Lehigh Valley, PA, USA - Any Groups? Want to form one?

[S.Horton]

Anyone game for a local group in the Lehigh Valley?

Roughly speaking, that would be Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, PA and the region including Eastern NJ, the Poconos (lower) out to Reading, PA or so, south to approx Collegeville.

;)


UPDATE 18 FEB 08:
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*NEW* Lehigh Valley Photography Club
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POTN Inbound thread:
http://www.lvphotoclub.org/forum/index.php?topic=65

Homepage:
http://www.lvphotoclub.org

[PacAce]

Hmm, doesn't look like there's too much traffic here of the ABE folks 'cuz I know there are more than a handful of members who are from the area. :confused:

[S.Horton]

I can dig them up on SmugMug as well, Leo.

There, I can search on the region; a quick look found at least 30.

[Stefan A]

It's a bit far for me. But depending on where you meet, I could attend.

Stefan

[S.Horton]

^^ Cool.

[PacAce]

It's a bit far for me. But depending on where you meet, I could attend.

Stefan

Stefan, a while back, I read an article about a colony of herons nesting on Kiwanis Lake in York.

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=9167&SubjectID=

I've been meaning take a drive down to York to check them out but never got around to it. Have you ever been down there and, if so, how accessible are the herons for photographing?

Thanks.

[johnstoy]

Keep me in the loop... PM me if necessary... I might be able to meet up with some of you guys... I'm in the Poconos, near Hickory Run State Park, Jack Frost/Big Boulder, Pocono Raceway, Penn's Peak, Tannersville Bog...

[tbusciglio]

I'm in. Shoot me a PM to remind me if anything happens.

[S.Horton]

Sounds great.

[Stefan A]

Stefan, a while back, I read an article about a colony of herons nesting on Kiwanis Lake in York.

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/newslette...167&SubjectID=

I've been meaning take a drive down to York to check them out but never got around to it. Have you ever been down there and, if so, how accessible are the herons for photographing?


Thanks for the heads up about that. No, I have not been there (I don't live in the city of York, just the county). I will have to figure out exactly where that lake is and see what's there.

Stefan

[Stefan A]

I found this picture that was taken recently, so I guess it may be worth going there.

http://www.pbase.com/rcm1840/image/76934668

[k2tkn]

Well count me in for interest in Valley activities. Need some local shooting buddies.

[S.Horton]

^^ Bob Piano, from the Dan's Forum. Nice to see you over here!!

[S.Horton]

So, should we try for shooting opportunities as the primary goal?

[PacAce]

So, should we try for shooting opportunities as the primary goal?

Sounds like a good idea although I'm at a loss as to where we can go to shoot. The most obvious places I can think of where we'll be guaranteed something to take pictures of are Longwood Gardens, if you like plants and flowers, and the Philly Zoo, if you like animals. I personally would like to go birding but I don't know of any good places around here. Maybe up in the Poconos area for ospreys and bald eagles?

[stefeb]

Lehigh Valley resident. Count me in. Don't know I'll be available all the time, but it would be great to know of upcoming events.

[S.Horton]

^^ Ok

[sirsloop]

Probably a bit out of my way for a local group, but I shoot horse shows a lot in that area...east of bethlehem

[S.Horton]

Perhaps not too bad, really -- We have no idea where/what we'll be going to shoot!

We're just trying to get a reasonable list togther, see what happens!

[sirsloop]

yeh... add me on the list and if its something east then it may be practical to join in!

[PacAce]

Probably a bit out of my way for a local group, but I shoot horse shows a lot in that area...east of bethlehem

Would those horse shows be barrel races and stuff at the Plainfield riding club? I've shot there a couple of time before.

[sirsloop]

I do mostly (english) dressage, jumpers, and private sittings for portraits. Some western stuff like barrel racing and reining sliding stops certainly look fun to shoot, but I haven't done any western other than one cutting show.

[S.Horton]

On this thread -- Let's post areas of interest.

I'll start.

Technical:
Technique for bird in flight, HDR, post-processing in CS3, charity work.

Current self-assignments:
1. Special Olympics, volunteer photog for Softball
2. Just completed a photo restoration project
3. This Friday: 1st attempt at event photography, local band, indoors (Leo take note; it is about 1 minute from your house)

Why be in the group?
Finally, and most importantly, I would simply like to connect to the local photog community, which will create reasons to go shoot specific events and themes.

Status:
Not professional; looking to shoot as a pro during retirement. I can control the camera and do reaonable PP with CS3, self-assessment on skills is that many of you have forgotten more than I know.

