Lakewood Ranch Digital Photography Club upcoming events

Same Subject as Both Silhouette and Shadow - Capture * Catch * Create (October 01, 2026)

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

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Capture * Catch * Create

Your photography doesn’t have to take a holiday just because you do. Wherever the road leads, the Club’s quarterly Capture * Catch * Create challenges give members a way to stay engaged – seeing our diverse world with fresh eyes, sharpening their skills and occasionally stepping outside their comfort zone to capture people, subjects and places they might otherwise have overlooked.

Objective/Challenge: Create dramatic images of the same subject as both a silhouette and a shadow … where the use of light will be radically different. Whereas silhouettes require a light source behind the subject (backlighting) to create a dark shape, shadows require a light in front or to the side of the subject to project its shape onto a horizontal or vertical surface. Both techniques strip away unnecessary detail … allowing shape, form, and composition dominate. This simplicity, while drawing the eye, leaves room for the viewer’s imagination to fill in the gaps.

Your images can be created outdoors or in a studio while your subject might be of one or more people, objects found in nature (trees, animals, rock formations) or things which are man-made (buildings, cityscapes, bridges).

When: Photos should be taken between October 1st and October 31st.

Where: Wherever you are at home or traveling across the country or abroad.

Registration: There is no registration for this “on your own” field trip. Just head out and shoot at your own schedule. Afterwards, join us on Zoom (details below) to share your photos and see what others captured. The Zoom can also be a learning experience for you.

Upload: Up to two (2) sets (a total of 4 images) of your most interesting, and creative photos on or before Wednesday, November 11th by clicking here: Upload

Post Field Trip Zoom Meeting: A follow-up Zoom meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 16 at 6:30 PM to share and discuss the Silhouette and Shadow images members have captured and uploaded. This will also be an opportunity to discuss any challenges members encountered in capturing their images. A separate email with the Zoom Meeting link and final meeting details will be sent in late October.

Suggested Equipment:

- Camera: Mirrorless, DSLR, or Cellphone
- Lenses: Your choice of lenses will depend on your selection of subjects.
- For smaller subjects you will likely want a shorter focal length lens (24-50 mm)
- For larger subjects a mid-range focal length lens (50-120 mm)
- If shooting more distant subjects such as a building a longer focal length zoom lens will likely be our best bet (150-500 mm)
- Tripod and Remote Shutter Release: May be helpful depending on the subjects you elect to focus on.
- Flash: Feel free to employ a fill flash or other artificial light source.
- Accessories:
- Extra Batteries and Memory Cards: Always advisable.
- Air Blower and Microfiber Cloths: To remove dust or smudges from lenses.

Tips for Creating Silhouette and Shadow Images (PDF)

Representative Photos:

Captured in Two Separate Images

Captured in a Single Image

Don't be shy ... give it a try Challenge your photography skills, experiment and plan to create both a Silhouette and a Shadow photos of one of more subjects ... the opportunities are endless.

Organizer contact: If you have any questions contact Dick Newbert at dick42@comcast.net or (215) 378-1565).

ZooTampa at Lowry Park Field Trip (October 23, 2026)

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

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ZooTampa at Lowry Park Field Trip

When: October 23rd, 2026; Rain date: October 26th, 2026

Where: ZooTampa at Lowry Park, 1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604

Time: Meet at 9:15am at zoo entrance. Zoo opens at 9:30am.

Lunch at 12:30pm in the Safari Pizza Co. in Africa. They offer more than pizza! https://zootampa.org/visit/dining/#safari-menu, scroll down to Safari Pizza Co. and click on “View Menu”.

Liability Notice: Please join us at your own risk. The Lakewood Ranch Digital Photography Club is not liable for any injury or damage resulting from participation in this event.

Background: ZooTampa is an award-winning zoo. It is a leader in the rescue, rehabilitation, care and release of Florida species.

ZooTampa originated in 1930 and has grown to the current 56 acres.

What to Expect:

An amazing, lush tropical setting with naturalistic habitats that provide up-close connections with animals from around the world.
The photo-ops begin in the Manatee Circle just beyond the entrance where a flock of Macaws will fly over your head at 10am and 2:30pm.
There are five different areas to explore: Asia, Africa, Florida, Australia and Primates. (See map: https://zootampa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ZooTampa-Map_AugSept-26.pdf)
The primates are always fun to photograph.
The Lorikeet Landing (enclosure) in Asia will provide up-close photo-ops of the Lorikeets. You can also buy food to feed them.
For an extra fee ($14-95-$34.95), you can participate in a signature encounter: Manatee Critical Care Center Tour, Greater One-Horned Rhino, Giant Tortoise, African Penguin, Giraffe, African Elephant. (Detailed information: https://zootampa.org/visit/encounters/)

