OPS Weekly Newsletter 1 November 2026
- This Tuesday we have a ‘hands-on’ creative photography workshop, so bring your camera, tripod, and a few light sources—and be ready to experiment.
- For Mathew’s talk the week after – ‘Iconic photographs that would bomb in club photo competitions’ – please upload your ‘favourite failures’ that the judge rejected. You will have lots to choose from… Upload here: https://photocomp.app/
- We have a ‘Talks Portal’ – fancy name for a spreadsheet – where members can add the names and contact details of speakers that they would like to be included in the programme. If you have any recommendations please add them here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Vygkbg7dUF2e0dqF8PfPyfT1caZrnWJB5EEG9bBrTjs/edit?tab=t.0
- Last meeting held on Tuesday 27 October: Once a slag with Philippa James
Philippa began her talk by reading out the forward to her photobook – Once a Slag – which set out what her Falmouth University Master of Arts project was about: celebrating the joys of being young teenage girls, the contradictions, pressures and dangers facing teenage girls growing up in a society shaped by social media, sexualisation and misogyny.
It is a deeply personal documentary photography project centred on Philippa’s teenage daughter and her group of friends in Oxford, whom she began photographing in 2022.
Girls are encouraged to look attractive, sexy and desirable because appearance brings attention and validation. Yet they are simultaneously judged, shamed and blamed for being sexually expressive.
Philippa said that the girls are expected to be both the Madonna and the whore: innocent and respectable, yet sexy and desirable.
This all took place in the age of TikTok and Philippa captured the girls making TikTok videos, taking selfies, messaging, playing around and performing for the camera.
She also explored how smartphones have become central to how young people communicate, construct their identities and seek approval.
But the project was not solely about victimhood. Once a Slag also celebrates the joy, playfulness, affection, freedom and intimacy of teenage friendships. There are moments of tenderness, humour and youthful exuberance.
Once the project ended Philippa had several exhibitions of the project. In one of the exhibitions she included an area where visitors could write what their responses were to the images.
Philippa printed all these comments on a long piece of paper and included this in another exhibition of the work.
The comments were very revealing, and when she showed an image of the girls set next to one of the comments the image was transformed into something else – it took on a social context that no amount of analysis could ever do – the girls became a symbol of the issue Philippa was documenting.
The project was selected for the 2023 Taylor Wessing portrait prize and exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery. Her image of one of the girls staring at the camera was put on the cover of the exhibition magazine.
It also featured in the Guardian newspaper – see here. That image is reminiscent of Sally Mann’s iconic shot of her daughter staring at the camera. During her research Philippa had studied a great deal about Mann’s work.
The project was not plain sailing and there were many ups and downs, her daughter pulled out of the project at one point, but in the end it was very successful and an important commentary on the lives young girls face in the digital age.
A very engaging talk indeed.
- Next meeting Tuesday 3 November: Workshop: Creative Portrait Photography: Thinking Outside The Box with Kieran Hunt
We’re pleased to welcome back Kieran Hunt, an accomplished photographer and educator, to lead this practical evening workshop, building upon last year’s ‘Painting with light’ workshop. Kieran holds a First-Class BA in Photography (Editorial and Advertising) and a Distinction at Master’s level in Visual Communication. His work spans editorial, commercial, and fine art photography and he’s been shortlisted for the Nikon Discovery Awards and exhibited across the UK.
Kieran’s approach blends technical skill with creative exploration—making him a fantastic guide for this hands-on session on creative portrait photography.
This workshop is a great chance to experiment with creative, innovative approaches and possibilities exploring slow shutter speeds, visual distortion/abstraction, shooting through objects and materials, handheld lights and movement to create dynamic, eye-catching images. Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, you’ll leave with practical techniques and ideas to approach capturing portraits in new ways.
You’ll learn:
How to embrace creative thinking (thinking outside the box) and experimentation.
Creative ideas and techniques with using everyday objects and materials, as well as everyday light sources (torches, mobile phone torch).
Creative ways to bring energy and originality to your portrait photography.