Sam

[jcw122]

I'm from West Chester :)

Not really the Lehigh Valley, but close...ish. Haha.

[S.Horton]

^^

I grew up in Downingtown; I know the city well. Nice place!

You're just over an hour from where I live now (N. Route 100).

[AJ05]

I'm coming in on this a bit late, but I'm in the Lehigh Valley - Emmaus. The next couple months will be hectic for me as I am in the process of moving, but I would be interested in getting together with others from the Lehigh Valley after that.

[S.Horton]

^^ Absolutely! I'm about 5 min from you.

[RinkRat]

I'm originally from the LV, and reside in Perkasie. Most of my family still lives in the LV. I'd like to be part of a GTG, with folks from my general area.

[S.Horton]

k

Nice JAlbum-based site, love you opening line "We're too tired........"

[The Outlaw]

lol i dont get out much... i know im somewhere close to there jus not how close. williamsport PA but im just a noob with slr so i'd prolly have to pass this time till i actaully have some idea what im doing

[RinkRat]

k

Nice JAlbum-based site, love you opening line "We're too tired........"

Thanks.

I intend on changing it, when my kids go off to college. (in 16+ years.)

[PacAce]

lol i dont get out much... i know im somewhere close to there jus not how close. williamsport PA but im just a noob with slr so i'd prolly have to pass this time till i actaully have some idea what im doing

We're about a good 2 plus hours south-east of you if you took Rt. 80 and the PA Turnpike. :)

[The Outlaw]

We're about a good 2 plus hours south-east of you if you took Rt. 80 and the PA Turnpike. :)

damn dunno what i was thinking lol for some reason i had it in my head that lehigh was only 45 minutes or so away. geography never was one of my strong points:lol:

[eternally_bored]

Well, if your looking for a place to go for birds in flight, or nature/landscapes, Hawk Mountain is a great place in the area.

http://www.hawkmountain.org/

There are over 8 miles of hiking trails, and overlooks where you can bird watch- last year, they recorded seeing over 25,000 hawks, falcons and other birds of prey.

http://www.hawkmountain.org/index.php?pr=Map_and_Directions

[S.Horton]

I thought about that this morning, actually (great weather today!) --- I'll check it out!

[The Outlaw]

would any of you happen to know of any small waterfalls near state college or williamsport pa?

[PacAce]

Well, if your looking for a place to go for birds in flight, or nature/landscapes, Hawk Mountain is a great place in the area.

http://www.hawkmountain.org/

There are over 8 miles of hiking trails, and overlooks where you can bird watch- last year, they recorded seeing over 25,000 hawks, falcons and other birds of prey.

http://www.hawkmountain.org/index.php?pr=Map_and_Directions

I've been to Hawk Mountain more than a couple of times and I can't see how you can really get shots of birds in flight unless you are talking about birds in flight as tiny specks in the sky. It could just be that I wasn't at the right place at the right time. Do you know of a particular lookout on Hawk Mountain where the raptors get close enough to get decent shots of them? With a 100-400 lens, that is. I can't see me lugging my 500 f/4 up the trail 'cuz it'd be murder for me. :)

[eternally_bored]

Sorry PacAce, I don't. It's been years since I've been there, so I don't remember. It was just kind of a fleeting thought....the first place that popped into my mind when I thought of a relatively local place with birds in flight. haha But I guess it won't work. Sorry.

[PacAce]

Sorry PacAce, I don't. It's been years since I've been there, so I don't remember. It was just kind of a fleeting thought....the first place that popped into my mind when I thought of a relatively local place with birds in flight. haha But I guess it won't work. Sorry.

No problem. For a moment, I was having high hopes that there actually is a good place on Hawk Mountain to shoot birds in flight from that someone could clue me in on.

According to literature that I've read, Hawk Mountain itself has a lot of "resident" birds that might be worth going over for to shoot. Unfortunately, I'm not that familiar with the mountain to know where to go for that. Hopefully someone from that area or familiar with the mountain can chime in.

[PacAce]

would any of you happen to know of any small waterfalls near state college or williamsport pa?

The only noteworthy one that I know of is Bushkill Falls in the Poconos area but that's also 2 hours from Williamsport.

Take a look here to see if you see anything closer to where you're at:

http://www.waterfalls-guide.com/pa_waterfalls-guide.htm

[S.Horton]

Leo - Did you ever PP your Bushkill pics? I just found mine last night...........

