Street Portraiture is my passion. This often neglected genre comes with endless opportunities to interact with people from all walks of life, ethnicity and backgrounds. Much of my photography happens in and around the Spitalfields area of the East End of London. It's a place that holds a special place in my affections, several branches of my family have passed this way in the last 150 years. 

The talk centres around two principles that are the corner stones of my approach to photography. Firstly, talking to people we don’t know can be beneficial to the person who starts a conversation, to the person who is approached and to Society in general. 

Secondly, a deep understanding of the history, geography, the people  AND  having sense of connection with a given place can help transform photography from a process to an intuitive, creative undertaking.

David’s website can be found here

Images ©David Cantor

Join us at St Mary’s for round 1 of the PDI competition to be judged by Simon Street FRPS FIPF

Markus Naarttijärvi is a documentary and industrial landscape photographer living and working in the north of Sweden. His photography explores themes of solitude, perseverance, and the passage of time through the industry, nature and culture of the north. In this talk, Markus Naarttijärvi will tell a story of how a modest 365 day project grew to a thousand consecutive days and how it helped him find his photographic voice and subject matter in the deep darkness and cold of the Swedish winter. He will talk about how that in turn led to exhibitions in Tokyo, Seoul, and Shanghai, one very random award, and eventually a photo book. But more importantly, how this led to a new sense of purpose and many good friends along the way.  

Markus was awarded a 2023 Fujifilm GFX Challenge Global Grant. In 2024 he won Sports Photographer of the Year (non-professional category) in the International Photography Awards (IPA), and his work was further awarded official selection in the industrial architecture category the same year. His work was also shortlisted in the architecture category of the 2024 Sony World Photography Awards. His work has been featured in leading European newspapers and exhibited in Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai and Athens. 

His first photographic monograph ‘A Surrender’ was published by Good Fight in 2025. 

Marcus’ website is here

@markus_naarttijarvi 

Images ©Markus Naarttijärvi

The Godfather of modern photojournalism, Henri Cartier-Bresson's coined 'The Decisive Moment' describing how pinpointing the exact moment where everything in the frame is in sync. This can be true of all genres of photography from hard news, landscapes, wildlife, still life, portraiture and most certainly sports photography. Within this there is latitude for a photographer's creative 'style' and this begs the question, can sports photography be art? By viewing a very varied portfolio of work from over three decades at The Times I hope to give an insight into how I capture decisive and creative sports photographs.

Images ©Marc Aspland

Join us at St Marys for round 1 of our Colour Print Competition to be judged by Geoff Young

This talk will suggest some ways of making use of images that have not been much used before. These will emphasise the value of self publishing books, making AV's and finding ways to achieve free exhibitions. There will be examples to explore, and experience via a digital projected overview. 

This will also include a very brief overview of the projects I have completed over 30 years.

John’s website can be found here

Images ©John Bradshaw

Join us at St Mary’s for the 1st round of the mono print competition, judged by Kitiyakara Gerald LRPS

Andrew McCarthy FRPS is a nature photographer and ecologist based in Exeter with over 30 years of professional experience working with wildlife. He is an OM System Ambassador and a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, where he sits on the RPS Nature Distinctions panel. Andrew also leads one-to-one sessions and runs workshops on wildlife photography. Currently, his photography focuses on native invertebrates such as damselflies and dragonflies and in this talk, he will cover topics including ecology and key habitats, techniques for finding subjects, effective field craft, and key photographic considerations like composition and technique. 

Andrew’s website can be found here

Images ©Andrew McCarthy

Join us for the annual Tripartite competition, this time at St Mary’s. Judged by Paul Graber ARPS

Join us at St Mary’s for a member’s evening with Simon and Sarah.

Join us at St Mary’s for round 2 of the PDI competition. Judged by Paul Waller ARPS

This presentation is a little bit different in style to my other photographic presentations. It discusses why photographers should consider doing abstract work, and how this might have a spin-off into their other day-to-day photographic work.  The presentation includes a discussion of what abstract art is, and whether there is truly such a thing as abstract photography. It makes comparisons between abstract art and abstract photography, and  introduces a few of the great abstract photographers of the past. 

I then concentrate on some suggestions about how to create your own abstract images using some simple techniques that possibly haven’t occurred to you before. This includes ideas about what to photograph and gives some examples and ideas that you can try out for yourself. 

Stan’s website can be found here

Images ©Stan Farrow

Making Images Every Day Since 2008 

Project Infinity began as a 365 – making a picture a day – back in 2008. Now, after sixteen years and more than 5500 days, I cannot see it ever coming to an end. Thoughts might change, of course, but “Project Infinity” it probably is … 

In this landmark presentation I go back to the beginning and the lead up, exploring themes and ideas that have emerged, discussing with irreverence and humour how the project has shaped my approach, not just to photography but to life itself. 

What have I learned? Join me in the talk to find out why it is the best thing I have ever done for my photography. 

Ken’s website can be found here

Images ©Ken Scott

Join us for a social evening at St Mary’s. Bring 2 prints and something to eat and drink

No Meeting anywhere, either at St Mary’s or on Zoom - MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Andrew’s work has been seen in both solo and group exhibitions around England, France, the Czech Republic and Italy. He has achieved success in a number of photographic competitions, including the Sony World Photography Awards, the World Sports Photographer of the Year and the British Photography Awards. 

 “The talk is an illustration of some of our wanderings around Western Europe in our motorhome.  We head off with a destination in mind but no fixed route, as we just see where we end up each night.  It is less about fancy photography and more about how we experience “life on the road” for a few weeks at a time.  There are photos of well known cities but many more of the people and places we encounter as we ramble along.” 

