Welcome to HPS Online

The Houston Photographic Society (HPS) is a group of like-minded individuals interested in learning more about the art of photography. From rank beginning to seasoned Master Photographers, this group has them all and encourages shutterbug enthusiasts from all age levels and backgrounds to join for a variety of purposes including but no limited to learning, teaching, comraderie, networking and more. Whether you are interests range from pin-hole cameras to large format film cameras, from simple point-and-shoot cameras to the latest technological advances of digital SLRs, there is something for everyone.

HPS members meet twice a month on the second and fourth Tuesdays at the Tracy Gee Community Center just off Beltway 8 and Westpark on the west side of Houston.

The second Tuesday is usually called Program Night where a variety of topics are presented from esteemed individuals in the field and sometimes even our own members who have a special niche to share.

The fourth Tuesday meeting is the Print Competition where members are encouraged to bring up to two matted photos that are critiqued and judged by an outside individual who has clout in the photographic community. There are three different divisions that members enter: Bronze Group (beginners and new members); Silver Group (advanced from the Bronze Group); and Gold Group (advanced from the Silver Group). Each group has two categories: Black/White and Color photography (though in the Gold Group, both categories are combined into one). There is also a special category everyone may participate in that changes monthly.

In addition, once a year, all members are eligible to participate in the Portfolio Challenge where a group of judges will critique your portfolio in October! Such critiques often cost hundreds of dollars and HPS members get it included in their regular low membership fees! There is also a Year-End Print Competition where judges select the best photos in each category from all the first, second and third place monthly winners throughout the year. Not only are there competition, but there are also club outings scheduled for member participation that may range from such venues as a local outdoor farmer markets to long road trips like Big Bend National Park.

If you are curious about and want learn more, please peruse this Web site. We also invite you to come to one or two of our meetings to see if you feel like we are the right fit for your interests. If you like what you see, we look forward to you joining us as a member!

We hope to see you soon!