Club profile
This week we focus on a mutually supportive club
We feature the Watford Camera Club: a mutually supportive group
When was the club founded?
Watford Camera Club was originally founded in 1903. It closed during the early part of the Second World War but, happily, reformed in 1944.
What does the club offer new members?
We offer all members training events. They range from Camera 101 sessions aimed at newcomers to photography, to monthly critique sessions where members are encouraged to bring along samples of work and are given tips on how to improve their photography. Studio portrait sessions are also held from time to time, allowing all members to gain valuable experience in working with a professional lighting rig and models. We also run Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop sessions, and in addition, our more- experienced photographers share tips on composition and photographic techniques.
Describe a typical club meeting.
There are very few ‘typical’ club evenings. One evening a month is a club competition evening for either prints or projected digital images. The other meetings are a mix of practical evenings, guest talks by professional photographers or members talking about their work. We also arrange regular field trips to places such as Bushey Park (for the Stag Rut in October), point-to-point races, rugby matches and other sporting events. Being close to London, we also make regular trips to do street photography and we try to visit a photo exhibition at the same time. A trip to Belgium, France or the Netherlands is also organised each year.
Do you invite guest speakers?
We usually have between 15 and 20 guest speakers each season. They are usually professional photographers working in a wide range of genres, from landscape and natural history to sport, architecture, food and macro.
Do members compete in regional or national competitions?
Yes, members are encouraged to submit work to both regional and national competitions, including those organised by the Federation of North West London Photographic Societies and the Ron Wake Memorial Trophy. Members also regularly enter Federation Internationale de L’Art Photographique ( FIAP) events.
Has the club, or individual members, ever won any big competitions?
The club has won the Ron Wake competition on three occasions. Richard Wilson has also won the North West London Federation trophy and Lloyd Moore won Best Overall image in the Neath and District National Competition. Steve Meekins’ ‘Jumping Gerkin’ image featured in the RPS touring exhibition.
What about national photographic society distinctions?
We currently have one member with ARPS and five with LRPS. We also have members with BPE 1 awards. Twelve of us are working towards their ARPS, LRPS, BPE, CPAGB or FIAP awards.
What are the most popular photographic genres among your members?
The most popular ones are natural history/wildlife or sport. Some of us also do music and event photography, street, still life, travel, cityscapes and architecture.
How old are your members?
We currently have 80 members; our youngest member is 15 and the oldest is 75, with a good mix of ages in between. What are the club’s goals for the future? Our goal is to continue offering a mutually supportive club which encourages members to improve their photographic skills and inspires them to gain RPS and other photographic societies’ awards.