The Camera Club - Latest News

Gallery 1885 Exhibition : The London Salon of Photography

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:15:06 +0000

112th Annual Exhibition

The Camera Club is very happy to announce the return of The London Salon of Photography to Gallery 1885 for their 112th Annual Exhibition

In 1893 a group of Photographers met to discuss their concern that the Royal Photographic Society were more concerned with “Technique” than the content of the images. Acceptances in the Annual Exhibition were those images displaying technical expertise but no credit or appreciation was given to the “Art of photography” . This meeting of photographers, who specialised in Pictorial images formed a Society calling themselves “The Linked Ring”, their aim being to promote Photography as an Art

The group ran for nearly 20 years when in 1910 it was “unlinked”, but a small group of the Members decided to form a London based society to meet regularly and once a year, to hold an Annual Exhibition, to which photographers from all over the world were invited to submit images for consideration to be included in the exhibition

“The aim of the London Salon is to exhibit only that class of work in Pictorial Photography in which there is distinct evidence of personal artistic feeling and execution”. This is still is the aim of the London Salon today

The Salon was, and is, an International Exhibition entered by photographers worldwide which is selected by the Members who are all entitled to take part in choosing the images and awarding up to ten Salon Medals to be shown in the Exhibition. The London Salon has been shown almost every year including right through the 1st and 2nd War years since its formation over a hundred years ago

Members including some very famous names from history have been Members including, Yousuf Karsh of Ottawa, Lord Caernarfon, M.O. Dell, Horace Murch, Chambre Hardman of Liverpool to name but a few Members are elected by invitation and hold their Membership for life pledge they will work for the good of the London Salon and uphold many of the traditions and beliefs which has ensured the success of the London Salon into the 21st Century

To discover more about the London Salon of Photography, please, visit their website: www.thelondonsalon.org

The 112th Annual Members exhibition will take place at Gallery 1885 at The Camera Club in Kennington, London

The exhibition goes from the 6th July - 31st July 2026

Everybody is welcome to the open view on the 9th July at 7pm

Coffee and Cameras: An Introduction to John McKenzie

Wed, 06 May 2026 10:47:39 +0000

Saturday 9th May 2026 11am

Coffee and Cameras: An Introduction to John McKenzie

Join us at The Camera Club on Saturday 9th May 2026 at 11am for a very special introduction to photographer John McKenzie.

After having an outstanding exhibition in Gallery 1885, John will return to tell the stories of some of the most iconic musicians to have been in front of his camera.

"Up to the age of twelve I lived in Lambeth Walk, SE11, less than a mile from the Camera Club. We lived above the shop and darkroom of my late father, showbusiness photographer Doug McKenzie. There I earnt my pocket money by mixing the print developers etc. in stainless steel buckets. And growing up surrounded by all things photographic meant that by around age ten, I was able to load film into a Rolleiflex and shoot, process and more-or-less print my own work".

"After a brief spell working in the darkrooms of the Press Association, I joined Doug as soon as he could afford an assistant, and was soon shooting on my own. I quickly established my own clients, particularly in the music industry, working for the major record companies, the related management and PR companies, and the music press of the day. Every image in this exhibition was originally shot as part of a directly commissioned, fee-paying assignment".

"I must have spent hundreds of hours printing in the darkrooms of our expanding print lab, now based in three high street shops in Forest Hill, SE23. Gradually we became one of the largest - and fastest - labs in London. Subsequently based in a large industrial unit just off the Old Kent Road, I took on the role of Production Director - just as we embraced the impact of scanning and digital printing.

Retiring in 2011, I went back to assisting my father, enabling Doug to continue his obsession with photography. Gradually I took over the reins as he became more and more an ‘old friend and honoured guest’ at the events he was expecting to photograph. I have maintained my own love of photography by continuing to shoot for three charities, particularly the Grand Order of Water Rats, a showbusiness charity, founded in 1889. I was invited to become a member in 2014, and now hold the office of ‘Photographer Rat’!

