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September 2025 2nd New Season Opening Night If you are thinking of joining WPS this is an ideal time to visit us and meet our members. For existing members it is an opportunity for a catchup plus, amongst other things, there will be a selection of short presentations by some of our members including how one who is gaining photographic qualifications, plus the escapades of three more taking on the rain storms in Madeira. 9th Creative Composites - Wendy Irwin ARPS.EFIAP.BPE3.cMOL.CPAGB Included tonight are the fifteen images used for Wendy's ARPS, based around a surreal vintage circus, explaining how she put the panel together with images that work together. She also shows a range of composite images including one that made it into Masters of Print. Many are based around her grandson Humphrey to create simple story books which involved adding painted textured layers as well as photographing every element which can be a time consuming. Overall, there are around sixty prints in Wendy's presentation and in the second half she will use Photoshop to show how she starts with a blank sheet then adds each element to build the new picture, also using Nik software to enhance the layers. www.flickr.com/photos/143565076@N06 16th How to Improve Your Competition Images from a Judge’s Perspective - Rob Cowell Being a member of a photographic club or society is not all about winning competitions but there is no denying that doing well in them can be rewarding. There will always be occasions when you submit an image or print, having put your heart and soul into creating it, that a judge’s comments and marks simply do not measure up to expectations. This evening, then, we take a look to see if there are things you can do to give your entries the very best chance possible to perform well in judges’ eyes. Is there a system to it, are there hidden tricks to gain success? Hopefully, tonight you will find out. Entry of images for PDI Round 1 23rd Competition Evening - PDI Round 1 The first round of our Projected Digital Image internal competition. This is divided into two sections - League 1 and League 2 - and 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: John Haines 30th WPS versus Great Barr Photographic Society WPS host members from Great Barr PS for a friendly battle between the clubs. Who will win the tournament this time around? Guest Judge: Dave Tucker Check out our competitors at: www.greatbarrphotographicsociety.com October 2025 7th Up High, Down Low - Steven Fairbrother Landscape photography from a tripod to a drone 400 feet high. Tonight we have a mix of images from the Lake District (one of Steven's favourite destinations) and other places around the UK. He will explain his approach to landscape photography, how to make the most of a scene and his move into drone photography and video. This will undoubtedly be a fascinating evening. www.fairbrother.me.uk Entry of titles/previews for Print Round 1 14th WPS Practical Evening This evening is currently under construction but you will definitely need your camera gear because this evening is what photographers do best - use cameras and take photos. 21st 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: Phil Cooling 28th The Art of Flower Photography - Sue Rowbotham Awaiting synopsis. www.susie-r-photography.myportfolio.com November 2025 4th An Introduction to the Video Button on Your Camera plus … How to Make a Photo Slideshow Set to Music - Rob Millward & Rob Cowell This evening is divided into two parts, both of which are related to video. That video button: pretty much all digital cameras these days are able to record video with many offering TV High Definition quality or even 4k, which is four times the resolution of HD. Rob Millward will be giving an introduction to using your DSLR or mirrorless camera for video. Rob Cowell will be looking at free software you can use to create slideshows of still photographs set to music and the best part is that the software is free. 11th WPS In-House Critique Evening Submit 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. 18th 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: Bob Goode 25th Discovering & Developing Your Own Area for Landscape Photography - Eugene Theron A look into the discovery of photographic style, experience and self, culminating in finding an area to develop and make one's own. Eugene explains why he thinks this is quite an important topic in the era of social media and external influence, especially when it comes to personal and artistic expression. www.eugenetheron.com Entry of images for PDI Round 2 December 2025 2nd Competition Evening - PDI Round 2 The second round of our Projected Digital Image internal competition. This is divided into two sections - League 1 and League2 - and 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: Peter Gennard 9th Christmas Card Photo Night As WPS heads dangerously towards Christmas then what more could photographers wish for than a pr5actical evening with a Christmas theme? Yes, you have guessed correctly: bring your cameras to create your own personalised Christmas cards to amaze your friends and family. 16th WPS Christmas Party Hey, it’s Christmas after all so it is definitely a great excuse for relaxing and socialising to get everyone into the Christmas mood. The WPS Social Team have this covered - more details to follow. January 2026 6th So You’ve Been Asked to Photograph a Wedding - Tim Burden/Carol Bailey/Chris Nutt/Victoria Parkes It happens from time to time when friends, or friends of friends, know you have a decent camera and know how to use it and must, therefore, be great at wedding photography. Should you say yes? What is actually involved and what gear is actually needed for wedding photography? What do you need to think about and just what are you expected to do to create happy brides and grooms? This evening we have a team giving their perspectives on wedding photography from both the amateur and professional standpoint. 13th MCPF Travelling Portfolio with a Twist - Rob Cowell & 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 event adds a new dimension to the evening, but you will have to wait for tonight to discover what that might be. Exciting, or what? Entry of titles/previews for Print Round 2 20th 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: Steve Clifford 27th A Drop of the Hard Stuff - Ray Sturdy Based in Worcestershire, Ray Sturdy is a photographer and explorer who has documented his travels around the world for others to enjoy. Together with geographical expeditions, Ray's talks include historical slideshows and tonight he will be taking us on a journey through Ireland, a place well known for its scenery, music and the 'Craic'. All Ray's talks and slideshows help to raise money for Mencap, NSPCC and Cancer Research UK. www.raysturdy.com February 2026 3rd 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. 10th WPS Practical Night This evening is currently under construction but you will definitely need your camera gear because this evening is what photographers do best - use cameras and take photos. Entry of images for PDI Round 3 17th Competition Evening - PDI Round 3 The third and final round of our Projected Digital Image internal competition. Once again this is divided into two sections - League 1 and League2 - and 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: Mike Sharples 24th 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. March 2026 3rd Close-up and Macro Photography - Derek Gale This evening will cover the equipment required; (including add-on close-up lenses, reversed lenses, extension tubes, true macro lenses, and even most of these at the same time!), macro techniques, issues that arise - and how to solve them plus lighting for macro. If you fancy learning more about this genre of photography then this is an ideal opportunity. www.galephotography.co.uk 10th Kerela - Mike Sharples Awaiting synopsis. Entry of titles/previews for Print Round 3 17th 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: David Lowe 24th Awaiting Presentation Title - TBC Entry of images for the PDI Best of Season competition 31st Best of Season Competition: PDI Members submit their three best PDI images from this season’s PDI competition rounds. Guest Judge: David Graham April 2026 7th 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* Entry of titles/image previews for the Best of Season Print and Outings Cup competitions 14th Best of Season Competition: Prints plus … Images taken on WPS Outings or Workshops Members submit their two best monochrome and two best colour photographs from this season’s Print Competition rounds. All entries will be judged together and not according to the leagues. Judge: Heather Woodhams 21st Awaiting Presentation Title - TBC Entry of titles/image previews for the Outings Cup and Workshop Photos competitions 28th Competition Evening - Themed ‘Rainy Day’ and ‘Natural Patterns’ 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 May 2026 5th WPS Annual General Meeting WPS members’ chance to comment on how the society is being run and choose the Committee members for the 2025/26 season. 12th WPS 2025/26 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. 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.