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Southeastern Photographic Society

4.7•5640 ratings

Atlanta, GA, US

3,752 members · Public group

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What we’re about

WELCOME to the Southeastern Photographic Society Meetup page.

Click here to join or renew your SPS membership. Note: Signing up on the SPS Meetup page does not make you an SPS member. SPS members pay dues to engage in many activities that are unavailable to guests who simply sign up on the SPS MeetUp page.

Click here to go to the SPS website where you will find everything you need to know about us.

The Southeastern Photographic Society (SPS) is a registered non-profit Atlanta-based community of photographers established in 1976 to help members learn the skills for creating great images and sharing them with others.

We use Meetup to announce all of our events, so please look below to see what is coming up.

Thanks for visiting us here on Meetup.

Upcoming events

6

Sat, Oct 11 · 9:00 AM EDT
Coffee & Critique - Print Edition
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, 2650 N Druid Hills Rd, Atlanta, GA, US
Please join us for the “in-person” October edition of Coffee & Critique. Because this is a print edition, the meeting will be conducted at our usual location: the Unitarian Universalist Church on N. Druid Hills Road. (See directions in this MeetUp posting.)

For newcomers — we meet every month to share images and provide constructive feedback to each other on how to improve our photography. We alternate each month between on-line digital and in-person print critiques, and the meetings are for beginners and seasoned photographers alike.

For print editions, please bring up to 3 prints for critique. Prints should be a minimum of 8x10, but larger prints are encouraged because they are easier to see. Prints can, but need not, be mounted on matboard. They should not, however, be framed.

As with our digital critiques, you need not bring images to participate. So join us for an educational and fun morning of photography!

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SPS has three standing meetings each month for its members and guests. The First Friday meeting features an outside speaker and a competition. While competition entries at these monthly meetings are restricted to currently paid-up members, we ALWAYS welcome visitors interested in photography to attend. The Learnshops (fourth Tuesdays) and Coffee & Critique (second Saturdays) are intended for members, but again, we welcome visitors. If you attend regularly, we ask that you help support the club (which pays for the rental of the facilities, supplies, and equipment) by becoming a member!

To pay your SPS dues, visit:
https://form.jotform.com/spsatlanta/club-membership-registration-form

To find out more about SPS visit:
https://sites.google.com/view/spsatlanta

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LIABILITY NOTICE: By signing up and attending a Meetup sponsored by the Southeastern Photographic Society, I acknowledge that these activities can be hazardous and that I could be injured or my property damaged. I agree that I am voluntarily participating in these activities and assume any risk of physical injury or damage to my property.
12 attendees
Sat, Oct 18 · 9:00 AM EDT
Photography Field Trip to Old Car City USA
Old Car City , 3098 US-411, White , GA, US
REGISTER HERE
Join us for a one-of-a-kind photography adventure through the rusted relics and moss-covered memories of Old Car City USA, the world’s largest classic car junkyard open to the public. With over 4,000 vintage vehicles scattered across 34 wooded acres, this location offers a hauntingly beautiful blend of history, decay, and nature—perfect for photographers of all styles.
Why It’s a Must-Visit for Photographers:
Endless Subjects: From 1930s sedans to 1970s muscle cars, every vehicle tells a story.
Natural Overgrowth: Trees, vines, and moss have intertwined with the cars, creating surreal compositions.
Rustic Textures & Colors: Capture the rich patina of rust, faded paint, and weathered chrome.
Seasonal Magic: October brings golden leaves and soft morning light—ideal for atmospheric shots.
Photography Tips for Old Car City:
Bring a Variety of Lenses:
1. Wide-angle for sweeping scenes of car clusters.
2. Macro for close-ups of textures, emblems, and decay.
3. Telephoto to isolate subjects and compress depth.
Use Natural Light Creatively:
1. Arrive early to catch soft morning light filtering through the trees.
2. Watch for light and shadow play on rusted surfaces and interiors.
Focus on Details:
1. Emblems, cracked windshields, moss-covered dashboards—these tell powerful visual stories.
Experiment with Composition:
1. Use leading lines from car frames and paths.
2. Frame shots through broken windows or open doors.
Mind Your Footing:
1. Wear sturdy shoes—terrain can be uneven and slippery with fallen leaves.
Respect the Space:
1. Old Car City is a privately owned treasure. Be mindful of posted rules and avoid climbing on vehicles.
Reserve Your Spot Today!
Whether you're building your portfolio or just looking for a creative escape, this field trip promises inspiration around every corner.
The entry fee is $30 at the door.
Questions? Reach out to fieldtrips@spsatlanta.org
Let’s explore the beauty of rust, ruin, and nostalgia—together.
14 attendees
Mon, Oct 20 · 8:30 PM EDT
Photographers’ Dream Night: Diwali Fireworks at BAPS Mandir, Lilburn, GA
Location not specified yet
REGISTER HERE
Photographers’ Dream Night: Diwali Fireworks at BAPS Mandir, Lilburn, GA – October 20 📸
Get ready to light up your lens! This October 20th, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn, Georgia will host its spectacular Diwali celebration, culminating in a breathtaking fireworks show that’s a feast for both the soul and the shutter.

