54 23 November 2019 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I subscribe 0330 333 1113© MICK SADLER© STAN SPURLINGWhen was the club founded?
The Bexleyheath Photographic Society (BHPS)
was formed in 1926. Meetings were originally
held in members’ houses and this continued
throughout the Second World War.Describe a typical club meeting.
Meetings cover a variety of formats and
activities. Club competitions play a large part
in the programme for the year, with members
competing for various in-house trophies. As
well as the usual topics, we include a ‘Set
Subject’ competition over two rounds. This
year we began with ‘Shapes in Nature’ followed
later in the season with ‘Man-made Shapes’.
On most competition days an external judge is
invited to critique the entries and award points
out of 20. On other occasions the members
themselves judge anonymously by awarding
three points for a first place, two for second
and one for third.Our two-hour meetings include a 15-20
minute interval for tea and biscuits, giving
members the opportunity to chat and socialise.
It also allows plenty of time for new members
in particular to ask questions, technical or
otherwise. A licensed bar adjoining the meeting
room further adds to the conviviality when it is
opened at the end of meetings.
On other nights we have our very popular
‘Members 25’ presentations. This is an open
invitation for club members to showcase
and talk for five minutes or so about up to
25 of their photographs. There is also a full
programme of talks with nine guest speakers
invited to the club this year who will speak
on a wide range of topics. We also have a
regular programme of demonstrations
using Photoshop and other post-processing
packages, which is particularly useful for
members relatively new to digital photography.
We also have occasional studio nights which
include models, still-life and lighting set-ups.Do members enter external competitions?
Many members of BHPS take part in regional,
national and even international competitions
with a good degree of success. One member
had one of her pictures in the Countryfile
calendar in 2011. As a society we also take
part in a number of inter-club competitions
throughout the year. BHPS also produces a
Year Book that includes the winning photos
and runners-up in all club competitions, as well
as photos awarded top marks for internal and
external competitions.How many members do you have?
We currently have 40 paid-up members,
whose ages range from 30 to 91. Anyone
thinking about joining us is welcome to comeThis week’s club is still
going strong, 93 years
after its formation
Club
Join
the
YOUR PICTURES IN PRINTalong free of charge to a few sessions before
making a decision. New members are
encouraged to enter our Class 2 competitions,
but can compete on an equal footing if they
choose to from the start, with the agreement
of the competitions secretary. Established
members are always on hand to answer
questions and give advice. At least twice a year
our meeting is given over to practical/technical
matters such as how to properly cut a mount
board or how to set up lighting for portrait
photography, and so on.
There are four off-site meetings planned
each year, one of which usually takes place on
either day of a weekend. Although there are as
yet no official club residential trips, members
regularly organise small group visits away from
base for a number of days.
There’s a barbecue in the summer, plus a
club social in the autumn. One of the last
events of the year is the Christmas dinner,
usually in one of the many local restaurants.Do you have any funny club stories?
One of our members, shortly after he had
joined BHPS, misread his programme and
brought an old photograph to a meeting.
He hadn’t realised that the intention of the
meeting was to discuss and critique his own
work, rather than just an ‘old photograph’.
Instead he brought with him a picture of his
grandparents, taken before 1914, some 32
years before he was even born!What are your club’s future goals?
To increase the membership and to include
more women and young people.1 50 Years of
Communist Rule in
Cuba by Stan Spurling
A classic scene, expertly
composed and shot.2 Scary Clown by Mick
Sadler A very engaging
portrait with a great
connection to the subject- certainly very scary!
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