Club
About us.
The RA Photo Club brings together people who enjoy and want to learn more about photography. Membership is open to everyone interested in photography, and newcomers and visitors are always welcome. Persons interested in joining the club may attend up to three meetings before signing up.
It is the Ottawa region's biggest and best-equipped club serving the interests and needs of amateur photographers. Self-contained studio, digital scanning and darkroom facilities operate all year round. Regular meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays from September to mid-May in the Clark Hall, RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa. There are also frequent special events, workshops and outings.
For membership fee information, contact the
RA Centre 2451 Riverside Drive Ottawa, ON, K1H 7X7 Canada (613)733-5100 http://www.racentre.com/
Club Bylaws
Club Guidelines
May be found here
Club programs offer something for everyone from beginners to seasoned veterans. Leading local and visiting photographers show their work and offer useful tips of the trade. Photography techniques and equipment are regularly demonstrated and discussed. Members are encouraged to show their own work in group and individual "show and tell" presentations, and in monthly competitions. Many club members display samples of their work in exhibits held in the RA Photo Club Photo Gallery located in the west wing lobby of the RA Centre. Extra value on meeting nights is a friendly ritual of after-hour refreshment, camera chat sessions and just plain socializing in the RA Centre Field House lounge.
Meeting Information
The Club meets every Tuesday evening from Labour Day in September until the Awards Banquet in mid-May. A variety-packed activity program provides inspirational and educational presentations, workshops and discussions, competitions, and even entertainment. Programs are planned to include something for everyone from youthful beginners to seasoned veterans. Top notch professional photographers show their work and explain some of their techniques. Photo retailers display and discuss latest camera gear and accessories.
Presenters are chosen to cover topics ranging from the use of colour filters for landscapes and travel, to the merits of black and white film. We have a show and tell session giving new members a chance to display their photos and gain tips on how to improve them and about one night a month is set aside for competitions in which any member can enter. We also have, the first Tuesday of the month, a table for photography related items you wish to sell.
Please accept this invitation to attend one of our meetings.
Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m. in Clark Hall @The RA Center
Club Contacts
To contact us use following mailing address:
Attn: Photo Club
The RA Centre
2451 Riverside Drive,
Ottawa, Ont. Canada
K1H 7X7
| marks an executive position. | ||
ExecutiveRA Photo Club Executive MembersGroup email: No email Address Found | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Chair | Mueller, Manfred (E) | chair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Secretary | Lapointe, Barbara (E) | secretary@raphotoclub.ca |
| Program Committee Chair | Bloodworth, Glenn (E) | ProgramChair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Competitions Committee Chair | McCloskey, Bill (E) | CompetitionsChair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Social Commitee Chair | Dabrowski, Izabel (E) | SocialCommitteeChair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Communications Committee Chair | MacKay, Mike (E) | CommunicationChair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Education Committee Chair | Laing, Ross (E) | EducationChair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Studio Manager | Harris, Rick (E) | StudioManager@raphotoclub.ca |
| Darkroom Manager | Elden, David (E) | DarkroomManager@raphotoclub.ca |
| Digital Resources Manager - Interim | Blonde, Dennis (E) | DigitalManager@raphotoclub.ca |
| Past Chair/Interclub | Bloodworth, Glenn (E) | interclub@raphotoclub.ca |
