Programme

Winter Programme 2025-2026

Event Information:

  • Tue
    04
    Nov
    2025

    Dare to Focus - Bob Brind-Surch

    8:00 pmSt Ives Free Church

    Smart Shooting part 3 - dare to focus

    We are delighted to welcome Bob to St Ives for his talk "Dare to Focus".

    Bob is a professional PhD zoologist, a qualified teacher, a highly experienced photographer, Fellow of the RPS and naturalist passionate about his work and sharing his observations of wildlife with others.  He firmly believes it’s not good enough just to say “do this” but rather to say “this is how you do this”.

    Bob is a wildlife photographer but his talk is equally applicable to of all other genres and is one of a series he was invited to develop to help people in their journey from the ordinary to the extraordinary and taking their photography to a new level. Each talk covers a particular area and this one covers the often-considered difficult area of auto focus. It covers fast moving subjects but also the principles and important development and approaches that will increase your success. Bob firmly believes that we too often consider autofocus has been solved especially on the latest mirrorless cameras but whilst there have been massive improvements its technique and an understanding of the principles, none of which are very complex, these are what is required to succeed and Bob will take us through them.

    Bob has many years experience teaching all levels of photographers on many different cameras in workshops, 1-1’s and African Safaris. He promises us that we will leave this evening with a better understanding of what can be done, how to do it and fired up to take our cameras out and masted autofocus.

    https://naturesphotos.co.uk/camera-club-talks/.

Summer Events 2026

  • Tue
    05
    May
    2026
    7:00 pmThe Old Ferry Boat carpark

    Join Mark Hudson for a walk along the River Ouse at Holywell.

     

  • Tue
    19
    May
    2026

    Details TBC - early evening

  • Sun
    31
    May
    2026
    10:00 amCambridge Botanical Gardens

    Cost £8 (free to Friends of CBG)  10am to 1pm

    Meet inside gates at 10am for a morning of floral photography. We will stop for a coffee as we wonder around these beautiful gardens. Bring a picnic or stop for lunch in the café before the tour ends. Members free to stay on if they wish to have longer.

    Please note, no tripods. Bring a macro lens if you have one

  • Tue
    02
    Jun
    2026
    6:00 pmThe Quay, St Ives

    Provisional booking - hope to confirm soon.  An hour and a half on the river, photographing the scenery and wildlife.   The boat is run by the Electric Riverboat Company from the Quay, St Ives.  The cost will be £135 for the boat, to be split between a maximum of 12 people (11 ideal).   Please contact Nicky if you would like to go - strictly first come, first served.  Programme@stives-photoclub.org.uk

  • Sat
    20
    Jun
    2026
    9:00 amFrinton On Sea - details will be sent to participants

    Nicky has arranged to host the Frinton / Walton outing again this year. We will be on the beach in the morning finding all kinds of photo opportunities.  There is a boat trip in the afternoon to see the seals in the Naze backwaters but unfortunately there are now no places left on the boat.  Those not on the boat will be able to do coastal photography instead.  The day will be based as usual around Nicky's family house on the seafront.  Croissants and coffee will be provided on arrival.  Please bring your lunch.  Please see Nicky if you would like to be included in the trip.

  • Tue
    23
    Jun
    2026
    6:00 pmIvo Lounge

    6pm until dark

    Meet Outside Ivo Lounge.

    A walk around St.Ives focusing on everything textures. Bark, bricks, concrete, rust….anything that makes a good texture to build your portfolio.

    Afterwards - Tapas in the Ivo Lounge - 3 plates & a glass of vino for £14.

    Bring any lens you wish to use.

  • Wed
    08
    Jul
    2026
    TBCIvo Lounge

    TBCExact time TBC early evening

  • Sat
    18
    Jul
    2026
    TBCGary's Garden

    More details to follow.  A macro session in Gary's garden

    Early morning - time TBC

  • Sun
    26
    Jul
    2026
    10:00 amCambridge Mosque

    10:30 - 11:30 (Free, donations recommended)

    The mosque has very interesting architecture and gardens.

  • Sun
    02
    Aug
    2026
    10:00 amJohnson's Farm

    Photography round the farm - entrance fee of £6.50 applies.

    For those who wish to join us we will be booking a table in the steak house at 1pm for the Sunday carvery.  The carvery is £23.50 (senior citizens £17.50).  There are a range of desserts from £5.50 to £9.50.   Places for lunch will be on a first come, first served basis.

  • Sat
    08
    Aug
    2026
    10:30 amLouisa's House

    10.30am until 2ish

    The art of cyanotypes is one of the oldest forms of photography using chemicals & the sun. Louisa will run this from her house/garden in St.Ives. As we need sunshine, if it’s raining it will be postponed. Louisa will provide a list of materials you will need to bring. Further details to follow.

    Louisa can accommodate 8 members, so this will be on a first come, first serve basis.

  • Tue
    18
    Aug
    2026
    TBCFenstanton

    Evening in Fenstanton

  • Sun
    23
    Aug
    2026
    10:00 amNicky's Garden

    Photograph little people in various still life setups in Nicky’s garden in Needingworth.

    Bring your camera and tripod if you have one.

    To reserve your place please contact Nicky - programme@stives-photoclub.org.uk

Provisional Winter Programme 2026-2027

Event Information:

  • Tue
    17
    Nov
    2026

    Sports Photography - Duncan Winterbourn

    8:00 pmSt Ives Free Church

    We are very pleased to welcome Duncan to the club to talk to us about his sports photography