On Sunday, August 9, Lancaster Photography Association invites our members to come out and practice your action and human interest photography skills during this exciting local field trip. We know it is kind of last minute, but it will be worth it!

The California Desperados will be having a Mounted Shooting Practice from 9:00 to about 12:00. They will be doing drills and running stages. It is a great opportunity to capture some great action images in the arena and human interest shots as they prepare their horses and get ready for the event. 

Location: Vincent Hill Arena - 554 Sierra Hwy, Acton, CA

When: Sunday August 9 at 9:00 a.m. Meet for group photo and then you are free to roam.

What to Bring: 

• Camera
• 70-200 or equivalent
• Extra battery, memory card
• Stool to sit on
• Water, sunscreen, hat

Sign up in the Comments to attend the field trip! Click on the Article Title to bring up the Comment section.

On Saturday, October 24, 2026, Lancaster Photography Association will be heading down to Hollywood Forever Cemetery for their annual Dia De Los Muertos Celebration. We will have a grand time together learning about human interest/travel/portrait photography. All levels of photographers are welcome!

You must purchase your tickets on-line before the event. It does sell out, so make sure to purchase early! LINK TO TICKETS

We will meet at approximately 12:00 at the front entrance for a group photo and then explore the cemetery for wonderful costumes, performers and displays! There is so much to photograph. It should be a great time with unique photos around every corner! MORE INFORMATION

You will want to bring a wide-angle lens and perhaps mid-range (70-200), extra batteries and memory cards, water, sunscreen, and a hat (the weather may still be warm).

Parking is available in the Paramount Lemon Grove Structure, for the shortest walk to the cemetery.

Let us know you will be attending by commenting in the Comments section below. 

Lancaster Photography Association will be hosting a fall color field trip to the Eastern Sierra area from Wednesday, October 14, 2026 to Friday, October 16, 2026. We will stay in Bishop and travel to various photo opportunities from there. 

Please make sure to get your hotel reservations early. Fall is a busy time of year for the Eastern Sierras. Motel 6 and Best Western are next door to each other and both are recommended, based on your price point.

Photo adventures will include the Bishop Creek area and lakes, Convict Lake, June Loop, Bodie Ghost Town, Mono Lake, Owens River and Hot Springs, and any other spots we happen upon.

Wednesday, October 14, we will meet at 12:00 p.m. at Carl's Junior in Bishop, CA and head up Bishop Creek to Lake Sabrina, South Lake, North Lake, etc. We will come back down for dinner and hotel check-in.

Thursday, October 15, will include Convict Lake, June Loop with several stops, Bodie State Historic Park, and Mono Lake at sunset with hopes of better star trail weather than last time we went.

Friday, October 16, we will check out of our hotels, meet for breakfast and then possibilities include Hot Creek, Fish Slough Petroglyphs, etc.

If you will be attending, please sign up by commenting in the Comments section below. We will be sharing further information with those who sign up. 

On July 31, 2026, Lancaster Photography Association is hosting a tour of Tejon Ranch at sunrise.

Rise before the sun and join fellow photography enthusiasts for an unforgettable morning on one of California's most iconic and storie landscapes - Tejon Ranch.

We will meet at 5:30 a.m. at approx. 300th West north of Highway 138 for an amazing tour!

We will park our vehicles inside their gate and climb aboard their vehicles for a guided tour of the area, climbing high into the mountains. Bring a jacket in case of cool temps and/or wind.

Cost: $45.00.

What to expect:

• Stunning sunrise light over open landscapes
• WIldlife and nature photography opportunities
• Scenic vistas and wide-open terrain
• Great company and a shared love of photography

Space may be limited (18 spots) - reserve your spot today.

Bring:

• Water and snacks - the tour will last approximately 6 hours.
• Sunscreen, hat, 
• Camera gear - camera, wide angle lens for landscapes, telephoto lens for wildlife and birds, possibly macro for flowers and insects.
• Extra memory card and batteries.

Those who have registered will receive an email a day or two before the tour with additional information and the Pin for the meeting location.

To register: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/lancaster-photography-association-tejon-ranch-tour

On July 9-10, 2026, Steve Kochie is leading a field trip to the Bristlecone Pine Forest. We will plan on getting to the Schulman Grove Ranger Station at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 9th to take some late afternoon photos of the Ancient Bristlecone Pines and scope out where we want to set up. 

Be aware - there will be no cell service.

At dusk we will start taking some astrophotography images of those same beautiful 4,000 to 5,000 year old trees. with some lightpainting, milky way, and star trails in the images. The moon (almost new moon) does not rise until 1:04 a.m., so the skies will be dark.

