RA Photo Club

Club

About us

Mission Vision & Values

Mission

A volunteer-driven club providing its members opportunities to increase their knowledge and to apply this knowledge to improve their skills and achieve their photographic goals and objectives.

Vision

To provide our members with a full range of programs and services that serve their needs regardless of their area of photographic interest or their current capabilities.

Values

Our club values:

gaining and sharing knowledge and experience across all aspects of photography,
members who are involved and willing to help other members and the club
having fun through exploring and sharing photographic opportunities with other members

Club meetings are normally held in person at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays from September to mid-May at the RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa. However, it has been decided that the regular weekly meetings will continue to be virtual from September to December 2022. Having said that, outings such as nature and urban, and educational and Studio opportunities are being planned and will be in-person.

For information about the club you can email us.

For membership fee information, contact:

RA Centre
2451 Riverside Drive
Ottawa, ON, K1H 7X7
Canada
(613)733-5100
http://www.racentre.com/

Club Contacts

To contact us use following mailing address:

Attn: Photo Club
The RA Centre
2451 Riverside Drive,
Ottawa, Ont. Canada K1H 7X7
Email: Email us.

Leaders List

ClubContacts

Council RA Photo Club Executive Council Members Group email: No email Address Found
RA Photo Club - $season Club Contactscenter>
marks an executive position.

Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Chair	Nitoslawska, Anna (E)	(613) 521-2627
Secretary	Wilson, Randle (E)	6132264950
Recurring Program Team Rep	McCloskey, Bill (E)	(613) 567-3403	(613) --
Recurring Program Team Rep	Bloodworth, Glenn (E)	(613) 728-4770	(613) 761-5863
Social Commitee Chair	Dawson, Beverley (E)	6134472613
Council Rep	McKenna, Kyra (E)	6138505972
Council Rep	Johnston, Linda (E)	613-894-8354
Education Team Rep	Laing, Ross (E)	(613) 869-7719
Manager	Harris, Rick (E)
SIG Team Rep	St-Pierre, Hugues (E)	6137013917
SIG Team Rep	Murphy, Maureen (E)	(613) 724-2327
Past Chair/Interclub	Mueller, Manfred (E)	(613) 592-2533
Treasurer	Saint-Jacques, Jean (E)	(613) 421-1960
Group Leader	Position Vacant (E)
Group Leader	MacKay, Mike (E)	727-481-7668
Technical Support Team Rep	Miller, Roger (E)	(613) 224-4328	(819) 953-3657
Vice-Chair	Smith, Norman (E)	(613) 741-3076	(613) 957-2663
Membership Team Rep	Trevorrow, Kipper (E)	6136124161

