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YOUR PICTURES IN PRINT

Now 130 years old, Kingston Camera Club provides a warm welcome

1 Heads **and** **Tails** by **Graeme** **Wales** What an interesting composition – we’re uncertain what’s going on, but it makes for an intriguing story!

2 Under **the** **Stars** by **Carmen** **Drake** A beautiful example of when astrophotography is carried out pretty much perfectly

5 The **Guilded** **Ceiling,** 5 Strawberry **Hill** **House** **by Paul Waller** An interesting approach to a subject such as this – fitting everything in in an unusual way

When was the club founded?

Few camera clubs in the UK can claim to have started 130 years ago. After Eastman Kodak developed the film strip in 1889, it was four years later, in 1893, that Kingston’s Mayor, Dr Finney, and friends decided to form a local group of keen camera enthusiasts. Given the name Kingston-on-Thames and District Photography Society, Kingston Camera Club has evolved since then.

What does your club offer new members?

6 The **Aurora,** **Iceland** by **Cov** **Shackleford** Gorgeous framing of a beautiful view – a spectacular sight

Key to attracting new members is providing a warm welcome from the first time someone visits our club. We offer two free visits, after which, people often decide to join. Our club year runs from September until the end of June. Three levels of membership are available: Standard, Intermediate, and Advanced. Photographers who either have a distinction from the Royal Photographic Society or the Photographic Association of Great Britain, or are professional photographers, enter the Advanced class. For those unsure about their appropriate membership level, we offer informal assessments to help them choose a comfortable fit. Workshops and mentors are organised to guide members who need help with camera use, editing tips, or framing prints on mount board. We also hold popular members’ evenings.

Describe a typical club meeting

Meetings last for around two hours, with a break for tea, coffee, and biscuits halfway through. The meetings finish around 10pm. In our spacious hall, we use either a projector for presentations and digital competitions or bespoke easels that are well-lit for judging print competitions. During the season, the club runs five print competitions and five digital competitions. We also hold several themed competitions, including ‘Best of Season’ in June. Helpful volunteers enable the club to function well.

**3 Cabbage White by Sue Buller** A simple yet stunning shot

4 Architectural **Details** by **Moni** **Kenward** An interesting aspect that works very well in monochrome

7 Scott **Nielsen,** **Catford** **Hill** **Climb** by **Tim** **Morland** Great timing in capturing the cyclist’s expression

Do you invite guest speakers?

We are fortunate that our club has an imaginative programme secretary who is skilled at networking. This allows us to book a variety of speakers. Accustomed to Zoo

This article is from...

Amateur Photographer Magazine

28 October 2023

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