We kicked off our new season with a fantastic turnout for our first Member Night, featuring over 20 members entering their images. The theme for the evening was "Nature but not nature"— so nature photography but with a twist! Instead of traditional nature photography, we welcomed images of natural flora and fauna that wouldn’t typically qualify for a camera club’s nature competition, where strict rules govern both subject matter and processing techniques. For any club members, the full rules and explanations are available on our website.
This unique approach allowed members to explore their creativity with images that wouldn’t usually make it past the nature competition judges. It was great to see some inventive techniques on display, including creative blend modes, close-up shots, and even some delightful animal portraits that would otherwise be ineligible—such as dogs, cattle, and horses.
Club member, Roger Matthews, as a newly qualified Federation Judge, kindly offered critique on the night, and his favourite images are now featured on our club Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/stroudcameraclub/#
The night was a reminder of the diverse skills and perspectives within our club, and it was truly inspiring to see some members pushing the boundaries of their craft. We look forward to more innovative and boundary-breaking work as the season progresses!