38 20 July 2019 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I subscribe 0330 333 1113© GEOFF ELDRED© KEN FARGEWhen was the club founded?
The club was founded in 1966 by ten
like-minded people who met in a back room
of a professional photographer’s shop.What does your club offer new members?
We aim to provide an environment where
photographers will be inspired to share their
work and be encouraged to enhance their
skills. We do this by a combination of talks
and competitions, and a monthly members’
night with a practical theme. We also have a
Facebook group where members can seek
advice, share ideas and participate in a weekly
themed fun photo challenge. During the
summer, we run regular photographic
social nights often ending up in a pub.Describe a typical club meeting.
We meet for two hours on a Monday night
from September to May. These meetings area mix of internal competitions, (print and PDI),
judged by accredited external judges and
photography themed talks by external
speakers. The internal competitions offer
members a chance to display their work and
to get constructive critique from the judge on
what in their opinion works or doesn’t work
in the image. Entering competitions is not
compulsory and some members just enjoy
seeing other members’ images. There is always
a buzz in the hall for the 30 minutes prior to
the start of the evening as members grab the
chance to socialise with one another, and it is
often hard to get the last group of members
to leave at the end of the evening.Do you invite guest speakers?
We work hard to provide a diverse mix of
speakers who are generally external to the
club with the occasional member-led talk.
Gavin Hoey is a club favourite, and the choice
of external speakers aims to inform and help
inspire our members to explore and improve
their photography further.What are the most popular photographic
genres among your members?
Our most popular genres of photography are
nature, portraiture, landscapes and action.Do members compete in competitions?
Several members enter their images into
British Photographic Exhibitions and other
competitions. We also have several members
who have earned photographic distinctions
with the PAGB and RPS.How many members do you have?
We currently have 70 members, with capacity
for more. We offer prospective members twoThe sociable Benfleet
Camera Club is happy to
welcome more members
Club
Join
the
YOUR PICTURES IN PRINTsessions free of charge so they can experience
what it’s like on a ‘try before you buy’ basis.Are any residential trips or outings planned?
The club has run annual outings since 1990.
Places visited have included Whitby, South
Wales, the Lake District, Bristol as well as
France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. This
year we will be returning to South Wales. In
addition, we run ad hoc days out. Last year we
went to Brighton and Chatham Dockyard as
well as the summer evening meet ups.Do you have any funny stories about the club?
On one of the coach trips to the Lake District,
the rear of our coach became grounded with
the wheels held off the road due to a camber.
Despite members’ best efforts to lift the coach
they were stuck for 2.5 hours and the police
had to close the road. To make matters worse
it was pouring with rain and everyone was
soaked; they were eventually rescued but
by then they had missed dinner.What are the club’s goals for the future?
Our goal is simple and that is to provide a club
that photographers will want to be part of. Our
committee continually reassesses what works
well and how to innovate. Throughout the year
we offer talks, competitions, practical nights,
social meet ups and a Facebook group for
members’ discussions and image sharing.
Although the internet can provide
photographers with the means of sharing their
images and there are photographic meet-up
groups, we feel that a camera club can offer
this and more.1 Greenbacked Heron
Fishing by Ken Farge
A lovely and classic
wildlife study that has
been composed simply,
yet effectively.2 Runny Honey by
Geoff Eldred The bold
colours and shapes give
this shot a graphic quality
which really makes it leap
from the page.Want to see your club featured on these pages? Drop
us a line for more information at [email protected]12