Audio Visual Group RA Photo Club Audio Visual Group Group email: audiovisual@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Assistant	Johnson, Jamie (L)	(613) 226-2583	(613) --
Assistant	Hunter, Kathleen (L)	(613) 829-5701
Assistant	Overstreet, R Edward (L)	613-724-9968	--
Assistant	Macdonald, Robert (L)	(613) 824-9946
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Awards Committee Makes recommendations to the executive for annual volunteer awards Group email: awards@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Chair	Mueller, Manfred (E)	(613) 592-2533
Assistant	McCloskey, Bill (E)	(613) 567-3403	(613) --
Assistant	Presseault, Lise (L)	(819) 246-5609
Assistant	Dabrowski, Izabel (L)	(613) 731-0982
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By-Law/Guideline Review Committee Reviews stuff Group email: No email Address Found
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
By-Law Committee Chair	Bloodworth, Glenn (E)	(613) 728-4770	(613) 761-5863
Organization Guideline Review Assitant	McCloskey, Bill (E)	(613) 567-3403	(613) --
Organization Guideline Review Assitant	Gauthier, Pierre (L)	(819) 775-5626
Organization Guideline Review Assitant	Lapointe, Barbara (L)	(613) 741-6009
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CAPA CAPA Representative Group email: capa@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
CAPA Representative	Bloodworth, Glenn (E)	(613) 728-4770	(613) 761-5863
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CCC2017 Committee
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Communications Team Coordinates club communications within the community Group email: communications@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Council Rep	McKenna, Kyra (E)	6138505972
Council Rep	Johnston, Linda (E)	613-894-8354
Webmaster	Elliott, John (L)	(613) 828-1240	(613) 290-3505
Webmaster Assistant	Johnston, Linda (E)	613-894-8354
Listmaster	Elliott, John (L)	(613) 828-1240	(613) 290-3505
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Competitions Committee Plans the regular club photo competitions Group email: competitions@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Digital System Support	Elliott, John (L)	(613) 828-1240	(613) 290-3505
Assistant (Judges)	Hum-Sim, Elaine (L)	(613) 828-3741	(613) --
Assistant	Bloodworth, Glenn (E)	(613) 728-4770	(613) 761-5863
CAPA Representative	Mueller, Manfred (E)	(613) 592-2533
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Darkroom Manages the darkroom Group email: darkroom@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
SIG Team Rep	Elden, David (L)	(613) 565-4611
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Digital Resources Manages the club's digital resources including the scanning room. Group email: digital@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Digital Resources Assistant	Woodley, Bill (L)	(613) 731-2243	(613) --
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Education Team Coordinates club workshops and other educational activites Group email: education@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Education Team Rep	Laing, Ross (E)	(613) 869-7719
Instructor	Laramée, Robert (L)	(819) 684-2494	(613) --
Instructor	Sedki, Reda (L)	(613) 830-7573
Instructor	Mueller, Manfred (E)	(613) 592-2533
Instructor	Mazur, Brian (L)	(613) 761-1065	(613) 599-8600
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Executive Support
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Fine Art Photography Fine Art Photography Special Interest Group Group email: FineArt@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Fine Art Photography Leader	Murphy, Maureen (E)	(613) 724-2327
Fine Art Group Assistant	Bloodworth, Glenn (E)	(613) 728-4770	(613) 761-5863
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Galleries & Exhibitions Committee Coordinates exhibits in the club galleries. Group email: gallery@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Gallery Committee Chair	Spencer, Jane (L)	613-914-4403
Ottawa Public Library Convenor	Dabrowski, Izabel (L)	(613) 731-0982
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Life, Face & Figure Figure/Glamour/Portrait/Still Life Special Interest Group Group email: LifeFaceFigure@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Life, Face & Figure Assistant	Oberthier, Wilfred (L)	(613) 746-8125
Group Leader	MacKay, Mike (E)	727-481-7668
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Membership Team Group email: No email Address Found
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Volunteer Coordinator	Johnston, Linda (E)	613-894-8354
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Nature RA Photo Club Nature Group Group email: nature@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Group Leader	Miller, Roger (E)	(613) 224-4328	(819) 953-3657
Assistant	Starzynski, Lee Ann (L)	(613) 224-7723
Assistant	Ricco, Michael (L)	613-794-4525
Assistant	Bertelmann, Paul E ()	(613) 526-5653	(613) 946-1918
Assistant	Bott, Valerie ()	(613) 274-7468
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New Members Assists new members with orientation Group email: NewMembers@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Membership Team Rep	Trevorrow, Kipper (E)	6136124161