[PacAce]

Leo - Did you ever PP your Bushkill pics? I just found mine last night...........

Yes, I did. I even sent you one of them, remember? :)

[S.Horton]

DOH!

I'm considering Photomatix for the HDR versions........ but they have flowing water, so they look 'odd' in the falls themselves.

Live band outdoors this weekend - want to shoot 'em?

[johnstoy]

The roads leading to Bushkill Falls are under major ongoing daily construction for at least the next two years... (I used to work/and live around there for decades)... On weekends, going North from Interstate 80, it will take at least an additional hour to navigate around Marshall's Creek (Flea Market) by way of Rt. 209 North... Weekdays might be the best and only reasonable alternative...OR:

An alternative route might be to head directly for Shawnee on the Delaware Resort, by way of River Road...And just stay on River Road, past Shawnee, all the way to Fernwood, Tree Tops, and Bushkill... River Road runs parallel with the Delaware River and meanders through the Delaware River National Recreational Area... It's your only salvation around Rt. 209...

[johnstoy]

UPDATE: Latest road conditions report states that:
The Marshall's Creek intersection and two mile stretch of Rt. 209, (a two lane road) handles over 76,000 vehicles daily... This is the main road leading to Bushkill Falls...:(

Until the Marshall's Creek Bypass construction is completed in a few more years, this super heavy traffic will continue... We'll probably need to consider alternative locations...:)

Consider this location for next year: Tannersville Cranberry Bog... Just a few country road miles off Interstate 80... one short exit from Rt. 33N...

Tannersville Cranberry Bog (775 acres) was one of The Nature Conservancy's first preserves.

Links:
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/pennsylvania/preserves/art828.html
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tannersville_Cranberry_Bog

[S.Horton]

Wow.

How are the leaves up there?

[johnstoy]

Wow.

How are the leaves up there?

There is a considerable difference in changes throughout the area...

The extra heavy rain and wind from (yesterday's) Tuesday's thunderstorms blew down a lot of the Maple leaves... The colors are prime in the Pocono Plateau... From around Mt. Pocono to Hazleton, down to Jim Thorpe and back to the Stroudsburg's, the leaves are in their prime...

I'd venture to say that views from "Big Pocono State Park" atop of Camelback Ski Area, should yield a pretty good, colorful panorama...

If it's not too windy the colors will last for a while longer...

[S.Horton]

I'm thinking Beltzville -- That's about as far up as I want to go on a day trip.

Hmmmmmmm....................

[johnstoy]

I'm thinking Beltzville -- That's about as far up as I want to go on a day trip.

Hmmmmmmm....................

Beltsville offers some reasonable panoramas along it's shore line... Most of the nature trails are along the shoreline and therefore in the lake's basin... It's about 20 miles south of me, and I've checked it out a few times with no particular luck...

I would recommend a great view of the Lehigh River and the town of Jim Thorpe from high atop Flagstaff Mountain... This scenic vista is located in the opposite direction from Beltsville and the turnpike exit, heading south on Rt. 209 toward Jim Thorpe... The mileage is about the same, or even closer... Cheers...

[S.Horton]

Hmmmmmmmmm.............

We talk about a group, but between just Leo and me it is hard to pick a time/place and stick to it!

What we do now is just set things up, like a night shoot at the Shops at Saucon Valley:
http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/189315218-L.jpg

A custom car:
http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/207782365-L.jpg
http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/207780779-L.jpg

Bushkill falls:
http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/186938459-L.jpg

A park:
http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/185939336-L.jpg
http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/182807571-L.jpg

Is this the kind of stuff a group does? Pick a place/time, just see who shows up?

[buddy4344]

Hey, I just noticed this thread. I was going to head north to shoot fall colors next Thursday. I was thinking of running all of the way up to Ricket's Glen since I hear they have some nice waterfalls. Any other ideas. I live at the Lehigh entrance area to NE Extension of the T-pike.

[S.Horton]

Steve @ Dan's Camera told me that's a great spot! Enjoy!

[Greyarth]

HI there. I just picked up this thread. Also live in the Lehigh Valley area (Macungie). interested in joining a local group to share photo locations and ideas.
Rob

[S.Horton]

Macungie.....

http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/204757012-M.jpg

http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/204755521-M.jpg

http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/204757626-M.jpg

http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/204758608-M.jpg

I could almost hit you with a golfball. I'm in Zionsville.

[Brodeurman69]

I just noticed this thread and ill actually be moving there within a couple of weeks. It would be great to meet some friendly people who have the same hobby and passion as i do.

