LOOKING AHEAD
12th May 2026
The season has now ended and with it the regular Monday meetings which run throughout the winter months between September and April. This is the time of year when members go off on their own to create images for the new season’s competitions or simply to practice.
We have a new challenge for the season ahead, when there will be a themed competition on the subject of ‘Street Photography’. This is a wide topic and can include candid shots of street life as well as more permanent features observed in public places.
We also have a competition for three photos which, presented as a ‘Panel of Three’, tell a story or portray a theme. Some of the speakers we have listened to over the years have spoken of personal projects. They might go out with a particular idea in mind or realise that they have suitable shots in those taken on the theme to produce a good panel. Reenactment events seem to be a great source of images given how many turn up in a season.
The internet is a wonderful source of inspiration for projects, both outdoors and inside, including still life and different effects. Some members like to dedicate time to projects of this nature, which everyone gets to see during the season either in competitions of during ‘Members’ Nights’.
For our more experienced and accomplished photographers, there is also the prospect of capturing and processing an image or two which might make their personal cut to be put forward to the annual selection process for the regional exhibition put on by the North & East Midlands Photographic Federation (NEMPF). This is open to all the photographers in the member clubs of three large counties, and so an acceptance by the three selectors to be exhibited is a real achievement. We have had successes in the past and without doubt some have another entry in their sights as a summer project, since entries must be submitted early in October.
Our Programme Secretary, Rob Neal, has been working hard producing a programme for the coming season. This is now ready to be produced as a handy trifold card which members keep to hand during the season. Copies are available at various distribution points for anyone interested to pick up with a view to coming along and visiting on a club night.
We begin our new season on 7th September, when there will be a welcome night, during which Rob will speak about the programme. He will have previews from our speakers, and he has lined up some well-known names.
The first speaker of the season is Robert Falconer, who will be speaking about his home county of Derbyshire. His presentation will have a wealth of subject matter and genres including the glorious and dramatic scenery of Derbyshire alongside other favourite subjects of his. These include the steam trains at Barrowhill Roundhouse, the Dambusters 70th Anniversary, the Red Arrows at Chatsworth and Derbyshire Wildlife. It sounds a veritable feast of great images and sources of inspiration.
There are a variety of different topics in the following weeks and in early November we will welcome Ray Brammal with his print-based presentation. His pleasure is in making images and he admits to a wide-ranging spectrum of interest including sport action and nature.
Members enjoy our speakers from many points of view – to simply sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labours – often gained by physically challenging themselves to achieve their shots; to learn from the techniques they see speakers have employed; to take inspiration from different treatments of a subject or to grasp the opportunity to ask questions of the speaker.
We look forward to returning to our regular Monday night meetings, starting on 7th September 2026 and continuing until 26th April 2027 with a seasonal break mid-year. All current and former members will be warmly welcomed back and we hope to also welcome some new members. The costs next year will be £35 for annual members plus £4 per person per night. Guests are welcome for £5 a night and have until after their third visit to decide about becoming members.
Full details about the club are on our web site: http://www.retford-photographic.co.uk/ and the new programme for the 2026 – 2027 programme will appear soon. The draft presented at the AGM suggests we have a great new season in prospect.
Meetings are weekly on Mondays at 7.30pm in St Joseph’s Hall, Babworth Road, Retford
We have a new challenge for the season ahead, when there will be a themed competition on the subject of ‘Street Photography’. This is a wide topic and can include candid shots of street life as well as more permanent features observed in public places.
We also have a competition for three photos which, presented as a ‘Panel of Three’, tell a story or portray a theme. Some of the speakers we have listened to over the years have spoken of personal projects. They might go out with a particular idea in mind or realise that they have suitable shots in those taken on the theme to produce a good panel. Reenactment events seem to be a great source of images given how many turn up in a season.
The internet is a wonderful source of inspiration for projects, both outdoors and inside, including still life and different effects. Some members like to dedicate time to projects of this nature, which everyone gets to see during the season either in competitions of during ‘Members’ Nights’.
For our more experienced and accomplished photographers, there is also the prospect of capturing and processing an image or two which might make their personal cut to be put forward to the annual selection process for the regional exhibition put on by the North & East Midlands Photographic Federation (NEMPF). This is open to all the photographers in the member clubs of three large counties, and so an acceptance by the three selectors to be exhibited is a real achievement. We have had successes in the past and without doubt some have another entry in their sights as a summer project, since entries must be submitted early in October.
Our Programme Secretary, Rob Neal, has been working hard producing a programme for the coming season. This is now ready to be produced as a handy trifold card which members keep to hand during the season. Copies are available at various distribution points for anyone interested to pick up with a view to coming along and visiting on a club night.
We begin our new season on 7th September, when there will be a welcome night, during which Rob will speak about the programme. He will have previews from our speakers, and he has lined up some well-known names.
The first speaker of the season is Robert Falconer, who will be speaking about his home county of Derbyshire. His presentation will have a wealth of subject matter and genres including the glorious and dramatic scenery of Derbyshire alongside other favourite subjects of his. These include the steam trains at Barrowhill Roundhouse, the Dambusters 70th Anniversary, the Red Arrows at Chatsworth and Derbyshire Wildlife. It sounds a veritable feast of great images and sources of inspiration.
There are a variety of different topics in the following weeks and in early November we will welcome Ray Brammal with his print-based presentation. His pleasure is in making images and he admits to a wide-ranging spectrum of interest including sport action and nature.
Members enjoy our speakers from many points of view – to simply sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labours – often gained by physically challenging themselves to achieve their shots; to learn from the techniques they see speakers have employed; to take inspiration from different treatments of a subject or to grasp the opportunity to ask questions of the speaker.
We look forward to returning to our regular Monday night meetings, starting on 7th September 2026 and continuing until 26th April 2027 with a seasonal break mid-year. All current and former members will be warmly welcomed back and we hope to also welcome some new members. The costs next year will be £35 for annual members plus £4 per person per night. Guests are welcome for £5 a night and have until after their third visit to decide about becoming members.
Full details about the club are on our web site: http://www.retford-photographic.co.uk/ and the new programme for the 2026 – 2027 programme will appear soon. The draft presented at the AGM suggests we have a great new season in prospect.
Meetings are weekly on Mondays at 7.30pm in St Joseph’s Hall, Babworth Road, Retford