Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where and when does the club meet?
A. The club holds General Membership Meetings once a month at the Manatee Technical College Main Campus, 6305 FL-70, Bradenton, Florida. We meet on the first Monday of the month. When the first Monday is a holiday, we typically meet the following Wednesday. Members are welcome to come to the meeting early to chat and look over the upcoming events. The General Membership Meetings start promptly at 6:30pm. Pre-meeting events may also be available. Check the calendar for more information.
Q. What does is cost to me a member?
A. Membership dues are $55 for a single membership or $75 for a couple’s membership.
Q. Do you offer a part-time resident discount
A. No, we do not offer a discount for part-time residents. We offer many online user groups and other online sessions that are available from any location with an internet connection.
A. All memberships renewed annually based on when you joined. You can renew online and pay by credit card. If you want to send in your renewal, you can remit by check to LWRDPC, P.O. Box 110273, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211 or you can pay by check or cash at any meeting.
Q. What are the dues used for?
A. We are a non-profit organization and there are no paid officers. Everyone gives their time voluntarily for the good of the club. Membership dues are used for prizes, club equipment such as computers and software that is used during our club training sessions, printing handouts, promotional materials, rental fees for special club meetings, club associations dues and club liability insurance.
Q. Do I have to be a member to attend a meeting?
A. Non-members are allowed to attend one Monthly Membership Meeting at no cost. After that, a guest must become a member to attend additional meetings and enjoy other member benefits.
Q. How do I join?
A. Please join via our website. Simply click JOIN US at the top of this page and follow the instructions.
Q. Do I have to live in Lakewood Ranch to be a member?
A. No, you do not have to live in Lakewood Ranch to become a member. Although, most of our members do live in Lakewood Ranch, we also have members from throughout the Suncoast area and beyond.
Q. What kind of equipment do I need?
A. Any camera will do to start and you will get expert advice when you are ready to upgrade. Members have all types and brands of cameras and mobile phones. You are sure to find someone else who shares your brand of equipment. Members use both PCs and MAC computers for image processing and management, and a variety of editing software. The club provides training in Photoshop and Lightroom.
Q. Do I have to be an experienced photographer to join?
A. No, you do not have to be an experienced photographer to be a part of our club. We welcome all levels of experience as our membership ranges from beginner to professional photographers.
Q. Is this a digital only club?
A. While we are called a digital camera club, any method of capture can be used including digital, film and video. You will find our skills building to be mainly focused around tools and processes in the digital arena.
Q. What do you do at meetings?
A. Our meetings typically include announcements about what things are going on in the area that would be of interest to our members, recognition of member accomplishments, announcements about upcoming field trips or other club activities, and a presentation from a guest speaker that covers a topic that is sure to interest our guests and members. After our ‘Share Your Work’ segment we have a break to allow members to spend time meeting other members.
Q. How do I volunteer to help the club or get on a club committee?
A. Please help out if you can. Simply speak with any board member or sign up here.
Q. How do I get a link to my website or blog added to the Directory section of the webpage?
A. You can update this information in your member profile via the Website field.
Q. What can I expect from club field trips?
A. We host 1–2 group outings each month, along with quarterly, month-long "on-your-own" field trips to keep you inspired no matter where you are. They’re a great hands-on way to practice techniques from our guest speakers and Foto Focus sessions, explore new locations, or capture entries for our 'Digital Image of the Month' contest.
Q. Is there a fee to participate in a club field trip?
A. Club participation is 100% free. Members simply cover their own individual costs, such as site admission or a bite to eat when we grab a group meal.
Q. Why do I have to sign a liability release form to participate in a club field trip?
A. Our insurance policy keeps both our members and board covered. Because of this, every participant must review and agree to our liability release before joining any activity. You’ll find this quick step in your profile when joining. Liability notice: Please join field trips at your own risk. The Lakewood Ranch Digital Photography Club is not liable for any injury or damage resulting from participation in an event.
Q. Can I bring a guest or family member on a field trip?
A. Outings are reserved strictly for members to satisfy our event guidelines—guests and family members are not able to attend. However, you can add your spouse anytime to your membership at a discounted rate!
Q. I’m new to photography. Will someone be available to help me?
A. Yes! We’ll pair you with a member who uses the same camera system so you can get familiar with your settings and feel confident shooting out in the field.
Q. Does the club offer any type of photography education?
A. The club has numerous classes for all types and skill levels of photography and videography. The best place to find out about theses classes in on the Calendar on the web-site. The club also offers educational segments in each of our monthly meetings and provides links to resources on our web page.
