10 minutes with Henderson Photographic Society (Inc.)

Established in 1963, the Henderson Photographic Society was formed for local photographers to share ideas and techniques, critique photos, and talk all things photography. The 70­-plus members meet twice a month from February to November, and over the years the club has hosted both national and regional conventions on behalf of the Photographic Society of New Zealand (PSNZ).

Rich in photographic opportunities, the club’s West Auckland location provides members with access to unique New Zealand locations such as West Coast beaches for rugged landscapes, waterfalls, and sunsets, and sporting events such as surfing and big boats, the Waitakere Ranges for fauna and wildlife, Muriwai for the gannet colony, and various vineyards with vines that capture the autumn colours beautifully.

The club runs a monthly competition programme on the first Wednesday of the month, for which members bring along prints or digital images for projection to be critiqued by an experienced photographer. A member grading system allows peer-based competition, with points awarded and accumulated towards grading and annual trophy awards.

The themes range from landscape, portrait, and photojournalism, through to more challenging subjects such as cuisine and painting with light. While the competition aspect is not compulsory, members benefit from the constructive advice that allows new ideas and techniques to be learned, creating a richer experience for all. The Henderson Photographic Society has also expanded into online competitions run in-club throughout the year, while also recently competing against the Club Photo Roussillon from Montreal, Canada, in an online interclub competition.

The second Wednesday of the month is dedicated to a workshop evening compiled and delivered by the committee, with generous help from other members. These hands-­on workshops allow members to bring their cameras and work through various practical examples, and are run by club members, as the club has a wealth of resources for members to draw from. 

The membership is full of experienced and passionate photographers willing to share their knowledge, and the Henderson Photographic Society is always looking to welcome new members who wish to grow and expand their talents in all aspects of photography. If you would like to know more, further details about the club can be found at hendersonphoto.org.nz or on Facebook (search for ‘Henderson Photographic Society’).

This article was originally published in D-Photo Issue No. 67. Missing this issue from your collection? You can pick up a print copy or a digital copy of the magazine below: