2026 - 2027 Season Programme
Meetings are held in The Friends’ Hall and also broadcast live on Zoom.
Non-members are welcome to join us either in person or on zoom for an individual evening for a charge of £5.
Monthly PDI Competition
September - ‘Taken last month’
October - ‘Freezing movement’
November - ‘Taken in a Golden or Blue hour’
December - ‘Leading line or lines’
January - ‘Water’ (could be a whole stretch or a drop, moving or still)
February - ‘Symmetry’
Monday 7 September 2026
PROGRAMME INTRODUCTION AND PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
Our President and Committee extend a warm welcome to all members to start the 104th season of Harrogate Photographic Society. The programme for the year will be shared with members and the prize and certificate winners will be awarded and celebrated at the session and after in a social setting.
Members who have entered the YPU print competition should collect their prints. All members who entered the YPU - print and or DPI can also collect a catalogue.
We look forward to meeting and welcoming existing HPS members, some new members and visitors at the opening evening of the Season Programme. Doors open at 7.15pm and evening starts at 7.30pm. There is no entry fee for this session - all are welcome.
Monday 14 September 2026
CHRISTINE WIDDALL
What Are We Going To Do About AI?
Christine has loved photography for as long as she can remember. Her journey began in a darkroom at the age of five and has taken her through decades of discovery, from film to digital. Today, she is passionate about creating images that tell stories, whether capturing the rugged beauty of Saddleworth, the intricacies of wildlife, or creating composites that bring ideas to life.
Along the way, Christine has earned distinctions such as FIAP, MPAGB and FBPE, and her work has been exhibited worldwide. For her, photography is about sharing – through talks, judging, writing, and helping to run her local photographic society – and hopefully about inspiring others to see photography differently.
More recently, Christine has developed a keen interest in AI for imaging, exploring its integration into editing software while keeping AI-generated work as a separate hobby, particularly in her audio-visual projects. It’s a lifelong adventure, and she remains as excited about the next image as she was when she first picked up a camera.
About the presentation:
• Christine will start with (briefly) what AI is and what it does
• Then she will talk about rabbits…
• How AI is being integrated into photo editing software
• Whether it can be detected and policed
• Copyright and ownership issues
• AI-generated images as art
• The future of AI in photography
Monday 21 September 2026
SEAN CHANDLER
From The Sidelines: Capturing Emotion in Sport
Sean Chandler is a London-raised, Leeds-based photojournalist working across football in the Premier League, EFL and women’s game. His work focuses on capturing the emotional edge of sport — the moments beyond the ball, where reaction, tension and human behaviour tell the real story.
Beginning with grassroots football in local parks, Sean has developed his practice through consistent matchday coverage, moving into professional environments across the English game. His experience spans the women’s game, deaf football, and international development work, including time documenting the Afghan women’s development team.
Working independently and with Sports Press Photo, he now covers matches across the top tiers of English football. Alongside editorial work, he produces player-focused imagery and longer-form storytelling, built around anticipation, awareness and an understanding of how moments unfold in real time.
Sean is accredited with the Sports Journalists’ Association (SJA) and AIPS.
Monday 28 September 2026
How I Won The Trophy
Members who were trophy winners in 2025/26 will share the background to the winning shot. What inspired them to take the shot, how and where. A chance to see some of the best images in the club from 2025/26
Monday 5 October 2026
JONATHAN VAINES
ME, Myself and Eye
I took my first photograph in 2012, joined my local club to work out what to do and soon moved on. I have had many roles away from the camera in my short photographic life. I have been the Regional Organiser for the Royal Photographic Society, a position I held for five years, and I am currently the Judges’ Secretary for the EAF.
I tutor for the RPS running processing method workshops most weeks plus, I tutor for online clubs that operate predominately in North America. I am also an A panel judge and a sponsored lecturer for Paper Spectrum. I am an affiliate of DxO Labs, the software developer, and Wex Photo Video for everything camera; so, I am always busy somewhere in the world of Camera Club and photography.
My image making started out as photographing anything, but I now use the camera to create what I see as wall art. Multiple exposures along with some sort of camera distortion appears in almost all my work. I polish the result in Photoshop and an image does not exist until it’s printed so I’m helping keep the ink and paper industry alive. I find enjoyment from engaging with every image. I work with thoughts, concepts and projects. It’s not about capturing the moment for me it’s about visualisation and being able to deliver that in print.
Monday 12 October 2026
OLIVER WRIGHT
Wildlife / Macrophotography over past 12 months
Yorkshire Based Photographer Oliver Wright Specialises In Wildlife, Macro And Adventure Photography
Oliver became a full-time professional photographer in February 2014. Since then his work has taken him around the world (Northern Sweden, Switzerland, Ecuador, etc) and included many exciting jobs from photographing the king of Sweden in the wilderness of Abisko to talking for Canon at 'The Photography Show' on Canon's main stage in 2019.
