Welcome to the ACE Archive
See our new FAQ section at the bottom of this page.
What's on? Meeting place changes.
Tuesdays now begin at our Vancouver Arts Centre studio at 10.30am.
Thursdays from the ACTIV Hub at the same time.
We are walking in the Yakamia Forest both days, weather permitting.
CLUB ACTIVITIES
SUPPORT OUR MEMBERS
Link- Hand-made crafts by Leearna- https://www.facebook.com/handmadecraftsbyleearna
2025 ALBANY AGRICULTURAL SHOW PHOTO COMPETITION
Fri 7th & Sat 8th November 2025
ACE is pleased to be involved in managing the photography competition for the third year in a row.
Photography is a very popular attraction at every country show and we offer a wide range of sections including one that encourages people living with disability to enter.
Pre-cut cardboard mounts are available at the Ag Society's office for a very low cost.
ACE members will be onsite during both show days to answer questions and talk photography
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You can visit the Photography Section page here for more details.
PHOTOGRAPHY IS FUN
Photography should be about enjoyment, social interaction and skill building.
We can all take life far to seriously and forget what it's like to just release the inner child and experience some simple fun where age means nothing.
At a time when we're experiencing increased stress and uncertainty it's good to just grab a camera and just enjoy the moment.
EXPOSING TALENT
Our new collaborative story-telling project with professional photographer Astrid Volzke is under way.
This began with the realisation that we have a wealth of creative talent in our midst that just needed some way of being brought out into the open.
Astrid has an exceptional skill in this field gained from years of experience as a photo journalist and professional photographer.
This project will involve a number of our members who will be given the opportunity to share an insight into their passion for whatever creative endeavours they enjoy.
Astrid, Kelly and Troy are ready to share their stories.
ACE has applied for funding to expand the scope of this project to interact with the wider community. Our members will then be provided with the skills necessary to produce their own stories that will form our contribution to the 2026 Albany Bicentenary.
This project will go a long way in changing perceptions around neurodiversity and how we can recognise and promote the many skills that exist, all to often out of sight in our community.
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Thanks to Rio Tinto for providing ongoing support for this
important community-building project.
Guaranteed authentic content.
Can real photography regain it value?
I have to admit to being addicted to most new technology, ideally when it offers genuine improvements in our daily lives. Digital technology in the world of photography and video production has been, for the most part, an unparalleled step forward. Fortunately we don't often entirely abandon old technologies such as film and the magic of the darkroom but add them to our list of valued alternatives.
The emergence of AI is having a profound effect on the creative arts especially when it blurs the distinction between reality and artificially created content.
When you view an image, watch a video or look at a social media presentation it's becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate between fact and fiction which should ring the alarm bells before its too late.
Are we about to see a rebellion and a return of authenticity with either a legislated (probably out of the question), or voluntary code of practice introduced that guarantees what you're viewing or purchasing is genuine and can be trusted?
AI definitely has its place but maybe as creators we need to establish a niche where there is value in the fact that it has been produced with genuine hard work and long practiced skills. A touch of AI is acceptable where it is used to enhance an image or video as it always has been. What we want to avoid is work that creates a sense of disbelief and distrust?
IS THERE STILL A PLACE FOR FILM?
​Film never really went away it was just overtaken by an evolution in the way that cameras capture and record light. There's been endless debate about the strengths and weaknesses of both but in the end it comes down to whatever provides the photographer with the most satisfaction.
There's no doubt that film still retains a strong following and there are many reasons why it's not about to go away anytime soon. Here's a few examples from different cameras using different film in different developing medium. I think the results show something that differentiates itself from digital and from the photographers perspective, provides a totally different experience right throughout the process.
ACE maintains a fully equipped darkroom and has a large collection of film camera for members use.
FILM NEVER DIES nor do 8 bit computers, CD's and vinyl.
Technology can provide an amazing experience in so many ways but every-now-and-then it's good to change pace and go back to a more simple and satisfying way of doing things.
Anyone who collects cameras will appreciate the quality, craftmanship and 'feel' of high end cameras from the past. Cameras that we could only dream of owning but are now quite affordable.
If you're on the market to buy one it pays to do your due diligence and go for the brands and models that have a reputation for providing top quality features, performance and repairability if needed.
For those of us who grew up on film we had no choice but to learn to use them properly or waste a lot of hard earned money so mastering the various controls was essential. With mostly manual operation you had to slow down, calculate exposure, adjust focus, observe the depth of field and create the best composition. This extra investment in time and having a greater level of control provided a much greater sense of achievement than merely allowing an in-built computer to do the work for you.
Not only that but knowing that you're using a camera could still be functioning perfectly in 50 to 100 years just makes it that much more enjoyable.
By being 'hands-on' you've invested much more of 'your' time into the photo and this definitely provides a higher level of satisfaction.
Film is still available locally and if you want to go all the way, the hardware and chemistry is not hard to find new or used as well.
Above the Graflex press camera.
Below the classic Olympus OM-1
