Tips and Learning

Sharpen your skills! Expert advice on gear, techniques, and the latest in photography—from beginner basics to pro secrets.

Meta description: No club meeting October 27. Join us November 3 for Nina Henry’s Philippines travel photography presentation, and check three November submission deadlines. URL slug: next-week-at-the-club-philippines-travel-photography-three-deadlines A quick date check before you make plans: there is no Saskatoon Photography Club meeting on Tuesday, October 27. Our next gathering is Tuesday, November 3, when Saskatoon photographer Nina Henry presents The Philippines: The Joy and Challenge of Travel Photography. We also have three November 1 and 5 submission deadlines to keep on your radar. Whether you’re ready to enter a photo, looking forward to an evening of learning, or just getting acquainted with the club, here’s what’s coming up. Next meeting: travel photography with Nina Henry On Tuesday, November 3, join us for The Philippines: The Joy and Challenge of Travel Photography, a presentation by Nina Henry (Saskatoon). It’s a chance to explore travel photography through the particular joys and challenges named in the presentation, and to enjoy an evening with fellow photographers. Meeting details Time: 7:00–9:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Location: McClure United Church, 4025 Taylor Street East, Saskatoon Entrance: Use the east door nearest the parking lot Parking: Free See the event details and check the club calendar before you head out. An illustrative travel scene, not a photograph from the presentation. New to the club? You’re welcome. Our first meeting is free for newcomers, and photographers of all experience levels are encouraged to come along. Three deadlines to watch All three entries below are submitted online through the club’s submissions page. Each deadline is 10:00 p.m. Saskatoon time. Check the full submission deadlines list for the season’s dates and entry requirements. 1. Sunday, November 1: CAPA Monochrome Competition Submit one digital “Monochrome” entry by Sunday, November 1 at 10:00 p.m. This is the club’s submission deadline for the CAPA competition. For competition scope, themes and image requirements, visit the CAPA Monochrome Competition page. Monochrome is an invitation to pay attention to light, shadow, texture and shape. As you review a possible entry, consider whether removing colour strengthens the subject and the story you want the image to tell. CAPA’s rules allow greyscale or a consistent single-colour tint across the image; selective colour and mixed tints do not qualify. Try looking at the tones, shapes and story in a scene, not only its colour. 2. Thursday, November 5: Street Photography Photo Review Have a street photograph you’re curious to share? Submit up to two digital “Street Photography” entries by Thursday, November 5 at 10:00 p.m. Street photography can capture people, but it doesn’t have to. A gesture, reflection, shadow, sign or surprising relationship between objects can also tell a story about everyday life. Choose the images you’d most like to discuss, whether they feel finished or you’re still deciding what works. Submitted images will be discussed at Review Night – Street Photography on Tuesday, November 17. This is a members-only Photo Review, and members who submit images must attend. Find more information about the club’s Photo Reviews....
  • October 27, 2026
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Meta description: Join the Saskatoon Photography Club for a Street Photography live shoot on October 20, then mark your calendar for November presentations and photo submission deadlines. URL slug: next-week-club-street-photography-live-shoot-deadlines A hands-on photo evening is coming up! On Tuesday, October 20, join us for a Street Photography live shoot in downtown Saskatoon. We’re also looking ahead to several November submission deadlines, including two on the same night, so now’s a good time to check your images and plan your entries. Whether you’re joining us for the shoot, preparing a photo for review, or simply keeping an eye on what’s ahead, here are the dates and details to know. Tuesday, October 20: Street Photography Live Shoot Our next club meeting is a hands-on clinic: Live Shoot: “Street Photography.” When: Tuesday, October 20, 7:00–9:00 p.m. Where: Meet in front of the Bessborough Hotel in Saskatoon Event details: Live Shoot: Street Photography Street photography is about noticing what’s unfolding around you: the people, gestures, patterns, and passing moments that can make an everyday scene feel like a story. You don’t need to arrive with a finished idea. Start by looking around, then give yourself time to notice how the scene changes. A few ways to approach the evening: Look for layers. Notice how people, buildings, signs, and reflections overlap in the frame. Pay attention to light. A patch of brightness or a long shadow can help guide the viewer’s eye. Watch for moments. A small gesture, a meeting of shapes, or a brief interaction may be the detail that makes your photograph work. Try more than one composition. Change your position or framing and see how that shifts the feeling of the image. Be considerate. Stay aware of the people around you and approach street scenes with respect. You can use the camera you’re comfortable with. The main goal is to observe, experiment, and make photographs with intention. Mark These November Deadlines All submissions are online and close at 10:00 p.m. Saskatoon time on the date listed. Check the individual event details before submitting so you know the entry limit and category. Sunday, November 1: CAPA Monochrome Submit one digital “Monochrome” entry for the CAPA Club Competition by 10:00 p.m. CAPA Monochrome Submission Deadline If you’re considering an entry, take a little time to review it in black and white. Look at the balance of light and dark, the range of tones, and whether the subject still reads clearly without colour. Thursday, November 5: Two Submissions Due Both online deadlines are 10:00 p.m. Saskatoon time: Street Photography Photo Review: Submit up to two digital “Street Photography” entries. See the Photo Review deadline. Fall Competition – Still Life: Submit one digital “Still Life” entry. It must be Monochrome, in the spirit of the Club’s 90th anniversary. See the Still Life deadline. These are different opportunities, so check the details for each one and make sure your image is submitted to the right category. If you’re working on a still life, try simplifying the frame:...
