Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where and when does the club meet?
A. The club holds General Membership Meetings once a month at the Manatee Fire Rescue Administration Office, 3200 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Bradentona, Florida. We meet on the first Monday of the month. 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 $50 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 or pro-rate our dues. However, if you join in October, November or December your dues will carry over through the next year.
A. All memberships are due January 1st but you can renew your membership at any time after October 1st for the next calendar year. 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 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. There is also a membership table available at every meeting if you would like to join there.
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 many other Suncoast areas.
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. Most members have a DSLR camera; all brands, all types, and all price ranges (including video cameras and phones). You are sure to find someone else who shares your brand of equipment. Members use both PCs and MACs 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 Photo Website field.
Q. Does the club have field trips?
A. Our club plans 1 or 2 field trips each month. These trips are usually a good place to try the techniques that our guest speaker presented the previous month. This gives everyone a chance to practice as well as give them an opportunity to take a photo for the next month's ‘Print of the Month’ contest.
Q. Is there a fee to participate in a club field trip?
A. There is no fee charged by the club to attend a field trip. However, there may be a fee charged by the facility the club visits and members are responsible for those fees. We usually try to have a meal as a group, if time allows, and the cost of meals is also the member's responsibility.
Q. Why do I have to sign a liability release form to participate in a club field trip?
A. Our club has a liability insurance policy that protects our members and board of directors. It is a Club requirement that each person reviews and agrees to the liability release form before participating in any and all activities. This form is in your "Profile" area on the Club website and is a mandatory part of your profile when becoming a new member or when renewing your membership..
Q. Do I have to be a member to participate in club field trips?
A. Yes. You may not bring a spouse or friend who is not a current member of the club. There are no exceptions to this rule.
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 have been approved as qualified judges, will judge & score photos on a 0-20 pt. scoring system. First, second and third place, and honorary mention ribbons will be awarded at the meeting and their winning scores will be announced. Each participant will receive feedback by email regarding their image score and the judges’ comments.
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. Impact, Technical Excellence, Creativity, Style, Composition, Presentation, Color Balance, Center of Interest, Lighting, Subject Matter, Technique, and Story Telling.
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 is an opportunity for you to have your photos critiqued by three qualified non-member judges. Our moderator will be one of our Competition Co-Chairs and no one but you will know that your photo is being judged. In these Salon Events, your photo will be pre-judged and the images that gain a merit score (16 or above) will be projected on a screen long enough for the judges to discuss, in some cases, what they liked about the subject photo or things to change to improve it. First, second and third place ribbons will be awarded in each category of Color and B&W/Mono. Image requirements will be the same as FCCC rules.
Q. What is our club Feedback session?
A. A feedback session is a great opportunity where you can bring up to 5 pictures on a memory stick and get advice from some of our advanced members on how you can improve the pictures you are considering entering into the Salon or FCCC competitions. This is a really great learning opportunity you should take advantage of. Many ribbon winners are a result of these sessions.
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 Saturday prior to the Monday meeting.
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 Executive Board pages.