Digital technology has transformed photography de-mystifying the processes, removing the need for dark rooms and 'wet chemistry' therefore allowing most of the processing to take place in the lounge, or study with the family around them. As a consequence, photography has never been so popular. The equipment gets cheaper, more automatic and each of us becomes able to express ourselves, through the camera, in a way that we thought was only previously available to the professionals. One soon ends up with a hard drive full of good images, particularly of family and friends, but where does one go from there?

PRPS tries to fill that next stage by providing a forum of likeminded folk with whom to discuss this new-found talent to provide various mechanisms for displaying ones' images to others, via in-house 'friendly' competitions, exhibitions and web galleries which generally also provide you with valuable feedback as to how you may improve your 'masterpieces'. Most of all, the Club provides a forum to learn, for example, what 'white balance' does and the importance of 'depth of field' and what does the little knob on the right do?

However, all of these activities need to be carried out in an atmosphere of 'fun'.

PRPS has set out to be the Club where serious photography sits side-by-side with having fun. The Club Membership includes some seriously good photographers with a local, if not national reputation alongside absolute beginners, all with one common objective, to enjoy their hobby and have fun at the same time.

The Club programme includes guest speakers throughout the year, studio sessions, computer self-help sessions, in-house competitions and a smattering of external competitions and one or two summer evening field trips. If you are looking at that next step in your photographic enjoyment/fulfilment why not try PRPS, we would genuinely love to see you.

Peter Jackman APAGB
Vice Chairman
January 2010