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Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup cover photo

Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup

Annandale, VA, US

2,860 members · Public group

Organized by David Crooks and 2 others

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What we’re about

This is a group of folks of all levels who enjoy getting out, exploring, and photographing the great nature around us by visiting local parks in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland around the I495 Beltway. We are planning to provide ways to get together to learn digital photography techniques and do some portrait and street photography. There is a Facebook Group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/286732975305378

I wrote the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup Group Guide Book which lists 25 locations that the group has visited. There is an Info to Know section with links for directions and information about the location, plus photographs I have taken at the locations. Here is the link to the paperback book and Kindle version: https://cutt.ly/VBPMGB_Amazon The website for the Guide Book is https://cutt.ly/VBPMGB and has an Update and Errata document that lists the changes in the Guide Book since it was first published.

Upcoming events (4+)

Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 8:00 AM ESTPhotograph Architectural & Street Photography in Alexandria
Starbucks, Alexandria, VA
We will meet at Starbucks (2459 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22314) You can find street parking ($3.95 for 2 hours) or $8 paid parking lot across the street.

See photos I took from earlier this month. There are lots of interesting modern buildings in Alexandria. From the various Carlyle Towers, and Meridian Condos, to the District Courthouse. There's also the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum.
We'll start out near the Starbucks and then work our way up to the District Courthouse. Along the way, you'll have lots of opportunities to capture these structures and do some street photography.

There is plenty of street parking and relatively inexpensive parking at the Parc Meridian at Eisenhower Station Metro.

Photo Tips:

Bring the widest lenses you have. Fisheye lenses offer an interesting perspective.

Be conscious of keystone and perspective. For straight lines, make sure your camera is parallel with the front of the building.

Front doors are a key element in architectural design. They are usually centered and will help you get good symmetry.

Look for geometry where buildings overlap. Triangles, rectangles, and circles.

Try doing multiple exposures to capture different angles and overlap them.

By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I also agree 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.
9 attendees+4
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 4:00 PM ESTPhotograph Glen Echo Park
Glen Echo Park Parking, Glen Echo, MD
Please note that although the park address is 7300 MacArthur Blvd., the main parking lot is near 5900 Oxford Rd., Glen Echo, Maryland. Then walk across the bridge to the park.

Glen Echo Park is home to a community of artists, educators, dancers, & performers who share their knowledge and expertise with more than 350,000 people each year.

The Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture manages the arts and cultural programs and maintains the historic buildings at the Park.
Popcorn Gallery & Stone Tower Gallery

The Popcorn Gallery is located on the first floor of the Arcade Building, across from the carousel. The Stone Tower Gallery is located on the Stone Tower's first floor, next to the Glen Echo Park neon sign.
Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Park View Gallery
The Park View Gallery is located on the second floor of the Arcade Building.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

GLEN ECHO PHOTOWORKS
Gallery Hours
SAT: 1–4 PM & SUN: 1–7 PM
Darkroom & Digital Hours:
SUN: 1–7 PM
GLEN ECHO PARK, MD
T: 301-634-2274
https://glenechopark.org/

Afterward, we could have a meal at the Silver Diner in Tysons Corner (8101 Fletcher St, McLean, VA 22102).
7 attendees+2
Mon, Jan 20, 2025, 7:00 AM ESTFree National Parks Day - Shenandoah Sunrise
Needs location
Information - Weather Permitting, I will be going! I may arrange a carpool if interested. Keep an eye on the comment section.
This is at least a 1/2 day trip. We won't be back until 2 or 3pm.

PLEASE READ EVERYTHING BELOW:

Car Pooling: The best place to meet for carpooling is at the Stringfellow Park and Ride: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WNNeMbNnmbFYfSKx8
The first stop in Shenandoah is about 1 hour 30 minutes away, so you need to leave the parking lot by 5:30 a.m. to see the sunrise.

Monday Jan. 20, 2025: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply).

This is a great opportunity to visit Shenandoah National Park for free.
One of the best and closest places to watch the sunrise is
Hazel Mountain Overlook
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fus4A7YT6w1cB6Hq8

After the sunrise, we will proceed by car to the following overlooks.
Pinnacles Overlook https://maps.app.goo.gl/RJB1jzacDPmDX6wv7
Stoney Man Overlook https://maps.app.goo.gl/r4D5A8xLdFcA8nk76

Then we will drive 21 minutes and park at the
Dark Hollow Falls Trailhead
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zSczLkvz6Ah7FBFo6

It's a 0.7 mile hike downhill to the waterfalls. Going back is uphill so it will take longer.
Dark Hollow Falls
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HbBZ1yVghHR59xgEA

Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center
It's just a few minutes drive from our last stop. Here they have nice bathrooms and a shop with a deli. I don't think the shops & deli are open.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/D4iJ5n2ewv2wKNbd7

Big Meadows
This is across the street from the Visitor Center. It's pretty nice during the spring, but a bit plain in the winter. You may want to get a picture anyway.

Food, Water, Gas, Cell Phones
Bring something to eat and drink. I don't think the shops and deli will be open at the visitor center. Same goes for the gas station here. Make sure you have a full tank of gas. Cellular service is also pretty bad. You can get a signal at some of the overlooks from the towns below. But most of the time there is no signal.

On the way back home, we can stop here:
The Black Twig Diner
https://maps.app.goo.gl/D4iJ5n2ewv2wKNbd7
https://www.theblacktwigdiner.com/menu

Legal:
By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I also agree 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.
9 attendees+4
Sat, Jan 25, 2025, 7:00 AM ESTDawn Over the Potomac River
Windmill Hill Park, Alexandria , VA
The sunrise is amazing. Parking is FREE. Beautiful views of the Potomac River. And then there is Wilkes Tunnel. What more could you ask for?

See photos I took earlier this month in the photo section.

Meeting spot and Parking
We will meet in front of Wilkes Tunnel next to Windmill Hill Park Volleyball Court. I put a pin on the map pointing to free street parking on S.Union St. It's right in front of Wilkes Tunnel. There's also street parking along Gibbon St.

Itinerary:

7:00am to 7:15am - A shot of Wilkes Tunnel before 1st light.

7:15am to 7:45am - A short walk to Shipyard Park for sunrise!

7:45am to 9:00am - A medium walk to Old Town Alexandria Waterfront for morning Golden Hour. There are many photo opportunities of the Potomac River, Marinas, and the boardwalk.

9:30am Drive 5.4 miles to IHOP for breakfast.
7694 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22306
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WE2ArjPWEAwLGJeV6

Recommend Gear:

Super Wide angle lenses to capture the entire sky

Standard 24-70mm zoom lenses

Tripod for long exposures because it will be dark!

Photo Notes:

It will be dark, so tripods and self-timer are highly recommended for sharp shots.

There's a photo opportunity to get morning joggers and flying seagulls in silhouette against the sunrise.

Look for ways to frame the sunrise between pillars and over piers.

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge is a little far off, but can make for a nice shot too.

Legal
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.
14 attendees+9

Past events (645)

Wed, Jan 1, 2025, 9:30 AM ESTRangers at the Refuge: Tundra Swans
This event has passed
8 attendees+3

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