Calling all budding photographers
Our photo competition is open to all Redditch u3a members and entry is free. The theme is “Happiness” - to be interpreted however you choose.
The winning entry will be announced at the general meeting at The Bridge on Tuesday 16th December so you have plenty of time to find some “Happiness”! Details on how to submit your photograph can be found below.
Please be aware that all the photos will be viewable on this website so be sure you are happy for everyone to see it. Your photos do not have to be of a “professional” standard, the independent Judge will be looking for composition and connection to the theme - so have Fun!
Keep an eye on this webpage and the monthly newsletter for further updates. If you need any help or guidance - contact Jill Barrett (click on her name to open up contact page)
Good luck.
Competition Entry Conditions
1. Entries are limited to ONE per person.
2. The photograph MUST have been taken in 2025.
3. The submission window is between Monday 20th October and Friday 7th November 2025.
4. No enhancements or editing using AI software is acceptable.
5. The Judge's decision is final.
6. There will be a prize for the winning entry.
How do I enter?
There are two ways you can send your entry to us:
1. By Email (this is the preferred method)
Please send electronic file in .jpg or .jpeg format attached to an email to June Smith (june.c.smith@talk21.com) who will keep all names confidential so the judge has no bias.
Note: Maximum file size must be no more than 4MB.
2. As a Printed Copy
If you prefer to submit a printed photograph (5" x 7" format), you MUST write your NAME on the back and give your photograph to June (usually at 1st Tuesday meetings) or any committee member.
Note: Please be aware that we cannot guarantee the return of any photograph.
Finally, just to remind you, there will be a prize but your entry must have been received by Friday 7th November and the Judge’s decision is final !!
Good Luck
Take a Camera—any Camera (Photography for Non-Photographers)
To assist you taking a photograph for the competition, John Cartmell has been sharing some thoughts and ideas about photography which will hopefully kindle your desire to enter the competition (see below).
A Camera in your Hand
A few months ago I suggested that you might take photographs of a garden over time to show changes over the seasons. I had more feedback over the gardening than photography! Go and see what’s growing now. February in my garden produced lots of crocuses blooming and a few bushes are showing signs of fresh growth along their stems.
I know some of you are wary about using cameras and just point and click with one—and sometimes that is all that is needed. In the past some of us bought a camera and carried it with us on holiday or when we went somewhere special. Today most of us carry a camera everywhere we go but forget that it exists. Don’t forget the camera in your mobile phone! It’s often the best camera you have owned and it’s easy to use. Best of all, it’s likely to be the camera to hand whenever there is something good to snap. Even older mobile phones can be good. Mine is five years old. I’ve entered images from the one it replaced into photo competitions. Take hold of your phone and get taking pictures!
Practise the Basics
Whether you have a mobile phone with camera, a compact camera, bridge camera, or DSLR with multiple lenses, whatever your camera, remind yourself the basics of how to use it; how to turn it on and take a picture. If you really have to, read the manual!
You never need to know how to do everything. It’s over 30 years (and a much simpler camera) since I knew everything about the camera I was using. To begin with just check what happens if you press any of the buttons deliberately or by mistake, some of them do interesting things. Get the feel of using your camera by taking photos of a chair, teacup, or anything else that’s in the room. Learn how to set the focus and see if you can make an object sharp. It doesn’t matter if the background is fuzzy. If you’re too close it might not let you take a sharp picture or might not let you take a shot at all. Then do something really adventurous …....go outside and take a picture of a garden. Then do the same when Spring provides more colour. In the meantime, keep practising and improving your camera skills. I’m taking weekly images of the side garden that I replanted last year. With an old mobile phone camera.
Why do we take Photographs?
Well those images contain wonderful memories. Redditch u3a will be launching the photography competition soon and as a member you are invited to take part. You have Spring and Summer to get used to using that camera of yours and make a collection of images. Dates, rules, and more will come later but I’m assured that the competition is for everyone, no matter how little you know about cameras or their images. Just get the basics right.
Photography Interest Groups?
The Camera & Image group has no regular meetings at present. That and its predecessor—the Digital Photography group—ran weekly and monthly meetings, at Webheath Village Hall and on-line, for show & tell tasks, competitions, technical sessions, photoshoots, and photo editing tutorials. Any part of this can be restarted if sufficient people are interested. Let me know if any of you would like to take part in or lead such a group. I will be happy to help and to organise resources needed.
John will be offering regular ideas and tips about taking photographs in the monthly newsletter and on this website over the next few months. He has offered to answer individual questions about your camera and your images. You can email John Cartmell (click on his name to open up contact page) or speak to him at the u3a First Tuesday meetings at The Bridge.