[S.Horton]

...looks like we'll have to set up some shooting!

I hope everyone likes food/wine as well!

[crocdiver]

Hey BUDDY4344
I also have just found this thread and Im from the Bloomsburg/Berwick area and Ricket's Glen is beautiful, but with the dry conditions up this way there may not be a lot of water for the waterfalls...you may want to call the ranger station before making the drive. IMO ;)

[buddy4344]

Crocdiver, Great idea. I will give them a call. I head we may have wet weather Thursday anyway.
Buddy

[EdV]

Hi,

I also just stumbled across this thread. I'm live and work in the Lehigh Valley and try to get out to shoot mostly birds and nature almost every weekend. Generally I hit various local spots with at least one or two monthly trips to the Jersey Shore from now through May.

I wouldn't mind getting together with others to talk photography (I still have a lot to learn) as well as shoot.

Anyway, just wanted to drop in and say hi!

[Glennard]

Just saw this thread for the first time...I am definitely down for group get-togethers. I'm probably younger than most of you (19) but I live and work in the valley and don't have anyone to go shooting with ever so this would be awesome. My email is glenn at capsar.com if any of you want to get ahold of me that way :)

[S.Horton]

Ah, the Lehigh Valley awakens!

Cool.

[EdV]

Anything going on locally?

We (my wife and I) headed down Sandy Hook way last weekend to photograph some birds.

And I got out in the Lehigh Parkway with my XT and 24-70 for a short time at lunch today. Here's a couple of images...

I just liked the combination and juxtaposition of colors in this small group of trees in the Robin Hood area.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/EdV_02/019_1_1-13.jpg

The water was so gin-clear that it disappears in this shot of a leaf floating in very still water.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/EdV_02/046_1_1-1.jpg

I often see ducks with butts up but rarely do I see the head underwater. Again the gin-clear water contributing to the shot.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/EdV_02/030_1_1-4.jpg

Not sure what we'll do this weekend but it will be something. Maybe Jacobsburg, maybe the canal, maybe something else.

[S.Horton]

^^ Nice duck! I work about 1/2 mile from where that shot was taken.

[EdV]

^^ Nice duck! I work about 1/2 mile from where that shot was taken.

TIME OUT! So do I. Well maybe just a tad farther. I work at the lab next to the fire station and Queen City airport on Lehigh Street. So I slip out the back door, take Vultee, etc. etc. past Stanley, turn toward Mack and drop down into the Parkway for my lunchtime walks.

[S.Horton]

I'm in the buildings across the street from LVH.

[mikegrasso]

Hi, Just saw this thread. Add me to your list. I would love to meet up with some other members and go out shooting.

Mike

[S.Horton]

Yes, of course!

Now, if we only had some ideas........

[buddy4344]

I saw some shots in Sam's smugmug of wolves up at Lakota. That is an idea for a shot location. I would think fall and winter would both be good. Maybe we could pull off a group rate?
B. Eleazer

[S.Horton]

^^ We'd need it; checked the rates?

Having said that, who's up for the ride?

BTW, thx for the comments on smugmug!

[buddy4344]

Greyarth is traveling on business this week, so I cant speak to him, but I would bet he is in. I am also. We planned to do this anyway.

[S.Horton]

As some of you may know, PACACE ("Leo of the Lehigh Valley") is out with a bad back. Wish him well here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=405862

In the meantime, anyone up for New Hope, PA?
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=405867

[emtp563]

Hi guys. I live in the LV- Wind Gap in particular. I'd be interested in shooting some stuff as a group. Some ideas would be the city of Easton (nice river and bridge stuff there as well as trains), the town of Jim Thorpe would be a great place for shooting, I got some decent night time shots in downtown Bethlehem last year around X-Mas time. They are starting to set up all the decorations and what not now.

[S.Horton]

Leo mentioned today that New Hope has some nice Xmas displays as well.

Lights, night...... Perhaps a very good idea, regardless of location.

[buddy4344]

I know a really good photographer down in Bucks county that shoots a lot around New Hope. Apparently there is a water wheel/mill that is quite photgenic in area as well as several covered bridges that are in the open enough to get interesting angles on them. link to Ruth's shots from that area: http://www.reflectionsbyruth.com/

[mikegrasso]

There are lots of cool things to shoot in New Hope. Let me know I would meet up with some of you.

Mike

[nburwell]

I would certainly be interested in meeting up with all of you if a meet or get together comes about. I'm in Philly, but it's not a bad drive up to Leigh Valley. I am quite busy with work, but weekends typically work best for me. I have a friend that would probably be interested in attending as well. Just keep me posted via PM. I'll try to check back on this thread periodically.

