know more about how to enter a photo into competition, please go to the tab above, “Competitions”. You’ll find all you need to know. But if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to someone on the Board or another member.
The judge will be Brian Zwit
Brief Bio:
Over 40 years ago, Brian discovered that photography provided a powerful means for expressing his vision of the world. Over the years, his love of the outdoors and photography as well as an aptitude for computer technology have morphed into a passion (some would say obsession) for capturing the elegance and majesty of the unique landscapes and flora of the United States. While the pursuit of nature takes him all over the country, he favors the west, northwest, northeast, and mid-Atlantic and, wherever he is, his love of hiking and backpacking takes him far beyond populated areas into settings which few people visit.
In addition to landscape photography, Brian is always experimenting with other genres of photography and has accumulated thousands of architectural, dog, and city and street life images. During the pandemic, Brian learned filmmaking and is working on a couple of film projects; in 2024, he became enamored with instant photography and now owns way too many instant cameras. Brian’s images are in private residences and corporate offices and have appeared in regional magazines. Corporate clients have also used his images for promotional and internal publications.
Brian has been teaching workshops, field trips, and classes and speaking to camera clubs, schools, and other non-profits as well as for profit entities for over fifteen years. He has taught Lightroom to over 1,000 students. Brian is well-known for his ability to distill complex topics to their essence and explain them in simple, easy to understand ways and is a recognized expert in digital workflow with Lightroom, Photoshop, Nik software, and other editing applications.
Brian believes that the most important tool a photographer possesses is their creativity and willingness to put in the effort to capture an image. Equipment can sometimes help to capture an image, but truly great images are the results of creativity and perspiration. This philosophy extends to post-processing with a willingness to delete images that don’t meet the photographer’s standards.
Brian has degrees from Purdue University in chemical engineering, the University of Houston Law Center in law, and Northern Virginia Community College in photography.
Extra Event!
Audrey Gassman will be hosting a tutorial image processing event. The event will be via zoom using one of your pictures. She will use your picture to demonstrate post processing using Adobe Lightroom. If you want to learn more or just a refresher, this would be a great way to increase your Lightroom skills. Kenn Weir will provide a link in the next email to submit a file and include the zoom link. Your photo should be posted by September 15th.
Please respond to Kenn’s first email dated August 11th (or the Board) if you are interested in submitting a file or just watching the demo. This way Kenn can plan an appropriate amount of time for the event.
All paid members are invited to participate.
Judging of submitted photos for MAPV begins
https://midatlanticphotovisions.org/competitions/
Rejected images submitted after this date cannot be replaced
You are still able to submit images, but if rejected, you cannot fix and replace them after this date.
Nature and Photo Art Competitions Open
You may begin submitting photos for MAPV. Check website for due dates. https://midatlanticphotovisions.org/competitions/
2026 Competition Schedule
Wednesday, August 5 – Nature and Photo Art Competitions Open
Wednesday, August 26 – Rejected images submitted after this date cannot be replaced
Wednesday, September 2 – Last day to submit images
Friday, September 4 – Judging begins
Wednesday, September 23 – Judging ends
Monday, September 28 – Accepted images announced
Save the date: End of Year Picnic
Club members, please join us for the End of Year Annual Picnic! We will be having our Annual Meeting at which time we would like to accomplish a few things:
1. Make the following amendments to our bylaws, which would reflect better our current situation and operations. The proposed changes all relate to Article VI
(“Officers and Duties”)
Section 2 - To propose that we change the officer term length from one year to three years with no more than two successive terms.
Section 5 – To propose we make the Secretary/Treasurer into separate positions as opposed to one position.
Section 6 & 7 - To propose we combine the Speaker Coordinator and Competition Coordinator into one position.
Section 9 – To Change “Secretary/Treasurer” to “Treasurer” only.
2. It is that time of year again to raise your hand to help manage and lead the club. We are looking for volunteers for the following positions (for descriptions, please see the attached bylaws)
a. Vice President
b. Speaker Coordinator / Competition Coordinator
c. Treasurer
d. IT and web design
Please nominate yourself or another willing club member for this role. When nominating others, be sure to confirm their desires beforehand.
Looking forward to seeing you on June 7. Ribbons will be awarded to the winning photos of the season. Topics for next year’s competitions will be revealed!
Please bring an appetizer to share. Drinks will be provided.
Competition: My Best Photo of the Year
This is last year’s Best Photo of the Year for Loudoun Photo Club. Now it’s time for you to search through your best for THIS year!
