On Thursday 1st October Smethwick Photographic Society will be welcoming moth aficionado and photographer Steve Myall. Steve will present his specialist area of interest, namely moths.

Steve has been interested in moths from a very young age. He collected eggs and caterpillars so he could rear them into adulthood. When photography became a major part of his life it was only natural that he’d begin photographing them. Steve’s photographs and finds have been used to help conservation groups keep track of the rise and decline (mostly decline) of these beautiful insects.

In 2019 Steve was asked to write a ‘how to’ article for Canon’s EOS Magazine and this six-page feature appeared in the April to June 2020 issue of the magazine. This macro photography presentation is based on that article and features moths found only in the UK. The talk includes plenty of tips on finding moths and photographing them in the field or under controlled conditions.

Here’s a selection of what we can expect from Steve:

For information go to our Streaming page HERE

On Thursday 24th September Smethwick Photographic Society will be welcoming Charles Ashton for a return visit. Charles will present his latest Travel photographic projects covering Shanghai, the shipyards of Dhaka and the streets of London.

Charles is a physician of 40 years experience moving into retirement to major in photography. His main interests are Documentary, Street and Travel photography including taking opportunities for portraiture when they present themselves. Charles aims to progress his photography further by concentrating on well researched projects resulting in meaningful bodies of work.

He believes his observational skills as a physician help him find those human moments. He is not aligned to the F8 school of street photography. I believe attention to depth of field, exposure and especially design of the whole frame make a good picture. Above all a picture that precipitates an emotional reaction in the viewer is a success. He adds, “as photographers we need to dare to be different and express ourselves through our images”.

Here’s a selection of what we can expect from Charles:

For information go to our Streaming page HERE

Thursday 17th September 2026;  We have our third members’ Projected Digital Image (PDI) competition of the year,  a competition judged by Alan Young.

Do come along to support the monthly competition judging process. If you’ve entered then the feedback can be invaluable and if you didn’t enter then it might just encourage you to give it a go next time.

To watch by live streaming you must be registered and logged in to the Zoom platform and purchase a ticket via the PayPal system. For information go to our Streaming page HERE

Programme begins at 8.00pm but do try to come along earlier to enjoy and exhibition, talk to fellow members, meet guests and the speaker/judge or just enjoy a drink with like minded people.

The images below are from the same competition in 2025.

On Thursday 10th September Smethwick Photographic Society will be welcoming back long time member David Wheeler as he presents his latest photographic exploits. David is travelling up from London specially for the ocassion and will present live in the clubhouse.

David joined Smethwick in the early 1980s and has served two terms as President. He was made a life member when he moved to London in 2000.

He attends club meetings online most Thursdays and competes in the monthly competitions. He has lectured extensively at photographic clubs and judged local, national and international exhibitions in the UK and abroad. He is current chair of the London Salon of Photography.

David recently gained an EFIAP/d4 award and will speaking in the clubroom at 18:30 about gaining FIAP distinctions. His main talk at 20:00 entitled “Out of my Comfort Zone” will cover the challenges he faced recently when he returned to photography after a 10-year break to focus on his career and family. With a background in landscape photography, he will describe how he has challenged himself to cover genres such portraiture, people, art nude and nature.

Here’s a selection of what we can expect from David:

For information go to our Streaming page HERE

On Thursday 3rd September Smethwick Photographic Society will be welcoming back Alistair How as he presents his creative approach to creating themed panels of photos live in the clubhouse.

Alistair How has had a life long interest in photography and the outdoors, starting his career at Kodak after studying Geography at Southampton University. He is a freelance photographer in a number of genres. In particular sport, documentary, travel and landscape.

He is a keen club photographer and member of Otley CC, Gamma and was president of Harrogate Photographic Society for their 101st year in 2023/24 season and was asked to be president again for 2024/25. In September 2025 he was appointed as a trustee of The Royal Photographic Society. He is a judge both locally within the Yorkshire Photographic Union and nationally and an assessor for BPE and international salons.

Based in North Yorkshire he is right on the doorstep of a number of photographic hot spots, but also travels far and wide looking for new locations and opportunities. His work has been recognised by various bodies including awards at the Yorkshire Photographic Union, FIAP, BPE and publications in Outdoor Magazine and the RPS. 

Example of his work and more information can be seen at:

Alistair How Photography – BSc (Hons), MBA, LRPS, AFIAP, BPE 1, A.APS, T.IAAP

Here’s a selection of what we can expect from Alistair:

For information go to our Streaming page HERE