Groups
As well as the main group activities, Chichester Camera Club also runs many special interest groups, the aim of which is to help people enjoy and improve their photography by sharing techniques and skills within a small unit situation. These groups are run in addition to the main weekly meetings and offer participants the opportunity to tap into the knowledge and experience of some of our most talented club members. There are four special interest groups that meet regularly, each of which is led by a highly experienced club photographer and all usually meet once per month during the club season (September – May). There are an additional two that meet ad hoc. Please check the programme as there are some changes to September and December dates. The groups are open to both members and non members. The club levies a small attendance fee to cover costs (currently £3 for members, £5 for non-members). Unless noted otherwise in the text below, all of these meetings are held between 7:30pm and 9:30pm at Tangmere Village Centre. Please see the Programme page for meeting dates and other details.
The Contacts for the Special Interest Groups are as follows:
| Group | Contact | When | |
| PAGB | Peter Rocchiccioli | pagbgroup@chichestercameraclub.org.uk | 1st Monday of the month |
| Image and Presentation | Julia Wainwright and Jeff Owen | imagegroup@chichestercameraclub.org.uk | 2nd Tuesday of the month |
| RPS | Lorna Brown | rpsgroup@chichestercameraclub.org.uk | 3rd Tuesday of the month |
| Camera Craft | Chris Worsley | craftgroup@chichestercameraclub.org.uk | 4th Tuesday of the month |
| Multimedia | Jeff Owen | multimedia@chichestercameraclub.org.uk | Dates will be advised |
| Portraiture | Jan Davis & Andy Dulson | portraitgroup@chichestercameraclub.org.uk | Dates will be advised |
| Photo Walks | David Pritchard | photowalks@chichestercameraclub.org.uk | Dates will be advised |
Below is a list of our current special interest groups:
- The PAGB Group
The PAGB Distinctions group has been set up to help people work towards the many distinctions available to them through the PAGB and FIAP distinctions route. The group encourages members to strive to achieve the very high standard of photography required to achieve these distinctions. We will also look at work for people who are trying to enter images into both National and International Photographic Salons and encourage members to enter these competitions, because acceptances in these Salons will often help gain the FIAP distinctions. We meet at 7.00pm on the first Monday of the month unless it is a bank holiday, in which case the meeting is moved to an alternative date.
- The Image and Presentation Group
The Image and Presentation Group helps members to improve the quality of their image through mutual encouragement and constructive feedback. The group also looks at sharing digital skills, imaging problem solving and hints and tips. We encourage members to enter competitions and the exhibitions as a way of improving their photography and this group will help members with printing and thinking about mounts and how to panel. Whether you take your photos with the latest high spec mirrorless camera or using a mobile phone, which many members do, this group will help you with the image you produce. This is for photographers at all levels but particularly helpful for newer photographers.
- The RPS Distinctions Group
The group helps those who wish to try for Licentiate (LRPS), Associate (ARPS) and Fellow (FRPS) distinctions. This year, Lorna Brown will be leading the group while special advice will still be available from our own FRPS members, who have experience of the RPS Distinction Panels, and it is also open to and attracts photographers from outside the Club.
The Licentiate requires a good demonstration of sound photographic skills – such as differential focus, close up and wide-angle compositions, portraiture, nature or landscape, and different shutter speed use. These must all be presented with excellent technical skills (no over-sharpening for instance) in ten images presented as a cohesive ‘panel’, that is, the images complement each other, none look out of place and together they make a whole.
Associate and Fellowship levels demand excellent photographic techniques shown via 15 (ARPS) or 20/21 (FRPS) images that as well as sitting together in a panel are united by a theme, demonstrate creative ability and personal style and are and backed up by a ‘statement of intent’ that sets out what the photographer aims to show.
- The Camera Craft Group
Camera Craft is the group which will help you with the taking of the photograph, basic camera craft, equipment, and how to develop creativity in your image making, through practical sessions and discussion groups. It will also introduce you to the Photo walks programme. From time to time members offer to lead a photo walk – a social gathering of members who explore a specific location. It’s a great opportunity to learn from others, share ideas, and improve photography skills in a supportive environment.
- Multimedia Group
This group is there to help people wanting to produce books, audio visual (AV) or wanting to experiment with video.
If you have (potential) collections of images and are looking at interesting ways of presenting them, then books and AV may be for you. Many documentary photographers find these mediums an attractive way to present their work, and more and more are using video clips within AV to enhance the story telling. The group tries to balance the need to pick up technologies required with the basic editing and composition required to produce good books and audio visuals.
- The Portrait Group
Portraiture requires skill and experience and this group aims to give its participants the opportunity to learn through working with others in a studio-like setting or on location. The club relies on borrowing studio lights and using participants flash guns depending on the situation. The group does not have regular meetings but meets ad hoc when opportunities arise for people photography. In particular regular photo shoots at Chichester College Hair and Beauty and Barbers dept as well at events in the city such as Remembrance Day, St Pancras Wheelbarrow walk. Also there are opportunities to contribute to St Wilfrid’s Hospice’s Bubble Rush, Moonlight Walk and other events.