About Us
Orpington Photographic Society (OPS) focuses on the enjoyment of photography and improving members knowledge via lectures, demonstrations and competitions, as it has done since it began in 1948. We embrace new developments in photographic styles and technology, while respecting those who appreciate traditional techniques. You would find the Society a friendly place where new members can develop their photographic interests through a variety of weekly activities described in our Programme. We encourage new members to participate in all aspects of the club's activities, including competitions and events throughout the year.
Weekly Meetings
Meetings are held on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm for an 8pm start, finishing by 10.00pm between September and April. The Tuesday meetings cover internal competitions, set subjects of interest, tuition on photographic matters and member social evenings.
Internal Competitions
The club has competitions in four categories: colour prints, mono prints, digital images and set subjects (PDI challenges). Images are commented upon by judges from other photographic organisations and trophies and certificates are awarded at the end of each season for the winners of the competitions. All categories are open competitions where images are judged on their merits and not purely on experience of the photographer.
Friendly inter-club competitions
Throughout the season we run a couple of friendly inter-club competitions. Whilst there are no trophies of certificates, they are a great opportunity to meet other photographers and to see their work. We alternate between home and away events. On away nights, there are normally a number of members who travel so you may be able to get a lift if you ask.
Members Evenings
These are more social evenings and provide the opportunity for members to get together, have a cup of tea or coffee and discuss various topics.
Previous events have included:
Tuition
Guest speakers from other clubs or photographic associations are invited periodically to make presentations on specialist topics and areas of interest to the members. Members that have their own specialisms, such as in photographic processing software, may also make presentations at the weekly meetings.
Exhibitions
Members have an opportunity to display their work in the Society’s Annual Exhibition. Certificates are awarded for winning images and for other images commended by the judge.
Currently our print exhibition images are on permanent display at the Orpington Village Hall which we would encourage you all to go and see.
Outings and Social Events
The Society arranges social events and outings throughout the year to places of photographic interest. There is also an Annual Dinner at which the club competition trophies are awarded.
External Competitions
The Society is a member of the Federation of South London Photographic Societies (SLF) and the Kent County Photographic Association (KCPA) and enters competitions against other photographic clubs in the South London and Kent areas.
History
During the 1940's a small group of highly skilled scientific officers and photographers employed at Fort Halstead formed the Raven Photographic Society in Petts Wood. However, by 1948 their membership had dropped and it was decided to invite local photographers to join. The Society was renamed the Orpington Photographic Society and simple rules were prepared. Meetings were held in the old Orpington Library in Orpington High Street until 1961 when the Society moved to the Priory. In 2007 the Society left the Priory and moved to its current meeting place, The Small Hall, Christ Church in Charterhouse Road.
How to Join Us
Please come along to one of our Tuesday meetings when visitors are always welcome. We hope that you will find a friendly atmosphere in which to meet others who are keen to enjoy and improve their photography.
You can join OPS at any Tuesday meeting or by contacting our membership secretary - email us on newmember.orpingtonphoto@gmail.com. Alternatively please fill in the contact sheet on the contact page.
Subscription Rates 2020-21
Under review due to the Covid 19 pandemic and the move to online meetings for the rest of 2020.
Contacts
Committee
email: committee.orpingtonphoto@gmail.com
Officials
Acting Chairman - Philip Brown LRPS
Vice-Chairman - Ian Stedman
Hon. Secretary/Treasurer - Chris Sawyer
Committee Members
David Barnes LRPS
Chris Nash
Richard Waterman
The first point of contact for the following roles:
External Competitions - David Barnes LRPS
Internal Print Competitions - Chris Nash
Internal PDI Competitions - Richard Waterman
Website/Forum - Ian Stedman
Orpington Village Hall Gallery - David Barnes LRPS
Please be aware some email addresses are sent to more than one committee member.
