Welcome to the ACE Archive
See our new FAQ section at the bottom of this page.
What's on?
Tuesday & Thursday- Second term break, club open for studio activities only.
CLUB ACTIVITIES
SUPPORT OUR MEMBERS
Link- Hand-made crafts by Leearna- https://www.facebook.com/handmadecraftsbyleearna
Art, AI and Advocacy
Listen to an audio summary of an extensive piece of research that we've just conducted as to how we can be more effective at combining photography, inclusion and opportunity.
IS THERE STILL A PLACE FOR FILM?
​Film never really went away it was just overtaken by an evolution in the way that cameras capture and record light. There's been endless debate about the strengths and weaknesses of both but in the end it comes down to whatever provides the photographer with the most satisfaction.
There's no doubt that film still retains a strong following and there are many reasons why it's not about to go away anytime soon. Here's a few examples from different cameras using different film in different developing medium. I think the results show something that differentiates itself from digital and from the photographers perspective, provides a totally different experience right throughout the process.
ACE maintains a fully equipped darkroom and has a large collection of film camera for members use.
21 HEARTS
Our club partners with many Albany organisations and we were invited to record a "meet the cast' evening at the Albany RSL on the Friday before their live performance at the Albany Entertainment Centre.
Here's a few photos from the event.
ACE MEMBERS AND SUPPORT WORKERS BUS TRIP TO CHEYNES BEACH.
Whale watching is a big drawcard at this time of year and often the best sighting can be had at Cheynes Beach which is our destination for our end of 2nd term bus trip.
Our visit in 2024 provided a closeup encounter with whales passing within metres of our vantage point giving everyone an amazing photographic opportunity.
CLUB PHOTOSHOOT
Every now and then we run portrait sessions at our Vancouver Arts Centre studio for both groups which are meant to be serious but we always end up raiding the costume collection after which anything can happen.
Each member receives prints and digital copies to add to their collection. Always a ton of fun.
OLD SCHOOL IS NEW AGAIN
Camera technology has advanced further in the last few years than any time in history and there seems to be a degree of nostalgia starting to merge.
Not just in photography but in the way we listen to music and play games.
There's no doubt that the latest technologically advanced camera have their place but every now and then it's good to get back to the basics and enjoy using some equipment that might have been gathering dust in the back of the wardrobe.
Sometimes I think we may have become over obsessed with sharpness and forgotten about the subtleties of light and the 'feel' of the photo.
The Canon 40D (above left) was introduced in 2007 and still takes a really nice photo while going even further back to the days of film, the Olympus OM-1 was, and still is a highly desirable camera that is a joy to use.
Automation and AI assistance has it's place but maybe it's taken away the 'human' connection to the camera that gives you a sense of creating an image that makes it so much more personally satisfying.
DEPTH OF FIELD - It can make or break an image
We see so many potentially great photos let down by areas of the image that should be sharp turning out blurry which spoil the chances of a photo being successful in competitions, etc.
While auto can be convenient for most photos to get really eye-catching result you'll need to understand all the factors that enable you to take control of what is sharp and what can be blurred.
Simple steps that can make a real difference.
WORLD PINHOLE PHOTOGRAPHY DAY
On Sunday the 27th of April a group of club members took photos with cameras they had made themselves or ones they had chosen from our collection of large format models.
Some from the first processing batch are shown here with more to come from the second darkroom session.
So far, the quality of the photos are really impressive.
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Who can join our club?ACE is an inclusive club that is open to all photographers, all skill levels and all locations.
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What is the anuual subscription?The annual subscription is $130.00pa but is divided into four terms per year depending on joining date. Instalments can be arranged.
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Where are our clubrooms located?We have clubrooms at the ACTIV Hub, 11 Minna St and at the Vancouver Arts Centre, 85 Vancouver St.
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Does the club hold internal photo competitions?No, we feel that competitions limit the opportunities for photographers to become real creatives but we do encourage our members to enter external competitions to gain experience.
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What are the clubs hours?Our club is open by arrangement 7 days a week to suit today's busy lifestyles. Regular events are held on Tuesday and Thursday at 10.30am and are usually completed by 12.00pm. These are mostly local photowalks.
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What equipment is available to members?The club has a substantial range of assets that are available to members including digital and film cameras, underwater cameras, desktop PC's, laptops, iPads, colour printer, HQ scanners, matt cutters, mono laser printers, Studio lighting, costumes, gaming consoles and more.
