Winter 2018Keen photographers with an 1890 heritage

Rochdale Photographic Society meets at the Rochdale Unitarian Church and has been in existence since 1890, so now into its 127th year.

To celebrate the start of the 125th year, an anniversary event was held in November 2015 at Touchstones, Rochdale, on a date in the year as near as possible to when the very first meeting was held and chaired by Mr J A Bright MP, who was elected as president and possibly never imagined that the society would still be going strong 125 years and more later.

As part of that event, an open public competition for the submission of photos depicting life in the borough was held. The overall winner was Malcolm Journeaux with an image titled ‘Lacrosse’.

The society website was redeveloped two years ago, to better showcase the work of members. The 2018 Annual Exhibition, recently held at the Coach House Littleborough, was opened by the Mayor of Rochdale, Mohammed Zaman, who very much enjoyed the work on display.

The exhibition displayed mounted prints, and also a digital image slideshow. The aim of the annual event is to showcase the society and attract prospective members to give the society a try.

Up to three visits are offered free of charge, so people can decide if the society meets their needs, before they commit to membership.

The society provides activities and presentations to encourage all members to develop their skills, whether beginners or of advanced standard. Members are encouraged to actively participate in internal competitions to build on their skills, and also enter external competitions, mainly in the North West Region. The society also looks to collaborate with organisations in the borough, such as the Pioneers Museum, whenever practical.

The society syllabus covers a wide range of topics and activities, examples being portrait practical nights, using studio quality lighting, outdoor activities such as photographing a local classic motorbike group, visiting the Whitby Goth festivals and an evening photographing at Salford Quays. Ideas from all members are encouraged to help expand photographic skills further.

People join the society because of their interest in photography and they want an enjoyable environment in which they can challenge and develop their own skill levels with support and encouragement from other members. In being able to improve an understanding of photography and see the quality of photographs improve, members soon find it builds confidence to enter competitions. It is also a strong social group of differing backgrounds, bonded by the interest in, and love of, photography.