Boeing Employees' Photographic Society

Directions:

Getting to Oxbow from the South

Getting to Oxbow from the North

The Club

The Boeing Employees’ Photographic Society (BEPS) has been in existence since the 1930’s. We are a non-profit organization, and the largest and one of the most active photography clubs in the Pacific Northwest. Membership runs the gamut from new photographers to working professionals, from kids to retirees. This diversity is one of the club’s greatest strengths.

Affiliations

The club is supported by Boeing Recreation which provides us with a meeting room.

BEPS is a member of the Photographic Society of America (PSA) and the Northwest Council of Camera Clubs (NWCCC). PSA membership entitles us to their magazine, The PSA Journal, which is available at regular meetings. Being a member of BEPS does not automatically make you a member of PSA. Contact them separately if you would like to join as an individual.

However, being a BEPS member does make you a member of the NWCCC and entitles you to participate in their activities (www.nwcameraclubs.org). These include occasional photographic outings around the northwest, slide and print competitions, and an annual convention.

Membership

All Boeing employees, retirees, spouses, dependents, and on-site military or contractor personnel with Boeing badges are eligible for membership. A limited number of memberships are possible for those who don’t fall into one of the above categories. Contact a board member for details. Dues are $20 for individuals, $28 for families, and $12 for retirees. Pets are free.

Membership runs September to June and dues are pro-rated for those joining during the year. Membership entitles participation in the club competitions, NWCCC competitions, attendance at the education and program nights, potlucks, banquets, etc. All members receive a three digit ID number which is used for tracking competition results, database management, etc.

Download membership form for 2011-2012 here.

Leadership

Club leadership includes a Board of Directors and numerous advisors, appointees, and focals which are appointed by the Board. All positions are volunteers. The Board is elected each May “at large” and from the elected members, individual offices are filled. The offices of President and Treasurer must be filled by Boeing employees. Any member (except dependent children) is eligible to serve as Vice President, Secretary, Program Chair, or Competition Chair. Board meetings are held the first meeting of the month at 5:30PM, September through May. All members are welcome to attend. See a current copy of the Focal Point (club newsletter) for a complete listing of officers.

Meetings

Meetings are typically held the first four Wednesdays evenings from September through May. The first Wednesday is Projected Image Night, the second is Education Night, the third is Print Night, and the fourth is Program Night. This will occasionally change due to holidays, open house, etc. Check the Events section on the club website for the latest schedule. We have light refreshments available at almost every meeting – coffee, cookies, and the like. Feel free to bring goodies to share.

Competitions

There is a separate handout that describes the competitions, achievement levels, judging criteria, etc. so I won’t repeat them here. Suffice it to say the projected image and print competitions are one of the best ways to improve as a photographer. They can provide valuable insights from other members, especially during the critiques. You may not agree with them, and that’s OK. Photography, like any other art form, is subjective. Club criteria for “a good image” may not be so good in another application and vice versa. Keep an open mind, and don’t take scores too seriously.

Judges/Critiquers

Judges and Critiquers for the monthly competitions are selected from within the club. They have demonstrated through achievement levels and experience their ability to take quality images. Judges do not score their own work or that of family members. In these cases, the score of the alternate is substituted. Critiquing is one of the most difficult tasks in the club. The goal is to explain the strengths and potential areas of improvement for images. Take the comments as they are intended, to help improve.

Education Nights

Education nights are a great way to learn about new techniques and different aspects of photography. In the past we have covered: camera operation, film, studio lighting, filters, spot toning, custom slide mounts, composition, macrophotography, matting and framing, digital imaging, and judging workshops. If you have a topic you would like to see covered, please speak up. Often members present education nights, but we also bring in invited speakers.

Program Nights

Programs nights give us an opportunity to enjoy the work of established photographers in the NW, often from working professionals outside the club, sometimes from club members. We have had topics ranging from nature to photojournalism to fine art over the years. Recent speakers have included Bruce Barnbaum, Phil Borges, and Art Wolfe. If you have someone in mind you would like to see as a guest presenter, let us know.