| Treasurer | Saint-Jacques, Jean (E) | treasurer@raphotoclub.ca |
| Nature Group Leader | Miller, Roger (E) | nature@raphotoclub.ca |
| Audio Visual Group Leader | Smith, Norman (E) | audiovisual@raphotoclub.ca |
| Life, Face & Figure Group Leader | MacKay, Mike (E) | LifeFaceFigure@raphotoclub.ca |
| Photo Feedback (Critique) Group Leader | Kandalaft, Sami (E) | feedbackgroup@raphotoclub.ca |
| Urban Group Leader | Cerroni, Mario (E) | urban@raphotoclub.ca |
| Gallery Committee Chair | Gossage, Abigail (E) | GalleryChair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Tech Services Coordinator | Miller, Roger (E) | TechServ@raphotoclub.ca |
| Fine Art Photography Leader | Murphy, Maureen (E) | FineArt@raphotoclub.ca |
| Vice-Chair | Nitoslawska, Anna (E) | chair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Studio Group Leader | Oberthier, Wilfred (E) | studio@raphotoclub.ca |
| Still Life Group Leader | Cameron, Allan B (E) | No email |
Audio Visual GroupRA Photo Club Audio Visual GroupGroup email: audiovisual@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Audio Visual Group Leader | Smith, Norman (E) | audiovisual@raphotoclub.ca |
| AV Group Assistant | Johnson, Jamie (L) | audiovisual@raphotoclub.ca |
| AV Group Assistant | Hunter, Kathleen (L) | audiovisual@raphotoclub.ca |
| AV Group Assistant | Overstreet, R Edward (L) | audiovisual@raphotoclub.ca |
| AV Group Assistant | Macdonald, Robert (L) | audiovisual@raphotoclub.ca |
Awards CommitteeMakes recommendations to the executive for annual volunteer awardsGroup email: awards@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Awards Committee Chair | Macdonald, Robert (L) | awards@raphotoclub.ca |
| Awards Committee Assistant | McCloskey, Bill (E) | awards@raphotoclub.ca |
| Awards Committee Assistant | Presseault, Lise (L) | awards@raphotoclub.ca |
| Awards Committee Assistant | Mueller, Manfred (E) | awards@raphotoclub.ca |
| Awards Committee Assistant | Dabrowski, Izabel (E) | awards@raphotoclub.ca |
By-Law/Guideline Review CommitteeReviews stuffGroup email: No email Address Found | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| By-Law Committee Chair | Bloodworth, Glenn (E) | No email |
| Organization Guideline Review Assitant | McCloskey, Bill (E) | No email |
| Organization Guideline Review Assitant | Gauthier, Pierre (L) | No email |
| Organization Guideline Review Assitant | Lapointe, Barbara (E) | No email |
CAPACAPA RepresentativesGroup email: capa@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| CAPA Representative | Bloodworth, Glenn (E) | capa@raphotoclub.ca |
CCC2017 Committee | ||
| No Positions to display | ||
Communications CommitteeCoordinates club communications within the communityGroup email: communications@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Communications Committee Chair | MacKay, Mike (E) | CommunicationChair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Webmaster | Elliott, John (L) | webmaster@raphotoclub.ca |
| Listmaster | Elliott, John (L) | listmaster@raphotoclub.ca |
| Club Photographer | Almeida, Nelly (L) | photo@raphotoclub.ca |
| Club Photographer | Qureshi, Saeed (L) | photo@raphotoclub.ca |
| Blog Editor | Porteous, Geri (L) | blog@raphotoclub.ca |
Competitions CommitteePlans the regular club photo competitionsGroup email: competitions@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Competitions Committee Chair | McCloskey, Bill (E) | CompetitionsChair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Digital System Support | Elliott, John (L) | competitions@raphotoclub.ca |
| Competitions Committee Assistant (Judges) | Hum-Sim, Elaine (L) | competitions@raphotoclub.ca |
| Competitions Committee Assistant | Johnson, Jamie (L) | competitions@raphotoclub.ca |
| Competitions Committee Assistant | Chin Quee, Trevor (L) | competitions@raphotoclub.ca |
| Competitions Committee Assistant | Bloodworth, Glenn (E) | competitions@raphotoclub.ca |
| Competitions Committee Assistant | Porteous, Geri (L) | competitions@raphotoclub.ca |
| Competitions Committee Assistant | Cerroni, Mario (E) | competitions@raphotoclub.ca |
