Monthly and special events
A primary aim of the Upper Blue Mountains Camera Club is to encourage members development as photographers. Our calendar gives an overview of events for the year.
2025
We look forward to bringing a rich program of events during 2025. Our information nights will start with a workshop, then follow a format of:
Presentation – Learn about a genre of photography and be inspired by images of the presenter.
A night in Parts – Two or three areas are presented during the evening.
Show and Grow – Start the evening showing images and asking questions in response to the last skills development session before learning a new element of photography
| Month | Exhibition | Information night | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb | Open In house judges | Presentation – Landscape Photography Composition With Samuel Markham | |
| March | Open and Set (Framed) In house judges |
Presentation – AI in photography | |
| April | Open and Set (Minimalism) In house judges | A night in parts 1. Evaluation overview – what are the judges looking for? 2. Added value; portraits, landscapes, creative, macro 3. Post process basics to enhance portraits, landscapes, creative, macro. | |
| May | Theme – Scapes Judge – Don Munro | Presentation – High Key/Low Key With Greg Pitty
| |
| June | Open and Set (Capturing Autumn) | Presentation – Macro | |
| July | Open and Set (Portraits) | A night in parts 1) Image technique support – High-Key/Low Key, and Macro 2) Matting 3) Post processing – layers | Interclub |
| August | Open and Set (High-Key/Low Key) | Presentation – Mono (TBC) | |
| September | Theme – Macro/Closeup | Show & Tell – Then V Now | |
| October | Open and Set (Architecture) | Presentation – Architecture With Timothy Moon | |
| November | Theme – Mono | My Photographic Year Members present audio visual, prints or dpi to represent their photographic year. | |
| December | EOY | There is no information night | EOY Social |
2025
AGM and Exhibition night – Open
Monday, 3rd February 2025
We have an earlier than usual start time of 7pm; arrive from 6:45pm for a prompt start to our AGM. The exhibition will start at our usual time of 7:30pm.
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Images may be any combination of Digitally Projected Images (DPI) and Prints. There is no theme or set subject this month.
Information night – Landscape Photography, Composition
Monday 17th February 2025
Samuel Markham, an avid landscape and wilderness photographer, will present his story alongside insights into landscape composition.
Exhibition night – Open and Set (Framed)
Monday, 3rd March 2025
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Images may be any combination of ‘Open’ (no theme) and ‘Set’
This month the set subject is ‘Framed’, encouraging exploration of the compositional technique of framing a subject.
Use natural or man-made structures or objects to create your frame, or consider how you can use light and shadow.
If entering any images in the set subject please precede your image title with Framed when naming the image.
Information Night – AI in photography
Monday, 17th March 2025
How can AI be used and what is permissible in club photography. Presented by Michelle Kennedy-president of the FCC.
Exhibition night – Open and Set (Minimalism)
Monday, 7th April 2025
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Images may be any combination of ‘Open’ (no theme) and ‘Set’
This month the set subject is ‘Minimalism’.
Information Night – Evaluating Photos, What are the judges looking for?
Monday, 21st April 2025
A night in parts
- Evaluation overview – what are the judges looking for and how can you critique your own images to take them to the next level?
- Steps of Post processing basics – an overview + sizing
- Added value; portraits, landscapes, creative, macro
- Post process basics – split into groups with leader and computer.
- Q & A
Exhibition night – Theme (Scapes)
Monday, 5th May 2025
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Our theme Scapes represents landscape in all its forms, cityscapes and seascape.
We welcome Don Munro as our guest judge for the evening.
Information Night – High-Key/Low Key
Monday, 19th May 2025
High-Key and Low Key photography. Presented by Greg Pitty.
Learn about High-Key and Low Key photography then go away and practice ready for the optional set subject in August.
Exhibition night – Open and Set (Capturing Autumn)
Monday, 2nd June 2025
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Images may be any combination of ‘Open’ (no theme) and ‘Set’.
This month the set subject is ‘Capturing Autumn’.
Information Night – Insect Photography
Monday, 16th June 2025
Macro – Insect Photography and working in a hot and humid environment. Presented by Pawel Zborowski.
Exhibition night – Open and Set (Portraits)
Monday, 7th July 2025
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Images may be any combination of ‘Open’ (no theme) and ‘Set’
This month the set subject is Portraits.
Interclub
Sunday, 20th July 2025
Three clubs, two judges, one venue.
Hosted by Blue Mountains Photography Group at Katoomba RSL, Lurline street, Katoomba
Judges; Tim and Robin Moon
Information Night – A night in parts
Monday, 21st July 2025
1) Members send/bring in photos of High-Key/Low Key, and Macro. Ask questions and gain feedback/support with technical aspects or post processing.
