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WELCOME TO THE TACOMA PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY!

We focus on promoting fellowship among our members, improving our skills, and stimulating interest in all branches of photography.

  • Learn from experienced photographers and meet new friends.
  • Enjoy Photography outings, guest speakers, & presentations.
  • Improve your skills through the club's educational website pages.
  • Improve your photography skills with optional photo critiques.
  • Monthly print and projection competitions in-person & on Zoom.
  • Participate in PSA and NWCCC interclub & individual competitions.
  • Meetings are open to the public. All ages & skills are welcome.
  • TPS Annual Spring Fair Photo Contest is open to PNW photographers.
  • TPS Annual Division Competition & Award Banquet--members only.

To join TPS or read more about a membership click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



To
see more competition results, log in and go to Competitions > Competition Results or click here.   A special "Thank You" to Ralph Reed, Bud Harris, Kristina Allums, Dawn Umstot, and Bruce Benson for contributing their photos to the top header of our website pages.

 


Tacoma Photographic Society
Annual Spring Fair Photo Competition 23rd Anniversary
Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup, WA
April 10-13 & 17-20, 2025


 

Congratulations To All Of The Competition Winners!



Best of Show - $150 Award
Maria DeKoker - Polar Express

First Place - $100 Award
Judi Kubes - Glacier Landing

Second Place - $75 Award
Bruce Benson - Bright Eyes

Third Place - $50 Award
Kristina Allums - Winter's Dream


11 Awards of Excellence:


Best of Animals - $20
Kristina Allums - Beauty In White

Best of Architecture - $20
Doug Hall - Tucson Door #1

Best Of Birds - $20
Ralph Reed - Rufous Hummingbird & Bee

Best Of Creative - $20
Mystery - Maria DeKoker

Best Of Floral - $20
Judi Kubes - Yellow Happiness

Best Of General - $20
Ezekiel Terrance Martinez - Locked In

Best Of Humor - $20
Heather Curbow - Laundry Day In Cuba

Best Of Landscape - $20
Bruce Severeid - Daybreak At Reflection Lake

Best of Landscape Architecture - $20
Judi Kubes - Bass Head Lighthouse

Best of Monochrome - $20
Judi Kubes - Old Tacoma

Best of People - $20
Cindy Brandt - Beach Conversation

6 Judges' Choice:

Kristina Allums - Ms. Chairman
Kristina Allums - The Good Ol Days
John Wesley Jenkins - Raccoon Family
Richard Price - Catch
Bruce Severeid - Shock Wave
Richard Thomas - Business End

Honorable Mention:
Kristina Allums - Standing Tall
Douglas Budzynski - Sol Duc Falls
Doug Hall - Monument Valley Light
Doug Hall - Black And White
Debbie Klosowski - Ferris Wheel Melbourne
Wendy Mahaney - Palouse Blue Hour
Angela Marvel - Nurture
Ralph Reed - Anna's Hummingbird In Flight
Bruce Severeid - Mr. Bluebird
Bob Wills - Wheel Man

Daily People's Choice Awards:
April 10 - Judi Kubes - Night Of The Aurora
April 11 - John Wesley Jenkins - Chicago Lighthouse
April 12 - Diana Warren - What A Nap
April 13 - Bruce Benson - Fresh Catch
April 17 - Bruce Severeid - Wouldn't You Like To Share? (tie)
April 17 - Ralph Reed - Mom And The Kids (tie)
April 17 - Cindy Brandt - Never Give Up (tie)
April 18 - Michelle Nelson - Kinda Fishy
April 19 - Scott Traynor - Super Moon Over The Needle
April 20 - Heather Curbow - Ice Beauty

 

A very special "Thank You!" to our Judges:  Tim Clifton, Trinda Love, and Eric Bastin.


Check back to see the winners of the Daily People's Choice Awards. Download a PDF file listing all of the photographers' names, image titles, and placement awards. PDF File. To see all of the winning photos, click on this link  2025 Spring Fair Photo Winners
 

The Tacoma Photographic Society sponsors this competition, which is an annual fundraising event.


 

A Special "Thank You" To All Of The TPS Volunteers
Who Helped With Various Jobs To Make This A Successful And Fun Event!

 

Thanks to the following volunteers who helped with the display setup (pictured left to right and front to back): Bill Jacobs, Tedd Wilkinson, Ellen Hodge, Kristina Allums, Richard Thomas, David Hodge, Maria DeKoker, Doug Hall.  Not in the photo is Bud Harris.

