Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025

Time: 12:00 p.m.

Location: Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, CA

The Lancaster Photography Association invites members to an exciting field trip at the legendary Willow Springs Raceway to capture the thrill and beauty of vintage motorcycles in action. Join us on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) for a day filled with high-octane photo opportunities and classic motorsport vibes.

Why You Should Come: This is a unique chance to photograph beautifully restored vintage motorcycles both on and off the track. You'll experience the roar of engines, the blur of speed, and the character of machines that have stood the test of time - all in a dynamic setting that challenges and inspires photographers.

Whether you're into action shots, detail work or candid moments in the pits, this event offers something for every photographic style.

What to Bring:

• Camera with zoom or telephoto lens (70-200 mm or longer recommended for track shots)
• Wide-angle or prime lens for pit and detail photography.
• Tripod or monopod optional
• Sunscreen, hat and plenty of water.
• Comfortable shoes

We will meet at 12:00 p.m. at the designated area (sign up to get details of field trip). This trip is a great opportunity to learn, share tips, and grow your skills.

Come for the bikes, stay for the photography - and enjoy a fantastic day at one of California's iconic raceways!

Sign up by signing in on the website, clicking on the article header, and then commenting in the comment section.

On March 12-14, 2025, John Geldermann is leading a field trip to the Las Vegas Red Flag airplane activities at Nellis AFB, NV. This exercise is expected to run from March 10th to March 21st. They don't work the week-ends. March 12 and 14 are traveling days, but we can meet up for other activities as desired. 

Sign up by clicking on the article header and commenting below the article.

John will be there at 10:30 a.m. on March 13th as the on-site host. We will meet on Las Vegas Blvd adjacent to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway halfway between Gate 6 and Gate 7 (near the "SouthPoint 400" billboard). Look for John's Teal Blue Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Here's the Coordinates (36.270052, -115.003921)

Directions: For those going North on I-15, take Exit 54 (Speedway Blvd/Hollywood Blvd). Turn East (right). Turn Right on Hollywood Blvd. Turn Left on Las Vegas Blvd. Proceed to the meetup point past Gate 6 and halfway to Gate 7. If you are staying near the base, you can set your GPS for the Nellis Main Gate and when you reach Las Vegas Blvd, turn North.

Parking is on the Speedway side of the road. Do not park on the Nellis AFB side of the road. Please note that this whole area is undergoing road construciont, so be prepared for traffic weirdness as you arrive. Carpooling is encouraged since the area will be crawling with photographers. 

Bring food/snacks, drinks, a chair, a long lens (you'll want a minimum of 400 mm of reach). Also bring warm clothes, a hat and sunscreen. Las Vegas temperatures in March are unpredictable. You'll need to drive a couple of miles to take a restroom break. There are some truck stops in the vicinity for breaks and for picking up snacks.

Aircraft typically used during Red Flag include the B-1, B-52, B-2, Tankers, A-10, F-22, F-35, F-15, F16, EA-18G, and more. Be prepared for a full day, especially if you want to photograph the aircraft returning to base.

Rules/Security: Do not go near the base fence line. Stay out of the street.

Hotels: Some of the hotels near the base include the Cannery Casino - Craig Rd., Hampton Inn - Speedway, Best Western, La Quinta, and Comfort Inn. Most of these are on Craig Rd. Of course, there are tons of hotels on the Strip and in Downton-Fremont St.

On Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., LPA is heading down to Santa Clarita Skate Park to photograph skateboarders, BMX riders, rollerbladers, and scooter riders. 

We have an upcoming Action competition, and we want to give you an opportunity to get some great action shots! 

Address: 20840 Centre Pointe Pkwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91350   https://scskatepark.com/

Don't forget to bring water and sunscreen!

Sign up by commenting below.

Saturday, January 25, 2025 there will be a unique opportunity to photograph aircraft flying low through "Star Wars Canyon". We'll be at the place where we shot the Milky Way and star trails last August. For Google Maps, put in Father Crowley Overlook. It is about 2-1/2 hours from the Antelope Valley.

