Photograph by Terry Moore of the Birmingham Library
Review of the Photography for Fun Meeting April 2026
Another good meeting this month, which started with a discussion about our trip out in May. This is to Brodsworth Hall near Doncaster and is an English Heritage property. Although not all could commit to attending on May 6th, this is an open invitation to meet Judith and me there at 11.30 in the outdoor café seating area. You can of course get there for when the grounds open at 10.00 and ‘do your own thing’ until the meeting time, then we can show you some of the grounds that you may not know about.
If you are not EH members, then getting a ticket online is cheaper before you go. The website is linked here: Visit Brodsworth Hall and Gardens | English Heritage , where you can get directions and buy tickets. If any more of you wish to join us on the day, then we would be pleased to see you. A few of us will be travelling together to share some of the cost. Please be in touch with the driver, to confirm leaving times and pick up. Note that the House is open for viewing, 11.30 - 15.30 and the grounds close at 17.00.
Photos sent in. Theme: Buildings /Architecture
This theme was supported well by the group and seems a popular topic, even though it has been covered a few times in the past. We were not disappointed by the wide variety of photographs which included exterior and interior shots of buildings and the architecture involved. Members commented on their own photographs, highlighting facts and other details as well as some of the techniques they had used to compose the shots. This tied in nicely with what was to be revised later in the meeting, with a session on Composition techniques. Judith and I had visited Birmingham and had a good day out taking photographs. There was an immense choice of buildings, venues and areas in Birmingham to photograph and we would recommend a visit there by members if you get the chance! I'll get some of your photos onto the website soon.
JOHN DEAN EXHIBITION
Judith then showed us information and pictures taken from a BBC Nottingham article featuring an Exhibition which is currently being shown of the photographs taken by JOHN DEAN. From Baltimore, he came to Nottingham in 1976 and studied at what is now Nottingham Trent University. Whilst there he took many photographs of life around the town and is a good snapshot of the social history of the time. If you would like to visit, check out the link here:
Bonington Vitrines #30: A Semester in Nottingham, 1976 | Nottingham Trent University
MY CHOICE
The MY CHOICE slot proved popular again with members bringing in usb drives or sending in the photographs that they wanted to ‘show and tell’ us about. Some were additions to the Architecture/ Buildings theme or something completely different of course. They were all very interesting, so well done for getting involved in this section.
Next Theme: A DAY OUT (for June 2026)
Our next monthly meeting together is in JUNE, due to the visit to Brodsworth Hall in May. Wherever you go, we hope that you have an enjoyable ‘day out’ to take photographs.
To highlight some of the compositional techniques that could be used, the presentation was one which used one website which can be found here:
28 Composition Techniques That Will Improve Your Photos | PetaPixel.
When taking photos this month, try and use one or more of these composition techniques. Please view this website directly for in-depth explanation and perhaps bookmark it for future reference! Below is the list to check out!
| #1. Rule of Thirds #2. Centered Composition and Symmetry #3. Foreground Interest and Depth #4. Frame Within the Frame #5. Leading Lines #6. Diagonals and Triangles #7. Patterns and Textures #8. Break the Pattern #9. Rule of Odds #10. Fill the Frame #11. Leave Negative Space #12. Simplicity and Minimalism #13. Use Black and White #14. Isolate the Subject#15. Shoot from Below #16. Shoot from Above #17. Look for Particular Color Combinations #18. Rule of Space #19. Left to Right Rule #20. Balance Elements in the Scene #21. Juxtaposition #22. Golden Triangles #23. Golden Ratio #24. Let the Background Give Context to the Subject #25. Let the Eye Wander Around the Frame #26. Use Layers in the Frame #27. Add Human Interest #28. Wait for the “Decisive Moment” |
With that the meeting closed. We look forward to seeing those that can make it at Brodsworth House, in May and all, if possible, at our next meeting together on Wednesday 3rd June.
Judith and Terry