April 2026 DPA Newsletter
April 2026 DPA Newsletter:
What to Photograph in April
Fantastic ‘April Showers’ Photos from Our Social Media Members
Photo Exhibits Near You
April FinerWorks Winners!
Photo by Ken Ross, Digital Photo Academy instructor in Atlanta.
April brings more noticeable shifts in shooting conditions: daylight stretches longer, the sun sits higher, and contrast increases as brighter midday light returns. Spring color begins to fill in—blossoms, fresh leaves, and rain-saturated scenes add depth to backgrounds.
Digital Photo Academy is pleased to bring you the latest updates and photography inspiration in our monthly newsletter. This is all made possible by our valued sponsor, Finerworks.
APRIL SHOWERS – COMMUNITY PHOTO SHOWCASE
Featuring photos and insights from our social media members!
We originally planned to use “April Showers” as this month’s primer, but we received such a rapid and strong response from our social media members that we decided to feature the photos in their own section instead.
Going forward, we’re planning to include a monthly themed section like this to showcase photos from our Facebook communities, Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs & Digital Photo Academy Community. Our members consistently contribute great work and have a lot to share.
It’s been great to see the camaraderie in our groups and how people connect, support each other, and exchange ideas. We really appreciate it and are charmed.
See photos below! 🌧️📷
From Our Community
April Showers shots by members of our social media groups:
Photo above by Rick Jackoway on Digital Photo Academy Community Facebook
Caption: We don’t get a lot of rain in San Luis Obispo, California, but this shower came at the right time, when a concert was about to take place at the historic Fremont Theater. “Neon Rain” was shot with an iPhone 17.
Photo above by Michael Iles on Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs Facebook
Caption: Water Puddle Reflections – Tulip fields at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Oregon
Photo above by Kim Sallaway on Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs Facebook
Caption: Raindrops in the garden.
Photo above by Monica Ramanathan on Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs Facebook
Caption: Toucan in the rain in Costa Rica ~ 223mm | f6.3 |1/6400 | ISO 3200
Photo above by Joy Barnes on Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs Facebook
Caption: Nightlights Dancing in the Rain, Olympus M5 Mark II, ISO 4000, f 5.6, 1/10s
Photo above by Linda Hubbard Byers on Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs Facebook
Caption: Macro lens used to photograph the water droplets on this leaf after a light rain in the smoky mountains. Nikon d750, f9, 1/200, flash used.
Photo above by Sue Williams on Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs Facebook
Caption: High key shot in Harrison Hotsprings, BC Canada (Canon EOS 6D, f/11, 2/5th second , ISO 100 on a tripod) The rain was bucketing down and my photography buddy & I got drenched BUT it was worth every second to get this High Key shot of the rain pelting down on Harrison Lake. (High Key images have few shadows and the scenes are intentionally over exposed)
Photo above by Patti Reed Black on Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs Facebook
Caption: f/4, 1/60, ISO640. Amateur/hobbyist photographer, bridge camera Panasonic FZ2500. It was raining too hard to do my usual photo hike on this day, but I spotted this on our front porch.
Photo above by Catherine Cat Evans on Digital Photo Academy Community Facebook
Caption: HolyRood, Edinburgh Scotland in October 2025, wet and more wet.
Photo above by Linda Kordell Hruska on Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs Facebook
Caption: Shot through a store window in New York City. Tamron Lens AF18-270 Nikon D7000 F/ 4.8 ISO 400
Photo above by Winnie Chrzanowski on Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs Facebook
Caption: Dahlia on a rainy day. Nikon D7200 with Tamron Macro lens. Edited with LRC and/or PS.
Photo above by Lily Rose on Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs Facebook
Caption: Pulling in to the Rhinecliff, NY Station on a rainy night. Canon DSLR
Primer of the Month:
What to Photograph in April – Practical Ideas for Your Neighborhood
| Featuring images from Digital Photo Academy instructors from coast to coast. |
| Each month, we share a primer with insights on photography. It’s a chance to learn from through tips, advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at photography. |
Spring is in full swing!
April offers unique photo opportunities, if you know where and how to look!
Here’s an actionable guide for capturing it in your own environment:
1) Rain and Wet Weather
Photo by Eric Tilson, Digital Photo Academy instructor in Cleveland.
Where to find it: Sidewalks, streets, parks, gardens, even small drainage ditches after a morning drizzle. Watch for puddles that reflect buildings, trees, or lights. Misty mornings and stormy skies also make great moods.
How to shoot it:
- Get low to the ground—make puddles the main subject.
