History 

Founded in 1961 as the Willamalane Camera Club, The Emerald Photographic Society is in its 46th year providing a home for photographers in Lane County, Oregon. In 1961 the original group chose the name Willamalane Camera Club and elected Bob Hersey president. The club held monthly slide and print competitions on an individual basis without a point system. After Ben Andrews joined the club in 1962, the members approved a system of classes and points for both competitions with prints having both black & white and color divisions. In 1963 when Ben Andrews was president and Buzz Foley was vice president, the club members voted to join the Photographic Society of America (PSA). Membership in PSA was maintained up through 1996.  The regional branch, Columbia Council of Camera clubs (4C's), has offered inter club competitions as well as an annual convention.

1969 Officers Top, From Left: Buzz Foley, Ben Andrews, George Cosmos Front: Hugo Nichols, Helen Knowlton, Willett Jessee

Long-Time Member Bob Nyquist Making Pictures in the1990s

When the club moved to the Eugene Public Library in 1972, the members changed the name to "Emerald Photographic Society" and in 1984 started a two-division, Salon and Master Class, slide competition system. The members then voted to compete in a one-class, three-category slide competition system at the beginning of 1994.  In 1995, the club added a Novice Class Slide competition for members preferring critique rather than regular competition. This competition has been discontinued, and critiques are now available on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Traditionally, the club has held an annual picnic shoot and a dinner meeting for presentation of annual awards. A variety of educational activities have been enjoyed by members, guests, and visitors from the community for many years.

In November 1997, Emerald Photographic Society first appeared on the Internet.  In the first week it was one page describing the club and meeting times. In 2000, EPS got its own Internet name, www.emeraldphotographic.org.  After many years of being dominated by color slide competition, the club now is more actively involved in prints with large showings in the monthly print competitions. Print exhibits also took off in the year 2000 and 2001 with four exhibits in a 7-month period. In 2007, the club added a well-attended digital competition to the regular monthly slide and print competitions.

1966-67 Yearbook (Possibly the First One)

 

Remembering Members From Our Past . . .
Ben Andrews	Bob Nyquist	Emel Swanson	Ted Lyons

See Also, Member Profile, Emel Swanson
 
 

Front Covers of Yearbooks (WCC stands for Willamalane Camera Club)

 

From Page 2 of 1966 Yearbook

Page From 1969 Yearbook