South Shields Photographic Society

I have been taking photographs for more years than I care to remember, ever since I got
my first camera in 1965! For many years, I took mainly holiday and family “shots”. However, with the advent of digital photography and as I was approaching retirement, I thought it was time to “up my game”. I’d heard about the South Shields Photographic Society, from a friend and with nothing to lose, I decided to go along to some meetings to see what the Society was all about and to see if it was for me. Straight away, I was welcomed and made to feel at home, and after attending a few meetings, I decided to join.

Since joining the Society, I’ve not looked back. I quickly got to grips with the intricacies of digital photography and soon started to enter the Society’s digital and print competitions. Learning from other members of the Society and from the competition judges, I’ve enjoyed some success, being awarded the Society’s highest award, the President’s trophy, and receiving awards from The Northern Counties Photographic Federation and the Photographic Society of America.

Thanks to the Society, photography has given me immense enjoyment in an active retirement. Whether participating in friendly competitions or listening to inspiring talks by visiting speakers, I continue to learn more about all aspects of photography. Most of all, though, it is the friendships I’ve made with people of all ages who attend the Society’s meetings that have given me the most satisfaction.