Welcome to Seattle Photographic Society!
Founded in 1933, Seattle Photographic Society is a friendly group of supportive amateur and professional photographers. We strive to build both our skillsets and our community through image critiques, discussions, lecture, demonstrations, field trips, friendly competition and intra-club activities.
The club’s interests are primarily in the classical definition of photography, which has to do with the capturing of the original image(s) and post processing. Images generated by artificial intelligence are not eligible for entry.
Every month we hold several different types of meetings. Check out our Meeting Schedule to see what events are coming up.
Announcements
Member Spotlight
Washington State Fair, September 4 - 27
Good luck to everyone who entered the Washington State Fair photography exhibition this year! The photography exhibition includes work by several SPS members. Stop by to see what they entered—and perhaps we’ll see a few ribbons hanging alongside their photographs as well.
Art Gallery inside the Mattress Firm ShowPlex
110 9th Ave SW, Puyallup, WA
Fridays: 10:30 am – 10:30 pm
Saturdays: 9:30 am – 10:30 pm
Sundays: 9:30 am – 9:30 pm
Monday, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 10:30 am - 9:30 pm
Closed Tuesdays and September 9th.
Arts of the Terrace, September 19-26
Congrats to those accepted to the Arts of the Terrace at the Montlake Terrace Library. Want to see who entered what?
Montlake Terrace Library Events Rooms
23300 58th Ave West
Montlake Terrace WA, 98043
M-TH: 12:00 - 6:00 pm
Fri/Sat: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sun: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
End of Year Results
Winning Projected Image of the Year
Congratulations to Jenny Stuart for "Larry, Curly, Moe" and winning best of the year in projected images.
Winning Print Image of the Year
Congratulations again to Jenny Stuart for the winning Print Image of the Year, "Proud Puffin"!
End of Year image entries and winning images
Congratulations to all who submitted images and to those who rated 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Honorable Mentions. Note: It may take a few seconds for the galleries to load so give it 10 seconds or so.
Projected monthly category entries and winners.
Prints monthly category entries and winners.
Projected special category.
Prints special category.
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Calls for Entry
WTA Northwest Exposure Photo Contest
Northwest Exposure is WTA's annual photo contest that celebrates outdoor photography and the community of hikers that explore Washington's trails. The contest is open until October 12th. More information can be found here.
Northwest Council of Camera Clubs Annual Conference and Salon
The NW Council of Camera Clubs (NWCCC) is holding its annual conference and its Open Digital Salon, Open Print Salon, and Digital Slideshow competitions. More information on the conference is later in this newsletter. If you just want to submit to the salon, rules and the entry form can be found here. This year it is $60 to attend the conference and submit or $30 if you only want to submit to the salon. .
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Print and Projected Nights
Projected night is the first Tuesday of every month. Print night is the second Tuesday. The next dates are:
- Projected Image Night. Tuesday, September 1, 7pm. Theme = Shadows. Commentators scheduled are Heather Cook and Alicia Richards. Please submit your images by 2 pm Monday the day before the meeting. To keep to our two hour timeframe, we kindly ask that all participants keep their commentary and responses short.
- Print Night, August, September 8, 7pm. Print Night is held in person at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 13047 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 9813.
For details on image Category rules, check the SPS website under Competitions - Competition Categories. Reminder that Theme images follow the guidelines of Open Category.
Themes in the upcoming months at Projected Images Night:
- September — Shadows. Make shadow the subject. Look for long late-day angles, silhouettes, hard-edged geometry, layered shade, or subtle tonal gradients. Street scenes, forests, and interiors can all become studies in shape and rhythm.
- October — Wabi-Sabi. Find beauty in imperfection and the passage of time. Seek out simplicity, asymmetry, and the marks of age—weathered wood, repaired objects, patina, cracks, moss, and gentle decay. Embrace subdued tones, thoughtful negative space, and images that convey quiet reflection.
- November — Lens Effects. Use the camera’s “imperfections” creatively: flare, starbursts, bokeh, diffraction, shooting through glass, raindrops on the lens, or intentional soft focus. Experiment—this theme rewards play and risk.