| Competitions Committee Assistant | Cameron, Allan B (E) | competitions@raphotoclub.ca |
| Bruce Wilson Competition Coordinator | Presseault, Lise (L) | competitions@raphotoclub.ca |
DarkroomManages the darkroomGroup email: darkroom@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Darkroom Manager | Elden, David (E) | DarkroomManager@raphotoclub.ca |
Digital ResourcesManages the club's digital resources including the scanning room.Group email: digital@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Digital Resources Manager - Interim | Blonde, Dennis (E) | DigitalManager@raphotoclub.ca |
| Digital Resources Assistant | Solis, Rafael (L) | digital@raphotoclub.ca |
| Digital Resources Assistant | Davidson, Jim (L) | digital@raphotoclub.ca |
| Digital Resources Assistant | Blonde, Dennis (E) | digital@raphotoclub.ca |
Education CommitteeCoordinates club workshops and other educational activitesGroup email: education@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Education Committee Chair | Laing, Ross (E) | EducationChair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Focus Series Assistant | Gauthier, Pierre (L) | Focus@raphotoclub.ca |
| Focus Series Assistant | Matyas, Robert (L) | Focus@raphotoclub.ca |
| Photo Techniques Workshop Convenor | Laramée, Robert (L) | phototechniques@raphotoclub.ca |
| Education - Instructor | Sedki, Reda (L) | education@raphotoclub.ca |
| Education - Instructor | Mueller, Manfred (E) | education@raphotoclub.ca |
Executive Support | ||
| No Positions to display | ||
Fine Art PhotographyFine Art Photography Special Interest GroupGroup email: FineArt@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Fine Art Photography Leader | Murphy, Maureen (E) | FineArt@raphotoclub.ca |
| Fine Art Group Assistant | Head, Laurence (L) | FineArt@raphotoclub.ca |
| Fine Art Group Assistant | Bloodworth, Glenn (E) | FineArt@raphotoclub.ca |
Galleries & Exhibitions CommitteeCoordinates exhibits in the club galleries.Group email: gallery@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Gallery Committee Chair | Gossage, Abigail (E) | GalleryChair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Ottawa Public Library Convenor | Dabrowski, Izabel (E) | gallery@raphotoclub.ca |
Life, Face & FigureFigure/Glamour/Portrait/Still Life Special Interest GroupGroup email: LifeFaceFigure@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Life, Face & Figure Group Leader | MacKay, Mike (E) | LifeFaceFigure@raphotoclub.ca |
| Life, Face & Figure Assistant | Oberthier, Wilfred (E) | LifeFaceFigure@raphotoclub.ca |
NatureRA Photo Club Nature GroupGroup email: nature@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Nature Group Leader | Miller, Roger (E) | nature@raphotoclub.ca |
| Assistant | Gauthier, Pierre (L) | nature@raphotoclub.ca |
| Assistant | Harris, Rick (E) | nature@raphotoclub.ca |
| Assistant | Leslie, Ian (L) | nature@raphotoclub.ca |
| Assistant | Starzynski, Lee Ann (L) | nature@raphotoclub.ca |
| Assistant | Parent, Daniel (L) | nature@raphotoclub.ca |
| Assistant | Johnson, Jamie (L) | nature@raphotoclub.ca |
| Assistant | Thibeault, Danielle (L) | nature@raphotoclub.ca |
New Members | ||
| No Positions to display | ||
Nominations CommitteeRecommends the Executive & Volunteers for the next season.Group email: nominations@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Committee Member | Presseault, Lise (L) | nominations@raphotoclub.ca |
| Committee Member | Bloodworth, Glenn (E) | nominations@raphotoclub.ca |
| Committee Member | McCloskey, Bill (E) | nominations@raphotoclub.ca |
Open House CommitteeArranges the annual Open HouseGroup email: openhouse@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Open House Convenor | Dabrowski, Izabel (E) | openhouse@raphotoclub.ca |
| Open House AV Coordinator | Smith, Norman (E) | openhouse@raphotoclub.ca |
Photo FeedbackFeedback and critique of members workGroup email: feedbackgroup@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Photo Feedback (Critique) Group Leader | Kandalaft, Sami (E) | feedbackgroup@raphotoclub.ca |
