Since 1938, the Light & Shadow Camera Club has provided photographers in the San Jose area with the opportunity to improve their skills and share their knowledge with others. Photographers of all levels are welcome– from rookie snap shooters to seasoned image makers. Our club especially welcomes visitors and new members.

Our meetings are held at the Cambrian Park Church of the Nazarene, located at the corner of Curtner Ave. and Coit Dr. This corner is one block west of the intersection of Curtner Ave. and Leigh Ave. Club meetings start at 7:30 PM and competition entries are due no later than 7:20 PM.

Map of Curtner Ave At Coit Dr
San Jose, CA 95124

So what does a photo club do?

Different clubs have different formats, but here’s what we do at Light&Shadow:

We meet on the Second Tuesday of the month for our monthly Competition among club members.

Members bring in either digital image files which we display using a digital projector - or prints (typically mounted on 16”x20” boards)
Most members now shoot digital cameras and have access to photo printers capable of 13”x19” prints, but any way they are created is fine.
Entries are submitted in the following categories: Monochrome, Color, Nature, Photo-Journalism and “Creative” (usually employing digital effects.) – Categories are more precisely defined on the L&S website.
Members may submit as many as two entries per category and entries are judged by an experienced photographer (different each month) brought in from outside the club
The judging is done before the assembled club and is accompanied by a brief critique of each picture’s strong and weak points.
Watching the critique of one’s own and, no less, other’s work has been a very effective learning experience for all members.
Although one may not always agree with the judge’s opinion, members are free to submit a work a second time in which it will be assessed by a different judge - possibly with a different result.
First-, second- and third-place entries go on to a nearby inter-club competition held on a bimonthly basis, an event members are always free to attend.

On the Fourth Tuesday of the month the club also has a “Program Night”,

This is generally a more informal format, which may include a presentation on techniques of shooting, using various software or printing,
Or it may just be a “Show & Tell” night in which members present prints or slides in a non-competitive context, or perhaps show new equipment or share techniques with the other members.
Sometimes, a theme is assigned the month before and members show and compare the diverse approaches they may have followed in their work.
Other directions may be explored as members suggest them

Annually, there is a Christmas dinner and some other year-end competitions.

Membership is $42.00 a year, members are free to submit as many or as few pictures, within the rules, throughout the year and guests are always welcome.

For more information contact our membership Chair: Jim Hawkins - 408 298-2666 –

Better yet, stop by for a meeting at the Cambrian Park Church of the Nazarene, located at the corner of Curtner Ave. and Coit Dr. This corner is one block west of the intersection of Curtner Ave. and Leigh Ave.

Light & Shadow Camera Club

About Us

So what does a photo club do?