Competition: Floral
Judge: Lori Lankford
“AS A LIFELONG GARDENER, I’M ENDLESSLY CAPTIVATED BY THE QUIET MAGIC AND LUSH BEAUTY THAT UNFOLD IN EVERY SEASON OF THE GARDEN. THE WAY LIGHT DANCES ACROSS PETALS, THE RICHNESS OF COLOR AND TEXTURE, THE SMALL DETAILS MOST PEOPLE PASS BY — THAT’S WHERE MY HEART LIVES.” Lori’s Portfolio https://lorilankford.com/portfolio
What is Florial Photography? For our competition, this is the definition we will be using:
Floral photography is a subject focusing on capturing the beauty, texture, and form of flowers, ranging from intimate macro close-ups to stylized still-life arrangements.
It could include:
Macro Photography: Emphasizing delicate, hidden details in petals and stamens.
Floral Still Life: Creating artistic compositions using vases, backdrops, and controlled lighting to create a "portrait" of a flower.
Environmental/Nature Studies: Capturing flowers in their natural habitat to show context and environment.
Abstract Interpretation: Using focus, color, and unconventional angles to create artistic, sometimes unidentifiable, images of flowers.
LPC Speaker Series: Gary Hart
For more about Gary Hart: https://www.garyhartphotography.com/about-gary
Competition: Pan or Zoom Motion
Pan or Zoom Motion Judge - TBA
In photography, panning is the technique of horizontally (or vertically) rotating the camera from a fixed position to track a moving subject, resulting in a sharp subject with a blurred, motion-streaked background. Zooming involves altering the lens's focal length to change magnification during a shot, creating a, dramatic, "zoom burst" effect.
Key Aspects of Panning and Zooming:
Panning (Motion Technique):
Goal: Conveys speed and dynamism by keeping the subject in focus while blurring the background.
Method: Uses a slow shutter speed (e.g., 1/30 to 1/60) while rotating the camera at the same speed as the subject.
Types: Horizontal (most common for cars/runners) or vertical (for falling or jumping subjects).
Equipment: Often done with a tripod for smooth motion, though it can be done handheld.
Zooming (Lens Motion):
Goal: Adjusts the field of view to make subjects appear closer or farther away.
Zoom Burst: A creative technique where the photographer changes the focal length (zooms in or out) during a long exposure, causing light streaks to radiate from the center of the frame.
Distinction: Unlike panning, where the camera body moves, zooming changes the optics while the camera body remains stationary.
Difference: Panning changes the viewpoint(rotating), while zooming changes the magnification(focal length). Both are used to add creative motion to still images.
Panning photography: capturing creative motion - Adobe
How to capture a moving subject on a blurred background. Motion can be incredibly difficult to capture on camera, but when panning...
Adobe
What Is Pan and Zoom Effect & Common Camera Movements ...
Dec 13, 2022 — Part 1: What Is Pan and Zoom Effect? Pan and zoom are two common and different camera movements in film-making and video productio...
Medium
7 Basic Camera Movements - Pan, Tilt, Truck & More
May 15, 2019 — A pan (or panning shot) is when the camera sweeps horizontally from a fixed position, either left or right. Derived from “panorama...
(From META AI)
Speaker - Lights for stills and video - Ross Stansfield
You’ve been asking and we are delivering! The meeting will be an in-person meeting at the Loudoun County Public Library in Ashburn for dues-paying club members.
March’s Speaker Night will be Ross Stansfield who will be talking to the club about lighting for stills and video. Ross has also been involved in motion picture production since 1990, as a Director, Producer, DP and Editor creating TV spots, commercial films , short films, music videos and a documentary on Raymond Loewy. Ross was Co-producer and Cinematographer for two films for the 2013 George Mason Idea series shown at the Patriot Center as part of the Inauguration of the new GMU President Angel Cabrera. He co-produced, shot and edited a PSA for APVote.org with the Director Robert Rodriguez. He recently was the Gaffer on 6 episodes of “Man at Arms Reforged” near Baltimore. For more of what Ross has been involved in, please check out his webpage: https://www.rsprod.com/about
Shoot! Preserve! Explore!
This will be a joint meeting in February with the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, with guest speaker Tom Ramsey! . A few more details are below:
Join representatives from three of Loudoun County’s wildlife, wild land, and photographic resources for an informative and enlivening evening .
Tom Ramsay of The Image Center will present his photography showcasing the many exceptional Loudoun locations (including one’s own backyard) for capturing unique and outstanding photographic images … or just enjoying a leisurely communion with nature.
More details to follow in an email to club members, including how to RSVP.
If you are not currently a dues-paying club member and would like to join the Loudoun Photo Club, please check out details on our home page or from the link in the menu bar.