- December — Artificial Glow. Photograph light that doesn’t come from the sun—holiday lights, neon, lamps, storefronts, screens, car trails, and warm interior windows. Aim for mood: cozy, electric, cinematic, or quietly surreal.
The full list for the 2026-2027 competition year can be found at any time on the website. The first theme of the 2027-2008 competition year is In Bloom.
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Member and Educational Activities
Educational Night, August 25, 7pm
Join us in August for an evening with local photographer, artist, and educator Daniel J Gregory. Daniel teaches Fine Art Printing, Contemporary Color, and other courses at Photographic Center Northwest. He also offers classes at his studio on Whidbey Island, leads workshops in locations including the Palouse and Bandon, and hosts The Perceptive Photographer podcast. For SPS, Daniel will explore what connects us to our work--what makes a photograph meaningful. His talk explores
"In our conversation, we'll dive into the fascinating role that language, perception, attention, and intention play in our creative journey, and how these can lead us to more meaningful connections with our subjects — and ultimately our images.
This isn't about getting camera settings right or the latest trends; rather, it's an invitation to reflect on why we choose to capture moments, how we engage with our surroundings, and what it truly means to produce images that reflect who we are. We will focus on exercises, practical ideas and methods that can enhance your appreciation for the gifts we receive when we truly start creating images that resonate with us."
Northwest Council of Camera Clubs, 2026 Conference and Print Salon, November 21
This year's conference will take place at the Renton Technical College. 3000 NE 4th St, Renton, WA 98056. Rooms C101/C107.
Lisa Merrill will present Photography for Joy and Connection. An inspiring look at the “whys” behind photography - creativity, connection, mindfulness, play and using images for greater meaning. Daniel J Gregory will present The Language of Color and Building and Sequencing a Photography Portfolio.
More information on the event can be found here. Want to join the competition, rules here.
$60 for the conference and to enter the competition. $30 if you just want to enter the competition.
SPS Book Club
Book Club will be taking a little break to digest everything we have learned in the last three books and starting up next year. Our next book will be Gay Tal's More Than a Rock, Second Edition. Look for the copy with a lone tree on the cover. If you are interested in joining us for this book, please contact Jenny Stuart and she will add you to the mailing list.
Macro Photography Group
SPS Member Bill Wheeler has a Macro Photography Group. If interested, contact him by going to the SPS website, then "Send Email to Members" under "Our Club" and search for his name under "Select from Member List."
Share your ideas at sps-news-box@seattlephotographic.com
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Seattle Waterfront at Sunset PhotoWalk with Merrill Images, August 27th
Join travel photographers John and Lisa Merrill for a fun small group PhotoWalk at the Seattle Waterfront during dusk and sunset. With their on-location tips and encouragement, you’ll work with light and compose for impact -- and intentionally make vs. take photos. The Merrills welcome participants at every skill level, with any camera (including a phone), and will help you create compelling artistic images to treasure and share.
The PhotoWalk experience begins with a briefing via Zoom on Monday August 24 from 7-8pm. On August 27th, you’ll create on your own, and John and Lisa will be nearby to answer questions or offer suggestions.
Buy tickets here.
Lensbaby Webinar, August 27th, 6pm EST
Thursday, August 27th at 6pm EST there is a free Mid Summer Webinar Series - where world-class Lensbaby photographers share how they're making this Summer their most creative yet, and how you can too! Register here.
Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival, September 11-13
The Heart of Mukilteo Parade, music, a beer garden and more. Perhaps some fun street photography opportunities. https://mukfest.com/
Aloha Cultural Festival, Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias, and more, Seattle Center, multiple dates
Twenty five free cultural festivals that honor traditions from around the world and celebrate the region’s vibrant communities. The Festál series runs from February through November and offers family-friendly experiences that showcase music, dance, cultural vendors, visual art, food, storytelling, and hands-on activities. See the list here for what's happening in September.
Shadows of a Fleeting World, ends September 13
In commemoration of the second printing of the seminal 2011 publication Shadows of a Fleeting World: Pictorial Photography and the Seattle Camera Club, Cascadia Art Museum presents an accompanying exhibition to celebrate the new edition in cooperation with the University of Washington Press. The Seattle Camera Club folded in the Depression but some members formed SPS in 1933. In visiting, you'll connect with SPS past.