He has developed his own style of photography by using focus stacking in many genres and specialises in handheld stacking creating a unique style and set of images.Originally photography was a hobby for me combined with my passion for mountaineering. It was used as a way of documenting my mountaineering experiences in the UK and abroad. Then a climbing accident in 2010 became a catalyst that transferred the passion to photography especially wildlife and macro.
Over the next four years, I continued to self develop my photography skills to the point I decided it was time for a career change and left my corporate project manager role and focussed full time on photography. In that time I got images published in BBC Wildlife and Grand Designs magazine.
I was inspired by macro photography and purchased the Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens. I spent time developing my own techniques and fieldcraft to try and deliver quality results and do this where the subjects are alive and to photograph them naturally with the least amount of disturbance environmentally possible. This then developed into a further realisation that if this could be done without flash all the natural reflections would be preserved.
Some of the wildlife subjects I photograph are very small and very active, a particular favourite being jumping spiders. This makes use of tripods very difficult even though the photography may need to be taken at five times magnification. Because of the tiny amount of the image that is in focus, stacking (taking multiple images whilst moving the camera by a tiny amount) is often used. Because the subjects move I had to develop my own techniques for handheld stacking at big magnification with natural light. Therefore creating some signature images, for example, jumping spider portraits at five times magnification where you can see trees and clouds reflected in the eyes.
Monday 19 October 2026
CLUB EVENING
Triptychs / Panels etc with Alistair & Michelle
In 2026/27 we are revising the competition criteria to include the ever popular diptychs and triptychs into a new competition. This allows members to enter this multiple image challenge alongside the usual panel competition. Never attempted this before, well Alistair and Michelle will guide you through the creation process, showing techniques and examples you can use to make your own
Monday 26 October 2026
PRINT COMPETITION 1
Photo entry closing date midnight 29th September 2026
Physical hand in date 29th September 2026
Judge - TBA
Monday 2 November 2026
CHARLOTTE GALE
Travels with a Photographer: Culture, Nature & Community Through a Lens
Charlotte Gale is an award winning, Sunday Times published, professional photographer with 17 years commercial experience. She is based in Knaresborough, but works with businesses and organisations throughout Yorkshire and beyond.
Originally from a digital marketing agency background, she uses this expertise to create high quality, authentic and versatile marketing, PR and portfolio images for her clients.
Charlotte also has a passion for travel and has been lucky enough to explore nearly 50 countries across six continents, often journeying off the beaten track and encountering unique cultural experiences and environments.
Tonight she will take us on a colourful visual journey, as we explore diverse cultures, nature and communities around the world through the eyes of her lens.
Monday 9 November 2026
BILL WARD
Immersive
Ever popular Bill Ward returns to share with us his latest project/book. Award winning actor Bill is also a keen photographer.
He is probably best known for playing the badly behaved builder Charlie Stubbs in the UK TV show Coronation Street, a role he played for over 400 episodes and three and a half years, and for which he won numerous awards. He also played the long suffering farmer, James Barton, in Emmerdale, for over 300 episodes, and for which he was also nominated for (and won) a number of awards.
In 2023-24, he played Gerald in the critically acclaimed UK Tour of “The Full Monty“, spent 4 months filming for a Major Worldwide Streaming Service on a brand new 6 part series due for broadcast early 2026, followed by an unforgettable stint in “Gerry and Sewell” at The Theatre Royal in his home town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In 2025, he played Polixenes in The Winter’s Tale at Tobacco Factories Bristol, and is currently playing Warden Stammas in the UK and Ireland Tour of The Shawshank Redemption.
Monday 16 November 2026
PRINT COMPETITION 2
Photo entry closing date midnight 29th September 2026
Physical hand in date 29th September 2026
Judge – TBA
Monday 23 November 2026
PRINT COMPETITION 3
Photo entry closing date midnight 29th September 2026
Physical hand in date 29th September 2026
Judge – TBA
Monday 30 November 2026
HELEN WILLIAMS
Life on Set: TV Stills
Helen has been a professional photographer since starting out as a photo-journalist straight from university in 1998. In the early 2000s she spent eight years as ITV’s in-house photographer, working daily and providing publicity stills for the TV series they produced, programmes such as Emmerdale, Heartbeat and A Touch of Frost, plus non-scripted shows such as Countdown and children’s programmes.
