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September 2024 3rd New Season Opening Night If you are thinking of joining WPS this is an ideal time to join us and meet our members. For existing members its an opportunity for a catchup plus, amongst other things, there will be an overview of the coming season. 10th Boost Your Creativity Through Multiple Exposure - Janina Wilde Janina is a photography educator who specialises in multiple exposure, and she loves it. One of the most fantastic things about multiple exposure is that you can try it in every genre that is going, so you don't have to change what you normally photograph to give it a try. In her talk tonight, she will explore multiple exposure images showcasing landscapes, macro subjects, coastal environments and birds. She will also be explaining how she made some of her images so you can then add this technique to your repertoire. www.janinawilde.com 17th Smartphone Photography - Anil Patel Anil's interest in photography started in 2018, becoming a consistent passion around 2020. In only four year since then, he has achieved several photography awards and features for Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, Worcester News, Worcester Cathedral and BBC Midlands and Hereford and Worcester. His passion is mobile phone photography using a Samsung S23 Ultra, focusing on weather, reflections, differential focus, nature, and unique perspectives. In March he was shortlisted for the 2024 Mobile Photography Awards; part of the British Photography Awards. His aim is to capture the world through his own perspective, style and freedom and he will be sharing these thoughts and ideas during his presentation. www.instagram.com/ap_freedomphotography Entry of images for PDI Round 1 24th 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 as explained here. Guest Judge: Mike Sharples October 2024 1st Wildlife on a Second Curtain - Mark Davies Mark is an award winning Wildlife photographer and, amongst many other things, is also a contributor to various Wildlife Charities including the Penrith Red Squirrel Group. As a member of Cannock PS he gained Gold & Silver medals with the MCPF, PAGB and FIAP. Tonight he will be showcasing some of his award winning photography, demonstrating his techniques and the equipment he uses to capture his stunning images, including high speed and rear-curtain flash for wildlife. He also designed and built a custom rig which is being used by five international professional photographers. This should be a great evening. www.ephotozine.com/user/enmark-100039/portfolio www.500px.com/p/enmark?view=photoam.com/ap_freedomphoto graphy Entry of titles/previews for Print Round 1 8th 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: Bob Goode 15th Panel Night - what does photography mean? A panel of five representative WPS members will host a discussion on what photography means not only to our members, but also to societies in general. For those who have taken up the genre, what is it that drives their passion? Does the equipment matter, is it lenses or locations or is there something more? 17th WPS Photography Workshop Free monthly workshops included with full membership. Details are published in the WPS newsletter. 22nd WPS Practical Night - High Speed Photography Details of this event will be added when the evening is finalised. 29th How It’s Made Selected members who entered PDI Round 1 present their image(s) and give a background to how the photograph was created, the equipment and settings used and why they chose the image in the first place. These evenings are a great insight into our members’ photography. November 2024 1st WPS Big Weekend to Padley Gorge Members’ weekend to Padley Gorge in the Hope Valley. 5th 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. 12th Panel Night - Astrophotography and what to photograph in the Winter sky This evening starts with a brief presentation on not only what astrophotography is, but roughly what is involved in doing it. A panel of our very own WPS astrophotographers will then host the evening and will look at what to photograph in the Winter night sky, the best locations locally and will answer questions on this challenging genre of photography. 19th Whispers in the Scream: Thoughts on Creating Compelling Images - Eugene Theron Eugene will be exploring the thoughts, processes and ideas that go into creating engaging images that not only tell a story, but also communicate ideas visually and are able to captivate the viewer. He will look at how different styles and techniques can impact emotional responses while incorporating our own influences and emotions into our landscape and nature work. www.eugenetheron.com 21st WPS Photography Workshop Free monthly workshops included with full membership. Details are published in the WPS newsletter. 26th WPS Five-a-Side PDI Competition WPS members divide into teams for a friendly battle of projected images. This year there are four 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: Dave Tucker Entry of images for PDI Round 2 December 2024 3rd 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 as explained here. Guest Judge: Paddy Ruske 10th WPS Practical Night - Steam Punk Christmas Mix the steam punk era and Christmas, then create a photo. A great theme for our practical night. 17th WPS Christmas Party Hey, it’s Christmas after all so it is definitely a great excuse for party food and a relaxing and sociable evening. Full members of WPS do not require a ticket as the party is included with the membership subscription. 