Author: RTPS Webmaster

Ten members of RTPS headed into London on Monday and braved the busy streets to enjoy a brilliant day out at Chelsea in Bloom, the free, open‑air alternative to the Chelsea Flower Show that runs at the same time.

This year’s theme was ‘Out of this World’, and the display certainly lived up to it.

Shop fronts, restaurants and hotels were decorated with incredible space‑inspired floral displays, turning the whole area into a colourful trail of creativity. It was a fun, relaxed day with plenty to photograph and lots of inspiration around every corner.

Derek Barker has had one of his images selected by the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) ‘Creative Eye’ magazine as “worthy of merit” for the cover of their May 2026 edition. Derek’s image shows the lamp post on Strand on the Green with deliberate Edna movement, using layers and intentional camera movement. (ICM).

This is the second image Derek has had selected for the magazine. His previous image, of trees beautifully reflected in the pond at Richmond Park, was shown in the Digital Exhibition in 2025 and later selected to be published in the ‘Creative Eye’ magazine.
RPS magazine Creative Eye Group May 2026 N0. 100 page 5

RPS mag Digital Ex 2025 No. 98. Derek Barker entry page 35

Our congratulations go to Wendy Akers on achieving  Associate of the Royal Photographic Society (ARPS). 

The ARPS distinction is the RPS second‑tier distinction, awarded for producing a cohesive, concept‑driven body of 15 images supported by a clear ‘Statement of Intent’.

Success at ARPS requires applicants to demonstrate:

• strong technical ability
• artistic control
• a personal vision appropriate to their chosen genre
• a high level of craft and presentation.

Wendy’s panel is shown below:

Congratulations go to the following members for their awards:

SPA Newbie Trophy, Best Newbie PDI 

Andrew Griffiths, ‘Hoverfly’

Selector’s Award

Adam Masterton, ‘Grey Wolf in Snow’

Leonie Mellman, ‘Calle del Piovan o Gritti, Venice’

Highly commended

Lorraine Clifton, ‘Close the Window’

Commended

Lorraine Clifton, ‘Vultures on Giraffe Carcass’
Simon Elsy LRPS, ‘Gannet’
Nick Tsinonis, ‘The Kestrel and the Cricket’

RTPS Members were out in force yesterday at the Richmond May Fair on the Green, spreading the word of all things RTPS and Arts Richmond. The weather was glorious and a bumper crowd provided many chances to chat and engage with interested visitors (and their pooches). Thanks to all our volunteers who helped on the day.

Wendy Akers led a group on an enjoyable photography walk from Chiswick to Hammersmith Bridge. 

Twelve people began with a few hours at Chiswick House and Gardens, the ‘birthplace of the English landscape movement’.  The house is built in the Palladian style, providing plenty of photography inspiration.

Next stop was the garden at Hogarth House, followed by St. Nicholas Church on the river.  William Hogarth, the celebrated painter, engraver and caricaturist, is buried at St Nicholas Church.

Photo opportunities were plentiful, including William Morris’s former home,  now a museum.

After lunch at one of the beautiful old pubs on the river, our last stop was the Grade II-listed Hammersmith Bridge.

These walks allow members to experiment with different photography styles, share knowledge and inspiration and have fun.

Check out our gallery of more images from our photo walk. Thanks to those members who were happy to share their images.

Colette Hewitt led the first night photography outing of the year with Sara and James Allin, Peter Van Der Kooy, and Jane Hamer around Richmond.

The group were enthusiastic and had a fun time together. Fine weather helped increase the enjoyment and there were plenty of opportunities to photograph iconic areas of Richmond. Read More >