SANP upcoming events

Photo Challenge - Wild Panoramas (06/09/2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Maximum Number of Participants (5 minimum for judging): No maximum.

Purpose of this Challenge: Create compelling panoramic photographs across a variety of natural environments involving scenes that require width to capture a well composed image. Panoramic images can be crafted almost anywhere so there are no site restrictions on your creativity.

This challenge coincides with SANP's upcoming GSMNP Roaring Fork & Kuwhoi Field Event with Cindy Hatcher and Kelli Thompson, creating a great opportunity to target panoramic images in forest, mountain and stream-dominated environments. Find the environment that requires width to fully capture the scene. Challenge yourself by trying different types of lenses such as wide angle or small telephoto. Consider incorporating people or other known objects to provide a sense of scale. Or, use elemental and/or geographic features to provide texture and depth to your image(s).

The challenge is to ensure that your scene feels natural, not forced; a clear sense of depth and space. Winning images will demonstrate an intentional composition, not just a shot that was cropped wide. Ask yourself if the resulting image feels like one space and was a good choice for a panorama. Be especially mindful of the path your eyes take as you create/view the image.

Through this challenge I hope you reflect on the intentional nature of panoramic images. Good Luck! We can't wait to see what you capture.

Challenge Procedure: You must register for this challenge. Submit up to three images for judging, following the guidelines below for file naming, file size, and deadline. Judges will not know who submitted the images under review. If you have questions, contact Hill Henry, at thillhenry@gmail.com.

Note: Challenge image submissions will be posted in a Challenge Gallery on the SANP Zenfolio website accessible to the public; winners will be displayed on SANP social media, the SANP website, and in the SANP Newsletter.

Equipment Specifications:

Camera: Any handheld type of camera is allowed.
Lens focal length: No limit.
Filters: Neutral density, polarizing, and closeup filters may be used.
Tripods are allowed.
Cell Phone images are allowed.
Other: The photographer must get signed model releases from any people recognizable in a photograph.

Photography Technique Specifications: None

Processing Technique Specifications: None

Entering Challenge Images for Judging

Entries must be received by midnight, 30, June, 2026. Participants may submit up to three JPEG digital image files (not over 4 MB each). The Participant’s copyright information and the image metadata must be embedded in the submitted image files.

Send your entries to thillhenry@gmail.com. Entries received late, too large, or not in the proper file name format will not be judged. If you want your images displayed on Zenfolio but not judged, state that when you submit the images.

Name the digital files in the following format (PLEASE NOTE):

SANPPC-202502-Last_Name-First Initial-a

Where:

SANPPC stands for ‘SANP Photography Challenge’ (do not change this)
202502 is the year and month (month is always two digits)
Last_Name and First Initial are your last name followed by first Initial. (ex. Henry-H)
"a" is the participant’s first entry (b = second entry, c = third entry)

Field Event - Osprey at Fort Loudon Dam (06/26/2026)

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

We have had repeated requests to do this again so we are going "fishing in a barrel" to photograph the Osprey below Fort Loudon Dam.

Fort Loudon Dam is located off Highway 321. We will be below the dam on the City Park road side (NOT the lock side). You will turn left at the light BEFORE crossing the bridge if you are coming from Lenoir City or turn right AFTER crossing the bridge if coming from Maryville. Then take an immediate right into the parking area with the bathrooms. If you go to the road closed TVA access road or if you continue onto City Park Rd toward Calhoun's and/or Lenoir City Park and the marina, you missed the turn.

Osprey and fishermen alike flock below the dam fishing, and you can see a multitude of Osprey flying, diving, and coming up with fish. There are several areas along the concrete pathways to photograph, and if you are adventurous, you can scramble down the rip rap for an eye level view of the catches. You will need a telephoto lens, sturdy shoes, a foam pad to sit on or small stool, and a tripod or monopod may be helpful too if you plan to stay on the level concrete pathway to photograph.

Prepare for HOT weather - sunscreen, drinks for hydration, and the like. We will likely get a crew to eat dinner at Calhoun's after we are finished.

Club Meeting - Gupton Wetlands: A Local Treasure #3 (06/30/2026)

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Club Meeting Gupton Wetlands: A Local Treasure #3

Speaker Clay Thurston

Will Clay hit a homerun or strike out? Clay was the scheduled speaker in January that was cancelled due to weather issues. He was rescheduled for March. That meeting failed due to technical issues. You will need to attend to find out, but odds are that he will hit a homerun and the timing is right for damsel flies and dragon flies at Gupton Wetlands. Clay may share some of his tips for photographing them.

Our June club speaker is Clay Thurston. Clay is a 2026 recipient of the Chester A. Massey Award. Clay is one of the original charter members of SANP. Clay is a nature and wildlife photographer. Clay has patiently observed birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat all of his life. The fine expertise shown in his photography captures their beauty, quirks and behaviors so others can get a glimpse of the world he has experienced first-hand. Nature in the rough has been Clay’s chosen field of study in all fifty states as well as several other foreign lands. He has been capturing wildlife and nature on film for more than thirty years and digitally since 2005. The quality you see in his photos comes from using good equipment, but more importantly from learned skills, a good eye and immeasurable patience. For more about Clay visit www.claythurston.com. All Photos copyright Clay Thurston.

