The Australian Photographic Society was officially formed on May 12, 1962, Sydney. This was the culmination of three years work by the Australian Photographic Federation, a body specifically established in order to form APS. 101 foundation members incorporated the Society in the Australian Capital Territory.
Membership numbers soon reached 600 in 1963, 1,000 in 1967, 2,000 in 1980, 1,578 in March 2006 and back up to 1920 in July 2007.
The Societies inhouse magazine, Image, was born in March/April 1965. The first photograph published in Image, on the front cover of the September/October 1965 issue, was 'Wasteland' by Dora Evans which had been awarded the B Grade Plaque in the Print Division Mid-Year Competition.
From its inception, APS became Australia's Member body of FlAP, the Fedêration Internationale de l'Art Photographique. The APS has since been active over the years in the international activities of FlAP and has received FlAP Distinction applications from Australian photographers since 1962. The first APS honours were presented at the APS Convention in 1975, APSCON.
The APS has had to embrace the changing technology of photography to keep the interest of members past, future and present. The Society will always continue with its mission to promote, improve, share and enjoy photography here in Australia and also internationally.