About
We are a non-profitmaking network of over 80 clubs and societies from Thurso in the north to Dumfries in the south and all areas in between.
The sizes and involvement of each club within the SPF varies widely. Founded in 1903, our remit is to promote the art and science of photography through interaction. To this end, the SPF Executive Committee organises, or participates in, a diary of events annually, mainly in the form of competitions and workshops.
We also maintain a mailing list and supply various services, including our e-newsletter, and SPF Directory-Handbook which contains all SPF Clubs and our SPF Judge’s and Lecturer’s list.
Through our SPF membership of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB) this gives our member Clubs access to the Club network throughout the whole of the UK. Through this affiliation come other benefits including access to Judges and Lecturers from throughout the UK, access to the PAGB Distinctions scheme, competitive Insurance arrangements for Camera Clubs exclusive to the PAGB network, and the PAGB Recorded Lecture Service, all of which you can take advantage of as an affiliated SPF club.
In addition to this UK membership; as a member Club of the SPF, you, and your members, also automatically become members of FIAP which is a worldwide organisation, currently based in Luxembourg.
About This SPF Website and the SPF
The SPF Website - To find out what's where download the SPF Website Guide below for an overview of what's contained on this website and where, as well as an overview of the SPF.
The 'Admin Area' - Online Entry area of this website is for Club Main Contacts and Competition Secretaries only at this time. Please visit the Competitions Guidance page (click here) for full details and Illustrated Guidance Notes for help in completing your Club's entry online using this area. Please Contact Libby if you require any assistance.
Aims and Objectives
The objectives of the SPF are the same today as they were when we were founded in 1903 "to promote co-operation between, and organise activities for the mutual benefit of, affiliated societies as well as promoting the general advancement of photography".
SPF Constitution
A copy of our current SPF Constitution is below to download.
Who Can Join
For Clubs to be able to join the SPF they must be
"a camera club, photographic society, photographic club or photographic group with a published constitution and published program of events, united by a common interest in photography, meeting in person for mutual co-operation, education, entertainment or competition solely from a physical location within Scotland".
Although we cannot offer membership to Individuals there are many opportunities, activities and events open to individuals who are members of our SPF Clubs.
If your Club is interested in joining please contact the SPF General Secretary in the first instance. For a list of current SPF Member Clubs please visit the CLUBS area of this website (click here)
As all SPF Clubs are also members of the PAGB, Clubs should comply with the PAGB's definition of a Club which is as follows -
“A camera club, photographic society, photographic club or photographic group with a published constitution and programme of events, united by a common interest in photography, meeting in person for mutual co-operation, education, entertainment or competition solely from one or more physical locations within the Geographical Limits of the PAGB. (Constitution, section 9). The Geographical Limits include The United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands and only Clubs falling within this definition are qualified to enter PAGB Competitions. Clubs are expected to meet regularly, meaning at least twelve times each year, usually during a prescribed season, and in-person, meaning at an actual physical location with members present - not an online meeting.”
For the avoidance of doubt, the above does not mean that Member Clubs cannot have ‘virtual’ meetings, but they must also meet the minimum requirements of meeting in-person in a physical location, to be in line with our SPF Constitution and that of the PAGB. If this causes a problem for your Club please contact the SPF General Secretary or SPF Treasurer to discuss.
About Membership
As a condition of joining, as well as paying an annual subscription, Clubs will be asked to supply a copy of their program and sign a declaration to say that they comply with above statements, and have a published constitution.
The SPF must, at all times, be provided with full details (Name, postal address, personal email address and phone number) of at least one club officebearer who will receive all mailings from the SPF - normally the club secretary. A second contact is advised, normally the competition secretary. Full details for one club contact must be published in our SPF Directory. We do not give personal details out to anyone out with the SPF.
SPF Executive
The SPF Executive Committee is made up of volunteers from our member clubs, and is responsible for the general administration of the Federation.
The committee is made up of President, Senior Vice President, Junior Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Hon Vice President, Immediate Past President, Ordinary Members and Area Representatives. All are elected at our AGM, except the Area Rep’s who are elected by the clubs in their area.
Office bearers, Ordinary members and Area Rep’s take on the various positions, which include FIAP Liaison Officer, PAGB Executive Member, Judges & Lecturers Secretaries, Custodian and event organisers. For full details of our current Executive Committee (click here) or contact the SPF General Secretary.
SPF Area Representatives
Our Clubs are split into areas. Each Area has a post for an Area Representative who is elected by the Clubs in that area. Area Rep's are full voting members of the SPF Executive, and help aid communication between the SPF and its member clubs. These are quite often hand-in or collection points for print competitions too.