In November 2007, Helen went freelance, still carrying on working as a successful stills photographer for the likes of BBC/CH5/SKY/ITV, partly to expand her photographic horizons, and partly allowing her to train full-time as a triathlete. After representing Great Britain as an age-grouper at the 2008 World Triathlon Championships, and completing her fourth Ironman event in 2009, she hung up her athletic boots and focused on starting a family.
Fast-forward to today, Helen, her husband and family live in Harrogate, and she still maintains a strong parkrun habit. In this evening’s presentation Helen hopes to give a fascinating, behind the scenes insight into how a TV set works and where and how photography fits in.
Note that all proceeds from tonight’s presentation will be donated to the charity Dementia Forward.
Monday 7 December 2026
GEORGIA BARKER
One Patch, Many Stories
Georgia says that wildlife isn’t just something you see on documentaries, it’s right outside, living its own life.
Georgia began her photography journey in 2024 with a camera, a lot of curiosity, and a particular interest in birds. Since then, she has been exploring and documenting wildlife with a focus on natural behaviour and everyday moments in nature. Her aim is to share the stories of creatures big and small, and hopefully spark the same sense of excitement she feels whenever something wild crosses her path.
The talk will be a personal look at how spending repeated time in a single area can reveal the quieter, often overlooked side of British wildlife. Rather than chasing rare or distant subjects, Georgia focuses on observing familiar birds over time, paying attention to behaviour, seasonal change, and small moments that are easy to miss.
The presentation follows this approach through a series of images built from patience, repetition, and close observation, showing how a single place can hold far more depth than it first appears.
Monday 14 December 2026
LAURENCE WINRAM
A Journey of Exploration: A Life of Personal and Commercial Projects
Laurence Winram is a fine art and commercial photographer based in his studio in the heart of Edinburgh. He has been working across both disciplines since the early 1990s. His award-winning work has been exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery and The Royal Scottish Academy.
Laurence divides his time between commercial commissions and personal projects, with his fine art prints available through his online Winram Gallery. He also produces imagery for book covers for Trevillion Images library.
His style is influenced by a longstanding interest in art and magic. With both his father and grandfather being magicians, this early exposure led to an interest in illusion and more esoteric themes, evident in projects such as MythosLogos and Conemen. Across both commercial and personal work, he has consistently explored a wide range of subjects rather than focusing on a single theme.
In his talk, Laurence will outline the trajectory of his career, including the changes required to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving industry. He will present a selection of individual images - both commissioned and personal - walking through the full process from initial concept and visualisation to shoot and final retouching.
Monday 21 December 2026
CHRISTMAS
no meeting
Monday 28 December 2026
NEW YEAR
no meeting
Monday 4 January 2027
CLUB EVENING
Your Triptych & Panels
Details to be confirmed.
Monday 11 January 2027
JAMES KERWIN
Heritage and Abandoned Architecture
James is a British photographer based in Istanbul, dedicated to uncovering overlooked architectural treasures in urban environments. His work focuses on abandoned buildings, hidden interiors, and forgotten spaces that still carry a strong sense of history, craftsmanship, and atmosphere.
Travel is central to James’s work. It is both his compass and his canvas, leading him to overlooked places around the world, from Beirut's fading modernist landmarks to the Soviet-era relics of Tbilisi. Each journey is driven by the search for architecture that tells a story beyond the obvious. James is drawn to buildings that reflect a lost era of design and craftsmanship.
Through his photography, James reveals the colours, patterns, and forms that often go unnoticed in everyday life. Every project begins with extensive research. He spends hours studying maps, reading historical accounts, searching old photographs, and tracing forgotten buildings before setting foot in a new city. Only then does he begin exploring on foot. When he discovers a space that resonates with him, James carefully considers composition, light, and perspective to capture its character.
James’s post-processing remains faithful to the location, refining natural colour and tone while preserving the atmosphere that first drew him there. What attracts him to a building, or even an entire country, is the relationship between architecture, colour, and light. His photographs encourage viewers to look beyond the obvious and discover beauty in places that are often ignored. He is continually searching for buildings that represent a level of craftsmanship and architectural thinking that has largely disappeared.
James’s work has received recognition in international competitions, including the ND Awards and Chromatic Colour Awards. James is also the author of two books, Fabrica – A Journey Into Decay and Abandoned Lebanon. Alongside his photography, James leads international photography workshops and tours, and since 2018 he has delivered more than 400 photography talks for camera clubs, both in person and online.
You can follow his travels through his social media channels or subscribe to his newsletter for updates on new projects, books, and workshops. If you have any questions, or simply wish to say hello, please get in touch. James always enjoys hearing from people around the world.
