Central Maryland Photographers Guild upcoming events

CMPG Nov Hands-On Meeting: Ask Anything + Year in Review (18 Nov 2026)

Wed, 18 Nov 2026 23:30:00 GMT

CMPG Hands-On Meeting

"Ask Anything"

When:

18 Nov 2026, 6:30 to 9:00 PM

Where:

The Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant, 9100 Fathers Legacy, Ellicott City, MD 21042 Learning Center, Terrace Level. Click HERE for map.

Introduction:

Ask Anything, the November Hands-On Group activity is a group discussion on equipment operation with a focus on maintenance. Bring your questions. We’ll reserve the last half-hour or so for a critique of the Hands-On activity, including what we should be doing. Bring your ideas.

Overview:

“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” -- Dorothea Lange*

First, during the meeting, we’ll have an expert demonstrating sensor cleaning. The main topic of the meeting will be a group discussion of questions on equipment operation... with a focus on maintenance. Bring your questions.

Photo Backups.
Camera Straps.
Camera Bags.
L Brackets and quick releases. Time to tighten
Tripods. For us lever-leg users, time to tighten
Lens cleaning.
Programmable buttons: Any favorite functions?

During the 6:30-7:00 gathering time we’ll have a show and tell: If you have a useful gadget, bring it and show it off.

The last half hour will be a critique of this year’s hands-on group. What went right, what went wrong, what can I do better. Thumbs up or Thumbs down

Close-up Fundamentals
Simulated Roll of Film
Intro to timelapse
Wheel of Composition
Video Settings
A Touch of Color
Golden/Blue Hour
Bokeh

Also, what should we do? Ideas for next year? As always, bring your patience and cooperation.

Sharing Images:

Submit up to 5 images from this challenge. Please format files as follows, limiting to 30MB per image:

CMPG-2026-HandsOn-NOV18-LastName-FirstName-01.jpg

What to bring:

Camera
Lens
Gadget

What to prepare:

Camera and other equipment questions.
What you would like to see from the Hands-On group next year.

Reference:

*1978, Dorothea Lange, Dorothea Lange: A photographer’s Life, p. vii

CMPG December 2026: Annual Holiday Party (02 Dec 2026)

Wed, 02 Dec 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Join us for our our Annual Holiday Party, on Wednesday, December 2nd, 6:30 to 9:00 PM at The Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant, 9100 Fathers Legacy, Ellicott City, MD 21042 Learning Center, Terrace Level.

Click here for a map: https://cmpg.photography/Maps

We will have hors d'oeuvres, beverages and raffles!

If you would like to bring a sweet treat for sharing, that would be great, but is NOT required!! Reply to this email to let us know, so we are prepared.

We'll be have a Member Raffle! We've received generous donations from:

ThinkTank

Service Photo

Nations Photo Lab

...and more! (check back for updates!)

Our December Slideshow will be used for our Digital Pop-Up Gallery. Submission deadline extended to noon on Monday, November 30th! Upload Information and link:

https://cmpg.photography/image-uploads

We will also be having a Print Pop-Up Gallery so bring up to 3 images to share! Size of your choosing, unframed or framed, we will have tables to lay them on and Command strips to hang on the walls, where possible.

A Gear Swap Table will be available, if you have gear you want to pass on.

In order to plan accordingly, please register! You may bring a guest as well!

CMPG January 2027 General Meeting: Valerie Hoffman, "Beauty in the Broken" (06 Jan 2027)

Wed, 06 Jan 2027 23:30:00 GMT

Join us for our General Meeting, on Wednesday, January 6th, at 6:30pm! Our speaker, Valerie Hoffman, will be presenting "Beauty in the Broken". This meeting will be ONLINE ONLY.

"Beauty In the Broken"

We are drawn to pretty, new and shiny things-and there’s no question that they can make for great photographs. But what about the ugly, broken, rusty, falling-apart stuff? Even out in the beauty of nature, you are sure to find some old barns, rusty trucks, and pieces and parts of things along the way. Don’t pass them by! Give them a closer look. You may just be surprised by what you find hidden there.