19th WPS Photography Workshop Free monthly workshops included with full membership. Details are published in the WPS newsletter. January 2025 7th Photographing Re-Enactments - Lee Chapman Lee is a published author and professional photographer offering a full range of photography services including family, pet & equine photo shoots, weddings and commercial photography. He is also a fully qualified lecturer in adult education and through ‘Chappers Photography’, offers a range of photographic workshops, courses and photo shoots aimed at amateur photographers. He has recently been awarded 'Highly Commended' for the 'Experience of the Year' at the Staffordshire Good Food & Tourism Awards. This evening, Lee will be highlighting how his work on re- enactments of battles and events, brings history to life. www.chappersphotography.co.uk Entry of titles/previews for Print Round 2 14th 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: Mark Davies 16th WPS Photography Workshop Free monthly workshops included with full membership. Details are published in the WPS newsletter. 21st John’s View of Photography - John Haines As Chair of Great Barr Photographic Society, tonight John brings his experience in that role to help those who are still developing photography skills and aims to bring inspiration to that journey. So often we see the Wow! images presented at our club nights where your reaction might be a certain level of awe and a belief that one could never create the images like that, but you can. John will be looking at ways you can improve your photography to create those Wow! results you crave. 28th WPS Members’ AV ‘Photo Harmony’ Evening, Triptych/Collage Challenge and Pop-Up Review AV presentations with judging and voting by members. Those wishing to enter should refer to 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. The December Pop-Up review and awards are also this evening. February 2025 4th WPS Members’ Presentation Evening A selection of our members take the stage tonight for a series of short presentations about aspects of their photography, or who have something photography related they would like to share with the group. These are always interesting sessions and often an insight into how fellow photographers work with their cameras. Entry of images for PDI Round 3 11th Competition Evening - PDI Round 3 The third and final 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. Guest Judge: Peter Gennard 18th WPS versus Trinity Photographic Group WPS is the host tonight for a friendly battle with Trinity PG. There can only be one winner but everyone wins by seeing the best images from both groups. Check out our competitors at: www.trinityphotographygroup.com Guest Judge: Peter Gennard 20th WPS Photography Workshop Free monthly workshops included with full membership. Details are published in the WPS newsletter. 25th The Annual MCPF Portfolio An evening of photographs together with a recorded commentary by MCPF judges. Entry of titles/previews for Print Round 3 March 2025 4th 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: Louise Hill 11th In-house Learning and Doing With more detail given to members in the weeks leading up to this event, this evening will be focused on improving photography skills. Entry of images for the PDI Best of Season competition 18th Best of Season Competition: PDI Members submit their three best PDI images from this season’s PDI competition rounds. Guest Judge: John Haines 20th WPS Photography Workshop Free monthly workshops included with full membership. Details are published in the WPS newsletter. 25th Stafford Photographic Society versus WPS Stafford Photographic Society are our hosts tonight for a friendly battle. Who will win the tournament this time around? Guest Judge: tbc Stafford PS, Beacon Group, Stafford Education and Enterprise Park, Weston Road, Stafford ST18 0BF Check out our competitors at: www.staffordphotosociety.org.uk April 2025 1st 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 8th Best of Season Competition: Prints plus The Outings Cup - 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. For the Outings Cup the number of entries allowed will be confirmed before the competition night. Judge: Heather Woodhams 15th Panel Night - Sport and Wildlife Photography Five members who specialise in wildlife and sports photography will host a discussion on these popular subjects for photography. What makes wildlife and sports shots special and what equipment is needed to get the best shots? This is another opportunity to exchange thoughts and ideas on photography. Entry of titles/image previews and images for the Annual Themes competition 17th WPS Photography Workshop Free monthly workshops included with full membership. Details are published in the WPS newsletter. 22nd Annual Themes Competition - ‘City, Town or Village’ and ‘Looking Up’ Members submit PDI and print entries for each theme 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: David Lowe 29th In-house Learning and Doing With more detail given to members in the weeks leading up to this event, this evening will be focused on improving photography skills. May 2025 6th WPS 2024/25 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. 13th 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. 15th WPS Photography Workshop Free monthly workshops included with full membership. Details are published in the WPS 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.