Monday 18 January 2027
COURTNEY VICTORIA
Landscape - ‘A World Within a World’
An exploration of Courtney’s photographic journey through the Forest of Dean, tracing her shift from capturing sweeping woodland landscapes to revealing the intricate, often overlooked world of macro. This talk offers insight into Courtney’s evolving way of seeing, rooted in intention, patience and curiosity, and invites others to slow down, look closer and discover the remarkable details hidden in plain sight.
Courtney is a Gloucestershire based landscape and macro photographer with a knack for finding wonder in the quietest corners of nature. What began as a pursuit of sweeping vistas has gradually shrunk in scale, drawing her toward the overlooked details that often sit right under our noses (or boots!). Her work is rooted in woodland environments, where she continues to refine her eye for subtlety, story, and the art of truly seeing. Guided by a philosophy of slowing down, Courtney explores nature with curiosity and intent, revealing its quieter complexities. Her process reaches beyond technical skill, embracing the unpredictability of fieldwork and the small thrill of discovering something unexpected in the undergrowth.
Alongside her personal projects, Courtney has spent the past few years leading local woodland photography workshops and helping others tune into the finer details of the natural world. She is also a lead photographer for Siren Adventure Tours, guiding like-minded photographers through the dramatic landscapes of Iceland. Passionate about sharing knowledge, Courtney encourages others to deepen their connection with nature while continuing to expand her own perspective.
Monday 25 January 2026
PDI COMPETITION 1
Photo entry closes 1st January 2027
Judge – TBA
Subjects – TBA
Monday 1 February 2027
Sean Jones
Wildlife
Text here…
Monday 8 February 2027
CLUB EVENING
Presidents Evening
For one night only we will enjoy the stories and photography of President Steve Preston
Monday 15 February 2027
PDI COMPETITION 2
Photo entry closes 1st January 2027
Judge – TBA
Subjects – TBA
Monday 22 February 2027
PDI COMPETITION 3
Photo entry closes 1st January 2027
Judge – TBA
Subjects – TBA
Monday 1 March 2027
ANDY GRAY
Enchanted: A Journey Into Woodland Photography
Andy Gray is a published award-winning Landscape photographer based in the Peak District.
Before taking up photography in 2004, he studied painting and the history of art before embarking on a career in manufacturing. This early background influence has often led to the question “Is this a painting or a photograph?” By harnessing light in the landscape to evoke mood and atmosphere Andy aims to transport the audience to the places he visits and relive his own experiences.
With a particular passion for creating atmospheric woodland imagery, Andy’s curiosity has taken him across the British Isles and abroad to photograph environments such as Iceland in winter, another pursuit he is deeply fond of.
A prize winner in the Landscape Photographer of The Year 2021 competition, success soon followed in the British Photography Awards, Natural Landscape Photography Awards 2024 and Runner-Up in the Royal Meteorological Society’s annual international Weather Photographer of The Year 2024 competition.
‘’A photograph should speak to you not show you’’
In the first part of his presentation Andy will guide you through his approach to photographing woodland. With a reputation for being a photographically challenging environment, he will take you through some of the key building blocks for achieving successful woodland images, from location scouting, composition, light and the importance of connecting with your local environment. Content will include a collection of work taken over the last 5 years from across the Peak District & Derbyshire Dales.
In the second half of the evening Andy will show a selection of other photographs from his portfolio.
Monday 8 March 2027
PANEL COMPETITION
Entry deadline 31 January 2027 (check)
Judge - TBC
Monday 15 March 2027
Helen Tabor
garden and Architectural Photography
Text here…
Monday 22 March 2027
CLUB EVENING
TBC
Text here…
Monday 30 March 2027
Easter - No meeting
Monday 5 April 2027
AMY SHORE
Details soon.
Monday 12 April 2027
Club Evening
TBC
Monday 19 April 2027
DAVID JENNER
Night and Day Panoramas and Portfolio
David Jenner is a creative landscape photographer. David will present his unique Night & Day panoramas which take anything up to 100 hours to complete!
David will also focus on many of his other award winning images from his portfolio with plenty of amusement and heartbreak along the way - not to mention an unhealthy obsession with John Craven! This is a talk like no other and promises to be a fantastic evening of entertainment you will never forget.
Monday 26 April 2027
Annual General Meeting and Centenary Medal Competition
Pop up Exhibition - Cake, Coffee and Quiz
A social ending to the year with a chance to celebrate and socialise with members. A short AGM will be followed by coffee and cake with a light hearted trivia quiz. Members will display some of their favourite prints in the hall.
To commemorate the centenary of the 1922 founding of Harrogate Photographic Society - one of the oldest photographic societies in the country in continuous existence - the Committee instituted the HPS Centenary Medal Competition.
This competition, to be held annually, brings together the winners of every competition held at the Society over the previous three seasons with the intention of finding the supreme champion photographer.