Q. Does the club have a Facebook page?
A. Our club has a public Facebook page and a "Members Only Group" Facebook page. Visit, https://www.facebook.com/lwrdpc to see the public page. Anyone on Facebook can view this page. The purpose of this public Facebook page is to spread the word to non-members about the benefits of joining the LWRDPC. Click through our photo albums to see our members enjoying past meetings and field trips as well as examples of member photos that have done well in local, state and national photo contests.
The "LWRDPC Members Facebook Group" is only for members. If you are not a member of this Members-only Facebook group, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/lwrdpc and click on the "Join" button. You will be asked two questions to confirm that you are a current member of the club. We encourage members to post their photos on this site. Please note that this site can only be viewed by current members of the LWRDPC.
Q. Does the club have a monthly photo contest?
A. Yes, we have a “Image of the Month” contest. Monthly themes can be found here . Also watch for the monthly themes in our Events-at-a-Glance emails.
Q. Who judges the Image of the Month competition?
A. Three club members who are approved as qualified judges will evaluate each image. First, second, and third place, along with an Honorable Mention, will be recognized at the meeting. Following the competition, each participant will receive the judges' comments by email.
Q. What are the Experienced and Emerging competition levels?
A. LWRDPC offers Experienced and Emerging competition levels to encourage participation and growth while allowing members to compete with others of similar experience. The Emerging level is intended for members who are newer to competition or still developing their photographic skills. Members may choose to enter the Experienced level at any time, and advancement from Emerging occurs after meeting the club's established eligibility criteria. For complete eligibility requirements, advancement criteria, and scoring details, please visit our Competition Levels page.
Q. Who can enter the monthly photo contest?
A. Any member can enter the “Image of the Month Contest.”
Q. How many photos can I enter in the monthly photo contest?
A. Each member is allowed to enter just 1 photo.
Q. How do I find out the theme for the monthly photo contest?
A. The themes are always listed on the website here .
Q. What is the criteria used to judge my contest photos?
A. Images are evaluated using five equally weighted criteria: Impact, Composition, Technical Excellence, Theme Originality and Overall Impression. For a detailed description of each criterion and our complete judging guidelines, please visit our Competition Scoring Framework page.
Q. Does the “Image of the Month Contest” photo have to be a recent photo?
A. No, any photo you have taken that matches the monthly theme can be used.
Q. Am I allowed to use Photoshop on my “Image of the Month” photo?
A. Yes.
Q. What is FCCC?
A. It is the ‘Florida Camera Club Council’ and a non-profit organization. It holds 6 competitions annually, 3 digital and 3 print. They also hold a year end competition that is open to all the years ribbon winners from the current year. Our club pays yearly dues in order for our club members to be able to participate. We are just one of approximately 50 clubs statewide that make up the FCCC.
Q. How do I participate in an FCCC competition?
A. Each club member who wishes to compete in FCCC competitions must register with FCCC. Go to their web site, www.f3c.org and register. Once you request membership as a member of the LWRDPC, a confirmation request will be sent to the LWRDPC club representative who will verify your club affiliation and an email confirmation will then be sent to you. If you chose to compete in one of the competitions, you will be asked to pay the competition fee, currently $10 for 4 images. Once that payment has been confirmed, normally within 24 hours, you can then submit your photos in accordance with FCCC instructions and rules.
Q. What is the Digital Salon Competition?
A. Our Salon Competition provides a unique learning opportunity by having your images evaluated by three qualified judges from outside our club. Each image is presented anonymously and moderated by our Competition Director in an evening Zoom presentation. Before the meeting, every image is reviewed by the judges. During the Salon, merit images are displayed while the judges share what worked well and, when appropriate, offer constructive suggestions to help the maker continue to grow as a photographer..
Q. What is Share Your Work?
A. Each member is allowed to send up to 3 photos and/or a short video each month to be included in a presentation that runs at the end of our meeting. Photos and videos can be on any subject. This is a great way to let members see what kind of photography interests you and what you have been shooting during the past month.
Q. How do I submit photos to Share Your Work?
A. Just click here to share your photos and/or video.
Q. How many photos can I submit for Share Your Work?
A. There is a maximum of 3 photos and one short video per member. But there is no minimum so feel free to send just one or two if you are comfortable with that.
Q. Is there a deadline for submitting photos to Share Your Work?
A. Photos and/or videos should no later than the Friday prior to the Monday meeting. Check the calendar page for exact dates.
Feel free to talk to any Board member at any meeting if you have any additional questions or concerns. Members can also E-mail any Board member. Their E-mail addresses are on the Board of Directors page.