Picture perfect

Winnipeg

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/01/2024 (855 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba Camera Club — an elite, community-driven club of local photographers — is 91 years old this year. Even after almost a century of operation, it continues to spread the love of cameras and photography — and now, membership is as accessible as ever.

The organization was officially formalized in 1932, for the original purpose of connecting Manitoba photographers with similar groups across Canada.

Prior to 2020, Camera Club members would meet in person every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m., at their home base in the Lion’s Place complex at 610 Portage Ave. However, the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a move to online meetings on Zoom — still on Tuesday evenings — where the calls are then recorded and archived.

This shift has caused a major decrease in membership costs, said membership chair Wayne Adams. What was an annual fee of $100 annually has been cut in half.

Throughout its history, which can be explored on its official website, particularly through a digital trophy case which dates back to the 1930s — the club and its members have remained close to its original mission of sharing the art of photography and keeping up with technological advances in the field.

Moving meetings online has had its advantages, as photographers from other provinces are now able to join in and contribute.

“So now we have members from all the way from Toronto and London, Ontario, and Brandon, places in between,” Adams said. “We now are able to have presenters or subject-matter experts from anywhere … Last night, we had a meeting, (and) the presenter was actually from Prince Edward Island. So, it really broadens our ability to go outside of our normal sort of comfort area … I think any organization has to change and adapt.”

The club hosts regular competitions, shares resources, and connects camera connoisseurs of all skill levels.

“A lot of our members belong to different organizations outside of the club,” said Don Berthman, a member since 1976, who stressed the importance of the club’s community involvement. Members involve themselves in everything from the 2023 World Police & Fire Games to charitable fundraising galas, and more.

“I like to think that our community involvement is one of the important things,” he said. “Not only the fact that we’re promoting our own photography and everything with our competitions, and a lot of our programs in that but it’s the community involvement. That’s, I think, important.”

Those interested in becoming members of the MCC are welcome to join a few meetings for free, to dip their toes in the water. An annual membership now costs $50 and forms can be found online at www.manitobacameraclub.com

“There are people who have been in the industry, and there are others who are really beginners. And so everyone is welcome,” Adams said.