About the Club

The Club meets every Thursday evening from September to May to enjoy and consider the many excellent photographs shown. On most evenings a lecture is given by a distinguished photographer, often of national standard, in which they present their work with a helpful commentary. On occasions these lectures are of a more practical nature covering such subjects as lighting, printing and various photographic processes.

The lectures are interspersed with competition evenings where members can exhibit their work. These are judged by external judges whose comments can provide encouragement and advice on how to improve. The rules for entry are described in the Rules Handout. They are drawn up to provide a framework for encouraging members' interest and attaining higher standards of photography.

The highlight of the Club year is the Annual Exhibition, which offers all members the chance to show their work in public. Encouragement is given to those who want to try to enter regional, national and international exhibitions, or attaining qualifications with the Royal Photographic Society or the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain. There is always plenty of friendly advice available from experienced photographers within the club, many of whom have such qualifications.

The Club actively welcomes beginners as well as more experienced photographers. The membership shows a good cross-section of ages and experience from beginner to expert, and the Club has a reputation for being friendly. All kinds of cameras are used; all kinds of processes are to be found - black and white, colour prints and slides, audio-visual presentations and digital imaging.

Courses on specific topics which cater especially for beginners are arranged as interest dictates. Print and slide portfolios are circulated among a circle of members which allows their work to be reviewed in a friendly, non-competitive manner.

A Studio Group meets monthly to use the Club's studio lighting equipment for portraits and table top photography. This equipment may be hired for member's use at their own location for a nominal fee. Other Club equipment, such as the mount cutter, is also available for members to use. The group meets at 13 Lypiatt Terrace.

The Digital Imaging Group meets monthly to discuss and review the latest techniques and images they produce. Advice is freely given to anyone starting to use digital technology. The group meets at the Civil Service Club, Tewkesbury Road.

The Club publishes a newsletter, "In Focus", three times a year. This contains articles written by members on subjects of photographic interest. The Club Programme is produced in September each year and is available free to members or from photographic outlets such as Jessops.

A Committee is elected annually to run the Club's affairs. Members of the Committee are listed in the Programme: all are receptive to new ideas and are elected to provide the service wanted by the membership.

Though forward looking, the Club is proud of being the seventh oldest camera club in Britain. It was founded in 1865 in the home of Dr E T Wilson, father of Edward Wilson who was to perish with Captain Scott in the Antarctic.

Anyone with an interest in photography is cordially invited to sample what Cheltenham Camera Club has to offer by attending up to three meetings for a nominal fee. This will be deducted from the first year's membership subscription should they then decide to join.