Club Member Testimonial:
"I have to start out saying that my my main passion is travel. Since my first overseas trip to Italy at 21, I’ve visited over 60 countries on six of the seven continents. I’ve documented, in photo, many of these trips, but pre-2013 images, taken with basic digital cameras and 35mm film, really don’t hold up today.
It makes me weep when I think of the moments I’ve witnessed and what I could have captured with better equipment.
That changed in 2018 during a trip to India, where I met George, an award-winning photographer who was still going strong in his 80s. After reviewing my images, he told me I had a great eye for travel and architectural photography, but was held back by poor equipment. At the time, it was my best camera in years, a £200 Samsung Compact zoom!
He encouraged me to upgrade, advice that transformed both my travelling and photography. I only wish I’d invested 20 years earlier, but to be fair, three long-haul trips every year had kept my other interests very poorly funded!
However, with a new camera and purpose, I began taking much better photos and after six years honing my skills on travel trips with a decent entry-level Fujifilm X-T20 mirrorless and 18-55mm kit lens, I discovered South Shields Photographic Society (SSPS) in 2024.
Joining was a game-changer, easily the best £50 I've ever spent. It provided a creative weekly outlet for the combined passions I pursued for only six weeks in the year. I’m now taking more images in the UK, but for me, there's still nothing like capturing the strange and exotic.
I have to say, SSPS members are knowledgeable, supportive, and generous with feedback. Although they don’t run formal workshops, my photography has definitely improved significantly since joining. I understand more about what elements a good photograph needs to be great. I’m still lacking skill in choosing my own best images, but there are plenty of "shutterbugs" in the club to help guide me.
My biggest surprise in joining? I fell in love with competitions. Early wins in the club’s digital contests sparked a new drive for me. In my first year of joining the club I won two club trophies and then made it into the top 100 in the 2025 (NCPF) Northern Counties Photographic Federation's annual competition, with 3 Prints and 3 PDI images, all of which will be featured in their distributed 2025 'Portfolio'.
I also had the honour of being awarded the Chalmers Trophy for the Best Newcomer's Print, at the same NCPF competition, which I’m looking forward to being presented with in November.
Looking back to just before I joined, I NEVER imagined this level of recognition after years of taking photos in relative isolation. Joining SSPS has brought unexpected joy, motivation, and community. This is the potential that the SSPS holds.
Best of all, it’s not about having flash gear, as we've had winning shots taken on smartphones.
If I’d known 40 years ago what I know now, I’d have joined a camera club in my 20s. It’s a hobby you only get better at, can pick up and put down when it suits, and few things are more satisfying than capturing a moment, an emotion, a thought, through the lens and and sharing it with an appreciative audience.
Joining fee: £50
Weekly raffle tickets: £2,
Tea, coffee and biscuits: £1
The feeling of pure joy when your image makes the top 6 of a club competition: Priceless.
My advice: Join now."
