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September 2026 1st New Season Opening Night Introduction to the upcoming season and competitions with Carol Bailey, plus a short presentation on the upcoming Anglesey trip by Sue Sudbury - for those going for the whole weekend or those who might like a big day trip. There is also a fab quiz by Vanessa Sparkes that is guaranteed to to teach us something new. 8th Portfolios of Landscapes and Urbanscapes - Leigh Preston “The majority of these portfolios are linked in some way to isolation, solitude and lost causes. I make many of my images as epitaphs to long vanished eras or to characters and places that are off the beaten track. I use a more photo-journalistic approach when I'm travelling, enjoying the observational side of photography, the individualism, and working in a thematic and more considered way. There is a nostalgia in a lot of my images, and stubborn resistance to the modern world. The production side is also relevant, either as a darkroom print, or digital image. It is important to adapt the whole process to my original concept and the personality of the people and places I have found myself in throughout 30 plus years as a photographer.” www.leighpreston.co.uk 15th WPS In-House Critique Evening Bring your photographs for constructive critique by fellow members, but fear not because WPS members are kind, caring and considerate so there is no need to bring the tranquillizers. In reality, it is a fun evening which simply should not be taken too seriously. This is kind of the opposite of last week but is usually not only useful, but a fun evening too. All being well, the fireworks won’t fly. 22nd MCPF Travelling Portfolio - John Holt/Alan Lawrence Each season members get to see the Midland Counties Photographic Federation (MCPF) travelling portfolio of successful competition images from the previous season. This season’s evening takes a similar format tp last season with comments added by two members who are also judges. Will they agree with the chosen winners? 28th WPS Photography Workshop (Monday) The first of this season’s monthly workshops run by our Chair, Rob Cowell. Note there is a small charge to cover room hire and refreshments. Details of what is being covered is published in the WPS e-newsletter. 29th Using DaVinci Resolve to Edit Videos - Rob Cowell Unusually for a photography group, this evening is all about video and builds on the presentation given last season by Rob Millward. At the end of that the gauntlet was thrown to the floor for members to create short videos using their cameras but the question is: one you have the video sequences, how do you then make them into a video? Tonight is the night to find out how. Entry of images for PDI Round 1 October 2026 6th Competition Evening - PDI Round 1 The first round of our Projected Digital Image internal competition. Each entrant may submit up to three images in either monochrome, colour or a mixture of the two. Please make sure your images conform to WPS requirements. Guest Judge: Louise Hill 13th Tromsø Perspectives In March 2026, nine members of the club headed to Tromsø, Norway for a fabulous four days of breathtaking scenery and even more incredible photography of the northern lights. Tonight we get to hear all about the experience, what we learned and share the anecdotes and photographs from the trip. Entry of titles/previews for Print Round 1 15th Stourbridge Photographic Society versus WPS (Thursday) Stourbridge PS host WPS for a friendly battle between the clubs. Who will win the tournament this time around? Best to arrange car sharing to attend this event. Check out our competitors at: www.stourbridgeps.co.uk 20th Competition Evening - Print Round 1 The first round of our Printed Photographs internal competition. There are two categories - monochrome and colour photographs, with all entries judged together. Each entrant may submit up to two colour and two monochrome prints which should conform to competition requirements for the mount size etc. Guest Judge: John Haines 22nd WPS Photography Workshop (Thursday) The first of this season’s monthly workshops run by our Chair, Rob Cowell. Note there is a small charge to cover room hire and refreshments. Details of what is being covered is published in the WPS e-newsletter. 26th Trinity Photographic Group versus WPS (Monday) Trinity Photographic Group host WPS for a friendly battle between the clubs. It is another chance to see who will win the tournament this time and of course, both sets of members hoping it will be them. As on the 15th, itb is best to arrange car sharing to attend this event. Check out our competitors at: www.trinityphotographygroup.co.uk 27th The Art of Still Life - Wendy Irwin ARPS.EFIAP.BPE3.cMOL.CPAGB A range of still life images with Wendy’s own painted textures overlaid with different blending modes, including a demonstration of painted textures and uses of blending modes in Photoshop. www.flickr.com/photos/143565076@N06 November 2026 3rd Portraiture Evening A vintage with a noir twist model night presented by photographers from Smethwick PS. They will give a demonstration and then invite those with cameras to take shots of their own. They provide lighting, modifiers, backdrops, props and triggers. Photography places will be limited in number to ensure those with cameras get sufficient time with the model, though members are