Members of the Central Alberta Photographic Society (CAPS) are showcasing a slate of terrific photos that follow the theme of winter sports – a fitting ‘gearing up’ to the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

’Alberta Winter Sports Artist: Members of the Central Alberta Photographic Society’ (CAPS) runs through to March 3rd in the Corridor Community Gallery, located on the lower level of the Recreation Centre (4501-47A Ave).

“We were requested by the City this year to follow a theme that was consistent with the 2019 Canada Winter Games,” explained Scotty Roxburgh, past president of CAPS.

“So everything we have up here is related to winter athletics or winter sports,” he said, referring to examples of speed skating, dog sled racing, cross-country skiing and curling to name a few.

“Basically, we will have these hanging up until the middle of February and then another set will be put up from February through to March,” he added.

“So we are trying to provide some artistic points of view of what goes on, whether it be nature, whether it be winter sports, whether it be something to do with the City of Red Deer or whatever,” said Roxburgh, who joined the Club in 2012.

CAPS, which was first launched back in 1986, is a club where photographers of all levels can get together in a social atmosphere for the sharing of techniques, knowledge and experiences.

“We offer classes, presentations, workshops, photo assignments, mentoring, guest speakers, competitions and other activities that will encourage you to grow as a photographer.”

Other yearly highlights include winter and spring competitions, photo outings, peer mentorship and basic camera and photo-editing classes​.​

Club member Daniel Pelissier, who has been a part of CAPS for nine years now, noted that another goal of hosting the exhibit is to promote CAPS in general.

“What I love is that when people take their pictures and we help them out, they might say, ‘Oh, look at the nice picture you took!’ And I say, no, you took the picture. They get big smiles on their faces!

“Just to see that joy really makes my day.”

Seeing folks grow and become more confident in their own photography skills is also always a delight, both men agree.

“The camera lens takes us in and focuses on whatever the subject material is,” added Roxburgh. “Through that camera lens, we can turn around and interpret and bring out an awful lot of the world.” Just recently, he took a plain sheet of glass and caught some falling snowflakes to take photos of.

The intricate designs never fail to mesmerize anyone that takes a look at them, but it’s via the close-up photography that that magical and even spectacular ‘close-up’ view is even possible.

“You don’t appreciate what a snowflake looks like until you see (a photo) up close,” he said. Snapping shots of insects also offers some pretty amazing views of what these creatures truly look like up close.

“You are looking at the wonder of what nature has created. But it doesn’t have to be nature. People are also very much into portraiture, they’re into scenery, they’re into architecture, and abstract photography. I’ve created photos from using corn starch and food colouring,” he said. Animals are another fascinating source of subject matter, as seen by some of the shots of dog sled racing in the exhibit, which zoom right in on the dogs’ faces.

“You are looking at the joy and the power that these animals can create,” he said.

Pelissier agreed about the versatility of subject matter to be explored.

“There is no end to it.”

Members of CAPS meet the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from September to November and from January to April.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for socialization with the meetings starting at 6:45 p.m.

Meetings are held at the Golden Circle.

For more information, check out www.centralalbertaphotographicsociety.com.