Photo Club

Join the Tampa Audubon Photo Club on Zoom at 7:00 pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month (September through May). Guests are always welcome!

Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis)

by Joel Jackson

A word from our Photo Club Coordinator:

In order to encourage Audubon members to better experience the thrills and successes of nature photography, we will attempt to cover the following topics at each meeting:

Continue photo sharing where each member is encouraged to bring a memory stick with between five and eight of their recent photos. In addition to sharing, each photo (birds or any other type of nature photo) can be critiqued and suggestions made for improvements.
Instruction and discussion (about 15 minutes) on the basics of digital photography.
Provide time for questions and answers with no questions being too basic.
Schedule some of our more advanced members to share their advice on equipment and photography techniques.

We will also continue to be open to the possibility of special photo field trips, workshops or contests.

2023 Monthly Themes:

The Photo Club introduced themes to our monthly meetings in 2023. Each meeting kicks off with a brief 10-15 minute presentation on these themes, followed by our normal photo sharing time where club members can present their own photos. These themes support the club's goals to Inspire, Educate and Conserve.

The theme for each month is as follows. Some months will be strictly focused on the theme (such as March's "Butterflies, Dragonflies and Snakes, Oh My!"), while other months will include more broad subjects (like "Florida Nature").

Meetings are held online via Zoom every third Thursday at 7 pm. Click here to access the meeting.

To submit photos for presentation:

Name each photo file with your last name followed by the species (i.e., Lastname_Speciesname, such as Smith_Spoonbill, Johnson_Warbler, etc.) and save as a JPG.
Upload your *.jpg files to our SmugMug account at least 24 hours before the meeting; limit 8 images.
Be ready to tell us about your photo during the meeting.
If you have any questions, please email the Photo Club Coordinator in advance at photoclub@tampaaudubon.org.

2024 Schedule Coming Soon!

Ethical Nature Photography Standards

If a bird stops its normal behavior as a result of a photographer's activity, the photographer is intruding and should slowly move away. The Tampa Audubon Society (TAS) and the TAS Photo Club promote Ethical Nature Photography Standards (click here for a copy). Every nature photographer must exercise good individual judgment. All who practice nature photography in Hillsborough County should promote good stewardship of the resource.

Environmental: Knowledge of Subject and Place

Learn patterns of bird behavior. Do not interfere with animal behavior or life cycles.
Cause no distress to birds, other wildlife or their habitat.
If a bird or other animal shows stress or reacts, back away.
Stay on trails to lessen impacts.
Do not disturb birds that are nesting or feeding young.

Social: Knowledge of Rules and Laws

Follow rules and laws related to the location.
Treat the birds, wildlife, plants, and places as if you were their guest.
Respect state and federal laws protecting birds and other wildlife.

Individual: Expertise and Responsibilities

Treat others courteously.
Ask before joining other nature photographers already taking pictures.
Report inappropriate behavior to the proper authorities.
Be a good role model, both as a nature photographer and a citizen.
Educate and enhance others understanding by your actions.