About the Society

Supporting Photography in the Meon Valley

We are an enthusiastic group who want to show our photographs, develop our skills and share inspiration in a friendly social environment.

The Club usually meets twice a month on Thursday evenings at 7.30 pm at St Peter’s Church Hall, Free Street, Bishop’s Waltham SO32 1EE. Church Hall in Free Street Bishop’s Waltham A few meetings are only held on Zoom, not at the Church Hall.

We welcome anybody interested in photography, regardless of their experience or the type of camera they have; the majority of our members use DSLRs, but an increasing number use smartphones.

In addition, we try to organise field trips about once a month ( known as ’Out & Abouts’) to a wide range of reasonably local venues. These are excellent opportunities not only to take photographs but also to get together socially.

We also hold a free 3-day annual exhibition of members’ work, which this year will be in the middle of September at the United Free Church, Upper Basingwell Street, Bishop’s Waltham, SO32 1AC. The Exhibition allows us to show the public the best work of our members, from beginners to the very experienced.  It is not judged competitively, and all members are encouraged to enter their work.

Our AGM is held on the first Thursday in January (weather permitting)! The current office holders will each present a short report related to their respective areas of responsibility. There will be an election of committee members.

Take a look here to see what exciting things we are up to for the remainder of 2026

In the beginning

The Bishop’s Waltham Photographic Society was formed in 2008 by a small group of keen amateur photographers who wanted to share their passion for photography with other like-minded people in the local area. The Society’s first formal exhibition of members’ prints was held in 2012.

The Aim and Objectives of the Society

We aim to promote photography as an expressive art form and help our
members grow their skills by:

1. Creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to share their
   strengths and knowledge for the benefit of the group.
2. Organising workshops on topics members care about, such as
   post-processing and printing, to help everyone better understand their
   equipment and use it confidently as a helpful tool in their photography.
3. Encouraging members to share their work on the Society’s closed
   Facebook group, so others can offer feedback and constructive
   comments.
4. Inviting guest speakers to introduce new topics and techniques to our
   members.
5. Organising outings to different venues, so members can photograph
   subjects they enjoy and try new things outside their usual comfort
   zones.
6. Helping members feel a sense of ownership in the club by offering
   chances for individuals to present their own work.
7. Holding regular competitions that incorporate dialogue with
   photographers and constructive critiques to facilitate skill development.