OPS Weekly Newsletter 26 October 2025

1. Last week’s meeting Tues 21 October: Print Competition no. 1 judged by Kevin Day

The results were:

Congratulations to all who took part

2. Next meeting 19.30, Tues 28 October: On These Magic Shores – Tamsyn Warde

Tamsyn is a documentary photographer based in Hampshire. Her work explores issues central to community with a particular emphasis on youth and childhood experience. She works collaboratively with communities and individuals to create work which explores their experiences, situations and motivations.

In this special presentation, Tamsyn will share her acclaimed project On These Magic Shores – a thoughtful and visually rich exploration of children’s play spaces in the UK. At a time when childhood is increasingly lived indoors and on screens, her work gently asks: What happens when imagination is allowed to roam freely outdoors?

Come to discover how play shapes childhood – and how it is changing. A chance to see powerful images, hear personal stories, and reflect on the importance of unstructured, child-led play.

3. Upcoming meetings/events in November

• 4 Nov: WORKSHOP – Painting with Light with Kieran Hunt https://oxfordphotosociety.co.uk/opsevent/workshop-painting-with-light/
• 6 Nov at 17.00: Shuttles, Steam and Soot – Daniel Meadows at the Westgate Library. £5.00 https://oxfordphotosociety.co.uk/opsevent/special-shuttles-steam-and-soot-at-oxford-library-2/
• 9 Nov: MEET UP – Remembrance Day in Oxford
• 11 Nov: After MAX: The Hidden Gems in Adobe’s Latest Release with Glyn Dewis

https://oxfordphotosociety.co.uk/opsevent/after-max-the-hidden-gems-in-adobes-latest-release/

• 18 Nov: Wildlife from -15°C to +40°C + SHOW & TELL Painting with Light with Dave McKay https://oxfordphotosociety.co.uk/opsevent/wildlife-from-15c-to-40c/
• 25 Nov: Canon Partner Event + Take a Moment with Eddie Keogh https://oxfordphotosociety.co.uk/opsevent/canon-partner-event/

You can see the programme up to the end of the year here and download it: https://oxfordphotosociety.co.uk/programme-download/

4. Photographic events in and around Oxford

Uwe has excelled himself and had three exhibitions during 2025 Photo Oxford. They are:

1. Online solo exhibition:

part of the 2025 Photo Oxford Festival of Photography:

https://photooxford.org/exhibitions/photo-oxford-online-exhibitions

2. SACRED SPACES

Opening: Sunday 26 Oct 2.30 – 4.30pm

Thursdays – Sundays 12-4pm

337 Banbury Road OX2 7PL

The focus is on the personal, how our emotions and experience give particular significance to certain places – different for everyone yet a universal process. The “specialness” of particular places has long been widely known; in our own lives, our own “special” is something we can share through photographs.

This show looks at our “special” places that embody important moments, feelings, memories, an idea that was important to Paddy Summerfield, whose house is the venue for this exhibition. Nine Oxford photographers are showing their work here, a place where they met many times, to share work and to discuss photography.

Uwe Ackermann; Wendy Aldiss; Paul Freeston; Rob Judges; Paul Medley; Caroline Seymour; Martin Stott; David Stumpp; Angus Taverner

We invite you to join us at the Opening 26th October 2.30- 4.30pm

and to visit:

12-4pm Thursdays- Sundays 30th Oct – 15th November

3. EYES LEFT! — WALKING THE BOTLEY TUNNEL OF INCONVENIENCE

The images shown here are from a series showing eye contact avoidance techniques adopted by commuters passing through the Botley Tunnel of Inconvenience and ask the question, Why are we so loath to acknowledge the presence of another?

This exhibition is located in the Botley Library, https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordshire-libraries/find-library/botley-library

Open from 9:30 AM Mon, Tue, Thursd, Fri and Sat. Closed Wed and Sun

Bikes, Boats and Bridges; photographs by Wendy Stone at the Paper Boat Café

This series of darkroom photographs was created for the Paper Boat Café, on Folly Bridge in Oxford. The images celebrate nearby places as well as other boats, bridges and crossings that carry us over and along the River Thames.

The Thames is as important to Oxford as the iconic stone facades, walls and arches that attract visitors. The river predates our many generations of history. It shapes the city and, despite our best efforts, occasionally reasserts its ancient course.

The Paper Boat Café is located at a key point in the city’s history. It was the toll-house when Folly Bridge was built, replacing the wide shallow fording point and wooden bridges that carried people, goods and animals across the Thames until 1827.

The photographs will be on display until 11 November.

https://stoneandco.bigcartel.com/

Photo Oxford

Photo Oxford is open and we are delighted to announce the full programme for the Opening Day, 25 October.

See details below:

https://mailchi.mp/photooxford/zsu8u7h122-12867158?e=591e9fec01

Camera and Photography family drop in History of Science Museum

Discover the history of photography in this drop-in family event at the History of Science Museum.

1-3pm/Free/Wed 29th Oct

History of Science Museum

Old Ashmolean Building

Broad Street Oxford

https://www.hsm.ox.ac.uk/

1. General photographic interest

Looking, Not Reading. Swiping, Not Absorbing.

Wise words from Grant Scott of Brookes University on the power of time spent reading, or listening, to stories that expands the mind compared with the thin gruel that is forced fed on social media platforms.

https://unitednationsofphotography.com/2025/10/22/looking-not-reading-swiping-not-absorbing/

Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025 – in pictures

From a red-throated loon landing on water, to good and bad hair days and an airborne squirrel, here is a selection of the finalists in this year’s Nikon Comedy Wildlife awards. A winner will be announced on 9 December

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2025/oct/23/comedy-wildlife-awards-2025-in-pictures

Love+War review – Lynsey Addario’s courageous photojournalism shines out in occasionally odd study

The Pulitzer prize-winner has worked across the developing world, braved war zones and been taken hostage in Libya, but do we really need a tour of her beautiful home?

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oct/22/love-and-war-review-lynsey-addarios-photojournalist-documentary

Celebration of youth, colour and freedom wins major smartphone photo contest

Innovative Android smartphone maker TECNO has announced the winners of its 2025 ‘Shot On CAMON’ Global Photography Contest, organised in partnership with Amateur Photographer magazine.

https://amateurphotographer.com/latest/photo-news/celebration-of-youth-colour-and-freedom-wins-major-smartphone-contest/

Upcoming Royal Photographic Society in person workshops

https://events.rps.org/en/?keywords=In-person