- Use a polarizing filter to reduce glare and saturate colors.
- Slow shutter speeds (1/15–1/60s) can show soft streaks of falling rain.
- Look for reflections and color contrasts (neon signs, bright umbrellas).
2) Blossoms and Early Flowers
Photo by Mimi Janosy, Digital Photo Academy instructor in Philadelphia.
Where to find it: Neighborhood parks, botanical gardens, street trees, or planters outside cafes. Early morning is ideal before petals are disturbed.
How to shoot it:
- Wide aperture (f/2.8–f/5.6) to isolate flowers from backgrounds.
- Overcast skies give soft, even light for delicate petals.
- Get close for macro shots of buds, droplets, or intricate details.
- Shoot against the sky to make blossoms “pop.”
3) Birds and Wildlife
Photo by Bryan Haworth, Digital Photo Academy instructor in Orlando.
Where to find it: Local ponds, rivers, parks with trees, feeders, or rooftops. Early morning is best—birds are active and light is soft.
How to shoot it:
- Use a telephoto lens (200mm+) for distance shots without disturbing wildlife.
- Focus on the eyes for compelling portraits.
- Look for behavior: nesting, feeding, mating rituals.
- Be patient—quiet observation often yields the best shots.
4) April Sunlight and Shadows
Photo by Jerry Williams, Digital Photo Academy instructor in Dallas.
Where to find it: Streets lined with trees, parks, your backyard, or anywhere sunlight filters through structures or foliage.
How to shoot it:
- Capture dappled light on paths, fences, or benches.
- Backlighting can make leaves glow; expose for highlights, let shadows fall darker.
- Look for leading lines in shadows for visual interest.
- Early morning and late afternoon light is softest; midday sun can be harsh.
5) Local Events and Seasonal Changes
Photo by Scott Crawford, Digital Photo Academy instructor in Los Angeles.
Where to find it: Farmers markets, cherry blossom festivals, spring clean-ups, parades, or any community events. Check city websites, event calendars, or Instagram hashtags for locations.
How to shoot it:
- Capture candid moments: kids picking flowers, vendors arranging produce, volunteers planting.
- Look for patterns, repetition, and natural frames.
- Slightly longer focal lengths (50–85mm) work well for candid shots.
- Seek leading lines to guide the viewer through the scene.
Extra Gear & Shooting Tips
- Keep a lens cloth handy—raindrops and pollen stick to lenses.
- Consider weather-sealed gear or a rain cover.
- Bring extra batteries for damp, chilly mornings.
- Explore side streets, small parks, and residential blocks—they often have the best unnoticed details.
- Always check the ground for colorful debris, wet leaves, or puddles to create foreground interest.
Photo Exhibits Near You
Looking for inspiration?
Explore photography exhibits happening this month!
Photo by Jerry Downs, Digital Photo Academy instructor in San Francisco.
👉 Click on any city to view current exhibits!
Northeast USA
New York City • New Jersey • Boston • Philadelphia • Hudson Valley • Washington DC
Midwest USA
Chicago • Cleveland • Detroit • Minneapolis
South USA
Atlanta • Miami • Orlando • Tampa • Dallas • Houston
West USA
Los Angeles • San Diego • San Francisco • Phoenix • Denver • Seattle • Tucson
Canada
Toronto
April FinerWorks Award Winners TBD!
Every month, our judges select 2 of our social media members to receive an HD Metal print of one of their photos, printed by our sponsor Finerworks.
We choose one winner from each of our Facebook groups:
“Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs” and “Digital Photo Academy Community”
This month, we planned to choose our winners from the April Showers photo call. We were thrilled by the incredible response (thank you!)
However, so many thoughtful, creative submissions came in that we’re still taking a bit more time to review them properly.
Winners will be selected from the April Showers entries shared by our social media members and announced soon!
In the meantime, you can view past winners and check for future ones here!
Monthly Small-Group Photo Workshops in 24 Cities
Plus Private Classes on Your Schedule
Since 2006, Digital Photo Academy has offered hands-on photography workshops in 24 cities across North America.
Access the live cities page on our website to explore upcoming photo workshops in your area. Elevate your photography skills with help from our experienced instructors in interactive sessions!
Our Social Media
Share your own original images in our Facebook groups, and you’ll be automatically entered into our monthly FinerWorks prize contest.
Each month, our judges pick two winners, and FinerWorks prints their photo on a beautiful HD Metal print that can hang on the wall.
Join our Facebook photo groups here:
• Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs
• Digital Photo Academy Community
And don’t forget to check out our main social pages for stunning photography.
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