2) A second chance to gain some skills in matting your photos – details to follow.
3) Post Processing – Layers. Members bring in your laptop loaded with your processing platform. An overview of ‘layers’ and then we split into groups to process layers in several post processing platforms.
Exhibition night – Open and Set (High-Key/Low Key)
Monday, 4th August 2025
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Images may be any combination of ‘Open’ (no theme) and ‘Set’.
This month the set subject is High-Key/Low Key.
Information Night – Mono
Monday, 18th August 2025
Further details to follow.
Exhibition night – Theme (Macro /Closeup)
Monday, 1st September 2025
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Use a dedicated Macro lens or get in close with a standard lens for this months theme of Macro/Closeup
Information Night – Then V Now
Monday, 15th September 2025
A show and tell sort of evening. Bring/send in an old image (from years back or a previous exhibition night entry) and compare to a current post processing of the same image.
Exhibition night – Open and Set (Architecture)
Monday, 6th October 2025
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Images may be any combination of ‘Open’ (no theme) and ‘Set’.
This month the set subject is Architecture.
Take some photos for this months set subject and then consider how (or if) you would change/improve your shot following Timothy Moon’s presentation on Architecture photography at our upcoming information evening.
Information Night – Architecture
Monday, 21st October 2025
Architecture. Presented by Timothy Moon.
Exhibition night – Theme (Mono)
Monday, 3rd November 2025
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Information Night – My Photographic Year
Monday, 17th November 2025
Members present an audio visual, prints or digitally projected images to represent their photographic year.
It could be a photographic project that has been worked on, before and after photos (critique and re-edit), a favourite subject, experimentation etc.
Exhibition night – EOY
Monday, 1st December 2025
Members may submit up to three images that have previously been exhibited during the year.
This evening, photographs are not scored.
End of Year Social – TBC
December 2025
Earlier Events 2025
Earlier events 2024
End of year social
Saturday, 7th December 2024, 12 Noon (Mid-day) onwards.
Partners welcome. Members, please check your email for venue.
Bring a plate to share plus drinks.
A BBQ is available if you want to cook something
Exhibition night – EOY
Monday, 2nd December 2024
Members may submit up to three images that have previously been exhibited during the year.
This evening, photographs are not scored.
Guest judge Timothy Moon will be viewing and giving some feedback on the submitted photographs before selecting his choice for ‘Best of Colour’, ‘Best of Mono’ and then ‘Judges Choice’ for the evening.
Information night – Presentation of Portfolios and Minimalistic photos
Monday, 18th November 2024
Come and enjoy an interactive presentation of member’s portfolios.
The Portfolios are created during the year and represent the member’s personal interests/photographic projects.
Also presented will be minimalistic photos taken by members that attended the August learning element Minimalism”.
Exhibition night – Open and Set (My town/My space)
Monday, 4th November 2024
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Images may be any combination of ‘Open’ (no theme) and ‘Set’.
This month the set subject is My town/My space.
Information night – A night in parts
Monday 21st October 2024
-
- Portfolios 3 – culling images to strengthen the portfolio
- Monochrome Visions – Join us as Douwe Dijkstra takes us through his photographic journey. Think urban landscapes, street and architecture but most of all think line, shadow and light.
Exhibition night – Open and Set (Architecture/Streetscapes)
Monday, 7th October 2024
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Images may be any combination of ‘Open’ (no theme) and ‘Set’.
This month the set subject is Architecture/Streetscapes.
Exhibition – Holy Trinity Spring Fair, Wentworth Falls
Saturday, 28th September 2024
Chat with members of the UBMCC and view a small exhibition of members photo’s at Holy Trinity Spring Fair in Wentworth Falls.
9:00am through to 1:00pm.
17 Armstrong St, Wentworth Falls, NSW 2782
Information Night – Creating a Slideshow
Monday, 16th September 2024
Join us a s Stuart Munro takes us through his steps for creating a slideshow presentation.
Exhibition night – Open and Set (Creative)
Monday, 2nd September 2024
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Images may be any combination of ‘Open’ (no theme) and ‘Set’.
This month the set theme is Creative.
Information night – Show and Grow
Monday, 19th August 2024
-
- Show; show and discuss – The exposure Triangle. Showing images that hero the use of one or more of aperture, shutter speed, ISO.
- Grow; new learning element – Minimalism; led by Greg Pitty
Learn about; the four types of minimalism, minimalist photographers, plus view some great images.
Interclub
Date Sunday 11th August 2024
Three clubs, two judges, one venue.
Hosted by Upper Blue Mountains Camera Club at Katoomba RSL, Lurline street, Katoomba
Exhibition night – The Natural World
Monday, 5th August 2024
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files on the theme of ‘The Natural World’. We welcome guest judge Graham Cam.