| Photo Feedback Assistant | Gauthier, Pierre (L) | feedbackgroup@raphotoclub.ca |
Program CommitteeResponsible for planning the program for club meetingsGroup email: program@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Program Committee Chair | Bloodworth, Glenn (E) | ProgramChair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Program Assistant | McCloskey, Bill (E) | program@raphotoclub.ca |
| Program Assistant | Sedki, Reda (L) | program@raphotoclub.ca |
| Program Assistant | Oberthier, Wilfred (E) | program@raphotoclub.ca |
| Program Assistant | Presseault, Lise (L) | program@raphotoclub.ca |
| Program Assistant | Gossage, Abigail (E) | program@raphotoclub.ca |
| Program Assistant | Murphy, Maureen (E) | program@raphotoclub.ca |
| Program Assistant | Berghout, Corry (L) | program@raphotoclub.ca |
| Program Assistant | Labont (L) | program@raphotoclub.ca |
| Program Assistant | Adams, Paul (L) | program@raphotoclub.ca |
| Program Assistant | Pierce, Ron (L) | program@raphotoclub.ca |
| Program Assistant | Nitoslawska, Anna (E) | program@raphotoclub.ca |
| Program Assistant | Laing, Ross (E) | program@raphotoclub.ca |
| Slide Showcase Coordinator | MacKay, Mike (E) | slideshowcase@raphotoclub.ca |
| Summer Meeting Coordinator | MacKay, Mike (E) | summer@raphotoclub.ca |
Social CommitteeResponsible for reception and social eventsGroup email: receptionsocial@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Social Commitee Chair | Dabrowski, Izabel (E) | SocialCommitteeChair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Social Committee Assistant | Schlecht, Andrea (L) | receptionsocial@raphotoclub.ca |
| Social Committee Assistant | Hum-Sim, Elaine (L) | receptionsocial@raphotoclub.ca |
| Social Committee Assistant | Ricco, Michael (L) | receptionsocial@raphotoclub.ca |
| Social Committee Assistant | Kaminska, Elizabeth (L) | receptionsocial@raphotoclub.ca |
| Social Committee Assistant | Dawson, Beverley (L) | receptionsocial@raphotoclub.ca |
| Membership List Coordinator | Laramée, Robert (L) | membership@raphotoclub.ca |
| New Member Support | Trevorrow, Kipper (L) | NewMembers@raphotoclub.ca |
| New Member Support | Johnston, Linda (L) | NewMembers@raphotoclub.ca |
| New Member Support | Fortin, Guy (L) | NewMembers@raphotoclub.ca |
Still LifeStill Life Photography Special Interest GroupGroup email: No email Address Found | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Still Life Group Leader | Cameron, Allan B (E) | No email |
| New Member Support | Bloodworth, Glenn (E) | NewMembers@raphotoclub.ca |
| New Member Support | Murphy, Maureen (E) | NewMembers@raphotoclub.ca |
Strategic Planning Committee | ||
| No Positions to display | ||
StudioManages the studioGroup email: studio@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Studio Manager | Harris, Rick (E) | StudioManager@raphotoclub.ca |
| Studio Assistant | Mueller, Manfred (E) | studio@raphotoclub.ca |
| Studio Assistant Manager | Carter, Geoff (L) | StudioManager@raphotoclub.ca |
| Studio Assistant Manager | Mallet, Nathaniel (L) | StudioManager@raphotoclub.ca |
Studio GroupOrganizes Workshops Etc.Group email: studio@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Studio Group Leader | Oberthier, Wilfred (E) | studio@raphotoclub.ca |
Tech ServicesProvides computer and audio systems support for club activitesGroup email: TechServ@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Tech Services Coordinator | Miller, Roger (E) | TechServ@raphotoclub.ca |
| Tech Services Assistant | Johnson, Jamie (L) | TechServ@raphotoclub.ca |
| Tech Services Assistant | Fraser, Andrew (L) | TechServ@raphotoclub.ca |
| Tech Services Assistant | Choi, Alvin (L) | TechServ@raphotoclub.ca |
| Tech Services Assistant | Bloodworth, Glenn (E) | TechServ@raphotoclub.ca |
| Tech Services Assistant | Head, Laurence (L) | TechServ@raphotoclub.ca |
| Tech Services Assistant | Kandalaft, Sami (E) | TechServ@raphotoclub.ca |
| Tech Services Assistant | Mostowski, Andrew (L) | TechServ@raphotoclub.ca |
| Tech Services Assistant | Nixon, Ken (L) | TechServ@raphotoclub.ca |