Thank you to these wonderful TPS volunteers for helping with the judging process, guest information help, display teardown, and miscellaneous jobs: 

Bruce Benson, Joe Tieger, Maggie Tieger, David Hodge, Ellen Hodge, Bill Jacobs, Bud Harris, Kristina Allums, Doug Hall, Judi Kubes, Richard Thomas, Richard Price, Joel Ferguson, Tim Clifton, Christy Hoffman, Tedd Wilkinson, Maria DeKoker, Joel Ferguson, Zach Wiren, Dorinda Wills, Gordon Swetland,  Bruce Severeid, Cynthia Brandt, Keith Underwood, Heather Curbow, and Cheryl Thielhorn.

Volunteering to help with these annual fun events is a great way to meet members and make new friends! Volunteers who work at the TPS guest information table, receive a free parking pass and free entry to the Spring Fair!


 

 

 

2025 Competition Dates And Monthly Theme Assignments

Monthly Themes are chosen to encourage people to explore outside of their comfort zone and try photographing something specific that is different from what they normally photograph.  They stimulate your imagination, creativity, and resourcefulness. They encourage you to look around and pay more attention to something you might not consider photographing.  It takes just a little effort to look for these specific subjects, which, surprisingly, can be fun and interesting.  Some photography clubs call it a “Club Challenge”.  Are you up to these monthly challenges? Don’t just search through your photo library for something that will make do.  Take advantage of a new learning opportunity and explore, try something new, and have fun!  You might surprise yourself by enjoying a new photography subject or style. Themes are designed to teach you new capturing techniques, new equipment, and different editing skills for a subject that is completely different from anything else you have done in the past.  Don't miss out on the opportunity to expand your skills!

The more accurately the main subject in your photograph expresses the theme, while achieving high-quality photographic, artistic, and technical standards, the more likely your photo will receive more votes. The Theme subject must be the main subject and focal point of interest.

Projection Meeting Dates
Themes Print Meeting Dates
Wednesday, May 7
Faceless Portraits
Thursday, May 15
Wednesday, June 4
Movement
Thursday, June 19
Wednesday, September 3  TBA  Thursday, September 18
Wednesday, October 1
 TBA  Thursday, October 16
Wednesday, November 5  TBA  Thursday, November 20
Wednesday, December 3
 TBA  Thursday, December 18

   

 

 

 

TPS Field Trips & Other Fun Events
Including Presentations, Workshops, Tutorials, etc.

Date Event & Location
Contact Member
March 22 WA State Capital grounds for cherry blossoms and sunset
Heather Curbow & Judi Kubes
April 15 Knutson Farms Spring Bloom Festival will run from April 5 through May 4.  Free admission to the fields.  Some activities cost extra. Great photos of the tulip fields! Tedd Wilkinson
April 28 Seabeck Eagles
Scott Traynor
May TBA Dalles Ranch in Oregon for balsam root and Milky Way photos
Heather Curbow
June 2 Grist Mill in Woodland, WA
Dave & Ellen Hodge
June 9 Farm 12 Restaurant & Lupine fields
Heather Curbow
June TBA Seabeck
 
June TBA Blue Birds in Ellensburg
Bruce Severeid
July 25-27 Scottish Highland Games
Joel Ferguson
TBA Tacoma Stadium District - Park at the Tacoma Dome Transit Station (free 24-hour parking) and ride the T-Line Light Rail up to the Stadium District. Photo opportunities are:  architecture, graffiti, street photography, waterways, bridges, museums, etc. We will gather at a local spot for dinner.
Rebecca Blackwell & Julia Bradley
TBA Fisherman's Terminal in Seattle
Douglas Hall
TBA
Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad Historical Shop Tour in Mineral, WA - vintage locomotives, weigh equipment, vintage shop, repair tools - minimum of 10 attendees required - A $10-$20 donation is suggested.
Gordon Swetland
August TBA Astro Night Outing
 
September 5-7 Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend
Joel Ferguson

Additional day trip ideas that need a leader (pick a trip, pick a day, share with all TPS members):  Deception Pass (in March, September), Oregon Falls, Thomasson Farm (in Spring and/or Fall), Seattle Public Library, Gas Works Park in Seattle, Rhododendron Parks (there are several) in Spring and/or Early Fall, Mt. Ranier, Pt. Defiance Japanese Garden and Roses, Connells Dahlias in Tacoma, Tacoma B&W Street Photo walk.

Email messages will be sent to all members with details through the website email system. Dates are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, event location closures, illnesses, etc. Members are encouraged to bring their family and friends as their guests (unless a participation limit is stated in the event details). Please share your photos on the Galleries Pages for each field trip event/location. You do not have to attend on the date the event is scheduled to post your photos. Click on the  Galleries  link at the top of this page.

