About us
WELCOME to the Southeastern Photographic Society Meetup page.
Click here to go to the SPS website where you will find everything you need to know about us.
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.
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
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Creating Your Own Series with Robin Davis
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, 2650 N Druid Hills Rd, Atlanta, GA, USRobin Davis, long time friend of SPS, has put together a special program that will aid in maximizing photographic creativity. In her presentation, Robin will describe how pursuing a special, self-directed assignment can help you define your personal style and build a meaningful portfolio. In addition, using many diverse examples from her own work, Robin will explore what holds a series together and reveal the elements and techniques needed to create a cohesive series.
At the end of the meeting, Robin will challenge members to take these principles and create their own three-images series to share at our March Learnshop when Robin will give us feedback on our series. Even if you don't create a series, you will want to attend the Learnshop to gain valuable insights that will improve your photography.
Please consider entering our Digital Competition - the theme is Landscape- Natural scene showing expansive point of view, with few if any, man-made elements. See below for more information.
About Robin Davis: Robin began using her father’s camera around age 5. Her grandmother’s stories and old photographs fueled her quest to make images. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Georgia, and her studies of Art History in the UGA Studies Abroad Program in Cortona, Italy, deeply influenced her to develop her own approach to the medium of photography. As both artist and photographer, Robin has researched and worked extensively with a variety of unique photographic techniques, blending tradition with experimentation to achieve painterly and illustrative images. Through her workshops and personal instruction, Robin inspires her students to discover their own photographic style, with in-camera decisions that are the foundation of thoughtful image making. Robin has had over 100 exhibitions of her fine art photography, both in the US and abroad, and her work has been featured for many corporations and in numerous private and international collections.
To explore more ideas in self-directed photography, sign up at https://thethirdeyephoto.com/ for info on travel workshops, local shoots, and personal one-on-one instruction.
Please note:
- This month’s meeting will be in-person, at our regular meeting location, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta at 2650 N. Druid Hills Road, NE.
- The presentation may be recorded and made available after the meeting. If recorded, the recording will be posted as soon as possible after the meeting, and a link will be emailed to all SPS members.
- This month’s competition is DIGITAL, and the theme is “Landscape.” By entering the monthly competition, you will have the opportunity to receive feedback about your image from a professional photographer.
- Entries are limited to TWO per paid member - one color and one B&W.
- Please see competition rules for more information.
- The deadline for submissions is 9:00 PM on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
- Competition entries are to be sized appropriately, and files are to be re-named using the SPS naming convention: Firstname Lastname - Title of Image.
- Photos must have been taken within 48 months of the competition date.
- All are welcome for the presentation, but competition entries will be limited to paid SPS members only.
- Digital entries are to be uploaded to the links below:
- Black & White images: SPS Black & White Monthly Submissions
- Color images: SPS Color Monthly Submissions
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SPS has three standing meetings each month for its members and guests. The First Friday meeting features a guest speaker and a members’ image competition. While competition entries at these monthly meetings are restricted to current dues-paying 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 find out more about SPS, visit:
www.spsatlanta.orgTo become a member, visit:
www.join.spsatlanta.org55 attendees
Light Trails, Sunset and Crescent Moon
Jackson Street Bridge, 213-253 Jackson St. NE, Atlanta, GA, USLight Trails and Crescent Moon
Saturday, March 21, 2026What:
Something new! In this three part field trip we will do three things:1. Photograph light trails of the cars on Freedom Parkway.
2. Photograph the sun as it sets behind downtown Atlanta
3. Photograph the top of the Truist Tower with a Crescent Moon above.First, Starting at 7:15pm we will be able to take long exposure shots of the cars on Freedom Parkway with downtown Atlanta as a backdrop.
Secondly, as the sun begins to move behind the buildings, we can continue shooting long and short exposures. After the sun actually sets we may even get a beautiful colorful sky (fingers crossed)
Thirdly, by consulting the Photographer’s Ephemeris and Photo Pills you can determine that on 3/21/26, if you are standing on the south end of Jackson Street Bridge in Atlanta at 9:51pm, a crescent moon will pass just above The Truist Tower.
Attendees at this SPS Meetup will have the opportunity to capture many different shots including: light trails of cars driving on Freedom Parkway with the backdrop of the downtown Atlanta skyline and a setting sun, and the top of Truist Tower with a near conjunction of the Crescent moon.
When: The meetup will begin at 7:00pm. Sunset will be at exactly 7:49pm. The conjunction of a crescent moon and the top of the Truist Tower will occur at 9:51pm.
Where: The address of 213-253 Jackson Street NE, Atlanta, GA will take you within steps of the bridge. Please note that we will meet on the bridge that is on Jackson St. NE that goes over Freedom Parkway. (it is near the intersection of Highland Avenue and Parkway Drive)
Things to know: There is limited free on street parking nearby, but this location is often crowded. Plan to arrive early so you can park close. Additionally, there are no restrooms - plan ahead.
What to bring: Camera, lenses (the range of 24 - 200mm is good for the light trails. 200 - 600 is optimal for Truist Tower), tripod, optional cable release
This event is open to SPS members only. 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.
HOW TO REGISTER:
USE THIS LINK TO REGISTERDo not use the button at the bottom of this page to register. Register at the link above.
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Southeastern Photographic Society (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!
To pay your SPS dues, visit:
https://form.jotform.com/spsatlanta/club-membership-registration-form
To find out more about SPS visit:
www.spsatlanta.org32 attendees
Gibbs Gardens Wildflower Garden
Gibbs Gardens, 1986 Gibbs Drive,, Ball Ground, GA, USGibbs Gardens Wildflower Meadow
May 16, 2026** This date is subject to change based on the Gibbs Gardens bloom schedule.
What: There is always something interesting to photograph at Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, Georgia! On this SPS Field Trip our primary focus will be the Springtime Wildflower Meadow. Last year this area featured Larkspur and Poppies. Other years and seasons, have featured Cosmos and Zinnias. But no matter what particular species of flowers they grow here this year, it will be a perfect opportunity for flower photography, macro photography, bird photography, bug photography and/or landscape photography!
There is even some possibility that the waterlilies may be starting to bloom at this time, but that is not a guarantee.
When: 9:05 - whenever you feel like leaving
Where to meet: We will meet at the entrance to the gardens at 9:05am. You can purchase a pass there (we will wait) if you do not already have an annual pass. From there we will walk up to the wildflower meadow together. I am estimating that it is roughly .3 of a mile.
What to bring: This is the tricky part. You will want to bring everything you own because there is so much to shoot, but alas - you will be uncomfortable trying to carry it all. Some recommendations include: A good multi-purpose lens; a macro; a wide angle; a telephoto. (I have used a 100-500mm lens there the past few visits and been satisfied with the range). You can also pack several lenses and leave some in your locked car. Also remember a tripod, comfortable walking shoes, bug spray, water, sunscreen.
Other things to know: Gibbs Gardens requires a paid admission ($25 per adult; $18 for seniors over 65; Annual membership $60/person) Please note that we plan to have one other field trip to Gibbs in August to photograph water lilies and frogs! Parking is free. Please check the website for details on any special promotions they may offer.
https://www.gibbsgardens.com/. Also, there is a cafe that serves drinks and light food items. Should you want to take a break, this is a shady comfortable place to do so.This event is open to SPS members only. 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.
HOW TO REGISTER:
USE THIS LINK TO REGISTER -Do not use the button at the bottom of this page to register. Register at the link above.
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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!
To pay your SPS dues, visit:
https://form.jotform.com/spsatlanta/club-membership-registration-form
To find out more about SPS visit:
www.spsatlanta.org18 attendees
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