September 2026 (Programme Printer-Friendly version)
3rd September
| Opening Night Showcase - Phil Moorhouse LRPS A celebration of the photography of our own members. Phil presents a series of short video presentations cataloguing all of the competition winners from last season, and our Summer project, the Members' Choice images. Also, please remember to bring 2 prints with you on the night, as we would like to present a display of members' work to view during the evening. |
10th September
| Competition Rules and Photofolio... A reminder of the rules for entering club competitions, a chance to discuss the new group structure, and the Photofolio entries from 2026. Deadline: First Open Projected Competition (3 images)
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17th September
| Pictures from Near and Far - John Gaffney Landscape and nature images from around the world and also much closer to home. A member of Solihull Photographic Society. https://balsallcommon.u3asite.uk/photogaphy-group-presentations-and-profiles/
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24th September
| First Projected Competition - Judge: Peter Turner CPAGB Deadline: First Prints Competition (3 prints)
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October 2026
1st October | How to Improve your Competition Pictures - Rob Cowell Rob, a member of Wolverhampton PS, visits us to explore how to improve your images from a judge's perspective. Things you can do to give your images the best possible chances to impress the judges. https://www.robcowellphotography.com
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8th October | First Print Competition - John Haines Deadline: Mono Competition (2 prints / 1 digital, or 1 print / 2 digitals, max 3)
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15th October | Electric Dreams Part 2, The Final Act - Peter Siviter DPAGB EFIAP A welcome return visit for Peter, with a presentation of recent images and a look back at some award-winning images from 1986 to the present day.
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22nd October | Monochrome Competition - Judge: Heather Woodhams Deadline: Panels (2 prints panels / Triptychs, and 2 digital panels) https://www.flickr.com/photos/133744744@N04/albums/72157653428463938/
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29th October | Gorillas, Chimps and More - Sandie Cox ARPS DPAGB EFIAP/s A welcome return visit for our great friend Sandie, with wildlife images and more, from her travels to Rwanda and Uganda. https://sandiecox.zenfolio.com/f667083827
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November 2026
5th November
| Panels Competition - Judge: Mike Gylde Deadline: President's Assignment ('Seize the Moment') (3 digital images)
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12th November | Where Nature Meets Natural History - David Chapman David is a member of Penwith Photographic Group. Has had many images used on covers of magazines and books. https://www.davidchapman.org.uk
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19th November
| President's Set Assignment ('Seize the Moment') - Judge: Jane Roby This year's President, Jane Roby, is in the hot-seat to appraise your images on the theme of 'Seize the Moment'. Deadline: Landscapes Competition (2 prints / 1 digital, or 1 print / 2 digitals, max 3)
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26th November
| Kathmandu, Dhaka Shipyards & Street Photography - Charles Ashton FRPS MPAGB, EFIAP/P BPE5* A welcome return for Charles, who this time will be visiting in person to show an insight into the lives of people in Nepal and Bangladesh, seen through the lens of his camera
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December 2026
3rd December | Landscapes Competition - Judge: Jay Hallsworth DPAGB EPSA LRPS EFIAP BPE3*
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10th December | Micksed Bag - Mick Schilling DPAGB BPE2* Deadline: Xmas Knockout entries
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17th December | Christmas Knockout - Judge: The Audience A fun evening where, each round, two images are projected at random, and the Audience chooses their favourite by voting 'left' or 'right'. Round-by-round, we whittle down the entries to the final few, concluding with our favourite photograph of the night. Deadline: Straight-out-of-Camera (3 digital images) |
January 2027
7th January
| Straight out of the Camera Competition - Judge: David Goacher CPAGB The only rule for this one is that your image comes straight out of the camera. No manipulation in anyway, with the exception of resizing and adding a key-line. Deadline: People Competition (2 prints / 1 digital, or 1 print / 2 digitals, max 3) |
14th January | TBA |
21st January | People Competition - Judge: Graham Walton DPAGB |
28th January | AV Reprise and Brum, A Load of Old Bull - Ray Manning and Roy Buckle A selection of AV's from Val and Ray Manning, whilst Roy Buckle shows us his view of Birmingham. |
February 2027
4th February | Six Societies Interclub Competition - Judge: Bob Goode DPAGB ARPS LIPF EFIAP/p BPE4* Hosted by Shirley Photographic Society Deadline: Natural History Competition (2 prints / 1 digital, or 1 print / 2 digitals, max 3) |
11th February | Scavengers and Predators - Julia Wainwright FRPS MPAGB EFIAP/p BPE5* From the frozen sub-Arctic to the African savanna, this talk explores capturing wildlife images that go beyond simple record shots. Through a selection of carefully curated images, Julia shares practical insights into photographing behaviour, working with light, simplifying compositions and telling stronger visual stories—creating wildlife images with impact and emotion. |
18th February | Natural History Competition - Judge: Sandie Cox DPAGB ARPS EFIAP/s Deadline: Annual Projected Competition (3 images) |
25th February | Wildlife Photography - Mark Davies |
March 2027
4th March | Annual Projected Competition - Judge: TBC Deadline: Annual Prints Competition (3 prints) |
11th March | Night Walk - Leigh Preston FRPS MPAGB EFIAP FIPF APAGB A welcome return for great friend of the club, Leigh Preston. with his presentation of nighttime street photography. |
18th March
| Annual Prints Competition - Judge: Steve Clifford LRPS The finale to our formal competition season, with 3 printed images, any subject, any theme, any genre. |
25th March (Maundy Thursday) | North Warwickshire Plaque Interclub Deadline: Creative Competition (3 digitals) / AV (1 video presentation) |
April 2027
1st April | The President's Evening - Jane Roby |
8th April | Creative Competition / AV Competition - Judge: The Audience Our final 'fun' competitions of the year, where members get creative and the best AV of the night is awarded the prestigious David Venables Trophy. |
9th April | Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony - TBC |
15th April
| 90th Anniversary Celebration - Cameras of Birmingham - James Leighton and Jane Roby To celebrate the 90th year of Shirley Photographic Society, we welcome James Leighton, an independent photographic historian and researcher, to present the history of the photographic industry of Birmingham. https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/the-lost-photographic-industry.html |
22nd April | Annual General Meeting
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