The group meets in the 2nd Monday of each month in the United Reformed Church, Burnham on Crouch at 10am - 12 Noon. The photogroup is open to anyone with an interest in photography whether they are using an expensive DSLR camera or a mobile phone. Each meeting we have a topic to try and learn about an aspect of photography of interest to the members. For example, we have had sessions on outdoor portrait photography, using flash, and an introduction to digital post-processing. The group is open to new members of all abilities.

November 2025

At our monthly meeting on Monday 10th November, we started by viewing everybody's photos of fungi -some very interesting shapes sizes and colours were on show.

Pete then gave a very informative talk on flash photography. Personally, I thought that you just put the flash unit on your camera and away you went. Wrong, again! The really good flash units have all different settings on them- almost rocket science to me.

We then made travel arrangements for our trip to Horsey gap in Norfolk to photograph seals. Carl kindly sorted out arrangements for Xmas lunch at the White Harte Hotel.

It was suggested that we pick our best three or four photos from 2025 and send them to Diane by Saturday 6th December so that we can discuss them at our next meeting.

Five of us made the trip up to Horsey on the 24th. Many thanks to Barry and Paul for driving. After a good journey despite a couple of diversions we arrived at Poppylands 1940s tearoom for a late breakfast - Steve and friend had arrived before us. We then headed to the car park and up onto the dunes where we saw a lot of grey Seals and pups, many of which had just been born. We all had a very enjoyable day. I look forward to seeing you all on 8th December.

If any u3a members would like to try photography please get in touch. You don't need to be an expert; we learn from each other. We try and have an interesting day out each month to try different things and just have fun!

Tony Bridgman

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Our photo group is really going places! Each month we head off to interesting photo locations either to capture pirates on the Quay, snap the monthly Colour Walk in London or a recent sortie to the historic Chatham Dockyard - next on the agenda is a visit to the local seal colony.

Back at base we hold regular meetings (always 2nd Monday of the month) at the URC in Burnham where we can share images and info, pick up tips and generally have a laugh. To keep us on our toes we take turns to give a short presentation on a photo subject and also submit our pictures on a given topic. This year the Burnham Carnival committee invited our group to photograph the day’s colourful events so our sharpshooters have also been providing a small service to the community. While we each have our preferences for equipment (with smart phones becoming more popular) and our skill levels and interests are diverse, we’re also very democratic in choosing the group’s direction. I always look forward to our get-togethers – if you would like to join us please get in touch or look in at our next meeting on 10th November (10.00- 12.00) at the United Reformed Church, 53 Station Rd, Burnham-on-Crouch CM0 8HF

-Vince Hernan

June 2025

At our meeting on Monday 9^th June, we viewed the various images on transport and bridges which had been submitted by members since our last meeting.  It was interesting to see the diversity of pictures taken and how well-travelled people are.  The second half of the meeting we were treated to a presentation on Black & White photography by our very own Vincent Hernan.  Vincent not only talked about what pictures benefited from conversion to black & white but professional photographers who made their careers selling their monochrome photography from the likes of Alan Schaller to Sebastiao Salgado.  It made sense for next month’s theme to be black & white photography.  So each member can submit up to four images for discussion at the next month’s meeting.  This will be coupled with a follow-up presentation by Vincent on black & white editing.

We have also agreed to visit the railway museum and viaduct at Chappel Essex on Wednesday 2^nd July 2025.  And the seal sanctuary at Horsey, Norfolk on Monday 24^th November 2025.

If you have a smart phone and/or a camera and you would like to improve your photography you are more than welcome to join us at our next meeting on Monday 14^th July 2025 at 10:00 - United Reformed Church, 53 Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8HF.

Happy snapping!

Richard Hartley

May 2025

Our last group meeting was on 12th May 2025 where we looked at numerous photos in relation to transport, viewing photos from planes trains and automobiles, with the odd Lambretta thrown in. One photo showed a car grille with the letters SS in it which after the Second World War the car company no longer felt was appropriate - so renamed themselves Jaguar.

