Home | ACE Camera Club

See our new FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

What's on?

Tuesday & Thursday- Meet at ACTIV, photowalk if fine.

CLUB ACTIVITIES

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SUPPORT OUR MEMBERS

Link- Hand-made crafts by Leearna- https://www.facebook.com/handmadecraftsbyleearna

OUR ALBANY BICENTENARY PROJECT

To commemorate its 2026 Bicentenary of the City of Albany, Western Australia, the Ace Camera Club will run a series of multimedia projects under the expert guidance of professional photographer Astrid Volzke. The initiative will delve into innovative video and audio storytelling, specifically designed to empower individuals living with disabilities to share their personal narratives and offer invaluable insights into life in Albany during this historic year. This ambitious project aims not only to educate the wider community about the diverse experiences within its population but also to foster greater understanding and break down barriers, ultimately creating a more inclusive and empathetic society for all sectors of Albany's vibrant community.

Some of our members and support workers at the opening event at our clubroom Albany.

Check out your photography knowledge here.......

Let's Go

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.

FILM NEVER DIES nor do 8 bit computers, CD's and vinyl.

Technology can provide an amazing experience in so many ways but every-now-and-then it's good to change pace and go back to a more simple and satisfying way of doing things.

Anyone who collects cameras will appreciate the quality, craftmanship and 'feel' of high end cameras from the past. Cameras that we could only dream of owning but are now quite affordable.

If you're on the market to buy one it pays to do your due diligence and go for the brands and models that have a reputation for providing top quality features, performance and repairability if needed.

For those of us who grew up on film we had no choice but to learn to use them properly or waste a lot of hard earned money so mastering the various controls was essential. With mostly manual operation you had to slow down, calculate exposure, adjust focus, observe the depth of field and create the best composition. This extra investment in time and having a greater level of control provided a much greater sense of achievement than merely allowing an in-built computer to do the work for you.

Not only that but knowing that you're using a camera could still be functioning perfectly in 50 to 100 years just makes it that much more enjoyable.

By being 'hands-on' you've invested much more of 'your' time into the photo and this definitely provides a higher level of satisfaction.

Film is still available locally and if you want to go all the way, the hardware and chemistry is not hard to find new or used as well.

Above the Graflex press camera.

Below the classic Olympus OM-1

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.

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.

Who can join our club?

ACE is an inclusive club that is open to all photographers, all skill levels and all locations.
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.
Where are our clubrooms located?

We have clubrooms at the ACTIV Hub, 11 Minna St and at the Vancouver Arts Centre, 85 Vancouver St.
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.
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.
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.