welcome to observe. There will be a small charge for those taking photographs to help towards modelling fees. 10th WPS Five-a-Side PDI Competition WPS members divide into teams for a friendly battle of projected images. There are usually four or five teams competing with membership of a team determined by names drawn from a hat. There is a small prize for members of the winning team. Guest Judge: Peter Gennard 17th WPS In-House Presentation Evening Tonight, a selection of members become presenters to pass on their thoughts, skills and insights into photography. There is always a wide range of topics covered which in the past have included pretty much every aspect of photography, but the great thing about these evenings is the insight you get into the photographic world of fellow members. Entry of images for PDI Round 2 23rd WPS Photography Workshop (Monday) The first of this season’s monthly workshops run by our Chair, Rob Cowell. Note there is a small charge to cover room hire and refreshments. Details of what is being covered is published in the WPS e-newsletter. 24th Competition Evening - PDI Round 2 The second round of our Projected Digital Image internal competition. Each entrant may submit up to three images in either monochrome, colour or a mixture of the two. Please make sure your images conform to WPS requirements. Guest Judge: Steve Clifford December 2026 1st How to Photograph Sports Events - Glenn Curley An event photographer for over 20 years, Glenn will talk to us about how to get the best from photographing live events. Sports, cars, and carnivals. 8th Christmas Photo Shoot with Santa As WPS heads dangerously towards Christmas then what more could photographers wish for than a practical evening with a Christmas theme? Yes, WPS has done it again. but this time a special visitor arrives to bring good cheer. Ho! Ho! Ho! 14th WPS Photography Workshop (Monday) The first of this season’s monthly workshops run by our Chair, Rob Cowell. Note there is a small charge to cover room hire and refreshments. Details of what is being covered is published in the WPS e-newsletter. 15th WPS Christmas Party Hey, it’s Christmas which means it is definitely a great excuse for relaxing and socialising to get everyone into the Christmas mood. This year we are gathering at our home venue with a Christmas buffet and the inevitable quiz to ensure complete happiness and contentment. January 2027 5th WPS In-House Presentation Evening Tonight, a selection of members become presenters to pass on their thoughts, skills and insights into photography. There is always a wide range of topics covered which in the past have included pretty much every aspect of photography, but the great thing about these evenings is the insight you get into the photographic world of fellow members. 12th Awaiting Presentation Title WPS are currently waiting for confirmation of details from our presenter. Entry of titles/previews for Print Round 2 18th WPS Photography Workshop (Monday) The first of this season’s monthly workshops run by our Chair, Rob Cowell. Note there is a small charge to cover room hire and refreshments. Details of what is being covered is published in the WPS e-newsletter. 19th Competition Evening - Prints Round 2 The second round of our Printed Photographs internal competition. There are two categories - monochrome and colour photographs, with all entries judged together. Each entrant may submit up to two colour and two monochrome prints which should conform to competition requirements for the mount size etc. Guest Judge: Mike Sharples 26th Awaiting Presentation Title WPS are currently waiting for confirmation of details from our presenter. Entry of images for PDI Round 3 February 2027 2nd Competition Evening - PDI Round 3 The third and final round of our Projected Digital Image internal competition. Once again each entrant may submit up to three images in either monochrome, colour or a mixture of the two. Please make sure your images conform to WPS requirements. Guest Judge: Dave Tucker 9th Namibia - Sand, Stars and Wildlife - Rob Cowell This evening WPS takes a trip to Namibia - a land of huge sand dunes and desert and all-round stunning landscapes. There are inky black skies where the heavens shine brightly, contrasting colours, ancient rock formations and wildlife from flamingoes to lions, elephants and zebras. Rob will be explaining what’s needed to photograph this epic place, the issues of travelling the vast countryside with hints and tips about surviving the experience. He will of course be showing some of the photographs he captured during his adventure there. 15th WPS Photography Workshop (Monday) The first of this season’s monthly workshops run by our Chair, Rob Cowell. Note there is a small charge to cover room hire and refreshments. Details of what is being covered is published in the WPS e-newsletter. 16th WPS Members’ Photo Slideshow/AV Evening and Triptych/Collage Challenge Members submit a slideshow of photos set to music with judging and voting by members. Those wishing to enter should refer to the entry guidelines and liaise with Gordon Uprichard regarding submission deadlines. This evening is also when members’ triptych and or collage photos will be judged by the membership who will vote to decide the winning entry. 