Whickham Photographic Club

Founded in 1973, Whickham Photographic Club is a fast growing community of enthusiasts - membership has increased by a third in the past two years. Its 40 members include a good mix of all ages and an increasing number of female members.

Its members have a wide range of interests and levels of expertise, but in recent years colour slide and mono darkroom work have gradually given way to digital photography, colour printing and projected digital images.

The club's core activity is the Friday evening lectures, demonstrations and competitions, which include plenty of opportunities for members to showcase their own work. About a quarter of those meetings involve visits by well-known amateur and professional photographers from around the UK. Some of these evenings are jointly organised with the Royal Photographic Society (Northern Region) which are open to members of other clubs.

Throughout the year, club members compete with each other for certificates and trophies, take part in regional inter-club competitions and enter some international salons. Every May members hold a public exhibition which features around 200 prints and a continuous projection of about 500 images.

Extra practical nights are arranged occasionally, usually a Wednesday evening where members share their skills and learn from one another. The club owns lighting equipment and computers which club members can use. In the summer months photography trips are organised to stunning locations, like the Farne Islands and members attend major events, such as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The club meets every Friday at 7.30pm from the beginning of September through to May, is always keen to attract new members with a keen interest in photography, irrespective of their experience. Whickham is a camera club that is serious about photography, but never takes itself too seriously.