These are the ‘SPF AREAS’ that have been agreed, and altered over the years, as other Clubs have joined. Historically, some areas may have competitions, or events, that run with additional Clubs from these areas, or even a neighbouring area. These borders are for SPF Admin and Events only, they have no geographical or council borders, only what has made sense within the Clubs within these areas.
Local event organisers are not automatically SPF Area Reps unless they have been formally nominated through the SPF and accepted – these are listed in the SPF Directory and on the Executive area of this website.
SPF Areas
We have several vacancies. For further details see below and above or contact the SPF General Secretary. You can also contact any of our Area Reps by visiting the SPF Executive area of this website (click here)
ANGUS - Brechin; Carnoustie PG; Dundee; Kirriemuir.
ARGYLL - Cowal; Fort William; Mid Argyll; Oban.
AYRSHIRE - Ayr; Beith; Irvine; Kilmarnock; Kilmaurs; Skelmorlie.
CENTRAL NORTH - Airdrie & Coatbridge; Clacks; Cumbernauld & Kilsyth; Falkirk; Kirkintilloch; Stirling & Dist.
CENTRAL SOUTH - Alba; Carluke; Clydesdale; East Kilbride; Lanark; Lesmahagow; Motherwell; Strathaven.
DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY - Abbey; Cumnock & District; Dumfries; Loreburn; The Stewartry.
EDINBURGH NORTH - Edinburgh; Livingston; Mid Calder.
EDINBURGH SOUTH - Beeslack (Penicuik); Galashiels CC; Haddington; Midlothian; Musselburgh; North Berwick; Peebles.
FIFE - Cupar; Dunfermline CC; Dunfermline PA; Glenrothes; Hillend; Kirkcaldy; St Andrews.
GLASGOW - Hub Singer; Milngavie & Bearsden; Queen’s Park; Scottish Circle.
GRAMPIAN - Aberdeen; Bon Accord; Deeside; Deveron; Ellon; Forres; Fraserburgh; Mearns; Moray; Peterhead; Speyside.
HIGHLANDS - Cromarty; Dingwall; Inverness; Islesburgh; Nairn; Orkney; Thurso.
PERTH & KINROSS - Alyth & Blairgowrie; Auchterarder; Crieff; Kinross; Perthshire; Perth CSSA.
RENFREWSHIRE - Eastwood; Greenock; Gryffe; Paisley Colour; Paisley PS; Penilee.
How To Become an SPF Area Representative
The ‘Area Representatives’ are elected by the Clubs in their Area. Without this help the SPF cannot continue to offer all of the Services and Events to its Clubs it does currently. A number of the posts for SPF Area Rep are currently vacant. We, the SPF, cannot constitutionally fill these posts ourselves.
If there is no-one in post, all you require to do is get your Club to nominate you. The nomination will be circulated to all of the Clubs in your area, inviting acceptance or alternative nominations. If no further nominations are forthcoming you are elected to the post.
Please see full details on the download below of what is required for the post of SPF Area Rep, along with details of areas vacant. Feel free to contact the SPF General Secretary if you would like to discuss (click here)
SPF Events
Historically the SPF has organised competitions, these have grown over the years. Two of these events are audience based where club members can attend whether or not their Club has entered; another results in self-executing shows (MP4) being available for showing on a Club night, and one is a worldwide competition with an exhibition (The latter is currently in abeyance).
SPF Digital Championship is a club competition open to projected digital images (PDI), held in November each year. It is judged in front of an audience by three judges. Entries are submitted in advance.
SPF Print Championship is a club and individual competition open to Monochrome and Colour prints, held in Feb each year. It is judged in front of an audience by three judges. Entries are submitted in advance.
SPF Annual Portfolios is a club and individual competition open to Mono and Colour Prints, and Digital (PDI) entries. Entries submitted by 1st May. Judged in camera, by three judges; Portfolio shows of the accepted entries are sent to Clubs electronically (or on DVD) in the Nov following the event.
SPF Scottish International Salon is open to all photographers whether SPF members or not. Entries are submitted in advance from throughout the world in Mar/Apr. It is judged in camera by nine judges. All entrants receive a colour catalogue. An exhibition is held in May/June. The Scottish Salon has its own website to visit it (click here) (currently in abeyance).
SPF Audio Visual Day was run annually by the SPF, but has not run for a couple of years due to dwindling numbers attending. It has varied due to the transition period between traditional and digital. We hope to resurrect this event in a slightly different format. It was previously an audience event for audio visual enthusiasts, with visiting speakers and members sequences.
The SPF also regularly runs PAGB Awards Workshops and Judges Assessment days.
