Frequently Asked Questions

More information about:

Joining

Do I need to own a camera or know how to take photographs to join?
Not at all. Our members range from beginners to experts, and we feature a “beginner” track in our internal photographic competitions, in which all members are invited to participate.

Can I “try out” the society to see if I like it?
Yes, we encourage that please drop in and see if they like the society. We only ask visitors to join if they have attended three meetings.

What are membership fees?
For the 2023–24 season, fees are £50. Concessions are available. Past members now living overseas may region as an Overseas member for £15. Cheques should be made payable to St Andrews Photographic Society.

Where are the society’s meetings held?
Between mid-September and March, meetings are held most Wednesday evenings, 7:15 p.m. for 7:30 p.m., at the Art Club (14c Argyle Street, St Andrews, KY16 9BP). All meetings conclude with tea, coffee and biscuits. Currently, some meetings are still being held via Zoom. For Zoom sessions, members will receive a link well ahead of the week’s meeting, so they can access the meeting via a PC or tablet.

Why doesn’t the season go year-round — and through the summer?
After organizing a seven-month programme, the committee typically needs time to rest and regroup. But we do try to have some informal events during the summer. Past events have included photo meet-ups at the St. Andrews Harbour, day trips to the Isle of May, and night-time photography in town.

Is there a minimum age to join the society or attend meetings?
We welcome anyone 18 years or older who might be interested in joining. Anyone under that age may also attend, provided they do so with a parent or guardian.

About the Club

Who can join the society’s committee?
Anyone, and we’re always looking for new members to participate, either as committee members at large, or as one of our officers, which are elected positions.

Are you part of St Andrews University?
No, we are not affiliated with St Andrews University, which does have its own camera club.

What types of photography are members pursuing?
You name it — everything from landscapes and portraits to birds and street photography, just to name a few genres. Other types of photography that feature on a regular basis include wildlife, digitally manipulated images, fashion, travel, and art nudes.

When did the photographic society begin?
The short answer: 1907. Although meetings have not been entirely contiguous since then.

Do you have a Facebook page or Twitter account?
Yes, we have a members-only group on Facebook, as well as a general account on X, formerly known as Twitter (@StAndrewsPhoto), although this is infrequently updated.

Meetings and Facilities

Who can speak to the society?
We’re always looking for engaging speakers. Please contact the society’s secretary to discuss.

Do you have darkroom or studio facilities?
No. The nearest of which we’re aware is at Stills in Edinburgh.

Competitions

What do the four annual internal competitions involve?
We invite an external judge to review submitted images in advance, and then critique all of the images on a designed Wednesday evening at the Photographic Society and rate them on a 20-point scale. Images remain anonymous unless they come in first, second or third place.

How many images can I submit in each of the four internal competitions?
Up to two mounted colour prints, two mounted monochrome prints, and two digital prints. (Mounts can be sized up to 40 cm by 50 cm, and digital images should be no more than 1600 pixels wide and 1200 pixels tall.)

What are the requirements for submitting images for competitions?
For internal competitions, digital images must meet all of the following requirements:

  • width: 1600 pixels (maximum)
  • height: 1200 pixels (maximum)
  • resolution: 72 dpi (minimum) to 300 dpi (maximum)
  • jpeg format
  • sRGB colour space

Here are typical image dimensions:

  • Wide images: 1600 pixels (width) x 1200 pixels (height)
  • Tall images: 800 pixels (width) x 1200 pixels (height)
  • Square images: 1200 pixels by 1200 pixels

For printed colour and monochrome photographs, they should be mounted, and the mount sized up to 40 cm by 50 cm. While the colour is your choice, most judges prefer white. 

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