Bylaws

Meetings

The Society operates year-round, holding one regular meeting on the first Wednesday of every month except for July and August when field trips are normally planned. The regular meetings feature a speaker and a print competition (“critique”). Besides these meetings, the Society also holds workshops and outings. Each December an Annual Society Dinner is also held.

Meetings are held at the University of Calgary, in the Kinesiology “B” building . Our normal meeting room is KNB133; if there are availability problems, the alternate room used is typically KNB129.

Meetings start at 7:30pm.

Monthly Speakers

Each month the Society features a speaker to talk about a subject of photographic interest. The speakers are usually established experts in their fields. This part of the program is a highlight of Society meetings as the speakers both inspire and teach us about their photographic techniques and views. Usually there is an opportunity to meet the speaker during the break and ask questions.

Workshops and Outings

Periodically the Society holds workshops that focus on particular aspects of photography. Most of the workshops are hands-on meaning that attendees are given the opportunity to take pictures, manipulate prints and so on. These sessions sometimes carry a nominal charge for attendees.

Occasionally outings are arranged for members to gather at a location conducive to photography. These provide a unique educational opportunity to learn photographic techniques in an informal environment.

Critiques

A print critique is conducted at each regular CPS meeting. It is called a critique because the emphasis is on making constructive comments rather than on winning. The critiques are also a chance for members to display their work in front of a wide audience.

General

Entrants must be members in good standing of the CPS. Entries are prints made wholly or in part by any photographic process, and should be mounted on mounting board but not framed. The camera exposure must have been made by the entrant, but printing and mounting can be done by others under the direction of the photographer. There is no size restriction, although most entries are between 8×10 and 16×20 inches. The entrant must be present at the critique, with one exception permissible each year.

Open Category

One print may be entered in the open category of each critique by each member. Any subject with pictorial merit is eligible.

The judges are asked to assign up to:

• 2 points for technical, and
• 8 points for a combination of impact, composition, and creativity, How the points are distributed amongst these elements of critique is left up to each judge.

Theme Category

One print may be entered in the theme category of each critique by each member. The print should depict the theme as announced previously by the Executive. The theme can be interpreted by the photographer any way he/she wishes. It is up to the judges to decide whether the interpretation is successful. The title is announced only after the entry is judged, to ensure that the evaluation is based on the image.

The judges are asked to assign up to:

• 2 for technical, and
• 8 points for a combination of impact, composition, and creativity, and adherence to the theme.

Divisions

Three divisions have been established based on the member’s photographic proficiency. The divisions are

• Novoice,
• Intermediate, and
• Advanced

Members compete only with others in the same division. When first joining CPS, the member may choose the division he/she wishes to compete in. Advancement through the divisions is informal and takes place at the urgings of the members.

Awards

At the end of the year, trophies are awarded to winners in each division and in each category. The member with the highest total score over their best six entries in the respective category is the winner. If fewer than six entries were submitted during the year in the given division/category by any member, then a winner may not be declared.

Judging

No distinction is made between color or mono-chrome, both are eligible and are judged together. Entries are judged by a panel of three judges and an alternate judge. The alternate judge’s score is used when an entry is by one of the three judges.

Exhibitions

From time to time, the Society holds print exhibitions.

Membership

Individuals who are interested in photography are encouraged to join the Society. Yearly rates are kept low. The dues for 2008 are $30 for the calendar year. People joining in September will only be required to pay $15 to cover the period up to the end of December. Dues are payable when you join the Society and on each February 1.

Guests are encouraged to attend Society meetings, but are asked to join after two such visits.

Paid up members are to be considered Members of Good Standing.

Professional Advancement

The Society provides an environment in which members can further advance themselves along the path to becoming professional photographers. As well, the exhibitions organized by the Society provide opportunities for members to become better known in the community.