23rd The Wider World of Photography Part 2: The Story of Ariel, Advertising, Landscape, Sport and Science & Nature Photography plus a Special Bonus on Photo Art - Ashley Franklin Last season members were spellbound by Ashley's Part 1 talk, so there is plenty to look forward to in this evening's presentation. He includes the work of Ansel Adams, Eammon McCabe, Yann-Arthus Bertrand, Elliott Erwitt, Stephen Dalton, Michael Kenna, Lennart Nilsson and John Blakemore. An evening of inspiring and thought-provoking photography. www.ashleyfranklin.co.uk Entry of titles/previews for Print Round 3 March 2027 2nd Competition Evening - Prints Round 3 The third and final round of our Printed Photographs internal competition. There are two categories - monochrome and colour photographs, with all entries judged together. Each entrant may submit up to two colour and two monochrome prints which should conform to competition requirements for the mount size etc. Guest Judge: Heather Woodhams 9th Competition Evening - Video Shorts plus Planning and Refining Your Video - Rob Millward Back by popular demand, Rob Millward will guide us for another wander into the world of videography. But first there is a mini competition for those who rose to the challenge set at Rob's talk last year, to create a short video. Rob will give his comments on the entries and award a winner, followed by a talk on how to plan a video, from close-ups to interviews and moody or impactful intros and endings. Entry of images for the PDI Best of Season competition 15th WPS Photography Workshop (Monday) The first of this season’s monthly workshops run by our Chair, Rob Cowell. Note there is a small charge to cover room hire and refreshments. Details of what is being covered is published in the WPS e-newsletter. 16th Best of Season Competition: PDI Members submit their three best PDI images from this season’s PDI competition rounds. Guest Judge: David Lowe 23rd Smethwick International Photo Evening This evening includes AV presentations showcasing hundreds of inspiring and award winning images. Presented by WPS member John Holt ARPS.DPAGB.BPE5* 30th Landscapes Around the World - Gary Groucutt This award-winning landscape photographer has been leading his Lightscapes workshops in the UK for nearly 20 years and was highly recommended for this talk by one of our members, Mark Constable, who has himself won awards for images taken on a dozen of Gary’s popular workshops. In this presentation, Gary will stress the importance of picturing the image before taking the shot, with due consideration for composition, lighting and weather. www.garygroucutt.com Entry of titles/image previews for the Best of Season Print and Outings & Workshops Cup April 2027 6th Best of Season Competition: Prints plus the WPS Outings & Workshops Cup Competition Members submit their two best monochrome and two best colour photographs from this season’s Print Competition rounds. The second competition tonight is images or photographs taken on an official WPS event. Judge: Bob Goode Entry of titles/image previews for the Themes competition 13th Competition Evening - Themes are ‘Pathway’ and ‘A Single Tree’ Members submit three PDI entries for each theme (six images maximum) that may be any mix of colour or monochrome. Please read the entry guidelines for these competitions to ensure both yours and the judge’s interpretation of what is allowed is roughly the same! Guest Judge: Darron Matthews 19th WPS Photography Workshop (Monday) The first of this season’s monthly workshops run by our Chair, Rob Cowell. Note there is a small charge to cover room hire and refreshments. Details of what is being covered is published in the WPS e-newsletter. 20th WPS Practical Evening - Food Glorious Food Develop your creative skills with an introduction to food photography. Learn about the rule of food photography - keep it real and simple. There will be presentations about techniques and how to get great results with minimal gear, plus handy items to start collecting to help 'adorn' your subject matter. We will also look at different lighting options including flash, continuous light and natural window light. After the break, everyone is encouraged to have a go at photographing the different sets.  27th Awaiting Presentation Title WPS are currently waiting for confirmation of details from our presenter. May 2027 4th WPS Annual General Meeting WPS members’ chance to comment on how the society is being run and choose the Committee members for the 2027/28 season. 11th WPS 2026/27 Annual Dinner & Awards Evening Following immediately after our Annual Dinner, Mike Piper, our Competition Secretary, will be announcing the winners and awarding the cups and prizes for our internal competitions. A great evening which celebrates our members’ successes during this season. 17th WPS Photography Workshop (Monday) The first of this season’s monthly workshops run by our Chair, Rob Cowell. Note there is a small charge to cover room hire and refreshments. Details of what is being covered is published in the WPS e-newsletter. June 2027 14th WPS Photography Workshop (Monday) The first of this season’s monthly workshops run by our Chair, Rob Cowell. Note there is a small charge to cover room hire and refreshments. Details of what is being covered is published in the WPS e-newsletter. WPS Summer Programme Every year during the summer months WPS organise social meet- ups, visits and photography workshops and a list of events is published in the WPS members’ e-newsletter.