It takes about 3-1/2 hours from Lancaster to reach the Ranger Station where the trees are located. If you are coming from Big Pine, it takes about 45 minutes to the Ranger Station, which is about 9,500 feet in elevation. The park charges $3.00 cash per person or $6.00 per car. Children under 18 are free and America the Beautiful Passes are accepted for fee entry. You can check into your hotel and then head up the mountain. There are 3-4 motels in Big Pine, so make your reservation soon to ensure a room. There is also Grandview Campground 5 miles from the Ranger Station if you are into camping.

Be sure to bring warm clothes, flashlights, tripod, a chair, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, snacks, and water, since there is not much available at the trees. The park closes at 10:00 p.m., but they keep the gate open, so we can be there as late as we want, before heading back to the hotels in Big Pine for some rest. The next morning, we will grab breakfast and discuss possibly stopping at Alabama Hills or Whitney Portal on the way home for some extra photos if there is interest (and temperatures cooperate).

If you have any questions, call Steve at (720)436-9094 or Kathy at (661)317-1884. 

Please sign up for the trip by commenting underneath this article. Click on the article title to access the comment section.

Header image: ID 3775051 © Dennis5514 | Dreamstime.com

 

On June 20, 2026, Lancaster Photography Association is planning a photo adventure to the historic Biltmore Hotel and the bustling sidewalks of Los Angeles for street photography. 

This field trip offers us the opportunity to photograph one of Los Angeles' most iconic landmarks and explore the rich visual storytelling opportunities found throughout downtown's urban landscape. From elegant interiors and grand staircases to historic buildings, colorful murals, and candid street scenes, we should all find endless inspiration.

Transportation - We will meet at the Lancaster Metrolink station by 8:00 a.m. (Train leaves at 8:11) and ride down together. This will allow us to relax, socialize and avoid the challenges of downtown parking. Purchase your SoCal Day Pass for $10.00 online that morning for access to Metrolink and LA Metro all day.

 

 

Photo Opportunities:

    Biltmore Hotel

•     Historic architecture and design
•     Ornate ballrooms and public spaces
•     Elegant lighting and interior details
•     Architectural abstracts and symmetry.

    Downtown Street Photography      

•     Urban landscapes and city life
•     Landmark buildings - LA Public Library, The Last Bookstore, St Vincent Court
•     Street performers and local culture
•     Reflections, shadows, and creative compositions
•     Candid moments and visual storytelling

WHAT TO BRING: Camera and favorite street photography lens (don't bring a lot of gear), extra batteries and memory cards, comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, water, sunscreen, and a sense of curiosity and creativity!

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On May 23, 2026, Lancaster Photography Association will be hosting a field trip to see the Oak Creek Wild Horses near Tehachapi.

This herd of wild horses is on private land and is only accessible with permission, so this is a great opportunity to photograph them up close. It is truly a magical experience to spend time with them. They are reasonably comfortable with people around, but you will have to sign a Release of Liability to be able to visit them. There are more than a few new babies!

These horses are unbranded and free-roaming for at least 100 years. They are possible descendants of animals released by or escaped from early ranchers, miners, soldiers, or Native Americans. They bear a strong resemblance to the Morgan horse breed.

Where: We will meet at the gate on Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road and Oak Creek Road on the left (just past Cameron Canyon Road on the right). We will meet at 9:30 to sign release forms and then enter around 10:00 or earlier. We will email a map to those who sign up.

How much?: $10.00 per person. We need to cover the cost of alfalfa that Diana will bring with her to coax the horses closer. This cost is based on 10 people attending, but more attendees is better, as it helps Diana to cover costs in caretaking this herd. 

Bring: Camera, wide-angle and medium telephoto lenses (24-70 and 70-200 or similar), extra battery and card, water, hat, sunscreen.

Higher clearance vehicles are recommended, but the road is reasonably well-maintained. We can car pool in once we are inside the gate as need be.

Please make sure to sign up if you are going, so that we have a good head count to let Diana know.

Please sign up for the field trip by clicking on the header for this article to make the comments section appear, then sign up in the Comments. You need to be a current LPA member to log in and sign up.

 

On May 9, 2026, Lancaster Photography Association will be taking a field trip to a local fire station, Station 129, for their Fire Service Day Open House.

Where: 43110 6th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93534

When: Meet at 10:00 - open until 3:00

What: Fire apparatus demos, including helicopter drop, jaws of life, dousing a car fire, etc. Great opportunities for Photojournalism and Hum

an Interest photos. 

Bring: Camera, wide angle and medium telephoto lenses, extra battery and card. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and water. It will be a warm day.

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