This presentation will cover a variety of abandoned, broken and rusty subjects I’ve encountered along the road. The goal is to not only introduce you to a different type of subject matter than you may be used to photographing, but also to help you to see more creatively the common things that are present most anywhere you roam.

Learn to look closer, where you will find shapes, patterns, textures, bold color, and sometimes hidden faces or characters; and become thrilled by the opportunities to create interesting and unique images that are limited only by your personal vision."

About Valerie

Valerie A. Hoffman is an avid landscape, wildlife, architectural and real estate photographer based in the southeastern part of Pennsylvania. With a degree in photography, more than 35 years working in the photography industry and teaching private photography lessons, group classes and workshops, Valerie loves to inspire people to take their photography skills to deeper and more creative levels. And if you follow her work for any amount of time, you may just find yourself laughing out loud and the mishaps she tends to get into! ;-)

Follow Valerie:

Instagram: @ValerieHoffmanPhotography

Facebook: “Valerie A Hoffman Photography

Follow Valerie’s photo treks and class offerings at: valeriehoffmanphotography.com

Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85142164636?pwd=d3JiMU1WUlRORDBlbUxiTnNxU3hJdz09

Meeting ID: 851 4216 4636

Passcode: cmpg

CMPG: Meeting House Gallery Exhibit (30 Jan 2027)

Sat, 30 Jan 2027 05:00:00 GMT

The Meeting House Gallery Exhibit!

CMPG has been invited to exhibit at The Meeting House Gallery in Columbia, and we now have a date!

Exhibit Runs January 30, 2027 through April 17, 2027

Reserve your place now! In order to plan for the exhibit, we need to know how many will be showing their work. We can take up to three (3) pieces per person, but that could change, depending on how many commit to sharing. Select "YES" if you are planning on showing. As always, you can email us at cmpguild@gmail.com with any questions!

DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO EXHIBIT IS NOVEMBER 15th

Preparing for the Exhibit– November 11th and December 9th at 7pm on ZOOM

We will have optional information sessions to help members with printing and framing questions, writing Artist Statements, and pricing.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85142164636?pwd=d3JiMU1WUlRORDBlbUxiTnNxU3hJdz09

What types of photos work best?

Think of what someone may want for a wall in their house. Flowers, abstracts and landscapes all work fine. Pieces must be framed and matted, they can be hangable canvas, glass, or metal, etc. Size is up to you. Pricing is up to you, but remember that 25% goes back to the gallery and think about the total cost of printing, matting, and framing. CMPG can help with low-cost ideas on matting and framing.

Artist Statement, Contact Info, Size(s), and Price(s) – December 17th

The Artist Statements (optional) and contact information will be placed in a binder at the exhibit entrance. Should a piece sell, you will deal with the purchaser directly. The piece must remain in the exhibit until it closes, at which time, you'll be able to convey it to the buyer, and pay the Meeting House their 25% commission.

Artwork Drop-Off – Monday, January 25, 2027 at 10am

CMPG Board Members will be able to collect images ahead of time, if you aren't able to drop-off at scheduled time.

Reception and Art Marketplace – Sunday, February 28, 2027 from 2 to 4pm

There will be a reception featuring light refreshments and live music. Artists may request a sales table in the marketplace to sell additional artwork (original, print, framed, unframed) during the reception.

Artwork Pick-up – Sunday, April 18, 2027, Time TBD

CMPG Board Members will be able to collect images, if you aren't able to pick up at scheduled time.

Commissions Due – Sunday, April 18, 2027

The gallery takes a 25% commission on the posted price for all sales. Commission payment for artwork sold from the exhibition or in the art marketplace is due from you to the gallery by April 18, 2027.

About the Meeting House Gallery

The Meeting House Gallery is a volunteer-run, non-profit art exhibition space housed in the lobby of the building, which features a large, light-filled atrium. Traffic ranges from 1000-2000 people per week. The Gallery is open 7 days a week. The Gallery has room on the walls for 60-70 pieces, depending on the size of the work.

The Gallery receives a 25% commission on the posted price of sold artwork in the exhibit, as well as on sales in the art marketplace at the reception. This procedure is required because the Gallery is not an independent entity, but a partner with Oakland Mills Interfaith (OMI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.