Andrew’s website can be viewed here

Images ©Andrew Moss

Join us at St Mary’s for round 2 of the Colour Print Competition judged by Alan Lomakin CPAGB AFIAP BPE4

Simon Reed is a freelance photographer specialising in music and events who is based in the Surrey Hills around an hour from London. Most of his images are shot in London and in south coast venues though he does take pictures across the whole of the UK and beyond. 

 His work has been published in national newspapers and books, his pictures have been syndicated via the WENN photo agency, and he is also a regular contributor to Premier Guitar, Louder Than War and RockShot music and culture magazines. 

 He says: “There aren't many things I've done that compare to the thrill of being between the crowd and the stage in a big venue with three songs in which to nail your pictures. There are no second chances with this type of photography; you get it right first time, or not at all.” 

The first half of this talk deals very much with the music part of music photography - the how and the why he got started. The second part details the photography part of music photography - equipment and techniques. 

Simon’s website can be found here

Images ©Simon Reed

Join us at St Mary’s for round 2 of the Mono Print Competition, judged by Robert Ayto, LRPS CPAGB

Join renowned National Geographic photographer, filmmaker, and writer Ami Vitale for an unforgettable journey through stories that illuminate the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of hope. With a career spanning 108 countries, Ami has borne witness to some of the most profound intersections of culture, nature, and conflict—and emerged with a belief not in despair, but in possibility. 

Through her lens and words, Ami invites us into the heart of communities learning from and working with wildlife—stories of rescuing rhinos, protecting elephants, and reintroducing pandas to the wild. But this talk is more than just about endangered species; it’s about the people risking everything to save them, and what we can learn from them about empathy, courage, and collective action. 

From war zones to wildlife sanctuaries, Ami’s storytelling reveals how travel and deep engagement with people across the globe can change our understanding of the world—and our place within it. Her images and insights challenge us to rethink what’s possible, and to bring the same spirit of purpose and connection into our workplaces, homes, and communities. 

Ami’s website can be found here

Images ©Ami Vitale

Nick Hodgson FRPS is a British documentary landscape photographer based in London. His talk, Free Mines Coal Faces, is about his documentary project on coal free mining in the Forest of Dean, which formed part of his Photography MA, his successful FRPS panel submission, an award-winning book and various exhibitions. Nick is a member of the RPS Distinctions Panel for the Applied and Documentary photography genres.  

In the first section of his talk, Nick discusses mining photography that he researched to inform him about his own approach to the subject matter. After the break he will go through a selection of his images and how he shot them with as much technical detail as the audience wants - which is usually at a fairly high level, but he is very happy to go into detailed specifics. He finishes by talking about post-production and printing, showing physical examples of his F panel which the audience can also look at in the interval.

Nick’s website can be found here

Images ©Nick Hodgson

Join us at St Mary’s for round 3 of the PDI competition, judged by Martin Faiers

Join us at St Mary’s were some of or members will present 20 minute illustrated talks

“Let me take you through my landscape photography journey so far. Full of tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way, this talk includes stories and pictures to leave you feeling inspired by the great outdoors.” 

Jack’s website can be found here

Images ©Jack Lodge

Join us at St Mary’s for the Nature competition, judged by Rosemary Wilman HonFRPS ABPE

The first part of my talk will be about my work for The Times Newspaper from the mid 1970’s to the mid 1980’s…my 18 month period where I worked as a freelance generating my own stories (Famine in Ethiopia)…through to The Independent starting in October 1986…where a group of photographers including myself decided to reinvent the way we worked… 

The second part after a break will be showing current work in progress…The Kiss, Italy Observed and my work for the CWGC and the Remembered Project. 

Brian’s website can be found here

Images ©Brian Harris

Join us at St Mary’s for round 3 of the Colour Print Competition at St Mary’s, judged by Andrew Webster LRPS

Phil will show how he developed his signature style in photography and used it to document human rights issues in the developing world.  He will describe how he partnered with organizations like the UN, Amnesty international, CARE and other NGOs to create books and exhibitions that travelled to museums and fine art galleries worldwide.  You too can do this.

Phil’s website can be found here

Images ©Phil Borges

Join us at St Mary’s for an illustrated talk with Tom Way. Tom’s website can be found here

Images ©Tom Way

Join us at St Mary’s for a member’s evening with Marcus Scott-Taggart & Marie-Ange Bouchard ARPS

Join us at St Mary’s for an illustrated talk and demo entitled Dramatic One Light Portraits.

The first half of the evening will consist of an introduction to strobe/studio lighting, the equipment and inspiration behind the portraits I like to create, and a practical demonstration using a willing volunteer! 

The second half will be a live edit of one of the images taken to show you how I enhance the mood, tone and atmosphere using Lightroom and Photoshop.

John’s website can be found here

Join us at St Mary’s for the Nathan Cup Creative Photography Competition and the Panel Competition (PDIs only). Judged by Pat Couder CPAGB BPE1 QPSA

This macro talk with techniques includes slime moulds and fungi as well as invertebrates. Stacking techniques like focus stacking on a whole range of different subjects from insects at 4am covered in dew to bees in flight to 1mm tall Slime Moulds. 

Andy’s website can be found here

Images ©Andy Sands

Join us at St Mary’s for the final round of the Mono Print Competition, judged by Steve Kingswell ARPS AFIAP

Join us at St Mary’s for ‘Top Tips Tables’ a chance to learn and share knowledge

Join us at St Mary’s for our Set Subjects competition (PDIs only). The 2 subjects are Reflections and Night or Low Light. To be judged by Viveca Koh, FRPS

Join us at St Mary’s where we encourage you to bring along up to 2 PDI’s for peer review

Join us at St Mary’s for our Annual General Meeting, Prize giving and Buy & Sell

Join us for our End of Year dinner.