Winter Programme 2025-2026
Event Information:
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Tue04Nov20258:00 pmSt Ives Free Church
Dare to Focus - Bob Brind-Surch
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
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Tue05May20267:00 pmThe Old Ferry Boat carpark
Join Mark Hudson for a walk along the River Ouse at Holywell.
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Tue19May2026
Details TBC - early evening
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Sun31May202610:00 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
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Tue02Jun20266:00 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
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Sat20Jun20269:00 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.
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Tue23Jun20266:00 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.
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Wed08Jul2026
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Sat18Jul2026TBCGary's Garden
More details to follow. A macro session in Gary's garden
Early morning - time TBC
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Sun26Jul202610:00 amCambridge Mosque
10:30 - 11:30 (Free, donations recommended)
The mosque has very interesting architecture and gardens.
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Sat08Aug202610:30 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.
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Tue18Aug2026
Provisional Winter Programme 2026-2027
Event Information:
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Tue16Feb20278:00 pmSt Ives Free Church
"Speed Dating" critique night
Members bring images for critique, and have a time allocated to chat to another member about the images before moving on. They will also critique the images shown to them by other members. A fun evening under the control of a whistle!