-Nick

[S.Horton]

Well, PACACE and I are discussing NEXT weekend, 1 or 2 December.

Anybody got an idea? Event?

[chestercopperpot]

let me know if something comes up for a get together. definitely looking for some shooting buddies in the area!

[mezorn26]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=419158

[S.Horton]

^^ LV gang - See above link; Philadelphia formal event may be coming together.

[S.Horton]

Hawks are living at the end of the new Rt 222/100 bypass at the Macungie end.

Right at the intersection, there were at least two today.

If you were coming out of Macungie, right at the first light where the bypass 'starts', look right, there's an old building/barn, and they appear to hang around there.

This information is good as of this afternoon.

We missed 'em -- We had a 24-70 on from a basketball game, stopped to capture a shot when one had a kill, it flew, that was it.

Pulling away, we spotted one sitting atop a tree, on the way back one sitting right on the guardrail.

[S.Horton]

POTENTIAL LEHIGH VALLEY / PHILADELPHIA / NY / NJ BIRDING MEET

Bird photography opportunity, Eagles, NE PA:
http://www.eagleinstitute.org/eaglesinourregion/photogallery/photogallery.php

Interested?

[emtp563]

I'm interested.

[buddy4344]

Interesting. Does one need a 600mm or more to shoot, or are they within 400mm range (on a 1.6 crop body) on there events?

[AJ05]

Good afternoon everyone! Just dropped by to check on this thread and to share some news. If anyone is interested, there is a Lehigh Valley Photography Club forming. Their first meeting was yesterday afternoon at the Banana Factory. You can check it out in more detail at the following:

http://www.lvphotoclub.org/

I was at the meeting yesterday. They are trying to schedule the next meeting for Thursday, March 20, 7-9 pm at the Banana Factory.

[S.Horton]

Cool!!

There's someone in the Banana Factory teaching CS3 extensively who is also a photog. Would that happen to be you? (Because, if so, then I get your e-mails)

EDIT: FWIW, website not currently responding -- I'll pop by later!!!

EDIT2: 2:25 PM EST site is up........... kewl!

[AJ05]

Sam - I wish I knew enough about CS3 to teach it. Unfortunately I don't. Maybe I'll see you at the next meeting.

[S.Horton]

^^ See you there!

[emtp563]

Thanks for the news. I'll see you there too.

[S.Horton]

LEHIGH VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHER'S CLUB

If you're inbound from POTN, post 'em up here:
http://www.lvphotoclub.org/forum/index.php?topic=65

;)

[S.Horton]

Thanks for the news. I'll see you there too.

I see you there.

So, I hear we can go shoot the 'drome every Thursday, infield?

[emtp563]

You need a Media Pass to get to the infield on Friday nights, I'm not sure about Thursday nights. I do a lot of photog work for the teams, so they give me Media Credentials every year.

[buddy4344]

Interesting about the LV photo club, but I can't get any of the links to work.

[S.Horton]

^^ Looks like the site is down at this moment.

[waltztj]

Count me in I am from Feasterville and it would be great to shoot with other photogs.

Walt

Keep me in the loop

[djeuch]

Definite maybe, but Bucks Co here too!

[S.Horton]

Kewl.

[alduin]

I think I'm in. I'm going to try to make the meeting tonight, but I'll definitely make an appearance on the LVPC boards some time today. Thanks for this thread, Sam!

[S.Horton]

You're welcome.

I have had no e-mails from the LVPC boards -- Are they still running?

[alduin]

Yep, the boards seem to be alive and well and last night's presentation was quite interesting.

[jcw122]

Has anyone photographed the Trestle Bridge in Downingtown, PA?

[S.Horton]

No, but a good question -- I used to live near that.

How would you get an angle?

[S.Horton]

Today, 12 June, 2008 Dan's Camera has 'Canon Day'

http://www.danscamera.com/

[RinkRat]

Today, 12 June, 2008 Dan's Camera has 'Canon Day'

http://www.danscamera.com/


Bah! Wish I would have seen this message earlier! :mad:

Probably be up there on Saturday.

[S.Horton]

I visited Dan's today -- You can join up for the Dan's night at the Velodrome, shoot from the infield, I think it is 11 July.

On Thursday, 26 June, I do plan to shoot some cycling at the park directly across from the Velodrome (I'm told that's where it is).

PACACE -- will call.