| Tech Services Assistant | Harris, Rick (E) | TechServ@raphotoclub.ca |
| Tech Services Assistant | Agboola, Olu (L) | TechServ@raphotoclub.ca |
| Tech Services Assistant | Davidson, Jim (L) | TechServ@raphotoclub.ca |
Techniques and Tools (Digital Group)- Discussion of digital photographyGroup email: Techniques.Tools@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Techniques and Tools Group Assistant | Hunter, Kathleen (L) | Techniques.Tools@raphotoclub.ca |
| Co-Leader | Bloodworth, Glenn (E) | Techniques.Tools@raphotoclub.ca |
Urban GroupUrban Photography Interest GroupGroup email: urban@raphotoclub.ca | ||
| Position | Name | Role E-mail |
| Urban Group Leader | Cerroni, Mario (E) | urban@raphotoclub.ca |
| Urban Group Assistant | Gossage, Abigail (E) | urban@raphotoclub.ca |
| Urban Group Assistant | Bloodworth, Glenn (E) | urban@raphotoclub.ca |
| Urban Group Assistant | Laux, Jeanne (L) | urban@raphotoclub.ca |
Club Executive
To contact us use following mailing address:
Attn: Photo Club
The RA Centre
2451 Riverside Drive,
Ottawa, Ont. Canada
K1H 7X7
| RA Photo Club Executive Members 2021-2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chair Manfred Mueller chair@raphotoclub.ca |
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Secretary Barbara Lapointe secretary@raphotoclub.ca |
| Program Committee Chair Glenn Bloodworth ProgramChair@raphotoclub.ca |
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Competitions Committee Chair Bill McCloskey CompetitionsChair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Social Commitee Chair Izabel Dabrowski SocialCommitteeChair@raphotoclub.ca |
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Communications Committee Chair Mike MacKay CommunicationChair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Education Committee Chair Ross Laing EducationChair@raphotoclub.ca |
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Studio Manager Rick Harris StudioManager@raphotoclub.ca |
| Darkroom Manager David Elden DarkroomManager@raphotoclub.ca |
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Digital Resources Manager - Interim Dennis Blonde DigitalManager@raphotoclub.ca |
| Past Chair/Interclub Glenn Bloodworth interclub@raphotoclub.ca |
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Treasurer Jean Saint-Jacques treasurer@raphotoclub.ca |
| Nature Group Leader Roger Miller nature@raphotoclub.ca |
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Audio Visual Group Leader Norman Smith audiovisual@raphotoclub.ca |
| Life, Face & Figure Group Leader Mike MacKay LifeFaceFigure@raphotoclub.ca |
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Photo Feedback (Critique) Group Leader Sami Kandalaft feedbackgroup@raphotoclub.ca |
| Urban Group Leader Mario Cerroni urban@raphotoclub.ca |
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Gallery Committee Chair Abigail Gossage GalleryChair@raphotoclub.ca |
| Tech Services Coordinator Roger Miller TechServ@raphotoclub.ca |
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Fine Art Photography Leader Maureen Murphy FineArt@raphotoclub.ca |
| Vice-Chair Anna Nitoslawska chair@raphotoclub.ca |
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Studio Group Leader Wilfred Oberthier studio@raphotoclub.ca |
| Still Life Group Leader Allan B Cameron No email Address Found |
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Joining the Club
How to Join
Find out more about the club in our New Member Information Package (PDF 1.7MB)
To join the Photo Club you must be a member of the RA Centre, Canada's largest recreational, sport, fitness and leisure centre. Everyone is eligible to become an RA member. You may register for membership either in person or by telephone (613-733-5100), making payment by cash, cheque, debit card or credit card. In person, go to the Member and Guest Services desk in the East end of the RA Centre. It is open 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. seven days a week (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on statutory holidays - closed Dec 25 and Jan. 1.)