Orpington Photographic Society (OPS) focuses on the enjoyment of photography and improving members knowledge via lectures, demonstrations and competitions, as it has done since it began in 1948. We embrace new developments in photographic styles and technology, while respecting those who appreciate traditional techniques. You would find the Society a friendly place where new members can develop their photographic interests through a variety of weekly activities described in our Programme. We encourage new members to participate in all aspects of the club's activities, including competitions and events throughout the year.
Weekly Meetings
Meetings are held on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm for an 8pm start, finishing by 10.00pm between September and April. The Tuesday meetings cover internal competitions, set subjects of interest, tuition on photographic matters and member social evenings.
Internal Competitions
The club has competitions in four categories: colour prints, mono prints, digital images and set subjects (PDI challenges). Images are commented upon by judges from other photographic organisations and trophies and certificates are awarded at the end of each season for the winners of the competitions. All categories are open competitions where images are judged on their merits and not purely on experience of the photographer.
Friendly inter-club competitions
Throughout the season we run a couple of friendly inter-club competitions. Whilst there are no trophies of certificates, they are a great opportunity to meet other photographers and to see their work. We alternate between home and away events. On away nights, there are normally a number of members who travel so you may be able to get a lift if you ask.
Members Evenings
These are more social evenings and provide the opportunity for members to get together, have a cup of tea or coffee and discuss various topics.
Previous events have included:
- Basic photo editing techniques
- Discussion of ongoing photographic projects where we talk and discuss in a friendly manner your project(s).
- Summer challenge photos
Tuition
Guest speakers from other clubs or photographic associations are invited periodically to make presentations on specialist topics and areas of interest to the members. Members that have their own specialisms, such as in photographic processing software, may also make presentations at the weekly meetings.
Exhibitions
Members have an opportunity to display their work in the Society’s Annual Exhibition. Certificates are awarded for winning images and for other images commended by the judge.
Currently our print exhibition images are on permanent display at the Orpington Village Hall which we would encourage you all to go and see.
Outings and Social Events
The Society arranges social events and outings throughout the year to places of photographic interest. There is also an Annual Dinner at which the club competition trophies are awarded.
External Competitions
The Society is a member of the Federation of South London Photographic Societies (SLF) and the Kent County Photographic Association (KCPA) and enters competitions against other photographic clubs in the South London and Kent areas.
History
During the 1940's a small group of highly skilled scientific officers and photographers employed at Fort Halstead formed the Raven Photographic Society in Petts Wood. However, by 1948 their membership had dropped and it was decided to invite local photographers to join. The Society was renamed the Orpington Photographic Society and simple rules were prepared. Meetings were held in the old Orpington Library in Orpington High Street until 1961 when the Society moved to the Priory. In 2007 the Society left the Priory and moved to its current meeting place, The Small Hall, Christ Church in Charterhouse Road.
How to Join Us
Please come along to one of our Tuesday meetings when visitors are always welcome. We hope that you will find a friendly atmosphere in which to meet others who are keen to enjoy and improve their photography.
You can join OPS at any Tuesday meeting or by contacting our membership secretary - email us on newmember.orpingtonphoto@gmail.com. Alternatively please fill in the contact sheet on the contact page.
Subscription Rates 2020-21
Under review due to the Covid 19 pandemic and the move to online meetings for the rest of 2020.
Contacts
Committee
email: committee.orpingtonphoto@gmail.com
Officials
Acting Chairman - Philip Brown LRPS
Vice-Chairman - Ian Stedman
Hon. Secretary/Treasurer - Chris Sawyer
Committee Members
David Barnes LRPS
Chris Nash
Richard Waterman
The first point of contact for the following roles:
External Competitions - David Barnes LRPS
Internal Print Competitions - Chris Nash
Internal PDI Competitions - Richard Waterman
Website/Forum - Ian Stedman
Orpington Village Hall Gallery - David Barnes LRPS
Please be aware some email addresses are sent to more than one committee member.