The Photoshop Virtual Summit 8, September 14-18
For five action-packed days, you’ll learn from 27 of the world's top Photoshop educators. Every session is carefully designed to help you level up your Photoshop skills—whether you’re a beginner finding your way or a seasoned pro looking to push boundaries. And each class is project-based, so you can see the techniques demonstrated in a practical way. As usual, you can watch every class free for a limited time (48 hours after the session) or buy a VIP pass and get lifetime access. More information here.
PCNW, Filter -- Benefit Action Preview Exhibition, September 14 - October 11
Every photograph is shaped by a filter—a choice of perspective, light, and intention.v Presenting a preview of this year’s auction artwork, the exhibition sparks conversation across generations, styles, and genres. From intimate portraiture, quiet landscapes, and documentary photography to high-energy rock and roll and tactile alternative processes, the collection of images highlights a vibrant spectrum of artists. Every piece tells a story, and every bid on October 16th supports PCNW and the unique photographic ecosystem we all exist in.
Also fall classes are enrolling now.
Glazers Anniversary Sale, September 25-27
To celebrate 91 years of serving the Seattle area and greater PNW milestone, there will be abundant sales and a variety of programs. Take advantage of limited one-on-one time with brand representatives, experience hands-on time with gear during some of the engaging events, or join a photo walk. Find out more information here. Reserve your spot here.
Vote for the Traveling Salon
In September we will be voting for the Mount Baker Camera Club. Starting on the first of the month, you can view the images here then vote for your top five here. SPS and the NW Council of Camera Clubs thanks you.
The Creative Spark
From the Editor's Desk
Long exposure photography can look quiet and effortless, but it is often fussy in practice. Small problems become more visible when the shutter is open for several seconds, or even several minutes. A little vibration from pressing the shutter button, wind shaking the tripod, or unstable tripod legs in sand or surf can soften the whole image. It helps to use a remote release or self-timer, keep the tripod as stable as possible, and check that the legs are not slowly sinking or shifting between waves. If you are working near moving water, it is worth watching a few wave cycles before setting up too close.
Exposure calculations are sometimes needed when you are working with neutral-density filters, especially if your camera cannot meter easily through a very dark filter. The basic formula is simple: take your metered shutter speed without the filter and double it for each stop of filtration. A 3-stop filter turns 1/4 second into 2 seconds: 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2. A 6-stop filter turns 1/4 second into 16 seconds. An exposure chart or phone app can do this quickly in the field, and a test frame can confirm that you are in the right range. Even then, the number is only a starting point. The final choice still depends on whether the motion feels right.
Other problems are less obvious until you get home. Filters can introduce dust spots, color casts, flare, or softness, especially if they are dirty or stacked. Very dark neutral-density filters can also make focusing difficult, so it is often easier to compose and focus before adding the filter, especially with film or DSLR cameras. Light leaks can sneak in during longer exposures, especially through the viewfinder or around filter holders, creating strange streaks or uneven color.
The most common creative mistake may be overdoing the effect. Longer is not always better. Water can become too smooth and lose its energy. Clouds can turn into streaks that overwhelm the rest of the photograph. Moving people may disappear completely when you wanted only a sense of passage. On the other hand, an exposure that is not quite long enough can look accidental rather than intentional: a little mushy instead of expressive. When in doubt, try several shutter speeds and compare them. The best exposure is not the longest one; it is the one where the motion feels right for the photograph.
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Bill Ray's Classes
Fall is prime time for red rock photography—fewer crowds and perfect pre-snow weather. Let Bill Ray’s Utah trip inspire your autumn calendar! September and October are also your last chance to shoot the Milky Way core this year. Capturing it requires precise planning for moonlight, smoke and a stunning foreground. Bill's Landscape Planning Tools class is on sale through Labor Day.
See the full list of classes and photo galleries at billrayimages.com.
Be Spam Aware
We’ve been made aware of scam emails that may appear to come from SPS or club officers. Please be cautious — SPS will never ask you for money or gift cards via email. If you receive a suspicious message, do not reply or click on any links. Instead, report it to SPS so we can follow up. Stay safe and keep your inbox scam-free!
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