All club members and their guests are responsible for paying any parking fees, entrance fees, and State or Federal Parks pass fees for themselves. Check before you go to see if a State "Discover Pass" or Federal Parks Pass is required. You do not have to stick together as a group unless the event consists of a guided tour provided by the facility's staff. Please read the event details carefully to see if there are any restrictions, such as no tripods, monopods, flash attachments, handicapped accessibility limitations, strollers, pets, children, etc. Please RSVP to the contact member for all field trips.

 


 

 

Wednesday, May 7 Projection Competition
May's Theme Is "Faceless Portraits"

Meetings are open to the public on the first Wednesday of the month; however, you must be a club member to compete in monthly and annual print and projection competitions.

We are pleased to offer two ways to attend the monthly Projection Competition meetings--either in person or via Zoom! The Zoom link will be emailed to all members before the meeting date and posted on the Calendar. 

Submit Photos - Thursday, April 24 through Monday, April 28 at 11:30 pm

Judging & Voting - Tuesday, April 29 until Saturday, May 3 at 9 pm

Review Meeting - Wednesday, May 7 - The photo review meeting will be held in-person with social time and optional critiques starting at 6:30-9 pm, as well as through Zoom.

Meeting Location - Curtis High School, 8425 40th Street, University Place, WA  98466.  Google map

Directions:  Turn into the small parking lot (by the reader board sign and the big rock).  There are also flagpoles by the main entrance.  Go to the outside door marked "Staff Development Room".

Submission Requirements:          

  • Export/Save
    your images in JPEG, sRGB, no larger than 1920 px wide x 1080 px high, and a 1.5 MB file size limit.  Adjust the Quality level to stay within the total file size of approximately 1.5 MB.
  • Submit your photos on the website at:  Competitions > Submit Images For Print or Projection  OR  click here   
  • Please capitalize each word in your photo titles & check your spelling.  The public will see your mistakes and we can’t correct them for you. 
  • DO NOT include your name, the word "copy", version numbers, or file numbers in the photo titles.  The automated features of this new website will automatically insert your name below your photo.  There is a box you can use to list your RAW photo file number (assigned by your camera) or any other number or name to help you remember which photo you submitted.
  • DO NOT include "For Comment" or "Not For Comment" in the title of your photos. The website will keep track of the options you choose.
  • The judging and voting process is conducted blindly, so all watermarked images will be disqualified.

Your photos will be automatically placed into your private Image Library for future reference and use, including submitting them to the TPS Annual Division Competition and PSA competitions! You will also be able to read all the helpful, educational critiques from our members.

Winning photos will be placed in the Home Page slideshow.  If you do NOT want your photos included in the slideshow, please contact the Website Administrator through the website email message system.  For more projection information and competition rules, click here.

Some Rules to Keep In Mind:

  • DO NOT resubmit photos.  You may submit a photo only once to either a monthly Projection Competition or to a monthly Print Competition--not to both competitions. If you make substantial changes, and you want to re-submit your photo, you must re-submit it to the same competition it was submitted to the first time.  You can't submit a photo to a Projection Competition, make substantial changes, and then submit it to a Print Competition, and vice versa. No crossing over from one competition to the other. This applies to both the Open (subject) competitions and the Theme (specific subject) competitions.  Check your Image Library or Image History so you don't accidentally re-submit photos: Membership > My Account > My Image History or My Image Library.  You will see all of the photos you have submitted to all competitions since September 2022.
  • The TPS is a club member of PSA; however, we do NOT compete according to PSA rules, such as no signs of "hand of man" in nature/wildlife photos.  You are allowed/expected to remove distracting objects from most photos, including nature/wildlife photos. It's your choice to delete distracting objects in photojournalism or documentary photos or not (sports, community and political events, rodeos, animal competitions, etc.). Judges should NOT penalize a photographer if they choose not to remove any distracting objects in a photojournalism or documentary photo, to protect the "truth of the story".  You should also not penalize the photographer with lower scores or fewer votes if they had to take their photo in less-than-ideal conditions they had no control over such as: hard light in mid-day sun, flat light on dark cloudy days, or poor indoor or outdoor lighting. Please read the website page article titled "Journalism And Documentary Photo Guidelines" at  d/72706b87-0285-40a7-b0d4-4719a04d8451

If you are not a member of the TPS and would like to start competing in Print and Projection Competitions, join the TPS by clicking here.  We hope to see your photos in our competitions and meet you at our monthly Projection and Print meetings.

 

 

 

Thursday, May 15 Print Competition
April's Theme Is "Faceless Portraits"

Meetings are open to the public on the third Thursday of the month; however, you must be a club member to compete in monthly and annual print and projection competitions.

Submit Photos - Friday, May 2 at 12 am until Tuesday, May 14 at 11:30 pm - You must submit your photos online before the meeting.  Please note that we do not accept walk-in print registrations on the night of the meeting.  Therefore, please make sure you have pre-registered your prints on the website with a digital JPEG in sRGB photo of your print, before the cut-off date/time.  Please do not exceed 1920 wide x 1080 high and 1.5 MB for your digital file size.  This change will allow the meeting to proceed on time, make the scorekeeping a smooth process, and create less work for all of our volunteers.  As a bonus, your photos will be stored in your private Image Library for future reference and use, including submitting them to the TPS Annual Division Competition and PSA competitions.  Yes, our website is connected to the PSA organization!

Judge & Vote - Judging and voting are done in person at the review meeting.

Review Meeting - Thursday, May 15 - The meeting is at 6:30 pm to 9 pm with judging, voting, photo review, and optional critiques.  These meetings are in-person only (no Zoom meetings).

Location - Waller Road Grange, 2708 64th Street East, Tacoma Google map

Submission Requirements:

  • Commercially
    made color prints shall be accepted in the Print Division competition.
  • As stated in the Bylaws, Print Division entries shall be a minimum of 35 square inches (e.g., 5″ x 7″) not including mounting. Maximum combined print and mount size shall be no larger than 320 square inches (e.g., 16″ x 20″).
  • Submit your photos on the website: Competitions > Submit Images For Print or Projection  OR  click here.
  • Please capitalize each word in your photo titles and use proper word spacing. Please check your spelling! Everyone will see your mistakes which we can't correct for you.
  • Please capitalize your photo titles.  DO NOT include your name, the word "copy", version numbers, or file numbers in the photo titles.  The automated features of the website will automatically insert your name below your photo.  There is a box you can use to list your RAW photo file number (assigned by your camera) or any other number or name to help you remember which photo you submitted.
  • DO NOT include "For Comment" or "Not For Comment" in the title of your photos. The website will keep track of the options you choose.
  • The judging and voting process is conducted blindly, so all watermarked images will be disqualified.

Award-winning photos will be placed in the Home Page slideshow.  If you do NOT want your photos included in the slideshow, please contact the Website Administrator through the website email message system.  For more print information and competition rules, click here.

Some Rules to Keep In Mind:

  • DO NOT resubmit photos. You may submit a photo only once to either a monthly Projection Competition OR to a monthly Print Competition--not to both competitions. If you make substantial changes, you must resubmit the photo to the same competition it was submitted to the first time.  You can't submit a photo to a Projection Competition, make substantial changes, and then submit it to a Print Competition, and vice versa. No crossing over from one competition to the other. This applies to both the Open (subject) competitions and the Theme (specific subject) competitions.  Check your Image Library or Image History so you don't accidentally re-submit photos: Membership > My Account > My Image History or My Image Library.  You will see all of the photos you have submitted to all competitions since September 2022.
  • The TPS is a club member of PSA; however, we do NOT compete according to PSA rules, such as no signs of "hand of man" in nature/wildlife photos.  You are allowed/expected to remove distracting objects from most photos, including nature and wildlife. It's your choice to delete distracting objects in photojournalism and documentary photos (sports, community and political events, rodeos, animal competitions, etc.) or not.  Judges should NOT penalize a photographer if they choose not to remove any distracting objects in a photojournalism or documentary photo, to protect the "truth of the story". You should also not penalize the photographer with lower scores or fewer votes if they had to take their photo in less-than-ideal conditions, they had no control over such as: hard light in mid-day sun, flat light on dark cloudy days, or poor indoor or outdoor lighting. Please read the website page article titled "Journalism And Documentary Photo Guidelines" at  d/72706b87-0285-40a7-b0d4-4719a04d8451 along with the PSA definitions on this website page /d/da390187-b253-4ea2-ade2-baadc9aa1e12

If you are not a member of the TPS and would like to start competing in Print and Projection Competitions, join the TPS by clicking here.  We hope to see your photos in our competitions and meet you at our monthly Print and Projection meetings.

 


The Tacoma Photographic Society is proud to be a member of these two fine organizations:

 

   

The TPS extends our sincere thanks to these local companies for helping make our TPS Annual Spring Fair Photo Competition a great success for us, and especially for all of the PNW photographer entrants! All photo entries are displayed at the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup each April.

           
 

Copyright © 2024 Tacoma Photographic Society - Pierce County, Washington

All photos on this website are the artistic and intellectual property of club members and are copy-protected. By law, they can't be copied, saved, reproduced, distributed, or shared in any form or for any reason without written permission from the photographer who created the photo(s).  Photography is protected under the same copyright laws as fine art, books, poetry, and music.

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