Information for New Members
Our meetings explained
We have so many different meetings on offer at the club that it can sometimes be confusing for new members, so we’ve drafted a brief outline below. You can attend as many or as few as you like and be an active or passive participant, it’s entirely up to you. All meetings run from 8 till 10 p.m.( with a short half-time break).
Thursday Meetings
This is our main meeting where two to three times a month we enjoy talks from some of the top photographers in the country. A diverse range of genres are covered, from wildlife, landscape and street photography to portraiture, abstract, travel – and more (see our programme for more details). We also have monthly and annual competitions (see more below) which are judged and critiqued by visiting independent judges. These are very popular with members but not everyone always enters, preferring just to watch. As a new member you might decide it’s best to be a spectator at a few of these first and then decide if you want to enter. Again, it’s entirely up to you.
Location: Upper Hall at Kew Community Centre, The Avenue, Kew, TW9 2AJ (about four or five times a years these are held via Zoom, so please check the website programme page before attending).
Special Interest Group meetings
There is a wealth of experience and expertise in the club and these groups give members an opportunity to come together to exchange ideas, support and learn from one another in a range of different genres. Members are usually invited to share a few images for discussion and comment (sometimes a monthly theme is set).
- Monochrome and Pictorial Groups, held alternately on Zoom on the 4th Tuesday of the month, run by John Phillips. Members are encouraged to refine their work and acquire the attention necessary to make a successful photograph. Reviews often include post processing Includes all genres, all abilities welcome from beginner to external competition standard.
- Nature: held once a month on Tuesdays. Focusses on wildlife which includes animals, birds, insects, marine life, plants, fungi, algae and carcasses of extant species. Sometimes held on Zoom or in the Marwood Room at Kew Community Centre.
- Creative Eyes: meets every third Monday in the month on Zoom run by Bob Fisher. We have two themes a month, recent ones included Right angle, 2, People, Blue. Interpretation is entirely down to the individual photographer. We’re all about Creativity, Inspiration and imagination. Other than that the rule is there are no rules. No matter whether you are a beginner or an expert you will be equally welcome.
- Post Processing: held on Zoom once a month on Tuesdays, run by Lisa Edie.
You will always learn something...this group looks at everything you can do with your images once you have finished with the camera! The group looks at all sorts of different editing techniques across a range of software tools. It encourages people to talk about images they have shown in competitions (internal and external) and aims at inspiring club members at getting the most out of their images and doing different things with them. - The Infrared Group meets by Zoom the first Wednesday in every month at 7.30 pm facilitated by Susi Petherick. There is a great mix of people very experienced in infrared photography and others who have just got a camera converted. The group is very supportive and keen to share ideas and expertise. We have a monthly challenge. There’s always something to learn. We encourage cooperation and experimentation.
- Awards & Distinctions: Held three to four times a year on Tuesdays, run by Ann Healey, to give guidance to members interested in going for distinctions with the Royal Photographic Society and the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain* or accreditations in National and International Salons. Usually held at Kew Community Centre in the Marwood Room. In addition, Margaret Gatter runs occasional meetings focussed specifically on helping people considering going for their LRPS (the first level of Royal Photographic distinctions). Usually held at Margaret’s home, but currently suspended.
Location: most of the above Special Interest Groups are also held at Kew Community Centre (St Luke’s), but in the Marwood room at the rear of the building and some on Zoom, as stated. Except Margaret Gatter’s meetings, which she holds at home and so are suspended at present.
- Table Top, held once a month on Wednesdays, run by Seamus Reid. Photographing still life displays. Suspended until members can meet in person. Location: United Church Hall, Raleigh Road, Richmond TW9 2DX.
- Studio Portraiture, held on the second Monday of the month at a studio, run by John Phillips. Members can develop their studio photography skills with specialist strobe lighting and an experienced model. Teaching sessions are available to new members, anyone who has not worked in the studio before has to attend one of these as it includes instructions on how to safely operate cranes and other studio equipment. Pre booking is essential, numbers are limited, sessions cost £20 each to cover the model's fee. We are in the process of changing the studio venue, so please check the website programme page for more up to date information.
Monthly Competitions
Competitions are held monthly and when meeting normally in person, these alternate between PDI (Projected Digital Image) Competitions and Print Competitions.
There are two sections for Intermediate Members and Advanced Members. Since the pandemic and the need to meet virtually on line, all competitions have become Digital ones. Once your membership has been validated you will be sent a link to our PhotoEntry system where you can upload your competition entries.
Annual Competitions
Intermediate Challenge
Open Challenge
Annual Competition
Best Print and PDI of the Year
(since Covid these themes have been tweaked as we cannot at the moment include Prints)
Annual Exhibition
One of our most important events in the year, held at the Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington, each Spring (unfortunately due to Covid this was cancelled in 2020). Everyone is encouraged to participate by entering prints and/or digital images. The Exhibition also showcases the work of members that achieved awards or distinctions during the year.
Social Events
Our main social gathering is the Annual Dinner and Presentation of Trophies in the summer and our Christmas party. There is also a popular Treasure Hunt in the summer.
*We are affiliated to the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain as a member of the Surrey Photographic Association