November 15, 2010 - Led by David and Christine Wilkins

We left the Antelope Valley under blue skies and light traffic.  Four of us, Sue Craft, Lee Simmons, Dave and Chris, were headed down to visit the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA. After a quick trip on the freeway we arrived at the concert hall at about 3:30 PM and parked in the garage underneath the hall.  We grabbed our camera gear and went upstairs to street level.  On Mondays there is no concert so there were few other visitors and we almost had the place to ourselves.

We spent the first hour exploring the various nooks, crannies and levels of the property.  The afternoon light of late fall had a warm glow to it, and many reflections, and abstract patterns could be found on the glassy siding of the architecturally unique concert hall.  Parts of the Disney Hall reflect like a mirror.  We followed the light around the building and then after sundown, we took our tripods and set up across the street from the hall to shoot some HDR frames at twilight.  The sky doesn’t get really dark in downtown Los Angeles but we wanted the deep blue evening glow. We also tried our hand at catching the bus and car taillights as they drove past.

The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is in the block next to the concert hall so we went there to catch lights and fountains.  Tripods are not allowed in this area and guards enforce the rule so it was time to improvise and find ways to steady the camera without using a tripod. 

Back at the concert hall the guards suggested the California Pizza Kitchen two blocks down as a good place to eat; it was.  Then back to the car and home by 9.

We all enjoyed sharing photo tips and finding exciting things to photograph.  Thank you David and Chris for putting together another fun trip!

Twelve LPA members met for a late breakfast at Crazy Otto’s in Acton, to fill their bellies with a big breakfast, before heading to the arena to photograph running horses for a few hours.  If you ever go to Crazy Otto’s for breakfast know that two people can hardly finish a half order omelet and a full omelet breakfast has 6 eggs!!!

As the group was sitting there, and the clock struck 10AM… they could hear the whistle of an oncoming train, and then the thunderous roar got louder, louder, and louder, and it sounded like the train was going to come right through the restaurant!  But…  the tables and chairs weren’t shaking.  Oh yea… it was pretend.  The old timers to the AV, had to explain the history of Crazy Otto’s to the newcomers. 

Led by David and Chris Wilkins

Star trails in the night sky; a full harvest moon illuminating the Alabama Hills; moonset over the High Sierra…  all enticed David & Chris Wilkins to put together a LPA field trip.

David did his “prep” work and utilized technology to plan the timing, and places to be. Sunrise/set and Moonrise/set times are available at http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/rs-one-year-us.  Utilizing the program The Photographer’s Ephemeris one can determine where and when the sun/moon are going to rise/drop behind the mountains.

September 10, 2010
Led by Bill & Leslie Sutton

Six LPA members carpooled down to the Long Beach Aquarium on this beautiful Friday morning.  The car pool lane was wide open.  “Friday Light” in all the other lanes was just creeping along, so if you go… take a friend!  The aquarium crowds were non-existent.  All the kids must have been back to school.  Bill found discount coupons for all, so everyone got a break on the entry fee.

The second opportunity to visit  Tropico Mine was a big success, thanks to the 19 earlier risers that attended.  Any trip to Tropico is a good one, that is if all the elements are right.   On Saturday July 31, 2010, the weather was great, the lighting was spectacular, and the company was awesome, what more can one ask for.  Yes, there is one thing, all could have been there.

Thirteen of us made our way down to Descanso Gardens on Friday the 25th of June.  We arrived at 10 AM for the group shot.  Tylene Trout gave a short presentation on the do’s and don’ts of getting the perfect flower shot along with a handout for those of us with short memories. We then made our way individually to the flowers.

On Wednesday, June 16, 2010, Arliss Dawson led 6 of us bleary-eyed photographers (and one late riser) on a "step into the past" trek through Tropico Gold Mine's old buildings.  Arliss had spent the previous three weeks getting in touch with Dennis, the caretaker, and negotiating the date, time, and conditions of our trek.  Only eight were allowed this time but the possibility of future treks remains open.

-- Saturday, April 17, 2010

The LA field trip was long but very enjoyable.

After all the adds and drops we ended up with five members and a guest.

The field trip was actually more like five short trips: the MetroLink down, Union Station, Art Deco Tour, Olvera Street, and the MetroLink back.