Tickets: https://zootampa.org/visit/admissions/

12 Month Membership (plus one guest): $134
Zoo Fun Ticket: $51.95 (free admission till 12/31/26; block-out days apply)
One Day Ticket: $51.95
Advance Purchase Ticket: $48.95

Extras:

Download the ZooTampa app for a detailed map with live walking directions, audio tours, event schedule, etc.
Watch Nat Geo WILD “Secrets of the Zoo” collection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICKhzUFp-B0&list=PLNxd9fYeqXeZDQdhmOcBtyfjJ9XktQlOF&index=1

Recommended Equipment:

Camera (Mirrorless, DSLR, Cellphone)
70-200mm lens for animals in close enclosures
100-400/600/800mm lens for animals farther away from you
Tripod/Monopod (optional)
Black silicone lens hood for the new water exhibits
Polarizing filter for afternoon photos
Water
Hat
Sunscreen

New to Photography? Don’t hesitate to ask for help with your camera settings. We all started somewhere and asked for help.

Post Field Trip Zoom Meeting: Within a few days after the field trip, all registrants will receive an email invitation to a post-trip Zoom meeting. Instructions for uploading photos will be included.

For more information:

Lynnette Beecher lbspicegirl@gmail.com, 614-749-6393 or

Nancy Restuccia pomlover@optonline.net, 917-526-2814.

Florida International Airshow Field Trip (November 08, 2026)

Sun, 08 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT

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Florida International Airshow Field Trip

When: Sunday, November 8, 2026. Gates open at 9am; show begins at noon.

Where: Punta Gorda Airport, 28000 A-1 Airport Road, Punta Gorda

What: Florida International Airshow https://www.floridaairshow.com/

What to Expect: The 2026 Air Show is set to feature thrilling performances by the F-35 Lightning II Jet Demo Team, Aarron Deliu, Kevin Coleman, Franklin's Flying Circus, The Chuters Jump Team, and more. Performer lineups are subject to change, so please check the FAQs for the latest updates: https://www.floridaairshow.com/faqs

We're announcing this field trip early because Photographer Packages are already on sale and tend to sell out fast. Photographer tickets are reserved for photographers only.

Expected Costs: Photographer tickets are $88.36 (taxes and fees included) and place ticket holders in a designated area for unobstructed shooting. Free parking is included, and food vendors will be on site.

General Admission tickets for Sunday, Nov. 8 are: Adults/13+ - $46.45; Children ages 2-12 - $17.25; Seniors/Veteran/Active Duty Military - $41.04. Prices do not include taxes and fees.

Tickets are non-refundable, and the show will go on, rain or shine.

Purchase tickets here: https://www.eventsprout.com/event/fias-nov2026

Liability Notice:

Please join us at your own risk. The Lakewood Ranch Digital Photography Club is not liable for any injury or damage resulting from participation in this event. Let's be careful out there!

Register and Purchase Tickets:

We strongly recommend purchasing your Photographer ticket as soon as possible, then registering on the club's website so we can keep you updated.

Recommended Equipment:

Your favorite camera body
Lenses:

A moderately wide-angle (24–70mm)
A 70–200mm, which will cover nearly all shooting opportunities
A super zoom—up to 600mm—for tight frames

UV filter for bright sun (optional)
Tripod (optional)
Chair
Hat, sunscreen, and bug repellent

Weather Contingency: Event organizers have confirmed the air show will take place rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable.

New to Photography? Don't hesitate to ask for help with camera settings—we all started somewhere, and we've been in your shoes.

Post-Field Trip Zoom Meeting: Within a few days after the field trip, all registrants will receive an email invitation to a Zoom meeting, along with instructions for uploading your photos.

For More Information or Questions: Pam Truitt, pamelagtruitt@gmail.com, 941.350.6660

Same Subject as Both Silhouette and Shadow - Capture * Catch * Create - Zoom Meeting (November 16, 2026)

Mon, 16 Nov 2026 23:30:00 GMT

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Please join us to review and share your Same Subject as Both Silhouette and Shadow images and experiences (see below).

Everyone is invited to join us during this Zoom Meeting ... whether or not you went on the field trip.... on Monday, November 16, 2026 at 6:30 PM.

Upload: Please limit your upload to two (2) sets (a total of 4 images) of your most interesting, and creative photos on or before Wednesday, November 11th by clicking here: Upload

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 898 6230 6010

Passcode: 413692

Please include your Metadata and personal Watermark, if possible. Make sure to Title the Photos with your First and Last Name along with a Sequence Number starting with 1 as being first photo to review. Photos should be a maximum of 3820 pixels on the long side and no more than 5MB.

Contact Information: If you have any questions contact Dick Newbert at dick42@comcast.net or (215) 378-1565).

Your LWRDPC Field Trip Committee