Information night – A night in parts
Monday, 15th July 2024
- Portfolios 2 – Artistic Statements and initial images
- Theme show & tell – show images and have your questions answered in preparation for our ‘Natural World’ theme on Monday 5th August
- Review on Sizing images
Exhibition night – Open and Set (People/Portraits)
Monday, 1st July 2024
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Images may be any combination of ‘Open’ (no theme) and ‘Set’.
This month the set theme is People/Portraits.
Outing
Thursday, 21st June 2024
Bring your camera and join a small group for a photographic outing.
Blue Gum Swamp – Winmalee
Led by Alan Daniel
Information night – The Natural World – Presentation
Monday, 17th June 2024
Stuart Munro will give us an insight into photography in the natural world.
Exhibition night – Open and Set (Macro/Close Up)
Monday, 3rd June 2024
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Images may be any combination of ‘Open’ (no theme) and ‘Set’.
This month the set theme is Macro/Close Up. We welcome Sue Curtis as our guest judge.
Information night – Show and Grow
Monday, 20th May 2024
We are trialing a new format; Show and Grow where we start the evening showing images and asking questions in response to the last skills development session before learning a new element of photography.
- Show; show and discuss images from your practice at focus bracketing. The session will be facilitated by Janet Scott.
- Grow; learning element ‘The Exposure Triangle’ led by Greg Pitty
Remember to bring your camera along.
Exhibition night – Mono
Monday, 6th May 2024
Following the inspiring presentation by Peter Hill on Mono photography members may submit up to three images as mono prints or digital files.
Information night – A night in Parts
Monday, 15th April 2024
We are trialing a new format ‘A night in parts’ where 2 or 3 areas are presented during the evening.
- Portfolios 1 – intro; What are portfolios and what is the process of developing one?
- Skills – Focus Bracketing led by Janet Scott
- Theme show & tell – show images and have your questions answered in preparation for our Mono theme on Monday 6th May
Outing
Thursday, 11th April 2024
Bring your camera and join a small group for a photographic outing.
Autumn in Mt Wilson
Led by Alan Daniel
Monday 1st April – No meeting
Monday, 1st April 2024
There will be no meeting tonight due to the Easter weekend.
Information night – Mono Presentation
Monday, 18th March 2024
We welcome Peter Hill back again as he delves into the world of mono.
Exhibition night – Open
Monday, 4th March 2024
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Shared Photo evening
Monday, 26th February 2024
We visit Springwood for a shared evening of photographic enjoyment with the Blue Mountains Camera Club.
Information night – Mats and Matting
Monday, 19th February 2024
Led by Greg Pitty, Janet Scott and Rob Skinner; tonight’s workshop will explore mats and all you need to know to size, measure, cut and mount mats.
AGM and Exhibition Night (Scapes)
Monday, 5th February 2024
Arrive at the earlier time of 7:00pm for our AGM.
The first event of the year is our AGM followed by an evening of photographic evaluation.
During the first part of the evening come and have your say, and vote in the committee for the next 12 months.
During the second part of the evening Escape into a visual delight as Peter Hill returns to evaluate member’s Scape images. If you haven’t tried landscape or other ‘Scape’ photography before this is your perfect opportunity for some feedback. NO scores will be given.
Earlier events 2023
Exhibition night – EOY
Wednesday, 6th December 2023
A departure from our usual day. Join us on Wednesday to view the best of the best.
Members may submit up to four of their best images from the year. Jim Crew will join us again as he evaluates each member’s set of images.
Information night – Portfolios 4
Monday, 20th November 2023
Jim Crew will lead us into our final portfolio night. Completed portfolios will be presented by club members with opportunities for discussion.
Exhibition night – Open
Monday, 6th November 2023
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
In a twist, images will be submitted without titles. The most powerful images tell a story, convey a message, show intent or draw an emotional response .. no words needed.
Information night – How to hold a successful exhibition
Monday, 16th October 2023
We welcome Peter Hill back again as we look at types of exhibitions, what to consider when selecting a venue and the preparations to promote success.
Exhibition night
Monday, 2nd October 2023
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Interclub-Richmond
Sunday, 24th September 2023
We join with Hawkesbury and Springwood to celebrate our photography from the year with a little bit of competition.
Information night – Scapes
Monday, 18th September 2023
We welcome Peter Hill as he presents his insights into photographing Scapes. Think landscapes (grand and intimate), seascapes, city scapes, cloudscapes … can you think of anymore?
Exhibition night
Monday, 4th September 2023
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Information night – Portfolios 3
Monday, 21st August 2023
We welcome Jim Crew back to lead and mentor us in the process of building a personal portfolio (individual body of work). Bring along your draft artist statement and some sample images. This session is interactive with members helping each other.