There is a group of pilots, called "The Privateers", who will be flying a variety of planes through the canyon at low altitude. This is the closest thing to a guarantee you'll have of seeing planes do this. There is no set schedule or list, but we expect the planes to come through in the morning.

Andrew plans on being there by 8AM. The only "services" available at the site are a National Park-style pit toilet. NO cell signal, no anything.

Bring snacks (bag lunch), water, a chair, a camera. a long lens (200-500, 150-600 or comparable) and your patience. Dress in warm layers. There's a paved parking lot, and a dirt road that takes you out along the edge of the canyon. It's a rocky road with sharp rocks.

Possible aircraft to come through are an Antonov An-2 biplane (complete with horn), Aero L-39 Albatros jet trainer, Fouga CM.170 Magister jet trainer, privately owned Northrop F-5 fighter, maybe more. It will likely be a handful of planes (More than 1, probably less than 10).

Here are some examples of what we'll see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5x_mzKEzts

https://youtu.be/usYI1IgqWi8?si=IYkYcs_UD6Y0SyME

There are zero guarantees here. Plans change, airplanes break before they can take off, but the chances this day are better than most. Think of it as fishing, but at a well-stocked lake.

SIGN UP BY LOGGING IN AND MAKING A COMMENT 

On Sunday, November 17, 2024, Lancaster Photography Association will be going to a calf roping event in Agua Dulce. We will have the opportunity to take some great photojournalism and human interest photos and spend time learning from each other as we photograph this event. 

You will need to bring:

        Camera

        Medium-range lens (70-200 or similar)

        A stool or chair

        Water, sunscreen/hat

We will meet at 9:00 a.m. at JPK Arena, 9233 W. Sierra Hwy, Agua Dulce, CA for a group photo and then spend a few hours photographing the horses, riders and calves during the event. 

See you there!

Sign up by clicking on the article header and then commenting in the comment section. 

LPA is excited to be taking a field trip up to the Eastern Sierras from Thursday, October 17 through Saturday, October 19, 2024 to photograph the fall colors! We will make our base camp in Bishop. Bishop is a great small town with Schatt's Bakery, Laws Railroad Museum, and many hotels and restaurants. Make your reservations now as the hotels fill up for fall color enthusiasts. Motel 6 and Best Western Bishop Lodge are next to each other, depending on your price range.

On Thursday, October 17th, we will meet at 12:00 p.m. at Carls' Junior in Bishop, CA. and spend some time up Bishop Creek and the lakes there, visit the Fish Slough petroglyphs (as time permits), and meet for dinner.

Highlights on Friday, October 18th will be June Loop, Lundy Canyon, Bodie State Historic Park, and Mono Lake at sunset with star trails for those interested.

Saturday, October 19th, we will check out of our hotels, meet for breakfast, and then venture up to Convict Lake, Mammoth Lakes and Hot Creek for more beautiful views, before heading home. Time permitting, there are several stops on the way home you can enjoy - Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery, Manzanar, Alabama Hills, etc.

The weather will be unpredictable, with moderate days and very cool nights, so plan accordingly. Layered clothing is recommended.

Bring your camera, wide to telephoto lenses, a tripod, remote shutter, extra batteries and memory cards as needed, portable chair (for star trails), plenty of water and sunscreen.

Sign up by commenting below!

On September 14, 2024, Andrew Lewis will be leading a field trip to Debellis Ranch in Acton. The ranch grows many vibrant blooms for cutting, and has a beautifully preserved 1966 Southern Pacific caboose and other rustic decor decorating the area. There are many bees and butterflies to photograph as well. Our main focus will be macro photography, but bring a wider lens for scenic photos of the ranch.

Debellis Ranch also allows you to cut

your own flowers if you are interested in taking a bouquet home with you ($20-35). 

 

Bring your camera and lenses (macro and 24-70 or similar) along with a tripod, small diffuser, etc.

Time: 4:30 p.m.

Place: Debellis Ranch, 32538 Aliso Canyon Rd., Acton, CA 93510

Sign up in the comment section below (click on the article header and the comment section will appear at the bottom of the article)

 

Andrew Lewis is leading this field trip. Contact him for any questions.
Please sign up by commenting - Click on the Header of the article and then comment at the bottom.