Tuesday 6th January 2026 7.30pm over Zoom
Christine Widdall
“I’ve been immersed in photography since childhood, learning darkroom
techniques from age five and later embracing digital technology. My goal is
simple: to capture places, people and moments with as much beauty and
interest as I can. Some images are created for competition; others reflect the
joy of a day, place, or subject. A former President of the Lancashire and
Cheshire Photographic Union, I hold the EFIAP (Excellence Award from
FIAP), MPAGB (Master of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain), and
was awarded the FBPE (Fellowship of the British Photographic Exhibitions) in 2015.
I am the author of a book on Oldham’s Victorian photographic history.”
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7.30pm Tuesday 13th January 2026
United Reformed Church Hall, Oldfield Drive, Vicar’s Cross, Chester CH3 5LL
Judging of the Monochrome Competition for Prints and Digital Images …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Tuesday 13th January 2026
7.30pm over Zoom
Black & White in Photoshop with Tom Lee
BIOGRAPHY
Over a 40 year career span, Tom has been a UK based international portrait and fine art photographer recognised for his expertise in digital image capture and has accumulated multiple international awards throughout. With a global reputation as a published author, he has written several books in his own right and collaborated with other renowned authors. He also writes extensively for the photographic press at home and abroad including ‘Rangefinder’, ‘Professional ImageMaker’, ‘Digital Photographer’ and ‘Focal Points’.
Tom’s current interests revolve around historic and alternative processes rooted in the origins of photography, such as Wet Plate Ferrotypes, Ambrotypes, Glass Plate Orotones, Van Dyke Brown and Cyanotype printing. Photography only became widely used and popular with the public from the 1850’s and the images produced were truly unique. Artisans of the day worked at a much slower pace than today’s digital creatives and are a mix of the artist skill and alchemy. Much of his current work revolves around the Concept of Pictorialism, which came to the fore during the early 1900’s.
Tom is also a respected educator having given numerous seminars and sat on several photographic judging panels internationally. Tom has recently completed photographic exhibitions in Malta, London and South Wales with invitations from galleries in Japan, Rome and America.
ACCOLADES
- Grand Master Photographer of the Societies.
- Fellowship of the SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers)
- Fellowship of the MIPP (Maltese Institution of Professional Photographers)
- Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society (Visual Art).
- Awarded for outstanding contribution to the photographic industry
- MIPP Photography Award of Recognition
- ‘Craftsman’ of the Societies.
- ‘Ambassador of the Societies of Photographers’
PUBLICATIONS
- ‘Focus Quarterly’ – self published quarterly photo magazine (2025 onwards….)
- ‘The 100’ street photography book (2022)
- ‘The Wet Plate Collection’ book (2021)
- Co-Author of Photographing Women with Norman Phillips (Amherst Media) 2008
- Digital Capture and Workflow for Professional Photographers (Amherst Media) 2007 _________________________________________________________________________
Our annual programme of events consists of weekly meetings from September to April comprising presentations from award-winning photographers, hands-on workshops and assessment of your work by accredited external judges in our seven internal competitions (more than 30 events).
We think it’s amazing value. For more information have a look at:
Talks take place via Zoom videoconferencing. Meetings begin at 7.20pm for 7.30pm.
Competitions and workshops take place at the United Reformed Church, Vicars Cross. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
Members also arrange occasional workshops, photo walks and field trips between themselves.
If you are not a member, you are still welcome to attend a club meeting. We do ask you to make a small contribution, which goes towards the costs of keeping the Society going such as fees to our speakers. For Zoom meetings, you can book a ticket for £4 through the meetings diary or by visiting our Eventbrite page. To attend in-person meetings please bring £4 in cash with you to pay on the door.
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PAST EVENTS :
Steven Galvin ARPS How to Cheat at Photography
Sept 16th 2025 Zoom
As a freelance photographer, judge, and speaker Steven is the Social Media
Coordinator and committee member of the Visual Art Group and Thames Valley
Region of the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) who have awarded him an
Associate (ARPS) distinction. He is also the Social Media Coordinator and
committee member of The Chiltern Associated of Camera Clubs.
Steven is interested in bringing art, photography, and computing together.
Specifically his interests include creative art, HDR, sport, action, underwater,
natural history, focus stacking, landscapes & seascapes.
“How to Cheat at Photography”
This provocatively entitled talk allows Steven to confess his sordid kiss ‘n’ tell
secrets. He demonstrates various techniques on how to unfairly manipulate
images by displaying and discussing examples to show how his more outrageous
images were “manufactured”. A lively and enjoyable evening to be had by all.
Rotten eggs and ripe tomatoes at the ready!
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Tuesday 23rd September 7.30pm
United Reformed Church Hall, Oldfield Drive, Vicar’s Cross, Chester CH3 5LL
Rev Dr Richard Hainsworth
ARPS AWPF EFIAP/b DPAGB BPE4*
Improving your Images
Richard will be giving advice on improvements which can be made, and as time permits
offering critique on member’s images which have been submitted in advance.