Whether you're chasing long exposures or just soaking in the glow of this cultural marvel, this is your chance to capture Diwali in all its radiant glory.

Event Snapshot
- Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
- Location: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 460 Rockbridge Rd NW, Lilburn, GA
- Fireworks Start: Estimated around 8:30 PM
- Recommended Arrival: By 5:30 PM to beat the crowd, scout your shooting location, and enjoy the temple’s stunning architecture and festive ambiance
Fireworks Photography Tips
Make your shots as brilliant as the celebration:
Tripod = Non-Negotiable: Long exposures demand stability. A sturdy tripod is your best friend.
Manual Settings:
- ISO: 100–200
- Aperture: f/8 to f/11
- Shutter Speed: 2–10 seconds
Focus Ahead: Autofocus struggles in the dark. Pre-focus on a distant object or switch to manual focus.
Remote Shutter or Timer: Avoid camera shake with a remote release or 2-second timer.
Shoot in RAW: Gives you more control in post-processing, especially for highlights and shadows.
Include Foreground: Frame the temple or crowd silhouettes to add depth and cultural context.

Why You’ll Love This Trip
- Architectural Beauty: The Mandir itself is a photographic gem—carved stone, glowing lights, and intricate detail.
- Cultural Immersion: Music, rituals, and traditional attire make for vibrant candid shots.
- Epic Fireworks: The show is timed with devotional music and set against the temple’s majestic backdrop.
Pack your gear, bring your curiosity, and prepare to be inspired. This isn’t just a photo trip—it’s a celebration of light, life, and lens.

Questions? Contact: fieldtrips@spsatlanta.org
14 attendees
Tue, Oct 28 · 7:00 PM EDT
SPS Members are “Seeing in Sixes”
Location not specified yet
Back by popular demand and now an annual tradition — here’s your chance to share your work with fellow SPS members! Drawing inspiration from Brooks Jensen’s insightful project-based concept, “Seeing in Sixes,” we are asking members to stretch their creative wings and share a “project” of six images with fellow members. No competition, no critique, no judgment — just an opportunity to share a personal “project.”

What is a “project?” For our purposes, we are looking for a series of exactly six images portraying a common theme, exploring a place or person, telling a story . . . there is really no limit to what you can include in your personal project so long as something ties the six images together. It can be something you’ve recently shot or something you’ve been playing with for years. The only criteria (aside from good taste!) is that the images have something in common that makes them suitable for viewing in a collection. (Still confused? Go and watch last year's program here:
https://youtu.be/yAIGCgRqOic

Size your six individual images according to SPS guidelines and submit them, with a project title (I just need a title for the project, not for each individual image), to milsteenphoto@comcast.net by no later than October 17th at 9:00 p.m. (Note - we are looking for six separate images, not one image that combines six photos, and they can be any combination of formats -- verticals, horizontals, squares, whatever.) Projects are generally shown in the order received, so get your images in early! We’ll ask each photographer to say a few words about their project, either before or after their images are shown.

Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a newbie, we hope you’ll share a project. And, even if you don’t have a project to share, please join us on-line for what promises to be a fun night of inspirational photography!

Please note:

October’s Learnshop will be ONLINE. The link will be sent only to those who RSVP to this announcement. Only SPS Members may submit a Seeing in Sixes project.

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SPS has three standing meetings each month for its members and guests. The First Friday Program and Competition features an outside speaker and a members' image competition. While competition entries at these monthly meetings are restricted to currently paid-up members, we ALWAYS welcome visitors interested in photography to attend. The Learnshops (fourth Tuesdays) and Coffee & Critique (second Saturdays) are intended for members, but again, we welcome visitors. If you attend regularly, we ask that you help support the club (which pays for the rental of the facilities, supplies, and equipment) by becoming a member!

Signing up on the SPS Meetup page does not make you an SPS member. SPS members pay dues to engage in many activities that are unavailable to guests who only sign up on the SPS MeetUp.

To pay your SPS dues or join SPS, visit:

www.join.spsatlanta.org

To find out more about SPS visit:

www.spsatlanta.org
33 attendees

Past events

951

Organizers

President - Debra Mercaldo and 10 others

Members

3,752

spsatl.smugmug.com

Related topics

Photography Classes & Workshops

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Digital Photography

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