Annual Fees
Fees and how to join the Photo Club May be found here: https://www.racentre.com/adult-clubs-programs/photo-club/join-the-club/
There are additional fees for:
RA Facility fees (additional options):
- Darkroom
- Studio + and additional fee per booking
- Digital Resources
These fees are used to purchase and maintain equipment.
For inquires or clarification on membership categories contact the RA Centre Member Services Staff at 613-733-5100.
History of the Club
RA Photo Club History
Tracing its origins to the beginning of the Second World War, Ottawa’s RA Photo Club has a proud record of achievement in support of amateur photography in the national capital region. Founded in 1939 in modest quarters above a downtown restaurant, it focused, in early years, on black and white photography. Fittingly enough, its first Chairperson, Doug White, worked with the National Film Board, a federal agency which gained international renown for its prowess in the photographic arts. As recounted by the club's first Life member, Alice Gillies, in her memoir, A Snapshot of the Past:
| 1939 - 40 | The members met on Monday evenings in a room above Bowles Lunch, at 3 Rideau Street, adjacent to the Union Station, now the Government Conference Centre. |
| 1941 - 42 | Members invited to Jim Newton's home for a darkroom workshop. |
| 1946 - 47 | The RA News paid $5 for the best photograph every month from a club member. |
| 1950 - 51 | Chairperson Harry Bleinham introduced coloured slides, and a darkroom was installed at 30 Rideau Street. Prints were exhibited at the Odeon and Glebe Theatres, camera shops and Freiman's department store. |
| 1952 - 53 | A Christmas party was held at the RA Lodge, 50 Wellington Street. |
| 1955 - 56 | Chairperson Don Thorn introduced a Portrait Studio. |
| 1956 - 57 | Club fees were raised from $1 to $2; non-members paid $4; the darkroom fee was $4. The meetings were now held at 243 Lisgar Street, in the RA House. |
| 1958 - 59 | Membership totaled 50, with 15 members using the darkroom. |
| 1961- 62 | The RA Camera Club, the Colour Photographic Association of Canada (CPAC), and the Camera Club of Ottawa met together at the RA Centre. The darkroom in the RA's new quarters on Riverside Drive was introduced by Al Hern. |
| 1963 - 64 | A 70" by 70" projection screen was acquired for the first time. The members were divided into two groups: Novice and Advanced. |
| 1964 - 65 | Membership rose to 90. A library was set up and a banquet held at the end of the year. |
| 1969 - 70 | The Nature Group was informally organized in early 1970. |
| 1975 - 76 | The first Open House was successfully organized by Karen Lehmann on May 4, 1976. |
| 1976 - 77 | Membership rose to 125. Studio, Fashion and Portraiture were introduced. |
| 1978 - 79 | The first Audio-Visual Program was introduced. |
| 1983 - 84 | The club's name was changed from RA Camera Club to RA Photo Club. |
After much discussion, the Club established criteria for monthly competitions whereby participants advance from the Junior level through Intermediate, Senior and (a very few) to Master levels. At first, there were separate categories for prints and slides but this has evolved into just one top prize for Photographer of the Year.
In 1998 and 2003, the RA Photo Club organized two very successful Canadian Camera Conferences for CAPA (Canadian Association for Photographic Art), hosting photographers from across Canada. Activities included photographic field trips, proficient speakers, wine and cheese events, banquets, barbeques, etc. The RAPC inaugurated Trade Shows as part of these events.
A well-attended full day Planning Session was held in 2006. As a result, there was some organizational re-structuring. Soon after, the Club’s By-Laws were revised and Organization Guidelines were established to provide guidance to future members.
