What are the American Portfolios? - program of the PSA - Brief Article

The "American Portfolios" name may be new to many PSA members, especially to newer members, but you should know of the benefits you can receive from participating in this activity. It does not require a darkroom and is open to all PSA members.

History

During and after World War II, American soldiers serving in Europe were exposed to the "Postal Portfolios" operated in England by photographic societies and clubs. During the 1940s, the idea of print portfolios circulating by mail was instituted by PSA in what was then called the "Pictorial" (now Pictorial Print) Division.

From this institution, print portfolio and slide study groups have been organized as an activity that PSA members can use to improve their. photography and to personally enjoy.

According to the Pictorial Division Yearbook published in 1948, under the umbrella of the American Portfolios, a total of 66 portfolios with a membership of nearly 1,800 PSA members were active in one or more of the following portfolios: Pictorial, Portrait, Star Exhibitor, and Control Process.

Other portfolios being organized during that time were: Photojournalism, Nature, Monthly Pictorial, Color Print, and Ceramic.

Growth in these portfolios was so great that it became necessary to assign a portfolio secretary (manager) for each portfolio to handle administrative requirements. Even today, portfolios have an associate director (AD) who performs as the portfolio manager.

The American Portfolios

American Portfolios is a print activity for PSA members residing in the continental United States. There are currently 34 portfolios in operation organized for varying member interests. Portfolios are also organized according to a maximum print size. Annual portfolio membership is only $3.50.

From the 1948 Pictorial Division Yearbook, Eldridge Christhilf, APSA and first American Portfolios Director advised, "The Portfolios are not a contest of any kind whatsoever. To the contrary, they provide a definite program for the improvement of your photographic endeavors - both technically, as well as artistically." This same philosophy remains today. The circuits are not a contest, but a way for photographers of many backgrounds and experiences to share information and evaluation for picture seeing and picture making improvement.

A portfolio is a group of printmakers often with a common interest such as monochrome, color, nature, or computer-printed. Groups consist of about 7 or 8 participating members plus the portfolio secretary. A portfolio is sent by mail to each member in round-robin fashion.

Members are expected to make an evaluation and write beneficial comments on each of the other members' prints. When the portfolio arrives, the first thing a member will do is read the comments of other members, enter their own comments, then remove an older print and add a new print for members to evaluate. Up to seven days are allowed to process the portfolio before the portfolio is forwarded to the next scheduled recipient.

It is common that portfolio members share with each other recent personal achievements, where to find new images, learn new darkroom applications, find out about chemistry, films and papers, and computer software techniques to create that special image.

Commentators have been assigned to many portfolios. The commentator is an experienced photographer and printmaker who will offer constructive comments for improvement. The commentator also selects prints for the Green Eagle award, making these prints eligible for the annual Green Eagle contest. This contest is a way to provide member recognition, but also promotes the activity at the annual PSA International Conference.

To address varied printmaking interests, the portfolios are organized by these subgroups: self-made, commercially-made, darkroom, computer-printed, monochrome, and color. Some portfolios are open to any combination of these subgroups while other portfolios may limit acceptance to certain subgroups.

There are special portfolios for the individualist. The Assigned Subject portfolios provide the challenge of interpreting and creating an image of a preselected subject. Nature portfolios are ideal for the nature photographer. Photographers wanting to experiment or who are creative might want to try the Contemporary/ Creative portfolios. In addition to these portfolios there are regional portfolios, computer-printed, and commercially-made print portfolios.

It is easy to see why the American Portfolios has been a popular Pictorial Print Division activity since World War II, giving members the opportunity to make photographic buddies across the fruited plain, improve a personal hobby, or learn a new technique. Some members think of their portfolio as a nationwide camera club and an invaluable learning experience.

For information or to enroll in a portfolio, contact: James A. Baker, APSA, Associate Director of Membership, 12232 SE 36th Ave., Milwaukie, OR 97222, [email protected].

COPYRIGHT 2001 Photographic Society of America, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group