Karen Keating, a member of Multiple Exposures Gallery, will be exhibiting new images from her most recent trip to Cuba, in April 2011. more

Responding to a request for proposals, Bill and Linda Lane are holding a workshop near Marlinton, West Virginia from June 20-23 and are offering a $100 discount to NVPS members. They plan to  shoot along the Greenbrier River Trail, the... more

Responding to a request for proposals, Nikhil Bahl has plans to offer three workshops to NVPS members at a reduced rate.  The three workshops are:1.  MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY BOOTCAMP, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VADates and Schedule: April 21-22, 2012The workshop will... more

On February 7, NVPS will welcome back one of the area's most accomplished natures photographers, Joseph Rossbach.  Joe has been photographing the landscape for over fifteen years. Joe's photographs and articles have appeared in a number of books, calendars and... more

This workshop is for beginners and advanced photographers alike. Ed will discuss and demonstrate the visual design principles used in his compositions and their role in the creative process. He will also discuss and demonstrate "creativity" from two broad... more

Tom Burden and Melanie Marts, co-VP's of Competition, are pleased to host Peter Manzelli as competition judge. There is no theme for this month. Please upload your digital images by the deadline, as per the current instructions on the... more

The Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens in Druid Hill Park in Baltimore is a real gem. This location comes with the recommendation of our own Josh Taylor.  The 1888 Palm House is very photogenic both inside and outside. This image... more

Members Gallery on February 28th, 2012 will include a digital presentation by Mike Whalen and prints by Dan Ward. Join us for their presentations immediately followed by February's forum presentation. more

Greg will speak about the history, current status and future of Nature Visions. Kip's presentation will be "Evolving as a Photographer: Small Adaptations for Becoming a Better Photographer" more

Longwood is a feast for the senses in any season - it is one of the best horticultural exhibits on the East Coast.  And, having gone there, some of our members can attest that the Orchid Extravaganza is an excellent... more

Maple syrup and candy comes from the sap of maple trees.  The sap runs in late winter and is harvested in March.  The Highland Maple has been an annual event in Highland County, Virginia, since 1958.  Each year, thousands of... more

Always use your lens hood. It minimize lens flares from light entering at angles outside of your frame. You should not only use in bright daylight, but always, night photography, studio photography, etc. Not only will in prevent stray light and lens flares but it can be a helpful preventative of touching or bumping you lens. I never ceases to amaze me how many new photographers have their lens hood on backwards, this not only doesn't help you, but it makes it hard to zoom or manually focus your lens. It's fine to store your hood on your lens backwards, but turn it around and use it properly when taking images. It's an easy way to ensure you are taking the best image you can.

Using a hood can get in the way of using circular polarizer's and some pop-up flashes, but these are the exceptions.  I set my polarizer and then put the hood back on.  I use off camera flash whenever possible also.  The use of Lee filters & Cokin filters don't work well with your hood, however they do have hood like attachments for these filters.

Try not to use a generic replacement hood if you lose yours, but spend a few extra bucks and get the genuine replacement, it has been designed to work specifically with your lens.