Clay’s program for June will cover the diversity of wildlife that can be found at Gupton as well as other things the area is used for. He will show and explain the layout of the area - with lots of hints on where to find some of the wildlife subjects. This is a great time to learn about Gupton and what it offers as spring is arriving. Gupton is one of the treasures to visit for photography. It is a great place for practicing on capturing dragonflies. Make plans to attend the June Club meeting and discover and enjoy what Clay has to share with you about the area.

Club Meeting - Speaker TBD (07/28/2026)

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

SANP Monthly Meeting

Speaker: TBD

Title: TBD

Workshop - Going to the Dark Side (08/15/2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

SANP proudly presents Going to the Dark Side by the widely recognized international “Father of Nightscape Photography” Royce Bair.

SANP is thrilled to welcome Royce Bair to Knoxville, Tennessee. Royce Bair is an internationally acclaimed professional photographer and educator, a full-time professional photographer, author, and photo workshop leader. He has been a professional magazine and advertising photographer for three decades. He is one the early innovators of a genre of night photography some call “nightscapes” and has often been called "the founding father of landscape astrophotography". His unique images have received worldwide newspaper and magazine syndication. Royce believes the foreground is just as important as the starry night sky and may need additional natural or artificial light enhancement for better recognition and aesthetic appreciation. Lecturing and presenting workshop throughout the world, Royce has taught various ways to accomplish this, including his public service website on "Low Level Lighting" methods.
He was the founding organizer of the highly successful Nightscaper Photo Conference. The scholarships provided by the conference to aspiring nightscape photographers were named after Royce Bair at the 2026 Nightscaper Photo Conference.

All images are copyrighted by Royce Bair Airglow Jackson Lake Tetons

Description of the workshop: “Half the park is after dark” is a catchy slogan used by our national parks, and I'm encouraging people to discover this unique world with their photographic night vision.
During the past two decades I've been able to avoid the crowds in our public lands and find amazing beauty and solitude in places that are oftentimes crawling with tourists in the daytime — it's like a whole new world of photographic opportunity!
In my "Going to the Dark Side" workshop I hope to not only get people excited about "nightscapes" but help them find new ways of seeing and enhancing their nighttime compositions. If photographers have tried astro-landscape photography in the past and found it challenging, I will help them break some of the technical barriers and help make it more fun and fulfilling.
If a seasoned photographer thinks they've already figured it out, I can assure them that there is much more to learn. I will teach advanced photographers’ new techniques that are opening up many exciting horizons in the nightscape genre! — Royce Bair

Who Should Attend: You should if you have thought about, considered, tried, the challenge of taking night photography. You will learn about various equipment options that may include information about cellphones, GoPro, DSLR, and mirrorless camera. The star tracker he prefers when he uses one. Lenses that work best for night photography. Lighting the scene at night so it looks natural and not like a spotlight beaming on the foreground or the building is on fire. The technique developed by Royce is now used by many of the professional landscape astrophotographers including those conducting international workshops.

You should attend if you consider yourself an advance night photographer as you will discover techniques that will take your night photography to a higher level.

Night Instruction: This will be a four-hour class limited to TEN SANP member photographers with paid dues. The location will be revealed to those selected for this event. You must register and attend the morning session to be able to attend this event. The price for this event is an additional $50 dollars. If selected, you will be notified and must pay within 72 hours. This section will be closed when it is filled.

This instruction will include how to set up proper night scene lighting. If it is clear night, you may be able to photograph the Milky Way. There are no refunds for this class. It will be conducted if it is a cloudy night. If interested, you need to email me at dalepotter55@gmail.com to be placed on the list. If you have already requested to be on the list, you need to register for the Saturday daytime session as soon as possible.

What to Bring: A notepad and pen. You cannot record the workshop.

Rules to Know: This is a NON-REFUNDABLE event. No EXCEPTIONS

All attendees will receive a link for a copy of his eBook Milky Way Nightscapes. A forty dollar value

Date and Time: August 15th Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. The presentation will start at 9:00 a.m. and continue until 3:30 p.m. with appropriate breaks.

Drinks: Drinks are allowed in the auditorium in containers that will not spill. Food is not allowed in the auditorium.

Lunch is on your own.

Location for the Daytime Session: Goins Auditorium in the J. L. Goins Administration Building on the Hardin Valley campus of Pellissippi State Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville TN

Registration is available through August 13th, or until all seats are taken. There is no registration at the door. Everyone who attends must register online, with no exceptions.

Registration fees:

For the Saturday Daytime Session Members only $125 dollars

For the Satuday Daytime Session Nonmembers can register beginning July 5. The fee for nonmembers is $150.

For the Saturday Night Session Members only for the 10 selected is $50 dollars.

Any questions email me at dalepotter55@gmail.com

Club Meeting - Speaker TBD (08/25/2026)

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

SANP Monthly Meeting

Speaker: TBD

Title: TBD

Club Meeting - Speaker TBD (09/29/2026)

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

SANP Monthly Meeting

Speaker: TBD

Title: TBD

Club Meeting - Speaker TBD (10/27/2026)

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

SANP Monthly Meeting

Speaker: TBD

Title: TBD