Thursday 16th May: We have Erica Oram.

Erica has had a keen interest in photography since the late 1990’s, originally working exclusively in colour slides before moving into digital photography relatively late compared to many. She is a member of Sheffield Photographic Society, Gamma Photoforum and the London Salon of Photography, and also an active camera club lecturer and a PAGB accredited judge. 

Her photography is mostly centred around landscape, pictorial and street photography.

This talk, ‘The View From Here’, is about making the most of limited time for photography and will bring together images from the last decade of Erica’s work including some new images. Erica enjoys the challenge of finding less obvious subjects and compositions both in relatively ‘everyday’ situations and places and further afield.  She likes to use her photography to make a personal interpretation of ‘whatever is in front of me’, always looking to make an interesting image out of something ordinary rather than make an ordinary image out of something interesting.

Smethwick members and guests will get a rare insight into Erica’s personal point of view.

Thursday 9th May: We have Neil Scott FRPS.

Neil has been taking photographs since he was around 8 or 9 years old. A member of both Edinburgh Photographic Society (EPS) and Midlothian Camera Club, he got his FRPS in 2012 and EFIAP/s in 2015. Neil achieved over 1500 acceptances in National and International Salons and has won over 150 awards – medals, ribbons and certificates.

As a Scottish Photographic Federation judge he is well known and experienced on the club circuit. He therefore gives many talks to camera clubs, in person and remotely.

Neil’s photographic interests are mainly people, (candids and street photography) abstracts and still life.  He says his favourite format is mono print work. Indeed, Neil has recently decided to take up infra-red photography too.

Neil doesn’t like to follow the herd, he likes to be different.  In fact the ABC of his approach is to Amuse, Bemuse or Confuse. Smethwick members and guests are in for a good evening.

Thursday 2nd May: We have Andrew Phillips.

Andy Phillips is a professional photographer, photo editor, teacher & lecturer. He has given presentations to camera clubs across the country and is in his element when passing on seasoned knowledge to others.

Andy specialises in Landscape, Smallscape photography and photo editing using Photoshop.

His most popular presentations include;  ‘A VIsual Signature’ and ‘The Inner Landscape’. The latter will be his first presentation to members and visitors of  Smethwick Photographic Society. The audience will be treated to his unique take on the genre of ‘Still Life’. There will be an array of fabulous images, crafted using only carefully manipulated natural light. One of his objectives is to show viewers exactly how it’s done.

Trained by master landscape photographer Paul Gallagher.

Thursday 18th April: We have John Bermingham.

John Bermingham is an award winning Photo Artist, Visual FX Artist, and Filmmaker, based in the South East of Ireland.

In 2013 he produced and released his album Everything Is Wonderful, in 2019 John attained his Associateship with the Irish Photographic Federation for his series of images “Think About The Future”. John has been invited to present his work across Ireland and the UK.

This is John’s first presentation to Smethwick Photographic Society members and guests.

On Thursday 11th April Sue & Bob Moore will be sharing an evening of 2023 in Photographs.

Bob and Sue Moore are long time members, friends and associates of SPS. They regularly judge and give talks and presentations of their passion for photography. Although most of their photographic work is local to the Birmingham and surrounding areas, they do venture further afield.

Both Bob and Sue have been obsessive and passionate about photography and teaching photography skills (film, dark room, digital) for over 50 years. Their interests include people, social history, colour, monochrome, landscape, nature and travel photography. Bob has been:

• Photography Monthly magazine contributor.
• Past President of the Royal Photographic Society
• Past Chairman of the RPS Visual Arts Panel.
• Member of the RPS Distinctions Advisory Board and RPS Trustee.
• Gained Fellowships of the RPS in Nature and Visual Arts Photography.
• Winner of over 300 awards in National and International photography exhibitions.

This week we will be treated to rare PDI only evening full of photos taken just in the one calendar year – 2023!

Starts at 8pm in the club room and on stream