About EPS (Emerald Photographic Society)
Emerald Photographic Society (EPS) meets 4 times per month during most of the year. We do not meet in July and August, and meet only the first three weeks in November and the first two weeks in December.
You may become a member of EPS by submitting an application along with your dues and signed Release Form. You will not be granted membership access until you pay your dues.
Dues are as follows:
Regular membership: Full year – $35 (After June 30th $20)
Family Membership (2 people): Full year – $50 (After June 30th $35)
Student Membership: $20
Benefits of EPS membership include:
Learning to improve your photography, with free training, education, critiques, competition, camera operation, composition, post-processing and more. Many EPS members are retired or close to retirement. You may ask yourself, “why would I want to join a group of mostly older folks”. The answer is easy, once you have participated, the wealth of knowledge provided by our club members is invaluable in improving your photography.
Photo Club Schedule
- First Thursdays: Challenge Night A challenge is presented every month on a different topic or technique.
- Second Thursdays: Education Night – Free to members, presentations and educational seminars from some of the best photographers working today. Education night is actually floating night, depending on the presenter’s schedule, check the calendar for a current schedule.
- Third Thursdays: Photo Forum and Quarterly Competition Night Results. Submit three images per quarter. A panel of three judges scores your images and offers helpful critiques on how to improve your image.
- Fourth Thursdays: In person social night. Watch your email for time and location.
- Fifth Thursdays: Reserved for Board Meetings (members welcome)
We do not meet in July or August & only meet the 1st two weeks in Dec. Meeting days, locations and times are subject to change.
Please check the calendar of events for a current meeting schedule.
Check the President’s Monthly Newsletter for more information.
EPS Contact Information – Click Here
EPS Club History
Founded in 1961 as the Willamalane Camera Club, The Emerald Photographic Society is in its 60th year providing a home for photographers in Lane County, Oregon.
1961; the original group chose the name Willamalane Camera Club and elected Bob Hersey president. The club held monthly slide and print competitions on an individual basis without a point system. After Ben Andrews joined the club in 1962, the members approved a system of classes and points for both competitions, with prints having both black & white and color divisions.
1963; when Ben Andrews was president and Buzz Foley was vice president, the club members voted to join the Photographic Society of America (PSA). Membership in PSA was maintained up through 1996. The regional branch, Columbia Council of Camera clubs (4C’s), has offered interclub competitions as well as an annual convention.
When the club moved to the Eugene Public Library in 1972, the members changed the name to “Emerald Photographic Society” and in 1984 started a two-division, Salon and Master Class, slide competition system. The members then voted to compete in a one-class, three-category slide competition system at the beginning of 1994.
1995; the club added a Novice Class Slide competition for members preferring critique rather than regular competition. This competition has been discontinued, and critiques are now available on the 4th Tuesday of each month.
Traditionally, the club has held an annual picnic shoot and a dinner meeting for presentation of annual awards. A variety of educational activities have been enjoyed by members, guests, and visitors from the community for many years.
1997; Emerald Photographic Society first appeared on the Internet. In the first week it was one page describing the club and meeting times. In 2000, we started a website, www.emeraldphotographic.org.
After many years of being dominated by color slide competition, the club now is more actively involved in prints, with large showings in the monthly print competitions. Print exhibits expanded in 2000 and 2001 with four exhibits in a 7-month period.
2007; the club added digital competition to the regular monthly slide and print competitions.
2019; we eliminated the print portion of the competition, and it is now 100% digital.
2020; we shifted our meetings to Zoom instead of in person, due to Covid-19. This has allowed us to significantly expand our education nights, with professional photographers from all over the US.
2022; In May, we started meeting two nights per month in person, with a combination of Zoom and in-person meetings. Competition and Education Nights are still Zoom only.