The purpose of viewing each other’s photos is to give the opportunity to look at ways to improve our photography and is done in a supportive way.

Our next ‘out and about’ is to go to the Chappel viaduct near Colchester and the nearby train museum. The group had a successful visit there last year and found the local pub afterwards very good.

The group continues to thrive with varying levels of knowledge and skill but will always welcome new members whatever camera you use.

Our next meeting is on 9th June 2025 at 10am at the URC, Station Road Burnham on Crouch. New members are always welcome.

Paul Meadows

April 2025

Our most recent group meeting was held on 14th April. Last month’s subject was “Night Shots” and many members submitted for discussion their shots taken during the night shooting practical session held in Burnham on 24th March. Some very interesting shots and so much variety!

The subject for our next group meeting is “Modes of Transport”. Each member will be submitting their top 4 relevant photos on this subject to be discussed with the rest of the group.

Four members of the group went on a practical shooting trip up to IWM Duxford on 23rd April. Apart from the extensive static displays, we were treated to the sights and sounds of two Spitfires and a Mustang practising their flying skills during the afternoon.

Duxford Display Hangar

Mustang

With Spitfire

Fairey Swordfish

The topic for our next meeting is “Back to Basics”, which will include discussion on the Exposure Triangle (Aperture / Shutter Speed / ISO).

New members of all skill levels are always welcome – our newest member doesn’t own a camera, other than the one on her phone!

We are a very friendly group and members freely exchange ideas, tips and tricks to help each other along with our photography.

Come and join us at 10:00-12:00 on Monday 12th May at the URC, 53 Station Road, Burnham CM0 8HF – we look forward to seeing you then.

Steve Hurst

March 2025

Last month’s subject was "Water" and we had over 40 photographs to look at. They varied from spectacular bright yellow sulphur lakes in New Zealand to stunning black and white shots from nearer home. Whatever equipment was used be it professional cameras or smartphone, everyone had a story to tell with their photos.

Our next month’s topic is "Night Shots" and we watched some interesting and informative videos on the subject which we all found useful.

It is a really friendly group with an assortment of experience which is readily shared. Come and join us on 14th April at 10am at the URC, 53 Station Road, Burnham. If you have some photos that you would like to share, please send them to Diane Raddon.

Look forward to seeing you then!

Susan Hardy

February 2025

A group of 11 members turned up for this month’s meeting in the small hall at the URC. The topic for that session was photographs portraying Winter. Most people sent examples online with one or two hard copies. There were a range of winter scenes showing fog, frost, snow and icy cobwebs. Some of the more wintry scenes were from several years ago when we used to get REAL winters!

People had been asked to bring their camera gear with them so we could compare the different types of cameras and lenses. We all explained to the group what we used them for. The most common camera set up was DSLR but there were also bridge cameras, mirrorless, point and shoot, smartphone and pinhole! (For those who don’t know, pinhole cameras were where photography began.) There was an amazing selection of equipment on display but the overriding opinion was that whatever type of equipment you use is fine if it works for you.

The next meeting is on Monday 10th March. Our topic for the month is of scenes involving water. Please send these to Diane on the Saturday prior to the meeting. We will be discussing nighttime photography and people are asked to find any suitable videos and information prior to the meeting. We will be discussing astro-photography at a later date.

New members would be very welcome whatever your degree of experience and expertise. We pride ourselves in learning from one another.

Tony Bridgman

January 2025

We had a good turn out at the January meeting with a slide show of everyone’s photos of "Reflections", our topic of the month.

Using a Bridge camera, I made use of the many puddles on the Quayside! Being fairly new to photography, I welcome the help and constructive criticism given by the more experienced shooters in the group. As you can see (next page), I enjoy playing about with post-production and was particularly interested in Carl Hughes’ informative presentation on Photoshop, Lightbox and many other photo editing programs.

No outdoor trip has been planned for this month but there are lots of suggestions for the upcoming months including local airfields, churches and country parks and gardens.

Hopefully they will all include a coffee break and lunch!

The topic for next month is "Winter", we will also be having a "show and tell" of everyone’s favourite basic photography kit - from a Smartphone to a backpack of equipment weighing more than 10kg!