Exhibition night
Monday, 7th August 2023
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
This is the last night for potential entries to the Interclub selection.
Quiz, Questions and Portfolios
Monday, 17th July 2023
A little bit of everything tonight in a sociable information night.
What you don’t know you will learn. It could be a technical term, a photographic style, a photographer or more … see how your photographic knowledge fares in tonight’s fun quiz. There will be some multiple choice prompts to help us.
Then have the opportunity to have your photography/camera questions answered. If possible email your questions in advance.
Finally our portfolio health check. Find out what its all about, share your ideas or ask for specific help.
Outing
Wednesday, 12th July 2023
Bring your camera and join a small group for a social photographic outing. Details to follow.
Exhibition night
Monday, 3rd July 2023
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Portraits
Monday, 19th June 2023
Delayed from 2022, Eddy Summers will share his knowledge on portrait photography.
Outing
Wednesday, 14th June 2023
Bring your camera and join a small group for a social photographic outing. Low light photography.
Exhibition night
Monday, 5th June 2023
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files. Critiquing will be by Peter Hill.
When submitting prints, remember that they should be presented with a mount. See May’s Newsletter for some mounting tips part 2.
Outings
Wednesday, 14th June 2023
An evening in Sydney – lowlight photography – Vivid. Details by email.
Saturday, 3rd June 2023
Bring your camera and join a small group for a social photographic outing. Details to follow.
Wednesday, 17th May 2023
Town & Park – Autumn leaves. Details by email.
Information night – Portfolios 2
Monday, 15th May 2023
We welcome Jim Crew back to lead and mentor us in the process of building a personal portfolio (individual body of work). Bring along your ideas for a portfolio preferably with a draft artist statement and a mind map, storyboard, draft images or some other method of showing us the start of your project. This session is interactive with members helping each other.
Not developing a portfolio or unsure if you will …? This session is still for you. Come and watch, learn about the portfolio (personal project) process and support fellow club members as you enjoy finding about their interests/passions.
Exhibition night
Monday, 1st May 2023
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
When submitting prints, remember that they should be presented with a mount. See April’s Newsletter for some mounting tips.
Faded Glory: signs of a forgotten America
Monday, 17th April 2023
Join us for an evening with Louise McWhinnie as she takes us on a photographic journey through America.
Exhibition night
Monday, 3rd April 2023
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files.
Developing a portfolio
Monday, 20th March 2023
We welcome Jim Crew back to outline the process of building a personal portfolio (individual body of work). Come to be challenged and excited as Jim highlights how, guided by a mentor, camera club members can support each other.
Outing
Wednesday, 15th March 2023
Bring your camera and join a small group for a social photographic outing. Details to follow.
Exhibition night
Monday, 6th March 2023
Members may submit up to three images as prints or digital files. Critiquing will be by our in house judges.
Evaluating Photographs
Monday, 20th February 2023
Guest presenter Jim Crew will lead us through the value of an evaluative approach when looking at images.
AGM and Exhibition Night
Monday, 6th February 2023
The first event of the year is our AGM followed by an evening of photographic evaluation.
Come and have your say, nominate and vote in the committee, then enjoy the DPI’s and Prints on display.
Remember to pay your Membership fees to be able to vote and submit images.
Events 2022
In 2022 we trialed a more hands on approach to information evenings. In addition to our members skill base, this year we are supported by Shirley Steele as we explore creative photography during our information nights and a special workshop.
Portraits
It is fitting that member Rob Skinner featured heavily in both the ‘Member’s choice’ and ‘Gold’ Awards in June, the images were portraits and give you a quick view of Robert’s skill level.
Rob will be leading our hand’s on portrait photography information evening on Monday 20th June from 7pm at our usual venue Katoomba RSL club in Lurline Street Katoomba. Bring your camera, your lens, a tripod (if you have one) a flash/speedlight(if you have one) and your questions.
Rob says “I firmly believe that every photograph should stimulate your consciousness and evoke feelings that are unique to that place and moment in time.”
Visit Rob’s website for an insight into his work.
Creative and Abstract
Shirley Steele gave us an insight into her creative world during an information night held in April and will be returning to host a creative/abstract workshop at the Katoomba RSL on Sunday the 10th July between 1:00pm and 3.00pm, the workshop will be packed full of information and tips to help take your creative and abstract photography to the next level.
Please register your interest to attend this workshop by 24th June.
Shirley says; “Abstract photography is something I carry around in my head and no matter where I am and what device I have on me I can bring something home.”
Visit Shirley’s portfolio, view her galleries and read the history of her work.