Travelling Print Salon

The print salon is e a fun way to share images with other clubs in the NWCCC. All members are eligible to submit images. We send out our group of images (20 to 25 or so) which are then judged by the other participating clubs. In return, we judge the entries from other member clubs. Information on entering is available in the NWCCC newsletter. Prizes are awarded for top scoring entries.

Portrait Shoot

The portrait shoot is the primary fund raising activity for the year. We set up a complete portrait studio at the Activity Center with large backdrop and studio strobes. We offer 15 minute sessions with clients from around Puget Sound. These shoots are a great way to learn about studio lighting and portraiture, or to help out the club. We always need lots of volunteers, from stuffing envelopes on up. This is a good way to get involved.

Holiday Potluck

Informal. A great time! Bring a dish to share. Massive pig out.

Annual Competition

Held in May. Any slide or print submitted during the prior year receiving 8 or more points is eligible for the annual competition. We bring in outside judges who award prizes in many different categories. Always many outstanding images.

Year End Banquet

Formal (for Seattle). Always a fun time! Here we unveil the results of the annual competitions, acknowledge achievements of members over the past year, and crown our elected Most Promising New Member, Most Creative Member, Member of the Year and the Brian R. Perkin Inspirational award. A chance to play dress up and pig out.

Studio Lighting

We have two complete lighting setups. The “big” one is used for the portrait shoots. The “little” one is available for rent (also cheap) to club members. It includes 3 heads, stands, umbrellas, a power pack, Wein infrared trigger, backdrops, flashmeter, etc.

Miscellaneous Equipment

Other equipment that is available to borrow or rent includes slide projectors, screen, fade/dissolve unit, wireless mic, and a slide duplicator. We have a computer and a Dell digital projector for use during club activities.

Digital Imaging

We share a Nikon LS2000 scanner with the Computing Society which will scan 35mm negatives or slides. The club also owns an Epson 1600 flatbed scanner for medium/large format transparencies/negatives as well as final art/prints up to 8 ½ x 11.

Large Format

The club owns a 4x5 field camera (Wista DX) which is available for rent to club members. The system includes a 210mm f5.6 lens, 10 film holders, dark cloth, focusing loupe and carrying case. Club members supply their own film, tripod and light meter (the meter in a 35mm camera works well). Exposed film may be processed at a local lab or in the club darkroom. Workshops/field trips will be held periodically. If you have always wanted to try 4x5 but weren't quite sure how to start, here’s your chance!

Website

We have a web site http://www.bepsphoto.com. Our intention is for it to be a central repository for club information, have a strong gallery of images, useful photographic tips, links to other interesting sites, recommended books, etc. As a matter of club policy, phone numbers and addresses of club members will not be posted on the web site. Scores of monthly competitions will also not be posted. Awards will. Please submit images for the gallery, favorite links, etc. to the webmaster.

Communication

We are trying to communicate as much of the club activities as possible through e-mail. This saves both trees and postage. If you have a home e-mail account and would like to receive information electronically, please make sure that we have your current email address. Due to the company policy, we can not send mass emailings such as newsletters to Boeing email addresses. We can send them to home email addresses.

Conclusion

As you can see, the club is a tremendous resource, both in people and equipment. I encourage you to find an area that you are interested in, whether it be competitions, portraiture, digital imaging, studio work, whatever, and explore it. Learn as much as you can. Then teach someone else. You’ll make great new friends and have fun at the same time. And to all of those volunteers who donate their time, knowledge, and expertise to the club, my sincere thanks. This club would not exist without you.

Happy Shooting!

Disclaimer:

The views/comments expressed on this website are not necessarily those of The Boeing Company.

Boeing Employee's Photographic Society. Last Modified: 11/30/2011