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Tuesday 30th September 2025
Art Photography with Cherry Larcombe
A pot pouri of ideas for improving your photography in camera with simplicity and negative space, and for creating some wonderful art photography with Photoshop using inversion, toning and the Graphite App, plus creative cropping.
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7.30pm Tuesday 7th October
United Reformed Church Hall, Oldfield Drive, Vicar’s Cross, Chester CH3 5LL
Judging of the First Open Competition for Prints and Digital Images
by Graham Currey.
Hand in Prints for the Open 2 Competition.
Visitors welcome £4 on the door
The visitor fee is deductible from membership should you join the society.
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Tuesday 14th October via Zoom
Annie Healey – Costa Rica Wildlife
Annie Healey FRPS DPAGB EFIAP/g BPE5*
Multi award-winning photographer Annie Healey will be presenting her talk to us on
the wildlife of Costa Rica.
She had two images shortlisted in the 2021 Close-up Photographer of the Year and in
2022, was shortlisted in the British Wildlife Photography Awards. She is also one
of a select 60 photographers to have a print accepted in the prestigious Photographic
Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB) Masters of Print in 2020, 2021 and 2024, winning a Silver
Medal for a Judge’s Choice in 2021 and 2024. Annie is also an assessor on the Royal
Photographic Society (RPS) Natural History Associate & Fellowship Panel.
Annie is an Honorary Member of Richmond & Twickenham Photographic Society, having
held many Committee posts over the years, and is also a member of Molesey
Photographic Club, where she is part of the External Competitions Selection Group.
A former President of the Surrey Photographic Association (SPA), Annie is now the Chair
of the SPA Exhibitions & Events Sub-Committee, organising the Biennial Exhibition and all
Inter-Club Competitions and events.
Annie is renowned for her nature photography and club members will be treated to a
plethora of photographs, showing many different species, showcasing the diverse and
extensive range of amazing wildlife to be found in the various ecosystems of Costa Rica.
Both Annie’s RPS Natural History Associateship and Fellowship distinctions were achieved
with images of Costa Rican wildlife.
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7.30pm Tuesday 21st October
Local Photographer and Videographer Adam Butcher
will talk about his work.
United Reformed Church Hall, Oldfield Drive, Vicar’s Cross, Chester CH3 5LL
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Tuesday 4th November 7.30pm
United Reformed Church Hall, Oldfield Drive, Vicar’s Cross, Chester CH3 5LL
HOYLAKE INTERNATIONAL PHOTO SALON
is brought to us by Brian & Diana Magor.
Audio Visual presentation of digital entries and A4 Prints from the
2024 Salon will be displayed.
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Tuesday 11 th November 7.30pm
Practical PORTRAIT Evening
United Reformed Church Hall, Oldfield Drive, Vicar’s Cross, Chester CH3 5LL
Lighting & Model provided – Bring your cameras
This is also the hand in night for the Nature competition.
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Tuesday 18th November 7.30pm
United Reformed Church Hall, Oldfield Drive, Vicar’s Cross, Chester CH3 5LL
Trial of new competition software – theme “FALL”
Come along to see how the new system works and vote for your favourite images
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Tuesday 25th November 7.30pm
United Reformed Church Hall, Oldfield Drive, Vicar’s Cross, Chester CH3 5LL
Judging of NATURE Competition for Prints and Digital Images
Guests most welcome
£4 on the door
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Tuesday 2nd December via Zoom 7.30pm
Paul Mitchell – The Seeing Eye
Seeing Eye
Paul talks about looking beyond the obvious and includes exploring details,
textures and shapes found in both nature and man made objects. He will
also explain various creative techniques such as intentional camera
movement, multiple exposures through to the use of creative lenses and
filters.
Biography
Born in Yorkshire, Paul’s interest in photography started in his teens with a
simple 35mm rangefinder camera, gaining a more formal education in
photography whilst studying Graphic Design at Art College. His career in
Graphic Design spanned some 45 years, running his own design business
for the past 35 years. Over the last decade his photography has gained
momentum and now devotes most of his time lecturing and running
photography workshops.
Paul has had numerous exhibitions in the UK and has had articles and
images published in many photography magazines. He is a Fellow of the
Royal Photographic Society, he is currently the Chair of the Landscape
distinctions panel and also sits on the Visual Art and Photobooks panels.
Tuesday 9th December 7.30pm
United Reformed Church Hall, Oldfield Drive, Vicar’s Cross, Chester CH3 5LL
Question & Answer Session
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Tuesday 16th December 7.30pm
United Reformed Church Hall, Oldfield Drive, Vicar’s Cross, Chester CH3 5LL
Christmas Social Evening & Buffet
with
Audio Visual Presentations
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Chester Photographic Society 