Photo Outings

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About Photo Outings

Note that you can sign up for each event listed below by following the specified link. Also note that by signing up for each event you are agreeing to the MAPS Photo Outing Waiver of Liability.

You will be able to share your images with the others. You know the routine: 2000 pixels on the long side, saved as JPG with a sRGB color space, then you can drag and drop them to Google Photos using the link provided.

If you are not sure how to prepare or upload your images, please follow the detailed instructions in these documents:
==> How to prepare your images
==> How to upload your images

Upcoming Outings

Stay tuned for information on the next photo outing.

Recent Outings

Hindu Temple – September

Several MAPS members attended our outing to the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett.  We not only had a chance to photograph the temple but also their water features and the strutting peacocks. Those of us who took the tour had a unique opportunity to learn about the construction of the Mandir and Haveli.  We also witnessed and/or participated in the devotional worship within the Mandir and observed the rituals of their Hindu monks which was a very memorable experience.

Please be sure to post and review images from this outing.

Ball Horticultural Gardens – August

Many thanks to the MAPS members who came out to the gardens at Ball Horticultural in West Chicago. The weather was gorgeous and the gardens were meticulous. The variety of plants, the mixture of colors and the expertly manicured garden beds were a joy to photograph. It was nice to be out as a group on such a lovely and vibrant surrounding.

Click here to post and see the members’ images.

Peck Farm Picnic & Photo Outing – August

The day started out rainy and gray – certainly not what you want for a picnic – but that didn’t dampen our spirits. Thank goodness we had a nice, dry picnic shelter at Peck Farm. Everyone brought such delicious dishes! Thanks to all who attended and brought such yummy food!

By the time we ate and played a game – Team Larkspur was the grand prize winner – the weather took a turn for the better, and we were left to photograph in bright overcast and breezy conditions. The butterflies and flower gardens were especially big hits.

Now be sure to post and review your beautiful images!

Chicago Botanic Garden – July

A hardy crew of MAPS members joined Roger Mattingly for a 7:00am shoot at the Chicago Botanic Garden on July 22. The event included a quick tour that highlighted the best places to find flowers in bloom. After that the photographers were turned loose in this image-rich location.

Participants: Please be sure to post and review images from this outing.

Rotary Botanical Gardens – June

A good number of members joined Roger Mattingly in this outing at the Rotary Botanical Gardens on June 23. Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin, is an award winning 20-acre, nonprofit botanic showcase with 26 different garden styles and 4,000 varieties of plants. The Gardens are home to many dramatic and internationally themed gardens, including Japanese, Scottish, French Formal, Italian, and English Cottage Gardens as well as a charming gift shop with local artisan’s works.  There is an admission fee of $9 for adults and $7 for seniors 65+.The Gardens are located at 1455 Palmer Drive, Janesville, Wisconsin,  just over the Wisconsin border.

Participants: Don’t forget to submit your favorite outing images to the Rotary Botanical Gardens album on the MAPs website.

Anderson Japanese Gardens – May

Thanks to the MAPS members who ventured out to Rockford to visit the Anderson Japanese Gardens.

The weather was very pleasant, the gardens were lush and the grounds were immaculate. The breeze and sunny sky presented some challenges, however, I know our resourceful MAPS members were able to capture some amazing images.

Please be sure to post and review your best images.

Lilacia Park – April

On April 29, MAPS members joined in the celebration of Spring by photographing the beautiful early tulips, late daffodils and lilac plantings at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL. Lilacia Park is a horticultural community park featuring over 700 lilacs and 35,000 tulips annually. The park is not large at 8 acres, but the winding, concrete paths and the original garden design by famous landscape architect Jens Jenson, provided excellent access to the numerous varieties of tulips that are newly planted each year. Many varieties of daffodils, narcissus and other blooming plants provided an abundance of photographic compositions.

Don’t forget to upload your best images!

Stillman Nature Center – April  

Thanks to the 12 MAPS members who turned out for the photo outing at Stillman Nature Center in South Barrington. It was pretty incredible to be able to photograph these amazing birds up close and in a natural outdoor setting.

Also, thanks to Mark at Stillman and the five handlers who presented the birds. We were able to photograph a great horned owl, a barred owl, a snowy owl, a peregrine falcon and a screech owl. All the birds are rescue. Although it was cloudy and we had a little snow, the lighting conditions were pretty good and it was an interesting and fun outing.

Submit your favorite outing images to the Stillman Nature Center album on the MAPS website.  

Portrait and Lighting Photography Outing – March

Thanks to the MAPS members who turned out for the photo outing at PROCAM focused on Portraits and lighting. Thanks to Bill Skinner for the detailed instruction of theory and practice on how to shoot better portraits. Although done in a controlled lighting situation, Bill also discussed using similar techniques in outdoor lighting. Also, thanks to Davina and Mark for doing the majoriy of the modeling.

Don’t forget to submit your favorite outing images to the Portrait and Lighting Photography Outing on the MAPS website.

Orchids by Hausermann – March

We held a raffle for those in attendance and one lucky MAPS member, Patricia Mann recieved a $40 gift card to Hausermann’s. Thanks to the MAPS board for supporting the gift card. 

Thanks to the 20 or so MAPS members who turned out for the photo outing at Orchids by Hausermann. Although initially a little overwhelming, it was a fun experience. Also, thanks to the kind people at Orchids by Hausermann who allowed us to use their facility for our outing. The 3 acres of greenhouses filled with these beautiful flowers made for a photographer’s paradise. It was great to see so many ardent MAPS members with their various macro lenses, light boxes, plamps, light rings, tripods and backgrounds. 

Don’t forget to submit your favorite outing images to the Orchids by Hausermann Photography Outing on the MAPS website.

Macro Photography at PROCAM – February

Thanks to the “baker’s dozen” of MAPS members who turned out for the Macro Outing at PROCAM. Also, thanks to Bill Skinner at PROCAM for the introduction and overview to macro shooting. We appreciated the lighting set up, the light boxes and the use of the macro lenses.  Also, thanks for the pizza and store credits!  It was great to see members sharing the different items they brought to photograph and helping one another.

Don’t forget to submit your favorite outing images to the PROCAM Macro Photography Outing on the MAPS website.

The Morton Arboretum – January

A big shout out to the hardy MAPS members who came to the Arboretum this month for the Sunrise Shoot. While the weather did not cooperate for a sunrise shoot, we were able to take advantage of shooting in some freshly fallen snow. Some of the sites visited include Umi, Big Rock, Lake Marmo, Mycelia, and Sterling Pond.

Participants: Please add your photos from the outing here and enjoy the images made by others in the group.

Past Outings