Bring your camera, tripod, and a few light sources—and be ready to experiment.
- Upcoming meetings
10 November: Iconic photographs that would bomb in club photo competitions with Mathew Lodge
Members’ Favourite Failures: The second half of the evening will be your opportunity to bring one or two images you love that bombed in competition. Mathew and the group will explore what works, what the judge may have missed, and why photography isn’t just about the score.
17 November: Wildlife Photography – How Hard Can It Be? Helen Webb
- Photographic events in and around Oxford
Martin Parr: Oxford Bodleian Libraries
Martin Parr (1952–2025) was one of the most influential photographers of the past 50 years, transforming the medium through his distinctive vision and commitment to photography. This small display celebrates his legacy as photographer, collaborator and champion of photographic books. (Exhibition end date TBC.)
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford
Colonial Views of India: Photographs by Eugene Clutterbuck Impey
This free photographic exhibition in G29 offers a rare glimpse of late 19th century India. Ends 26 October. Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2PH
- Photographic events further afield
Light and Magic: The Birth of Art Photography
Light and Magic is the first major exhibition to explore pictorialism as a global movement. Discover how artists became pioneers of the darkroom, transforming our understanding of photography and image making.
Tate Modern
Bankside
London SE1 9TG
14 October 2026 – 21 February 2027
10.00–18.00 Sunday to Thursday
10.00–21.00 Fridays and Saturdays
See Guardian review here
The 13 best new photography exhibitions in London to have on your radar
From striking documentary work to powerful portraits, explore life through a lens with these new shows
https://theglossarymagazine.com/arts-culture/best-photography-exhibitions-london-2026/
See full list of exhibitions here: https://amateurphotographer.com/latest/articles/best-photography-exhibitions-to-see/
- General photographic interest
‘Some photos imprint upon us’: How our Saturday magazine puts together special issues about world-changing photographs
A great picture can have an immediate and visceral effect on a viewer, as if bypassing thought. But a huge amount of thinking goes into selecting and sourcing them, and researching their backstories
https://www.theguardian.com/membership/2026/nov/01/special-features-about-world-changing-photographs
Exciting new talent in photojournalism: the IPPG 2026 recipients – in pictures
The winner of the 2026 Ian Parry photojournalism grant, which spotlights new talent in photojournalism, is Maddie McCuddy, 23, from the US. She receives £10,000, Canon equipment and mentorship from Giles Duley (Legacy of War Foundation). Jospin Mwisha, 22, from DRC was highly commended, and Ike Wood, 23, from the US was commended. The recipient of the 2026 Save The Children x IPPG Commission is Fin J Kerr, 21, from the UK, and the recipient of 2026 Gentex Corp personal safety award is Louis Lemaire-Sicre, 23, from France. We take a look at a selection of their work
The beautiful, shocking work of artist Hoda Afshar: ‘I don’t take freedom of speech for granted’
Afshar’s experiences as a young woman in Iran have shaped her artistic career in Australia, focusing her eye on the humanity within inhumane systems
Metropolis: more than four decades of street photography – in pictures
Metropolis: Street Photography 1985–2025 transitions from the tough, film-noir streets of 1980s New York, to the time surrounding the fall of the Berlin Wall, to the modern, colour-saturated, hard-shadowed geometry of contemporary Australian streets. Spanning classic monochrome grit and vivid colour abstraction, this remarkable collection examines how photographers have documented the relentless energy of our ever-changing cities. Ultimately, it is a celebration of the unscripted characters, strange encounters and the absurd comedy that unfolds when people share public space.
Three top cat photographers share with us their best feline pics
We invited three photographers working in CAT photography to share one image they consider among their best. From split-second decisions to carefully crafted compositions, they reveal the thinking, technique and experience behind the shot, offering insight into not just how the image was made, but why it matters.
In a world where most photography has so little value, the demise of Getty Images is no surprise
Value is determined by rarity, and today we’re bombarded by an endless tsunami of imagery. No wonder it’s tough to make a business out of selling it, says Nigel Atherton