  • October 20, 2026
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Meta description: Learn how to photograph Saskatoon’s autumn colours with softer light, careful exposure, intentional white balance and a simple one-tree exercise. URL slug: /photograph-saskatoon-autumn-colours/ Introduction Autumn colour doesn’t wait. When the prairie trees turn gold, you may have only a short window to photograph them at their best. But you don’t need to find a grand vista or capture an entire hillside to make a memorable fall photo. Often, one tree and a thoughtful choice of light are enough. The key is to see autumn colour as a light problem. Bright yellow leaves can lose detail in harsh sun, while soft or directional light reveals colour and texture. Before you head out, check the light as carefully as you check the leaves. Technique Explanation: Let the Light Shape the Colour Midday sun can be tricky. Yellow leaves reflect a lot of light, and bright patches can become so pale that their texture disappears. That’s called clipping: the highlights are too bright to retain detail. Strong overhead light can also create deep shadows that compete with the colour. Cloudy skies are often a gift. They diffuse sunlight, creating softer, more even illumination that can make foliage appear richer. Soft directional light, light coming from one side rather than straight overhead, can bring out the shape of leaves and branches without harsh contrast. A changing sky gives you options. If the sun breaks through, try positioning yourself so light passes through the leaves. If it stays overcast, look for a simple subject and let the gentle light do its work. Practical Steps: Make the Most of Your Time 1. Isolate one subject. Instead of trying to photograph a whole hillside, choose one tree, one branch or a small cluster of leaves. Look for a clean background that helps the colour stand out. A darker backdrop can make golden leaves more distinct; a pale sky behind them may pull attention away. 2. Set your white balance deliberately. Auto white balance can shift between frames as you recompose. Choose Daylight for a consistent, natural starting point, or try Shade for a warmer golden feel. Take a test photo and check that the yellow still looks believable. If you photograph in RAW, you can fine-tune white balance later, but a deliberate in-camera setting still helps you work consistently. 3. Protect the highlights. Check your histogram after a test shot, and watch for highlight warnings if your camera has them. If bright leaves are losing texture, try exposure compensation around -1/3 to -2/3 EV. Review the result and adjust rather than relying on one fixed setting. The goal is to retain detail in the brightest leaves without making the whole photograph too dark. 4. Choose your aperture with intent. For one branch or a small group of leaves, a wider aperture can soften a busy background and draw attention to your subject. For a tree with visible surroundings, use a smaller aperture to keep more of the scene sharp. Take a test image and check...
  • October 15, 2026
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Meta description: Join our October 20 street photography live shoot at the Bessborough and plan ahead for four November submission deadlines at Saskatoon Photography Club. URL slug: next-week-club-street-photography-bessborough-november-deadlines Category: Community Get ready to take it to the street Next Tuesday, October 20, we’re taking street photography out of the presentation and into downtown Saskatoon. Join us for a hands-on Live Shoot: “Street Photography” from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., meeting in front of the Bessborough Hotel. It’s a chance to practise, experiment and learn by doing. Whether you’re new to street photography or already have a favourite approach, bring your curiosity, and come ready to shoot, not just watch. The live shoot follows Jannik Plaetner’s “Street Photography” presentation on Tuesday, October 13, and it’s where those ideas meet the sidewalk. Now you can put them into practice: notice how light falls across a scene, look for strong shapes and layers, and wait for everyday moments to come together in your frame. Event details can change. Check the Live Shoot event page and the club calendar for the latest information before heading out. A few ideas for your shoot Street photography doesn’t require a dramatic scene. An ordinary block can offer plenty to work with when you slow down and pay attention. Try looking for: Light and shadow: Notice where bright areas, reflections and shadows create contrast. Layers: Use a foreground detail, a subject in the middle distance and a background to give a frame depth. Lines and shapes: Buildings, sidewalks and windows can guide the viewer’s eye. A moment of connection: Watch for gestures, movement or details that make a scene feel alive. Give yourself time to observe