A Guide to Getting Started with Northside Creative
Our Mission
The aim of Northside Creative Photography Inc is to cultivate and broaden the photographic interests of its members, by exposing them to as wide a mix of styles and mediums as possible, and to provide education, guidance, competition and social interaction. Northside Creative Photography will strive to provide a relaxed, informal meeting environment free from any traditional constraints or limitation of photographic style.
About Us
Northside Creative Photography (formerly Northern Suburbs Camera Club) has been serving photography enthusiasts on the North Shore since 1952. We are a non-profit organisation run by volunteers who all have a love of photography. The vast majority of our members are ‘recreational photographers’ who take photographs purely for their own enjoyment.
The Organisation
The club is run by a Committee comprising President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and several committee members. Elections for office bearers are held at the Annual General Meeting of the club in November. Annual subscriptions are payable in January each year.
Meetings
We meet twice a month, on the first and third Wednesday at Lindfield Uniting Church Hall, corner Provincial Road and Pacific Highway, Lindfield, at 7.30 for an 8pm start. A donation of $2 is requested to cover costs of hall hire and refreshments.
The first meeting of the month is generally a competition night. The second meeting may consist of guest speakers, audio-visual presentations or workshops.
The program is published on the club website.
Outings and Social Events
Our monthly Sunday outings and twice yearly weekends away provide opportunities for members to get to know each other and visit locations that provide photographic opportunities
Competitions
On competition nights an invited judge comments on the works and awards Merits and Special Merits in each category (Monochrome, Colour Prints and Electronic Digital Images). Points are awarded towards the annual point score in each section. Print entries (mounted on board) must be brought to the club by 7.45pm on competition nights, EDI entries should be uploaded via the website. Instructions can be found under Competitions. In December the Topshot competition is held – rules may vary from year to year and will be advised to members via the newsletter and website.
Please ensure that you read the competition rules before entering – these are available on the website under Competitions.
Website www.ncp.org.au
Our website is maintained by club volunteers and is kept up to date with information about upcoming events, rules for competitions, hints and tips, and our monthly newsletter, In Focus. The Photo Gallery allows members to show their award-winning images from the monthly competitions and also have their own personal album.
In Focus
Each month our editor produces a newsletter called “In Focus”. This will keep you informed about upcoming events, and includes reports on club or individual activities, exhibitions and competitions etc. Members are invited to submit items of interest to the editor. The newsletter can be downloaded from the website.
Participation
Your help would be greatly appreciated to make the club run smoothly. Members can assist with setting up the hall, refreshments, welcoming visitors, recording competition entries, contributing articles to In Focus, or standing for a position on the committee. We also welcome your participation on our monthly outings.
Skills
If you are new to photography, we will endeavour to give you guidance wherever possible, but you should also consider enrolling in a photography course at a community college, local art centre or TAFE. Photography is a continual learning experience, so it is very important to absorb as much information as you can by reading books, magazines and visiting photography exhibitions.
Mentors
A mentor is another club member who you can contact if you have any questions about the club, or if you would like guidance in developing your photography. Members can request a mentor on their application for membership form, or by phoning one of the committee members, or emailing the club at ncp@ncp.org.au
PHOTOGRAPHIC ORGANISATIONS
The Australian Photographic Society (APS)
APS is Australia’s national photographic organization offering members a range of services designed to improve their photography. Annual membership entitles you to subscriptions to Australian Photography and Image magazines.
The APS offers many benefits, such as the opportunity to have your work assessed by other members with the folio system, and the opportunity to attend APSCON, the national conference held over a week in different states of Australia. National competitions approved by the APS, as well as International Competitions are listed on the website.
For more information visit the website www.a-p-s.org.au
Federation of Camera Clubs NSW (FCC)
Our club (as well as many other Sydney and country clubs) is a member of the FCC. Your annual subscription to NCP includes FCC affiliation fees. The FCC arranges public liability insurance for member clubs.
The FCC organises two major competitions each year – FCC Top Shot (for individual entries) and the FCC Interclub.
For more information visit the website www.photographynsw.org.au
