Ian J. Plant will be our NVPS Program speaker for September 2, 2008. Ian has been photographing the natural world for fifteen years and is known for his dramatic and evocative landscape and wildlife images. His work has appeared in a number of books and calendars, as well as national and regional magazines, including Outdoor Photographer, National Parks, Blue Ridge Country, Adirondack Life, Wonderful West Virginia, and Chesapeake Life, among others. His sixth and most recent book is the critically acclaimed Chesapeake: Bay of Light. An Exploration of the Chesapeake Bay's Wild and Forgotten Places. Ian's work has also appeared in five books of the Wonder and Light series. Ian is co-owner of Mountain Trail Press, a publisher of nature photography books and calendars. Ian also leads photo workshops and tours through Mountain Trail Photo. For more information, and to see more of Ian's work, visit www.mountaintrailphoto.com.

Ian'stalk is titled, "Beyond the Rule of Thirds: Composing Landscape and Wildlife Images" The venerable "Rule of Thirds" is often the first composition guideline that photographers learn, but too often it is also the last. Ian will present a program about the art of landscape and wildlife composition, discussing several techniques that will allow you to take your photographs beyond the Rule of Thirds. Ian will show images from around the country to illustrate the techniques he discusses. Ian will also have available copies of his books and calendars for sale and signing.

Ian and his wife will be joining us for dinner at Chili's, located at 8051 Leesburg Pike, behind Tiffany & Co., and YOU'RE INVITED! If you plan to attend dinner, please notify Mary O'Neill at mary.m.o''neil "at" gsk.com at 703-216-9340.