September 2024

Our new season kicked-off on Thursday 5th September 2024, celebrating the photography of our own members, with our Members' Choice evening, and a video collection of all of the competition winners from last season. The competition season commenced with our First Digital Competition, judged by Rob Cowell. A healthy entry of 88 images gave Rob a real challenge when choosing his favourites. The winning images were:

August 2024

Saturday 17th August saw us host the second Shirley PS Exhibition at the Methodist Church Hall. We greeted a steady flow of visitors throughout the day, concluding with our Awards ceremony, enjoyed by a full house. Many thanks to Sue Pearmain and Chris Mallett for all their hard work, in organising this event. Congratulations to Kevin Watts, whose print 'Tranquility' was voted best print in the Audience's Choice.

April 2024

Our season concluded on Thursday 18th April, with our Annual General Meeting, where our new President Martin Thompson took the helm. At the AGM we agreed to increase our annual subscription to £45 and the weekly door-fee to £2, although the facility to buy a 'Season Ticket'  should be available to those who wish to pay up-front. Also, we agreed to limit the entries to 3 (2 plus 1) for the those competitions featuring both prints and projected images (Landscapes, Nature, Mono, and Travel/People) and to continue with our Straight out of the Camera  competition.

Our Annual Awards Dinner was enjoyed by 30 people at Fulford Heath Golf Club on Friday 12th April. Many thanks to Fay, Dave Venables, Sue and Chris for all of their hard work in organising this thoroughly enjoyable event. 

Congratulations to Jolanta Bujalska Axon CPAGB BPE3*  who recently received a The Best in Class (Colour) Award at the Clay Cross PS Exhibition. The winning image was 'Man's Best Friend'.

March 2024

On Tuesday 5th March, we said farewell to our dear friend Val Manning, who sadly passed away on 5th February following a short illness. Val and her husband Ray epitomised everything our club stands for and joined-in wholeheartedly with everything we do, President's Picnics, days out, meals out,  practical workshops.... Val will be sorely missed by all her friends at the club.

Congratulations to Jolanta B Axon who recently earned the distinction of BPE3* (British Photographic Exhibitions) reaching the necessary threshold of 100 acceptances in BPE Exhibitions. What an accolade!

Our Annual Interclub Competition (Knowle CC, South Birmingham PS, Shirley PS) took place on Thursday 21st March, with Shirley claiming the Warwickshire Plaque for the second year running. The final scores were:

February 2024

Friday 2nd February sees the first outing of our new six-way Interclub competition, this year hosted by South Birmingham PS at the Billesley Ark Community Centre, 725 Yardley Wood Road, Birmingham, B13 0PT.

January 2024

Our Straight out of the Camera Competition, judged by Mike Sharples, opened the New Year. Our Monochrome Competition, judged by Darron Matthews proved to be very popular and a return visit by Paul Hassell was enjoyed by all. Our new competition software PhotoShow24 made its debut and is making life somewhat easier for the Competition Secretary.

December 2023

Our calendar year concluded with another successful Christmas Knockout, with the audience whittling down 442 images until we reached our final two images. With members generously paying to enter pictures, and the contribution of our raffle, the Knockout is a popular evening and a great fund-raiser for the club. Certainly, the Treasurer's favourite evening! Congratulations to David Venables  whose 'Red Squirrel' took first place, and Jolanta B Axon who took second place with 'Ashness Bridge': 

Congratulations to Mick Schilling who recently received the prestigious award of DPAGB (Distinction, Photographic Alliance of Great Britain). DPAGB requires a high level of photographic skill with images of a standard likely to be accepted into National and International competitions. Mick's set of 15 prints met the required standard with ease. Here are some of the shots:

November 2023

Congratulations to Sue Pearmain, whose image 'Cheetah Stare' recently won the UPP (United Photographic Portfolios) Overall Digital Trophy, and featured on the front cover of the Annual Programme. In addition, Dave Venables won the Trophy for the Best Natural History Print with his 'Red Squirrel'. The UPP comprises a number of circles, each with 10 - 12 members, each with a different theme. There are circles for prints, darkroom work, colour, mono, mobile phone and even AV. For more information visit the UPP website at: https://uppofgb.com/

October 2023

Congratulations to David Venables DPAGB CPAGB BPE4*, who was recently inducted into the MCPF's Roll of Honour, recognising his outstanding contributions to the MCPF and Midland Photography. In his recommendation, Mike Sharples, President of the MCPF acknowledged Dave's dedication:

David joined Wythall Photographic Society c1987. He became a very active member straight away and was soon elected to the Committee, on which he served for many years, making a great contribution to the club. Some years later he also joined Shirley Photographic Society where he still is very active. Over the years he has taken on committee work and has been President on 2 occasions. David is currently also a member of Solihull Photographic Society.

September 2023

Our new season kicked-off on Thursday 7th September 2023, celebrating the photography of our own members in both digital and print formats. Our Bring Two Prints challenge was very well-supported, with over 70 entries. Congratulations to Jane Roby (First), Mike McShane and Sue Pearmain (Second =) and Ian Cooke (Fourth) whose prints proved to be most popular with the audience.

This month we look forward to talks by Carl Wright 'How to get the most out of your digital camera', and Bob and Sue Moore with their presentation 'The Good Old Days', as well as our First Projected Competition.

August 2023

Congratulations to Mick Schilling whose image Gull Rock Sunset was awarded the prestigious Global Photographic Union (GPU) Gold Medal at the Midland Salon of International Photography in July. The exhibition opens on Saturday 12th August, at The Old School House, Churchbridge, Oldbury. Full details can be found at: http://www.midland-salon.com/

July 2023

Congratulations to Dave Venables whose print Red Squirrel was awarded the UPP's prestigious AQS Natural History Trophy and Plaque, for 2023. The UPP (United Photographic Portfolio) is a nationwide photographic club that comes to you via post or online, and you will find more details at: https://www.uppofgb.com/.

June 2023

On Sunday 25^th June, The Recreation Ground in Stratford-upon-Avon, welcomed 21 members of SPS with a day of glorious sunshine for this year’s President’s Picnic. Members enjoyed the opportunity to explore the local attractions, including the Butterfly Farm, the chain-ferry crossing to the Church, walks along the river, the canal basin, or just the opportunity to sit in the park and have a chat. Stratford in the summer always enjoys a real holiday atmosphere, but add some picnic food, a drink and an ice-cream, the chance to catch-up with good friends, and the day is complete. Not to mention the delicious sausage rolls provided by Graham! Legendary! *

* Legendary used to mean you had once pulled a sword out of a stone. As it turns out, bringing sausage rolls to a party also qualifies!

May 2023

Congratulations to Jolanta B Axon, who recently achieved the distinction of BPE2* in recognition of her acceptances in British Photographic Exhibitions. Details of forthcoming exhibitions and the requirements for BPE distinctions can be found at: britishphotographicexhibitions.org.uk.