OPS Weekly Newsletter 23 March 2025
- Next Tuesday evening we will have a ‘show and tell’ in the second half. Please bring with you a ‘usb’ stick with images if you want to ‘show and tell’.
- Please start thinking about pulling together your entries for our Digital Projected Image Competition No. 3 on 8 April.
- Last week’s meeting Tues 18 March: Best Use of Light competition
Many thanks to all members who put in images for the competition. The quality of the images was exceptionally high.
After expertly talking through each image, Phil held back a long list which then became a short list, then an even shorter list, Phil choose his four favourites which were:
1st place: Heads Up by John Boteler
2nd place: Shade to Light by Rob Ferrands
3rd place: Contemplation by Pete Warrington
4th place: Potter #3 by Linda Wride
Congratulations to all who entered.
- Next meeting Tues 25 March 19.30: Images of Zimanga with Daves A and B plus ‘show and tell’
In the first half the two Daves will be showing their wildlife images from a recent trip to the Zimanga Nature Reserve in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. In the second half members are invited to show some images. Please bring a usb stick with your images on.
- Upcoming meetings
1 April: Still – Mindful Photography with Paul Sanders
Former Picture Editor of The Times Paul Sanders left the toxic pressure of Fleet Street and stumbled upon a secret path: landscape photography. In the silent embrace of nature, he learned to breathe again, to find solace in the sunrise symphony and strength in the stoic gaze of mountains.
As he slowly learnt the value in solitude, and the magic that unfolds when he uses my camera as a tool for self-expression, he traded noise and materialism for something far more precious: peace.
“Still” is a bridge, built from my own journey of discovery, to guide you on yours. Here, you’ll find more than just photographs. You’ll find a portal to self-expression, a lens through which to rediscover the wonder of simply being. Let go of the clamour. Step into stillness, and paint your own story with light and wonder.
8 April: Digital Projected Image Competition No. 3 – Judged by Peter Cox
15 April: A Passage To India with Sandra Devaney and Linda Wride
Sandra and Linda will show images of their recent visits to India.
- Programme Secretary vacancy
We have a full and varied programme for you this season thanks to the hard work and excellent choices by Les. Unfortunately, due to unexpected changes in Les’s work commitments he cannot continue in the role and we need someone to step forward to start the planning and booking of speakers for next season’s programme. Please do contact me or any other committee member if you are interested in taking on the role.
- Events photographic in and around Oxford
Travel Photographer of The Year Exhibition
Banbury Museum and Gallery
Spiceball Park Road
Banbury
Oxfordshire
OX16 2PQ
29th March 2025 – 6th July 2025
Price: Adult: £5.00
Child: £2.50 (Ages 5-18. Under 5’s are free)
Concession: £3.00 (Over 65’s, students, Mill Member and unwaged)
Art Fund Member: £2.50
Photo Oxford Workshops
Join us for an exciting series of alternative photography workshops in March and April to explore the art of cyanotypes, anthotypes, phytograms, botanicograms, chemigrams, caffenol film development, pinhole cameras, photography as performance, and psychogeography.
https://www.photooxford.org/workshops
Bettina von Zwehl: The Flood
This exhibition will feature photographs by London-based artist, Bettina von Zwehl (b. 1971). Von Zwehl’s aim is to rekindle wonder and curiosity as critical tools for exploring new ideas and practices.
18 Oct 2024 – 11 May 2025
https://www.ashmolean.org/exhibition/ashmolean-now-bettina-von-zwehl
Don McCullin talks to Richard Ovenden
The Bodley Lecture and Award of the Bodley Medal: Life and Work
Thursday, 3 April 2025
6:00pm-7.00pm Sheldonian Theatre
£8 – £20
- General photographic interest
Eight Reasons You Should Print Your Photos – And How It Can Make You a Better Photographer
With digital photography, our images are often confined to the screens of our devices, phones and computer screens, so the practice of printing photos has been becoming far less common. To many, printing may seem a thing of the past or even unnecessary. However, there’s a compelling case for photographers, beginners, amateurs and professionals to rethink the importance of printing. Not only does printing give your images a physical presence, but it also has the potential to elevate your skills and deepen your connection with your photography.
https://www.permajet.com/blog/8-reasons-you-should-print-your-photos/
AP Awards 2025 – Reader’s Choice Community, Exhibition and Event Provider of the Year
The best cameras, lenses, retailers (and photographers) feature strongly in our annual awards but we also honour photographic communities, exhibitions and events that have really stood out over the last year.
‘The female gaze interested me more’: the radical vision of Dona Ann McAdams – in pictures
From nuclear power plants to Aids protests, the photographer has spent half a century capturing her activist community
A touch of class: an authentic glimpse of Britain – in pictures
High-fashion tracksuits, lonely washing lines and northern soul dancing … a new exhibition shows how working-class photographers view modern Britain
Darkroom on wheels: How photography is helping displaced children heal
It’s easy to get caught up in the gear side of things with photography, but at its core, regardless of equipment, the medium can be a powerful tool for finding healing, hope and joy. Emmy-nominated filmmaker and photojournalist Ilie Mitaru explores this theme in his recent documentary, First Frames.