Collie lover Loc: St. Louis, MO

It's impossible to set up right outside the venue because the lantern festival is inside the actual garden. It order to get to the garden to see the exhibit, it's necessary to buy a ticket ahead of time online. They cost $26 for non-members and $13 for members.

On July 20, MoBot offered a photographers only night. It was $55 for non-members and $45 for members. This is the only time that monopods or tripods were allowed. It is possible to get good shots without either. This event started at 7:30 and ended at 10:00. 7:30 was too early because it was twilight. The garden now has special nights that the exhibit is open from 9:00 to 11:00. I got much better pictures when I went that time than at the other times I've been there at night.

The exhibit is also open during the day, but not lit up. I've taken photos during the day and at night.

This is the second lantern festival MoBot has had. The first was in 2012. The festival has been extended for another week. After that, everything will be taken down except the porcelain elephants near the front and the pagoda. These will be left up during the Japanese festival on Labor Day weekend.

After the last festival, many of the items were sold. Anything that wasn't sold was recycled.

I became a MoBot member a few years ago. I'm not into plants, but by being a member I save money on exhibits such as the lantern festivals.

RAR_man Loc: stow, MA

Don't be afraid to handhold. Watch your settings. Go to store windows that are lit up at night and practice. the lighting will be much the same, i would think.

good luck and have fun.

G -*

Collie lover Loc: St. Louis, MO

I didn't take a tripod when I went to the photographers night. Unless using a heavy lens, it's very easy to get excellent shots hand-held.

Skneemiller Loc: O'fallon, Mo

Collie Lover, thanks for your input. I am not into plants either but MoBot offers several photography classes that I am interested in so I think I will become a member to save money!

Collie lover Loc: St. Louis, MO

I have taken some of their photography classes. Some are in a classroom and others are in the garden or at Shaw Nature Reserve. There is a fee for these classes, but they're cheaper if you're a member.

The zoo sometimes also offers photography classes. Again, cheaper if a member.

The St. Louis area has lots of wonderful places to photograph.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

The LACo Fair in Pomona, CA, runs September 4 to 27. The Luminasia show is open any night the fair itself is. There is an extra fee though for the Luminasia (as well as a few other special features). Fair closed Mondays & Tuesdays.

Luminasia

Wednesday through Sunday – 6 p.m.-Closing

http://www.lacountyfair.com/_flat/www.lacountyfair.com/index.html

I'll see if I can find some more of my better images.

Collie lover Loc: St. Louis, MO

Is this a regular feature at the L.A. fair? The ones at Missouri Botanical Garden is only occasionally. Each exhibit is hand made by artisans from China.

I went to the L.A. fair a few times as a kid when I lived in Huntington Beach. Usually went to the Orange County fair because it was closer.

One of the dates I went on with my now husband was to the L.A. fair.

The last time I was at the fairgrounds in Pomona was in March 2010 when I attended the Collie Club of America National Specialy Show.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

OK, here are a few more images from the 2014 Luminasia show at the L.A. Co. Fair. I shot a lot but was not happy with most -- I'm picky -- here are many of the better ones. If there is a Chinese Luminasia Show near you, you really should see it. Also the time I attended last year the exhibition area was not really all that crowded like the event described above. And I am pretty sure I was able to use a tripod, but different venues will have different rules. I know I shot a lot hand-held or braced against a tree or structure. The Dragon shot is my fave, though it looks almost identical to the commercial pro shots I've seen. Actually on occasion I seem to be a good low available light photographer. But it can be hard work. I love dark or black backgrounds!

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Same As Posted Earlier -- But In Case You Missed It...

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lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I've only been aware of it for 2014 & 2015. But even though I live less than two miles from the fairgrounds we have only gone a few times in over 25 years. I think LACo is heavily into Chinese cultural exchange. I'll bet the OC too. ;-)

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

i didn't shoot it this year, but did a year or two ago...in the daytime, though. My camera club had an outing there. On ONE night, near or at the beginning of the show they had a special night where photographers COULD use tripods and monopods. I was thinking about going, but the night show is an extra charge over the day show and I couldn't afford to spend the money. Even in the daytime the lanterns are impressive. Someday I'll go at night.

Skneemiller Loc: O'fallon, Mo

Planepics, I understand about spending the extra money, but I have someone that can get me a ticket for $13.00 and did not think that was bad, and on Saturday the family will be doing other things so only have to pay for 1 ticket which makes it affordable otherwise I probably would not be going!!

Skneemiller Loc: O'fallon, Mo

Great job, the pictures look good!

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

No mono or tripod? Have you forgotten the strong string, washer, to make a cheap, yet sturdy platform. You need a short, square headed bolt to screw into the bottom of your camera; tied to said bolt is a strong cord with the other end tied to a large flat washer. The cord should be at least as long as you are tall; when all tied together, stand on the washer pulling up to keep tension on the cord while moving your hand under the lens and your elbows tight against your body. It's been awhile, but I've gotten some pretty good shots in the past and authorities can do very little about your work-around.

Skneemiller Loc: O'fallon, Mo

Floyd, I have never heard of what you are talking about but will try to Google it, sounds interesting!

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

I apologize. Google "String Monopod" for pictures, etc.