New Member Support	Laramée, Robert (L)	(819) 684-2494	(613) --
New Member Support	Spry, Douglas (L)	343-777-0401
New Member Support	Johnston, Linda (E)	613-894-8354
New Member Support	Wilson, Randle (E)	6132264950
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Nominations Committee Recommends the Executive & Volunteers for the next season. Group email: nominations@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Committee Member	Mueller, Manfred (E)	(613) 592-2533
Committee Member	Nitoslawska, Anna (E)	(613) 521-2627
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Open House Committee Arranges the annual Open House Group email: openhouse@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Open House Convenor	Dabrowski, Izabel (L)	(613) 731-0982
Open House AV Coordinator	Smith, Norman (E)	(613) 741-3076	(613) 957-2663
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Photo Feedback Feedback and critique of members work Group email: feedbackgroup@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Group Leader	Gadoury, Francois (L)	873-288-6050
Assistant	Gossage, Abigail (L)	(613) 203-1249
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Program Committee Responsible for planning the program for club meetings Group email: program@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Recurring Program Team Rep	McCloskey, Bill (E)	(613) 567-3403	(613) --
Recurring Program Team Rep	Bloodworth, Glenn (E)	(613) 728-4770	(613) 761-5863
Program Assistant	Oberthier, Wilfred (L)	(613) 746-8125
Program Assistant	Murphy, Maureen (E)	(613) 724-2327
Program Assistant	Westell, Ann (L)	519-897-5295
Program Assistant	Guzewski, Mark (L)	(613) 591-9819	(613) 592-2122
Program Assistant	Bloodworth, Glenn (E)	(613) 728-4770	(613) 761-5863
Program Assistant	Presseault, Lise (L)	(819) 246-5609
Program Assistant	Nitoslawska, Anna (E)	(613) 521-2627
Program Assistant	Matyas, Robert (L)	(613) 828-3147	(613) --
Slide Showcase Coordinator	MacKay, Mike (E)	727-481-7668
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Social Committee Responsible for reception and social events Group email: receptionsocial@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Social Committee Assistant	Hum-Sim, Elaine (L)	(613) 828-3741	(613) --
Social Committee Assistant	Schlecht, Andrea (L)	(613) 728-0577
Membership List Coordinator	Laramée, Robert (L)	(819) 684-2494	(613) --
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Still Life Still Life Photography Special Interest Group Group email: stilllife@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Group Leader	Cameron, Allan B (L)	(613) 232-5292
Assistant	Bloodworth, Glenn (E)	(613) 728-4770	(613) 761-5863
Assistant	Mueller, Manfred (E)	(613) 592-2533
Assistant	Murphy, Maureen (E)	(613) 724-2327
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Strategic Planning Committee RA Photo Club Strategic Planning Committee Group email: strat.Planning@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Leader	Smith, Norman (E)	(613) 741-3076	(613) 957-2663
Assistant	Nitoslawska, Anna (E)	(613) 521-2627
Assistant	Bloodworth, Glenn (E)	(613) 728-4770	(613) 761-5863
Assistant	Miller, Roger (E)	(613) 224-4328	(819) 953-3657
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Studio Group
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Studio Team Manages the studio Group email: studio@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Assistant Manager	Mallet, Nathaniel (L)	(613) 240-1755
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Technical Support Team Provides computer and audio systems support for club activites Group email: TechServ@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Technical Support Team Rep	Miller, Roger (E)	(613) 224-4328	(819) 953-3657
Assistant	Johnson, Jamie (L)	(613) 226-2583	(613) --
Assistant	Fraser, Andrew (L)	(613) 260-5495
Assistant	Choi, Alvin (L)	(613) 276-8057	(613) 238-8258
Assistant	Bloodworth, Glenn (E)	(613) 728-4770	(613) 761-5863
Assistant	Spry, Douglas (L)	343-777-0401
Assistant	Mostowski, Andrew (L)	(613) 731-7366
Assistant	Gadoury, Francois (L)	873-288-6050
Assistant	Agboola, Olu (L)	(613) 736-7973
Assistant	Davidson, Jim (L)	(613) 521-8196	(613) 992-2221
Assistant	Whitehall, Ivan ()	613 739-7378
Assistant	Delorme, Luc ()	613-797-9736	613-700-5045
Assistant	Acton, Robert ()	(613) 233-8985
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Techniques and Tools (Digital Group) - Discussion of digital photography Group email: Techniques.Tools@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Assistant	Hunter, Kathleen (L)	(613) 829-5701
Co-Leader	Bloodworth, Glenn (E)	(613) 728-4770	(613) 761-5863
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Urban Group Urban Photography Interest Group Group email: urban@raphotoclub.ca
Position	Name	Home Phone	Office Phone
Group Leader	St-Pierre, Hugues (E)	6137013917
Assistant	Gossage, Abigail (L)	(613) 203-1249
Assistant	Bloodworth, Glenn (E)	(613) 728-4770	(613) 761-5863
Assistant	Laux, Jeanne (L)	(613) 747-0637
Assistant	Ricco, Michael (L)	613-794-4525
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Club Executive Council