LPC Speaker Series -Mollie Isaacs: Pan or Zoom Motion (or ICM): KICKIT UP A NOTCH! Creative techniques to boost your enthusiasm and your skills
Boost your creativity and have more fun! This program by Mollie Isaacs of
Awake The Light Photo Workshops will help you do just that. There are so
many creative options available these days that it is hard to choose what to
pursue. Why not learn some that are quick and easy, and result in fantastic
images! Mollie will show you several techniques that you can do with your
camera, OR with readily available software. And an added benefit is that it will
help you prepare images for the upcoming club competition on Panning /
Zooming / ICM (intentional camera movement).
LPC Speaker Series - The Importance of Post Processing (Erik Hagemann)
The Importance of Post-Processing
The physical world is the same for all; however, our interpretation of the world is individualized by our accumulated experiences. Photography, as an art form, is a vehicle to express those visions.
Photography is inherently a two-step process. Images are captured to an intermediatemedium and then rendered for display. Until the 1990s, capturing and rendering images required the skills of an amateur chemist and required resources and space that only a few could manage. These constraints convinced many to opt for the simpler process of batch development and printing offered by machines and photo labs.
The creative aspects of making a photograph mirror the mechanics. In the capture stage, the photographer frames the subject, arranges the light, and chooses the camera settings to optimize the scene. In the development stage, the photographer shapes the image to their unique interpretation.
Digital democratized the darkroom and allows more photographers to participate in the totality of the creative process. Learning and exercising skills in post-processing are foundational to expressing your photographic vision.
Background
After a 37-year career in public sector engineering and organizational strategy, Eric Hagemann is focused full-time on uncovering dynamic and thought-provoking images of the diverse landscapes of the Western US.
Eric primarily works in monochrome to be free from the constraints of color. All of Eric’s work is VerifiedHuman® level 4 or 5, he does not use generative AI in any of his work.
Awards
Gold, Black and White, ReFocus, 2025
3rd Place, Dodho Magazine, Best Photographer of the Year 2024
Honorable Mention, Monochrome Awards 2024
Nominee, Spider Awards, 2024
Honorable Mention, PX3, 2024
Leica Mastershot, 2022
Contact
410|707|5940
Competition: High Key / Low Key - Judge: Ross Stansfield
High Key / Low key
While Low-Key photography plays with deep shadows and selective highlights, High-Key photography is characterized by bright, nearly shadow-free atmospheres. These two techniques form a strong visual contrast but are often used for similar subjects—such as portraiture, still life, or even architectural photography.
LPC Speaker Series -Nikhil Bahl - “Photography Unbound”
Photography Unbound
In this program, Nikhil invites you to break free from traditional photographic conventions and explore a world where creativity knows no limits. The presentation challenges you to see beyond rules, encouraging experimentation with composition, light, and storytelling. Through inspiring visuals and insightful lessons, you'll discover fresh approaches to crafting impactful images. Embrace uncertainty, rethink perspectives, and unlock new possibilities in your photographic journey. Nikhil invites you to redefine what a photograph can be—expressive, unconventional, and uniquely yours.
LPC Speaker Series- Lisa Langell
Lisa Langell
Langell Photography
A nature photographer and birder from the age of eight, Lisa is the founder of Langell Photography, LLC. (http://www.langellphotography.com). She started her business in 2010 after long vibrant careers as a floral designer, educational psychologist, consultant and in helping launch and manage two startups that grew into leading companies in the Ed-Tech space. Since then, she has earned numerous awards and has been published in Outdoor Photographer, Arizona Highways, Ranger Rick, Images Arizona, and more. She is an Image Master for Tamron Americas, an Ambassador for Fotopro Tripods, and is a judge for ViewBug.
Lisa loves creating nature photography and art that is inspired by her background in psychology and design. When Lisa isn’t having fun making photographs, she’s thriving on teaching photography—both via engaging online/webinar-based classes and in her in-the-field sessions. She specializes in Alaska, Florida, Arizona and beyond. Her humility and passion for teaching and photography shines through! Lisa provides photographers with memorable, fun, and caring experiences that enrich, invigorate and expand photographers’ skills and portfolios in wonderful ways.
Mid Atlantic Photo Visions
Come and immerse yourself in a weekend of photography, inspiration, and hands-on creativity? Mid-Atlantic Photo Visions (MAPV) will be held November 1–2, 2025 at GMU Mason Square, Arlington, Virginia—with a full slate of off-site shoots, workshops, presentations, and more. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned shooter, there’s something to light up your photographic passion.
Entrance to the event, its vendor area, and gallery of juried images is free.
Presentations and workshops require tickets that can be purchased in advanced or at the door.