Based out of Halifax NS, the Photographic Guild of Nova Scotia aims to promote the art and science of photography amongst its members and the public through avenues such as competitions, field trips, seminars, workshops and public shows.
Our club
The Photographic Guild of Nova Scotia, or “Guild,” was founded in 1947 as “Colour Photographic Guild of the Maritimes”.
PGNS Founding Members – image provided by Cyril Smith’s daughter, Corinne Hoebers. Members include: Wayne Baird, Ed Bollinger, Seymour Crawley, Harold Davis, Russ Heffler, Tim Randall, Barbara Schwartz, Cyril Smith, George Sylvester, Cliff Wright, Peggy Wright
The Guild is one of the largest photographic clubs in Atlantic Canada, with over 100 members. Our membership consists of a wide range of age groups, with expertise ranging from the aspiring beginner to the advanced amateur and the professional photographer. Our members specialize in a variety of photographic styles and subjects, including abstracts, black and white photography, fine art, landscape, macro, nature, photojournalism, portraiture, travel, wedding, and underwater photography. While most of us shoot digitally, some of our members enjoy shooting film, and some use both media.
Learning by interacting with other photographers
One of the ways the Guild encourages the development of photographic skills is through competitions. Our members compete locally, nationally (CAPA) and internationally (PSA and FIAP) through the Guild. Many members also compete to a very high standard at an individual level. There is nothing like the impetus of an upcoming theme assignment to motivate a photographer to go shooting with his or her camera in pursuit of a winning image. By using one’s camera and viewing the images created by other photographers, members can learn how to improve their images. Guild members’ successes in competitions are acknowledged with merit certificates, awards and trophies at our annual spring banquet. Great photography and good food, who could ask for a better combination?
The Guild has numerous field trips each year. The goal is to encourage members to hone their photographic skills in the company of other photographers and to have fun while doing it! It is a great way to get to know other members, learn photographic techniques and be with others who enjoy the hobby. Only another photographer can understand how one can start down a trail and less than five minutes later become completely engrossed in capturing a photographic scene for the next hour or so.
Our on-line newsletter, the PGNS e-News, is produced each month during the active season. It contains news about upcoming events and competitions, as well as articles on travel, helpful hints and techniques.
In an effort to acquire high quality images of Nova Scotia birds in the wild and geological subjects, the Nova Scotia Bird Society, the Atlantic Geoscience Society, and the Nova Scotia Nature Trust have also collaborated with the Guild by conducting competitions. These images are made available to the respective societies for educational use.
PGNS History