Club Benefits
Monday Night Meetings & Presentations
CCCW meets regularly on Monday nights at 8:00 pm. Doors open earlier at 7:30 pm for members and guests to share coffee and conversation.
Each meeting focuses on a pre-planned event, primarily: (1) presentations by exceptional outside photographers, who are recruited for their ability to speak effectively to an audience on photographic techniques and projects, and (2) competition nights (discussed below). At times, the Club also uses meetings for special workshops and lively peer critiques. The Club has upwards of 100 active members, so large groups of members and non-member guests enjoy each meeting. (Club meetings are free and open to members and guests.)
Competition Nights
Each year, Club members are eligible to participate in a set of 9 competitions for digital photography (in two categories: "traditional" and "new dimensions") and a set of 3 competitions for prints. The competitions are judged in three levels (C, B and Salon), so members can be scored within a group of similar skill and experience. The Club recruits experienced outside guest judges to critique and score images at each competition night. The competitions are collegial, supportive and enthusiastic, and permit both entrants and audience to improve their technique and critical eye.
At a typical digital competition night, 200+ images are shown on a large screen, and critiqued/scored by a judge. "Ribbons" are given in each category and level for Awards and Honorable Mention. There is no requirement to enter all competitions, and some members elect to enter only one or a few each year. For those who seek to enter all of the competitions during the year, scores are tallied for year-end awards. (Only members are eligible to compete; non-members are invited to view the competition nights.)
Mentoring Programs
Members also have the opportunity to participate in mentoring programs during the year. In these programs, experienced members offer to conduct group workshops for other members (usually 6-8 per workshop) to share special knowledge and techniques with other members. The programs range from introductory information (e.g., Camera Basics and Introduction to Photoshop) to advanced topics (e.g., sport photography, night photography, light painting, time-lapse, Photoshop & Lightroom layering/masking). The programs are a great way to get to know and work with other photographers. (Mentoring programs are open to members only.)
Trips
Members also have the opportunity to participate in a robust schedule of day and overnight trips during the year. On day trips, experienced members coordinate and lead trips for other members (usually 10-20 per trip) to special photograph locations -- usually in Westchester or within an hour's drive, and usually tied to a special theme or genre (street photography, nature photography, landscapes, animals, seashore, marsh, cemeteries, etc.). For example: Grand Central Station, Red Hook, Bronx Zoo, NY Botanical Gardens, Steinhardt Gardens, Stonecrop Gardens, Untermyer Gardens). Club members also venture further afield several times each year for group weekend trips -- e.g., to Washington, D.C., the Adirondacks, the Montauk shoreline, etc. And, members who venture on long photo expeditions in the US and overseas often come back with collections presented at Club meetings. (Club trips are open only to members and their guests.)
Exhibits
Members also have the opportunity to join the entire Club, or to collaborate with smaller groups of members, to exhibit their work at public and private gallery spaces in Westchester. The Club arranges venues each year that are familiar with the Club's high quality of works, and seeks to open participation in these "showcase" exhibits to all interested members. In addition, the Club members also participate routinely in non-Club juried exhibits and solo exhibits in Westchester and New York City; the Club publicizes member exhibits, and Club members routinely attend Exhibit Receptions to toast the accomplishments of their colleagues.
Through the Club, members have access to a font of information on photography and photography events (inside and outside the Club) -- plenty to educate a photographer and to keep a photography enthusiast busy throughout the year. The Club Website is a hub -- through which members have access to an updated event calendar, competition results, and other useful information. A club News Letter is sent out bi-monthly with information about upcoming club and member activities. Frequent Club Emails alert members on time-sensitive matters and provide detailed information and logistics for trips, events, programs, etc. On-line Club Albums are used to gather, view and converse about photographs from Club trips and topical "challenges." Members also follow each other's work on Instagram and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/colorcameraclub).
Annual Membership Fee
The Club has worked hard to keep membership affordable -- and it is proud to offer so much for so little during the year. The weekly meetings are free, and Club events (trips, mentoring, gallery receptions, etc.) are typically free (or, at-cost for non-Club events). The Club's current annual membership fee -- for each Club year beginning in September -- is as follows:
Member: $75 (Joining after Jan 1: $50)
Student: $25
The fee is due upon registration as a member, or upon renewal of membership.