before you press the shutter. If one corner catches your eye, stay there for a few minutes and see how the light, people and movement change. You might find several different photographs without going far. Be considerate as you photograph in a public place. Pay attention to the people around you, keep walkways clear and respect anyone who indicates they would rather not be photographed. Four November deadlines to put on your calendar November brings several ways to share your work, from a CAPA club competition to club competitions and a photo review. All online submissions close at 10:00 p.m. Saskatoon local time on the listed deadline date. Leave time to choose and prepare your images before the final evening. Sunday, November 1: CAPA Monochrome Submit one digital “Monochrome” entry for the CAPA Club Competition. Check the club deadline page and the CAPA 2026 Monochrome Competition information for details. Thursday, November 5: Fall Competition – Still Life Submit one digital Still Life entry. In keeping with the spirit of the club’s 90th anniversary, the image must be monochrome. Find the Still Life submission details here. Thursday, November 5: Street Photography Photo Review Have street photographs you’d like to share and discuss? Submit up to two digital entries for the Street Photography Photo Review. If you submit, plan to attend Review Night on Tuesday,...
  • October 13, 2026
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Meta description: Join the Saskatoon Photography Club on October 13 for Jannik Plaetner’s Street Photography presentation, then plan ahead for four important submission dates. URL slug: next-week-at-the-club-street-photography-jannik-plaetner-deadlines Street photography starts with paying attention. A glance across a busy sidewalk. A reflection in a shop window. A strong shadow, an unexpected gesture, or two unrelated moments lining up perfectly. The city is full of photographs, but you have to be ready to see them. Next Tuesday, October 13, we’ll spend the evening exploring street photography with Saskatoon photographer Jannik Plaetner. We’ll also look ahead to a live shoot, a street photography photo review, and four important submission dates. Here’s your plan for the week, and the weeks ahead. Tuesday, October 13: Street Photography with Jannik Plaetner Join us for “Street Photography,” a presentation by Jannik Plaetner of Saskatoon. Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Presentation: 7:00 p.m. Doors open: 6:30 p.m. Location: McClure United Church, 4025 Taylor Street East, Saskatoon Access: Use the east door nearest the parking lot Parking: Free parking Accessibility: Step-free access This presentation is a great opportunity to think differently about the everyday spaces around you. Street photography isn’t limited to photographing people. It can include architecture, light, reflections, signs, shadows, movement, humour, contrast, and quiet moments. The strongest images often come from observation and timing. You might wait for a person to enter a patch of light, notice a visual connection between a passerby and a billboard, or find an unusual reflection that changes the way a familiar street looks. Read the event details for Street Photography. What should you bring? Bring your usual notebook, camera or phone, and a willingness to look closely. You don’t need a particular camera or lens to begin exploring street photography. Your most important tools are curiosity, patience and awareness. As you listen, consider: How does the photographer find a strong moment? What makes an ordinary scene feel worth photographing? How can light and shadow create structure? When does a photograph tell a story without explanation? How can you simplify a busy scene? The evening is also a useful starting point if you’re thinking about entering the upcoming Street Photography Photo Review. Looking ahead: Live Shoot on October 20 One week later, on Tuesday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m., we’ll put some of these ideas into practice during the Live Shoot. Street Photography. The shoot will take place at a downtown location. Check the event page and the club calendar for the latest details. This is your chance to move from discussion to practice: Watch how light changes across a street or building. Look for gestures, patterns and brief interactions. Try photographing both busy scenes and quiet details. Experiment with framing through doorways, windows or other openings. Make several photographs from one location before moving on. You don’t have to come away with a perfect image. Give yourself permission to experiment. Street photography improves through repetition: observe, photograph, review, and try again. Four deadlines to circle All online submissions close at...
  • October 6, 2026
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Photo Reviews & Competitions

Saskatoon Photography Club welcomes people interested in improving their photography, from beginners to experienced photographers.

President: Maurice Vold
Call/Text: (306) 717-3099
Email: president@saskatoonphotographyclub.com

Meetings on selected Tuesdays
September–April · typically 7–9 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Judging Nights start at 7 p.m. (members only).
McClure United Church
4025 Taylor Street East, Saskatoon
Check the calendar for event details.

Membership Fees (CAD)
September–December: Single $75 · Family $90 · Student $40
January–April: Single $60 · Family $75 · Student $25
May–August: Single $35 · Family $50 · Student $25
Life Member: free after 20 cumulative years
Spouse of a Life Member: $20/year
All memberships expire August 31. Annual registration is required. Reduced rates apply to new and returning members.