RA Photo Club Executive Council Members 2023-2024
Chair	Anna Nitoslawska
Secretary	Randle Wilson
Recurring Program Team Rep	Bill McCloskey
Recurring Program Team Rep	Glenn Bloodworth
Social Commitee Chair	Beverley Dawson
Council Rep	Kyra McKenna
Council Rep	Linda Johnston
Education Team Rep	Ross Laing
Manager	Rick Harris
SIG Team Rep	Hughes St-Pierre
SIG Team Rep	Maureen Murphy
Past Chair/Interclub	Manfred Mueller
Treasurer	Jean Saint-Jacques
Group Leader	Position Vacant
Group Leader	Mike MacKay
Technical Support Team Rep	Roger Miller
Vice-Chair	Norman Smith
Membership Team Rep	Kipper Trevorrow

History of the Club

RA Photo Club History

Tracing its origins to the beginning of the Second World War, Ottawa’s RA Photo Club has a proud record of achievement in support of amateur photography in the national capital region. Founded in 1939 in modest quarters above a downtown restaurant, it focused, in early years, on black and white photography. Fittingly enough, its first Chairperson, Doug White, worked with the National Film Board, a federal agency which gained international renown for its prowess in the photographic arts. As recounted by the club's first Life member, Alice Gillies, in her memoir, A Snapshot of the Past:

1939 - 40	The members met on Monday evenings in a room above Bowles Lunch, at 3 Rideau Street, adjacent to the Union Station, now the Government Conference Centre.
1941 - 42	Members invited to Jim Newton's home for a darkroom workshop.
1946 - 47	The RA News paid $5 for the best photograph every month from a club member.
1950 - 51	Chairperson Harry Bleinham introduced coloured slides, and a darkroom was installed at 30 Rideau Street. Prints were exhibited at the Odeon and Glebe Theatres, camera shops and Freiman's department store.
1952 - 53	A Christmas party was held at the RA Lodge, 50 Wellington Street.
1955 - 56	Chairperson Don Thorn introduced a Portrait Studio.
1956 - 57	Club fees were raised from $1 to $2; non-members paid $4; the darkroom fee was $4. The meetings were now held at 243 Lisgar Street, in the RA House.
1958 - 59	Membership totaled 50, with 15 members using the darkroom.
1961- 62	The RA Camera Club, the Colour Photographic Association of Canada (CPAC), and the Camera Club of Ottawa met together at the RA Centre. The darkroom in the RA's new quarters on Riverside Drive was introduced by Al Hern.
1963 - 64	A 70" by 70" projection screen was acquired for the first time. The members were divided into two groups: Novice and Advanced.
1964 - 65	Membership rose to 90. A library was set up and a banquet held at the end of the year.
1969 - 70	The Nature Group was informally organized in early 1970.
1975 - 76	The first Open House was successfully organized by Karen Lehmann on May 4, 1976.
1976 - 77	Membership rose to 125. Studio, Fashion and Portraiture were introduced.
1978 - 79	The first Audio-Visual Program was introduced.
1983 - 84	The club's name was changed from RA Camera Club to RA Photo Club.

After much discussion, the Club established criteria for monthly competitions whereby participants advance from the Junior level through Intermediate, Senior and (a very few) to Master levels. At first, there were separate categories for prints and slides but this has evolved into just one top prize for Photographer of the Year.

In 1998 and 2003, the RA Photo Club organized two very successful Canadian Camera Conferences for CAPA (Canadian Association for Photographic Art), hosting photographers from across Canada. Activities included photographic field trips, proficient speakers, wine and cheese events, banquets, barbeques, etc. The RAPC inaugurated Trade Shows as part of these events.

