In-club competitions, called salons, are held the first Tuesday of each month, October through May.  Salons consist of  monochrome or color prints (alternated monthly) and topic slides or digital images (alternated  monthly).

A judge from outside SPCC is invited to our meeting to score and critique slides and prints. Through the comments of the judge, each member picks up tips, ideas, photo “rules”, and techniques to improve each image. Whether viewing someone else's image or your own, the comments of judges and SPCC members are a great way to learn more about photography.

For members interested in the more competitive aspects of photography, judges rate each image with a score on a scale of three to ten. Usually, images receive scores between five and ten. An image earns an AWARD rating if it scores 8, 9, or 10. Specific salon rules apply to both prints and slides.

A salon consists of  the judge presenting each image and making comments. The comments made by judges are one of the most valuable aspects of the club. Seeing the photographs and slides made by others, learning about techniques and hearing the suggestions and comments of the judges gives our members an opportunity to improve their photography. Salons are conducted in a supportive atmosphere with education and sharing as the primary objectives.

Awards are presented at each salon.  Cumulative points awards, images of the year and Special Awards are presented at the year-end banquet.

Club members also participate in outside competitions and contests as well as public displays and exhibitions of photographs.