Typically, the Oregon Coast Photographers' Association hold at least three meetings every month. The first is held on the first Monday of each month (unless a holiday is involved). The second is our Board of Directors Meeting (and who knows what we call that?!) and usually is held on a Friday, on the week in-between the first and third meetings (how else do you make a general description of this date?). And the third meeting is held on the third Monday of the month. Check the "Calendar" for exact dates and "Meeting Locations" for what else, the locations.

    Listed below are brief descriptions of what happens at each type of meeting.

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• Critique

  •     Everyone can bring up to three (3) images for subjective/objective feedback, and criticism from the audience. Usually conducted at the first meeting of the month.

• Photo Theme Challenge

  •     Everyone attending this meeting is invited to bring one image (either slide or print) that best depicts the theme of the month. Typically this theme is one word (like "red" for example), and it is up to the photographer to interpret that word (it could be an image of a red apple or a brilliant sunset - but it could also be an old book, "read" - it is not how the word is spelled, but how it is pronounced).

  •     Photo Theme Challenge words for months in advance are published in our Newsletter.

  •     This is a non-competitive, non-critiqued, "just-for-fun" chance to show off some images.

• 4Cs or Columbia Council of Camera Clubs

  •     A not-for profit organization consisting of approximately 30+ photography/camera clubs from Oregon, Washington, Idaho and northern California. Primary functions include interclub image competitions and an Annual Convention. www.columbiacouncil.com

• 4Cs Competitions

  •     An excellent way for our members to compete with other photographers from around the northwest.

  •     During the 4Cs Competition season (usually September thru April), OCPA's membership is asked to bring at least one image for each of the competition categories (color print, monochrome print, transparencies, etc.). If we have more submissions than we can enter for a given category/division - first we will ask submitting members to only submit one image, if we still have too many we will then select judges and jury it down to the proper submission number. For more information on the 4Cs monthly competitions, consult their website.
        We usually select images to send to 4Cs Competitions at our first meeting of the month (during the competition season).

  • Print Sizes

    • 96-square

      •     Minimum image (print) size of 35-square inches (width times height - essentially a 5x7).

      •     All images must be mounted (matting optional).

      •     Maximum print and/or mount (outside) dimension (including mount) must not exceed 96-square inches (length times width)

        •     Example: an 6x8 image (48-square inches) put on an 8x10 mount/mat (80-square inches).

    • Large

      •       Minimum image (print) size of 80-square inches (width times height - essentially a 8x10).

      •     Minimum mount size must be larger than 96-square inches.

      •     All images must be mounted (matting optional)

      •     Maximum print and/or mount (outside) dimension must not exceed 320-square inches (with the longest dimension not exceeding 20 inches).

• 4Cs' Judging

  •     For each of the 4Cs Monthly Competition Categories (prints, slides, etc.) we may be asked to judge.

  •     Usually held on a different night than our regularly scheduled meetings, everyone is invited to watch the judging process and look at 50-100 images from photographers from around the northwest.

• Show & Tell

  •     On the meetings when this is scheduled, members are invited to share their experiences, ideas and images. 5-7 minutes is allocated for each member who would like to show 'n tell.

  •     This is a non-competitive, non-critiqued, "just-for-fun" chance to show off some images.

  •     If you have a presentation that is longer, please talk to a board member to schedule.

• Breakout Sessions

  •     Small groups of individuals discuss photographic subjects, techniques, concepts, etc.

• Photographer of the Year

  •     Determined from the OCPA members who participated in the "Members' Only" Competitions by accrued points (a minimum of 7 images of the available 12 per year must be entered) for each category (color prints, transparencies, monochrome prints, digital).

  •     The awards will be presented at out Annual Meeting / Potluck in July.

• Photograph of the Year

  •     Each image that received an award in the previous year's "Members' Only" Competition will be recalled and sent to a fellow Camera Club. They will determine the best images in each of the categories (color prints, transparencies, monochrome prints, digital).

  •     The awards will be presented at out Annual Meeting / Potluck in July.

• Q & A

  •     An information sharing session on relevant subjects to photography, OCPA, 4Cs, etc.

  •     This is not always scheduled meeting topic, so if you have a question please ask it (preferably at the "announcement" section at the start of a meeting - unless a Q&A session is scheduled then bring it up there).

• Potshots and Potlucks

  •    Generally scheduled monthly, these are themed/educational outings (shoot-outs). Club members, as a group, go on location to photograph led by one of our knowledgeable members.

  •     Besides the shoot-out, most of these outings also have a Potluck dinner or lunch associated with them.

  •     Check the Calendar and Newsletter for more info on subjects, dates, etc.

• Pot-Lucks

  •     At numerous times of the year, we have a "whatever you bring" Potluck Dinner.

  •     Reoccurring ones have been at the Annual Meeting in July, the Holiday Get-Together in December and at some Shoot-Outs.

• "Members' Only" Competitions

  •     Valid OCPA members are invited to participate in these competitions.

  •     There are 4 competitions per year for each division/category (i.e. color prints, transparencies, monochrome prints and digital).

  •     The top scoring images are awarded 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th (ties are not broken) and at the end of the year, all winning images are recalled and sent to a fellow camera club where they determine the top images of the year.

  • Competition Rules

• Other Competition Judging's

  • PSA

    •     Occasionally we are asked to judge images from the Photographic Society of America

  • Other Club's "end of year"

    •     Occasionally we are asked to judge images from other clubs, most typically their best of the year competitions.

  • Youth Awards

    •     At the Coos County Fair, our members will determine the best outstanding youth photographers who entered in that years fair.

• Coos County Fair

  •     OCPA is the Fair's Photography Department Superintendent.

  •     Before the fair, we accept and hang the entries.

  •     During the fair, our members "baby-sit" the display. Interact with the fair-going public, answer questions about the display, our club and the fair.

  •     After the fair, we will take down the display and do general clean up of our area.

• Pony Village Show & Sale

  •     Twice a year (usually in March and October - check the calendar for exact dates), OCPA has a display/sale of our member's images at the Pony Village Mall (North Bend).

  •     The primary emphasis of this event is to show off our members images, answer questions about our club, and to gain membership. Selling images is secondary.

  •     More Info

• Scavenger Hunt

  •     Once or twice a year (see the calendar), our members (those who paid the small entry fee) are issued a list of items and one roll of film. They are given a set time limit to photograph these items.

  •     Items include specific things, general themes or just words that the photographer interprets into an image.

  •     After the film is processed, each photographer can edit to select the best image that fits the item on the list.

  •     The images are then shown to the entire membership on the scheduled meeting date (friends, family and non-members are also invited to participate), where they are given a score.

  •     The scores are tallied, average and winners announced in the Newsletter and shown at a scheduled meeting.

• Talks & Training

  • Depending on the meeting this is scheduled for, they can be short topics of photographic interest presented by our members. Examples range from "New equipment just purchased", to "Photoshop tips", to "How to mat your images", to "Filing systems for your images", etc.

  • Usually, at a meeting about a month before a scheduled "Potshots and Potlucks", the leader of that shoot-out will give a presentation/overview of what to expect during that outing. Times, directions, and other pertinent information will also be given.

• Image Invitational

  • At the Annual Meeting, all members are invited to bring one image (either color print, monochrome print, slide/transparency or digital file) and they will compete in a head-to-head competition juried by three of our members.