What we’re about
The Bend Photographers Meetup Group aims to bring all levels of photographers together through shooting, sharing, and socializing in order to help them to improve their skills and expand their knowledge and passion about photography.
We began in 2008 as a focal point for local, aspiring photographers to come together to share, learn, network and explore their passion for photography. We are a welcoming, inclusive group of photographers ranging from beginning through professional levels of skill. We emphasize an interactive development of our skills through a diverse blend of classes, outings, socials, and photo reviews. We emphasize both the technical and artistic aspects of photography. We foster learning as a community of photographers through shooting, sharing, and discussing our photos.
Come join us!
FEES
Membership fees: to cover admin costs and purchase equipment and supplies to directly support members: $50 (365 days). Membership fees will restart in September 2024. 45 DAY FREE TRIAL.
Event Fees: We rarely charge for event fees. If we funds for an honorarium or something like big photocopying expenses, we may charge a small event fee, like $5.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY PLANNING AND TRAINING DISCUSSIONBig E's Sports Bar and Grill, Bend, OR
Bird Photography is one of the most popular and accessible ways to capture wildlife images. Outings to locations in the region have been very popular in the past. As we transition into the peak Winter and Spring bird watching seasons, we're planning another bird photography planning meeting and training session.
First, we will cover key bird photography locations, best times to visit, and other useful information for joining group outings or planning individual trips. An open discussion format will be followed so members can provide helpful information to supplement the presentation.
Second, as time allows, we will provide information on tools, techniques, and tips for improving the quality of your birding photos. Discussions of equipment and processing tools and techniques will supplement the presentation. If necessary, we will provide an additional training session.
The Bird Photography Planning and Training Meeting will be held in The Hall of Fame Room at Big E’s Sports Bar and Grill. Social “hour” begins at 6pm; program starts around 6:30pm. Food and drink are available in the bar adjacent to where we meet. While the owner appreciates our use of their services, you are not obligated to purchase anything.
Access to The Hall of Fame Room is primarily through the bar. Access to The Hall of Fame Room is also possible through a West entrance to the Hall of Fame Room which faces Jiffy Lube. FYI, since Jiffy Lube closes around 6pm, parking in their lot should be possible for those arriving close to 6:30pm.
Hall of Fame Room inside
Big E's Sports Bar and Grill (Grover Building)
1012 SE Cleveland Ave, Bend, OR 97702Google Maps:
https://goo.gl/maps/2JJcwB5BYWzK9Ss38 - PHOTO CHALLENGE ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW: LIGHTSBig E's Sports Bar and Grill, Bend, OR
Hi Folks,
Tim L. here. We're continuing the Series of Photo Challenges. The next theme is timely for around the holidays and around town during the darkest months of the year--LIGHTS.
Again we are assigning a theme for the Photo Challenge about a month in advance before we review the photos you submitted.
This theme is wide open and can work well to showcase your imagination.
- Natural Lights or Man-made lights
- Sharply focused, blurred lights, bokeh lights
- Classic or creative lights
- Scenic or abstract lights
- Reflected lights, refracted lights, diffused lights
We'd love to see your creativity and what you come up with. Any camera or phone can be used.
We'd love for you to go out and capture some three (3) photos to submit (3). While you can also send in a relevant photo (s) from your archives, the hope is that you get out and take some fresh images for the challenge. If you are like me, I find it easy to get in a routine with my photography. Assignments like this can help challenge how we approach photography. Embrace the nudge!!
The Photo Challenge Photo Review will be held in The Hall of Fame Room at Big E’s Sports Bar and Grill. Social “hour” begins at 6pm; program starts around 6:30pm. Food and drink are available in the bar adjacent to where we meet.
Access to The Hall of Fame Room is primarily through the bar. Access to The Hall of Fame Room is also possible through a West entrance to the Hall of Fame Room which faces Jiffy Lube. FYI, since Jiffy Lube closes around 6pm, parking in their lot should be possible for those arriving close to 6:30pm.
Hall of Fame Room inside
Big E's Sports Bar and Grill (Grover Building)
1012 SE Cleveland Ave, Bend, OR 97702Google Maps:
https://goo.gl/maps/2JJcwB5BYWzK9Ss38PHOTO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
The "general" rule for submitting photos is 48 hours before the meeting. This allows time to receive them, confirm by email their receipt, and timely add the photos to the evening slideshow. The size limit per email received is 25MB. For best results for the slideshow display of the photos, their size should be between 1 and 10MB each. Up to THREE photos can be submitted to the following email address:
- Overnight Klamath Basin Birding TripFred Meyers parking lot, Bend, OR
THIS HAS BECOME A TRADITION!!
We're planning another overnight trip in February for a birdwatching/wildlife/landscape/caving photography outing. We will again be staying at Winema Lodge which provides close access to the venues.
The largest concentration of bald eagles in the Lower 48 states typically occurs on the Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuges in February. We are scheduling toward the end of February when the days will be longer and hopefully warmer.