We usually meet every second Monday of the month at the United Reformed Church and have use of a spacious room for our projector and indoor photo shoots (outside if sunny).

New members are always welcome so whether you're the next David Bailey or just an enthusiastic happy snapper, join us for 2025. Our next meeting is Monday 10th February, at 10.00am.

Barry Hardy

December 2024

We are a diverse group of shooters united by our enthusiasm to capture the next perfect pic! Each month we get together to share photos on a given topic and one member will give a presentation on their own particular subject of interest. Our discussions are often lively and always interesting, photo editing being one such example. During each session we choose a topic for the forthcoming meeting such as wildlife, portraiture, landscapes, macro, motion, light, colour or seasonal nature – the list is endless. The topic for our next meet is ‘reflections’.

Some shooters use long lenses to capture birds in the sky or yachts on the Crouch while others prefer the convenience of smartphone cameras. I like to try my hand (and eye) at various genres but feel at home with landscapes and street photography. Between our meeting dates we arrange ‘field-trips’ to locations with good photo potential, always popular in fair weather.

We usually meet every 1st Monday of the month at the United Reformed Church and have use of a spacious room for our projector and indoor photo shoots (outside if sunny). New members are always welcome so whether you’re the next David Bailey or just an enthusiastic happy snapper, join us for 2025. Our next meeting is on Monday 13th January,

10.00 am.

Vince Hernan

25th April 2023

On Monday 25th April, 8 members of the group visited Copford Church to view and photograph the wall paintings. We were met there by the Church Warden who told us a little bit about the wall paintings and how they were preserved by being lime washed over in around 1550.
The church was originally used as a place of worship by Bishop Anslem (who had a house next door) in about 1130. This explains why a small rural building was so richly decorated. The Victorians rediscovered the paintings in the mid 1800’s and removed the white coating to reveal the paintings.
The Church Warden also revealed a more gruesome piece of the church’s history when she showed us a piece of what is thought to be human skin, which had been found attached to the original door. The skin is thought to date to not long after the church was built and was probably from someone who was flayed as a punishment for desecrating the church.

13th September 2022

The chosen topic for this month’s meeting was ‘Macro Photography. One of the definitions of this is ‘where the images are those where the magnification of the subject is life-size or greater’ when filling the viewfinder. A few of us had brought objects that could be photographed in this way.
One way of achieving a macro picture is to use extension tubes between your regular lens and its camera body. We watched a short video of how these could be used.
A far better (and much more expensive) way is to use a lens that has been manufactured especially to be a macro lens.
Two of us had cameras with such a lens but Diane’s being of the longest focal length achieved the best results by far.
-David Gipson

13th July 2022

This month’s meeting was going to be a hot one!
I didn’t realise how glad we would be that I had taken a fan! this was to take photos of but came in very handy!
Our topic challenge was ‘Action’ – a continuation of a day out where we took fast shots and practiced “panning” at a motocross competition.
Out of several really good entries Tony Bridgman’s great picture was judged the winner.
After a bit of chit-chat/coffee and discussion on what we wanted to do it was suggested we tried “ghosting” a picture This was achieved by focusing on the main person and getting others to walk past at a fast pace whilst the shot was taken. If all that sounds a bit complicated, believe me we took a while trying to get our heads around it and there were several “deletes”!
As we all had different models of camera and different lenses we found no one setting fitted all, so much trial and error before we were happy with our shots. There was much laughter too as we ran back and forth trying to avoid each other. I know some of us learned new knowledge about our cameras helped by those that knew a bit more, but I think we all learned something and had a great time and got some great photos.
Following on from that we turned to the fan!
This was my original idea for our practice, but being a flexible group, nothing is set in stone and as long as everyone is happy with the ideas we run with it.
With a little time left we did decide to try and get a blurred and a static picture of the fan. Unfortunately the settings did need adjusting to make any pictures worth showing and maybe the background could be cleaned up with a backdrop but time was not on our side, practice for another time maybe!
-Dee Elliot