2024 Field Trips
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1st Quarter Field Trip Show & Tell
Sunday April 28, 2024
2:00 – 3:30pm, Room 102
Main Library
7711 Goodwood Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
This will be for the January Nighttime Field trip, February Horse Show Jumping Field trip, March Lake Martin Field trip and The Cajun Classic Wheelchair Tennis Tournament. Be sure to upload a few pictures in the galleries.
All are welcome to come and enjoy discussing the field trips and images.
May Field Trip
May 18, 2024
Photojournalism 101
Downtown Baton Rouge
This month we are going to take a step back in time and explore the early techniques of photojournalism and what better place to start than the Galvez Plaza next to the Old State Capitol. The task for this field trip, for the first 2 hours, is to shoot only in monochrome with a 35mm focal length. It is usually easier to visualize monochrome subjects if you set your camera to monochrome and review your images in the cameras LCD in monochrome. However, it is perfectly alright to convert your images to black and white in post processing. You might say that you do not have a 35mm prime lens, however, you probably have a zoom lens that includes 35mm and you can just set you lens to 35mm and tape the ring. You will be free to explore as far and wide as you would like and after the first 2 hours, feel free to come back to the 21st century and use any equipment at your disposal and shoot in color or monochrome.
We will drive or carpool on our own and meet in the plaza at 9:00 am. As usual, you are welcome to stay as long as you would like. There are a number of lunch spots downtown and some of the group may want to eat together and discuss strategies.
After the field trip everyone should upload 5 to 7 images to the Field Trip gallery and include both the monochrome/35mm as well as other images.
June Field Trip
Saturday June 1, 2024
Evangeline Downs
2235 Creswell Lane Extension
Opelousas, Louisiana 70570
https://evangelinedowns.boydgaming.com/
Calling all Photo Jockeys: put on your silks and grab your camera because you are in for an exciting ride at the races. We are headed to Evangeline Downs for a night at the races in Cajun country. I have spoken to the marketing department and they are welcoming us to come to the races in June and photograph some fast-moving action on the racetrack. We will be allowed to photograph from the rail as long as we do not interfere with the horses or the riders. Also, there is a patio that overlooks the paddocks and we will be allow to photograph from that perspective. I am inquiring about the possibilities of getting into the paddocks—stay tuned. Photography would not be welcomed in the club house or around the betting windows (no surprise there).
The races start at 5:30 PM and the drive is an hour and quarter from Baton Rouge. I would suggest that we meet at 2:00 PM and depart at 2:30 PM. The best route is I-110 to Hwy 190 all the way to Opelousas. This will give us time to get organized and grab a bite to eat before the races start. Sunset is at 8:06 PM which should give us a couple of hours of afternoon shooting with the possibility of shooting under the lights.
As far as equipment, I would bring a D-SLR or Mirrorless camera with a telephoto zoom as well as a wide-angle zoom for a different perspective. It would be advisable to bring rain protection for yourself and your equipment. Monopod may be helpful but a tripod too cumbersome. Filtration could include a Circular Polarizer and a ND filter for a blurred effect or panning. ICM, intentional camera motion may come into play as well. I would dress for warm, humid conditions and a hat and sunscreen for protection from the afternoon sun.
Please sign up in Visual Pursuits and plan to upload a few photos to the field trip gallery.
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Field trip dates may be subject to change depending on several factors, including – but not limited to – weather, illness, site closure, etc. The field trip coordinator will keep registrants apprised of any changes that occur. Please refer to the Newsletter, Calendar, and this page for reference.