The centerpieces of this outing are the Lower Klamath Lake National Wildlife Refuge: the nation’s first waterfowl wildlife refuge and nearby Tule Lake NWR. The area provides the potential to see and photograph hundreds or thousands of wintering snow geese and the large numbers of raptors and other birds in the area. If you have never seen a flyout when hundreds or thousands of geese take flight together, photos cannot duplicate the experience. While most flyouts occur around golden hours, bald eagles can start flyouts at any time.
You have a few options when attending this outing:
• Come with us on Friday morning and stay two nights
• Join us on Friday night and stay two nights
• Join us on Saturday morning and stay one nightACCOMMODATIONS
We’ll be staying at the Winema Lodge, adjacent to the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge. You will need to call LOYAL at 530-667-5158 to make motel room or lodge room reservations to reserve a spot. Tell Loyal you are with the Bend Photography Group. IF you are NOT staying both nights, let both Loyal and me know.
Here’s a link showing an overview of the wilderness lodge. https://www.winemahistoriclodge.com/
The accommodations are very basic but clean and pleasant. The advantage of staying there are 1) proximity to the NWRs, 2) hot dinners onsite, and 3) a very comfortable great room with fireplace for all to relax and visit in the evenings.
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Motel Rooms (10). Combinations of doubles, singles; 1 queen and 1 single. 5 rooms have 3 beds. 5 rooms have two beds. Each has private bathrooms, microwave, and refrigerator. They are $90 a night plus taxes. If you wish to share a motel room, it will help if you work this out with another member attending. These rooms are in high demand and early reservations are recommended.
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Lodge Rooms (3). Two sleep 5; 1 upstairs sleeps 3. Lodge rooms are an economic alternative. They cost of $125 will be divided up between the number of room occupants. Refrigerators are available for those in lodge rooms.
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In addition, there are several RV spots at the lodge with full hookups. The cost is $40 per night. However, remember, sub-freezing nights can occur at this time of the year.
COSTS
- Accommodations
After signing up for the Meet-up, you must reserve a room by calling LOYAL at 530-667-5158, You do not need to give a credit card number to hold either a room or bed. Loyal requests at least 48 hours to cancel. If cancelling less than 48 hours before arriving, Loyal will charge a $25 fee.
- Meals
We will finalize meal options, preferences, and prices in January prior to our trip. This includes an option for a hot breakfast buffet on two mornings.
In the past on Friday and Saturday Night, we had a group dinner together. Everything is served Family Style. Entrées and prices for each night to be determined.
Saturday and Sunday Continental Breakfast (cold breakfast)
These meals are complimentary and available for several hours. Most of us grabbed coffee or tea before going out in the morning to shoot and returned to breakfast later.Sack Lunches
We still need to confirm if sack lunches will be available.- Transportation Costs
We anticipate ride-sharing where passengers make courtesy contributions to those driving to offset their fuel costs.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
Friday, February 21
07:15 AM Meet in Parking near fuel pumps, Bend Fred Meyer.
07:30 AM Leave Bend Fred MeyerOn Friday, we'll meet at the Bend Fred Meyer and stop in La Pine again for south county members if we have any. We'll stop in Klamath Falls to view the birds at Putnam Point and near the Favell Museum downtown where we expect to see night herons. From Klamath Falls, we’ll travel to the wildlife refuge auto-tour routes. We primarily follow the auto-tour routes with limited walking.
On Saturday, we head out to the locations we scouted for geese gathering the night before. Or, members can choose their own itineraries (catch the sunrise, take a hike, stay in one of the blinds for awhile, etc... See Points of Interest below).
On Sunday, explore in the morning before checking out of the Lodge and returning to Bend.
NEARBY POINTS OF INTERESTS
Petroglyph Point
http://www.nps.gov/labe/learn/historyculture/rockart.htmAn extensive petroglygh collection along the base of a former island in the ancient Tule Lake. Home to a number of birds of prey.
Tule Lake Segregation Center/Camp
http://www.nps.gov/tule/index.htm
Home of the largest World War II segregation/internment CampLava Beds National Monument
http://www.nps.gov/labe/index.htm
The visit to the caves can be a very popular alternative to other events.Tule Lake NWR Visitor Center. A new center opened in 2024.
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/tule_lake /Enjoy early morning or sunrise at one of the blinds along the pleasant trails in Discovery Marsh or look for the Barn and Great Horned Owls on the ridge near the visitor center.
Early Morning Raptor Flyouts Bear Valley
http://www.klamathbirdingtrails.com/sites/34bearvalley.shtmlWhile the refuge which the nesting bald eagles leave each morning has restricted access, the eagles can be viewed en-route to their feeding areas.
Night Sky Photography
Star trails anyone? There is low light pollution in the area and the moon will set early during the days when we’re there.
Equipment Considerations
Telephoto zoom lenses, tripods, and binoculars are part of the recommended gear to maximize the photographic opportunities. Multiple light sources are recommended if you want to explore the caves. Red lights and an intervalometer will be helpful if pursuing night photography.
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