The RA Photo Club is today one of the largest, best equipped, most active and diversified photo clubs in Canada. Initially serving federal government employees only, its services are now open to all who are interested in photography. Home base is the RA Centre, a major recreational complex located at 2451 Riverside Drive, off Bronson Avenue. Thousands of photography enthusiasts have enjoyed its vigorous program of presentations, outings, workshops and special projects and services. Operation of a self- contained darkroom and studio and, more recently, digital resource facilities has provided additional inducement for members to learn and improve photographic skills by active hands-on participation.
Operation of club programs is richly sustained by involving an extraordinarily high proportion of members in executive and group activities. Of some 300 members registered, more than 60 are actively engaged in one or more committees. About one-third of members take part in periodic photo competitions. Many members get involved in one or more special interest groups and activities, with as many as 100 signing up for such popular pursuits as nature, urban or digital photography.
Succeeding years have seen steady progress as club leaders have managed to sustain and expand the scope of photographic activity to serve the ever broadening interests of photo enthusiasts. For many years, club members actively supported other programs of the RA Centre by volunteering to take photos of these activities. An annual "photo blitz" was staged with this objective, so that much of the imagery contained in the centre's periodical RA News was the work of club photographers. Many members have also contributed generously to community projects such as Wildlife Week by providing prints for exhibition.
Widespread interest in the rapid development of digital photography sparked a dramatic increase in club membership from the 100-125 range to 300+ in recent years. Improved communications, especially through a dedicated RA Photo Club web site, has contributed significantly to this expansion. A significant innovation was the formation in 2005-2006 of a new and vibrant Urban Group dedicated to photography in the urban environment. Members of the group got off to an enthusiastic start covering such summer festivals as Dragon Boat Races, Bluesfest, Tulip Festival and the Chamber Music Festival. It is the dedication and passion of RA Photo Club members to all aspects of photography that will continue to make history in the Ottawa region and beyond.
Leadership in club programming has been constantly assured by a succession of able chairpersons and executive committee members, many of whom have maintained club membership over lengthy periods. Chairpersons over the past two decades include:
- Bob Matyas (2010-11)
- Pierre Gauthier (2008-2010)
- Dave Elden (2007-08)
- Corry Berghout (2006-07)
- Robert James (2004-05, 2005-06)
- Tom Ritchie (2003-04)
- Barbara Lapointe (2002-03, 1995-96, and 1985-86)
- Brian Fogarty (2001-02)
- Peter Roberts (2000-01)
- Dave Haggarty (1999-2000 and 1992-93)
- Linda Brewer (1998-99)
- Guy Lorriman (1997-98)
- Catherine Kelly (1996-97)
- Bill Rankin (1994-95)
- Pam McLennan (1993-94)
- Joy Macdonell (1991-92)
- Ed Overstreet (1990-91)
- Bill Bovey (1989-90)
- J-P Jerome (1988-89)
- Marjorie Leach (1987-88)
All but two of these are still club members.
Life members honoured for dedicated service to the club include:
- Alice Gillies
- Eric Cottee
- Henri Langlois
- Paul Holland
- Ed Overstreet
- Barry Thoms
- Catherine Kelly
- Barbara Lapointe
- Pierre Gauthier
Current Club Historian is Hans Foerstel
Awards offered by the Club
RA Photo Club Awards
Every Club member is encouraged to nominate members who make the Photo Club fun and worthwhile.
Nomination deadline is Friday, 4 April 2014.
Please submit your nominations to a member of the Awards Committee, or hand in at the Club meeting reception desk. Thank you!
Outstanding Contribution Award
Criteria for the award [pdf]
The Alice Gillies Award
Criteria for the award [pdf]
RA Photo Club Life Membership Award
The RA Centre offers a Club Life Membership to recognize long term meritorious service in the development of Club activities.
Criteria for the award [pdf]
RA Centre Life Membership Award
Criteria for the award [pdf]
RA Centre President's Award
Criteria for the award [pdf]
A list of award winners from prior years may be found here.