A well-attended full day Planning Session was held in 2006. As a result, there was some organizational re-structuring. Soon after, the Club’s By-Laws were revised and Organization Guidelines were established to provide guidance to future members.

The RA Photo Club is today one of the largest, best equipped, most active and diversified photo clubs in Canada. Initially serving federal government employees only, its services are now open to all who are interested in photography. Home base is the RA Centre, a major recreational complex located at 2451 Riverside Drive, off Bronson Avenue. Thousands of photography enthusiasts have enjoyed its vigorous program of presentations, outings, workshops and special projects and services. Operation of a self- contained darkroom and studio and, more recently, digital resource facilities has provided additional inducement for members to learn and improve photographic skills by active hands-on participation.

Operation of club programs is richly sustained by involving an extraordinarily high proportion of members in executive and group activities. Of some 300 members registered, more than 60 are actively engaged in one or more committees. About one-third of members take part in periodic photo competitions. Many members get involved in one or more special interest groups and activities, with as many as 100 signing up for such popular pursuits as nature, urban or digital photography.

Succeeding years have seen steady progress as club leaders have managed to sustain and expand the scope of photographic activity to serve the ever broadening interests of photo enthusiasts. For many years, club members actively supported other programs of the RA Centre by volunteering to take photos of these activities. An annual "photo blitz" was staged with this objective, so that much of the imagery contained in the centre's periodical RA News was the work of club photographers. Many members have also contributed generously to community projects such as Wildlife Week by providing prints for exhibition.

Widespread interest in the rapid development of digital photography sparked a dramatic increase in club membership from the 100-125 range to 300+ in recent years. Improved communications, especially through a dedicated RA Photo Club web site, has contributed significantly to this expansion. A significant innovation was the formation in 2005-2006 of a new and vibrant Urban Group dedicated to photography in the urban environment. Members of the group got off to an enthusiastic start covering such summer festivals as Dragon Boat Races, Bluesfest, Tulip Festival and the Chamber Music Festival. It is the dedication and passion of RA Photo Club members to all aspects of photography that will continue to make history in the Ottawa region and beyond.

Leadership in club programming has been constantly assured by a succession of able chairpersons and executive committee members, many of whom have maintained club membership over lengthy periods. Chairpersons over the past two decades include:

Bob Matyas (2010-11)
Pierre Gauthier (2008-2010)
Dave Elden (2007-08)
Corry Berghout (2006-07)
Robert James (2004-05, 2005-06)
Tom Ritchie (2003-04)
Barbara Lapointe (2002-03, 1995-96, and 1985-86)
Brian Fogarty (2001-02)
Peter Roberts (2000-01)
Dave Haggarty (1999-2000 and 1992-93)
Linda Brewer (1998-99)
Guy Lorriman (1997-98)
Catherine Kelly (1996-97)
Bill Rankin (1994-95)
Pam McLennan (1993-94)
Joy Macdonell (1991-92)
Ed Overstreet (1990-91)
Bill Bovey (1989-90)
J-P Jerome (1988-89)
Marjorie Leach (1987-88)

All but two of these are still club members.

Life members honoured for dedicated service to the club include:

Alice Gillies
Eric Cottee
Henri Langlois
Paul Holland
Ed Overstreet
Barry Thoms
Catherine Kelly
Barbara Lapointe
Pierre Gauthier
John Elliott
David Elden

Club

About us

Club Contacts

Leaders List

Council

Audio Visual Group

Awards Committee

By-Law/Guideline Review Committee

CAPA

Communications Team

Competitions Committee

Darkroom

Digital Resources

Education Team

Fine Art Photography

Galleries & Exhibitions Committee

Life, Face & Figure

Membership Team

Nature

New Members

Nominations Committee

Open House Committee

Photo Feedback

Program Committee

Social Committee

Still Life

Strategic Planning Committee

Studio Team

Technical Support Team

Techniques and Tools (Digital Group)

Urban Group

Club Executive Council

History of the Club