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Special Interest Groups

Digital Image Group

This group meets with the intention of providing contact, mutual support and the exchange of ideas for those interested in digital techniques in photography. The group is open to all members of the Society. The meetings will be generally of an informal nature and consist partly of contributions of a technical nature and partly of presentations by members of the group.

It is intended that the technical contribution at each meeting will focus on one or more topics from the list of general headings below, which will promote the understanding of the tools and their use for creative photography.

  • Digital Equipment
  • Hardware and Software Management
  • Scanning
  • Basic Photoshop Techniques and Tools
  • Image Manipulation
  • Printing
  • Creative Techniques using Photoshop

The meetings are held in the clubroom on one Monday each month on the dates listed in the programme. For further information please contact the Chairman of the group Ashwin. 

Studio Group

Image of BPS building

This group exists for the benefit of members and is a great opportunity for those less familiar with working with models or working in a studio environment to learn from others and practice, or for the more experienced an opportunity to hone their craft with a variety of subjects that they may otherwise not have an opportunity to shoot.

The intention of this group is to provide a varied programme of events and activities to encourage members to take and share photographs, both in the studio and outside. The programme will be shaped by members themselves. 

For further details see the Studio Hire page or contact Mike Martin, the Studio Manager studiobookings@bristolphoto.org.uk

Distinctions Advice Group

This group is intended for members planning to submit for RPS and PAGB distinctions. Attendees are encouraged to bring work along, either potential panels or for discussion.

Members seeking general advice on printing are welcome, also visit our dedicated Distinctions Advise Group page for more information.

Meetings are held on a three month basis and can be found listed in the programme.

Contact Us

Using the Contact Form

If you have any questions please contact us using the form on the right, selecting a recipient from the dropdown menu.

Please Note: If you are contacting the Society with information that you would like circulated to all members, please send your request to the Newsletter Editor ONLY.

By Post

Unit 13
Montpelier Central
Station Rd
Montpelier
Bristol, BS6 5EE

Still Life

Design elements such as composition, symmetry, and the hero object are important in storytelling because they highlight key themes and emotions. You will learn how colour theory plays a role in this by affecting mood and perception. Together, all these elements create a clear visual language that effectively shares ideas and engages the audience.

Portraiture

This session covers techniques for studio photography, emphasising controlled environments with artificial lighting. It addresses camera settings, lighting arrangements, and posing strategies for various subjects, including portraits and products, alongside a practical session.

Creative Editing

Compositing and editing are important in digital media, showing what is creatively possible. Compositing is the process of combining different visual elements into a single picture, while editing involves changing and organising these elements to tell a story or convey a message. Together, they provide a smooth experience for viewers and
expand the possibilities of creativity in visual storytelling.

Travel Photography

Capturing the essence of the people, place, and culture, be it at home or abroad.  Street photography.

Basic Editing

In this session, we’ll explore basic editing techniques such as cropping, straightening, changes to contrast, colour, saturation, conversion to black and white, removal of distractions, etc, using Adobe Lightroom. This will include a live demo on some of your photos.

Natural History Photography

Part 1 – Optimising opportunities to get closer to wildlife subjects, offering hints and Aps for achieving this goal. Providing fieldcraft techniques and practical advice to help create ideal situations for photographing various subjects. The emphasis will be on UK wildlife and subjects that can be more easily observed locally.

Part 2 – Application of technical fundamentals of photography to nature subjects – build on what you have learned so far. Explore what makes a good nature image, and how to achieve that. 

Motion Photography

Key photography techniques such as freezing motion, motion blur, panning, and intentional camera movement play a crucial role in capturing dynamic scenes and enhancing visual storytelling.

Phone Photography

How to Capture Professional-Looking Photos with Your Mobile Phone

In today’s smartphone era, anyone can become a skilled photographer. By incorporating a few simple tips and tricks, you can elevate your mobile photography expertise and produce stunning images that effectively tell your story.

Finding Light 24 hours a day

This session looks at photographic opportunities throughout the day and night. We’ll explore different weather and atmospheric conditions, sunny, cloudy, misty, shadows and shade, interior, early morning, late evening, and into the night finding artificial lighting from buildings, street furniture, adding light with strobes, torches, LEDs, before
rounding up with the night sky, stars, moon, star trails, aurora and ending with a bang capturing fireworks.

Aperture & Depth of Field

To effectively manage depth of field (DoF) and shutter speed, it’s crucial to consider both the subject distance and lens focal length.  Analysing images taken during field trips can provide valuable insights into how these factors influence photo composition and overall quality.

Exposure Triangle

Mastering photography requires understanding the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Knowing camera modes like Program (P), Manual (M), and Aperture/Shutter Priority (Av/Tv) allows for effective manipulation of these settings. Practising these concepts will improve your skills in capturing stunning images under different lighting conditions.

Composition

An awareness of photography concepts, such as the Rule of Thirds, Leading Lines, Framing, and symmetry, is essential for creating impactful images. Focusing on your intended subject and leaving out distracting details can dramatically enhance your images. Understanding negative space and balance enhances composition, while Perspective and Viewpoint influence the perception of the subject. Incorporating Depth and Layering adds dimension to photographs. These techniques will be practised in a later session for better understanding. 

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