"Four of my favourite images by Doug are included nearby as a tiny sample of his own extensive archive, and of his undoubted expertise. And I hope you enjoy this look at my time as a music industry photographer - it was, as you can probably imagine, great fun.

Thank you for your interest".

John McKenzie

www.johnmckenziegallery.uk

Gallery 1885 Exhibition: The Ian Greaves Bursary - Announcing the Winners

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:54:11 +0000

Gallery 1885

10 May - 5 June 2026

Open View: Thursday 14th May @ 7:00PM

The Ian Greaves Photographic Bursary supports aspiring photographers in developing their craft and pursuing their artistic vision. This year's competition attracted exceptional talent, pushing the boundaries of the medium.

"Photography is not just about capturing a moment, but about preserving a feeling." — Ian Greaves

Join us for a special evening as we reveal the winners of this year's prestigious bursary. The announcement will take place during our Open View of Entrants' Photographs, featuring a curated selection of entries from across the region.

📅 Date: Thursday, 14th May 2026 🕒 Time: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM] 📍 Location: The 1885 Gallery 🏠 Address: 16 Bowden Street, Kennington, SE11 4DS

What to Expect:

The Reveal: Official announcement of the Bursary Winner(s).
The Exhibition: Walk through the gallery to view the shortlisted photographs.
Community: Meet the entrants, judges, and fellow photography enthusiasts.
Refreshments: Complimentary drinks and light refreshments will be served.

Urban Portrait Pod - April 2026

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 10:45:31 +0000

Turning Chinatown’s chaos into cinematic urban portraiture

This month’s Urban Portrait Pod takes us into the vibrant streets of Chinatown, with a possible extension into Covent Garden if time allows.

The aim of this session is to move beyond tourist photography and explore how the energy of the city can become a compelling backdrop for lifestyle portraiture. We will focus on working with available light in busy urban environments, using the textures, colours, and movement of the city to shape our images.

Participants are welcome to bring flash or additional lighting if they wish to experiment, but this is not required.

If we are able to source TFP models, then one will join us for the session. If not, we will work collaboratively and photograph one another, so please come prepared to step in front of the camera as well as behind it.

When: Saturday, 18 April 2026

Meeting point: Outside Costa Coffee, Leicester Square Odeon

Time: 10:30 am till 12:30 or 13:00.

Scan the QR code to join our Urban/Studio pod WhatsApp group .

Master Your Film Camera: Selection & Maintenance Masterclass

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:01:55 +0000

Monday 13th April 2026 7pm

Join us for an essential evening with one of the UK's foremost authorities on vintage film equipment.

The Talk

Whether you're just stepping back into analogue photography or looking to upgrade your kit, choosing the right film camera can feel overwhelming. With countless models, conditions, and price points to navigate, how do you ensure you're investing wisely?

In this practical, no-nonsense session, you'll learn:

How to identify cameras that match your photographic style and budget

What to inspect before purchasing (and what red flags to avoid)

Essential maintenance routines to keep your camera shooting for decades

Common pitfalls that trip up even experienced collectors

When to repair vs. when to replace

About Our Speaker

Mr. Falk is the owner of Mr. Cad, widely recognised as the UK's leading expert in vintage photographic equipment. With years of hands-on experience sourcing, evaluating, and servicing vintage equipment, Mr. Falk brings rare insight into what makes a camera truly worth investing in—and what looks good on paper but fails in practice.

🔗 Learn more: www.mrcad.co.uk

Event Details

The Exp Group (Analogue Photography Interest Group)

Gallery 1885, Monday 13th April 2026 7pm

Procuring & Maintaining the Right Film Camera

Mr. Alex Falk, Owner of Mr. Cad

Lecture with Q&A

Who Should Attend?

Film photography beginners seeking guidance on their first camera purchase

Enthusiasts wanting to expand their collection intelligently

Anyone frustrated by unreliable vintage gear

Collectors interested in professional assessment techniques

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the person many in the UK community trust with their most valuable camera investments.

Spaces may be limited, reserve your spot early below.

Mastering Your Film Camera with Alex Falk

Gallery 1885 Exhibition: Members Summer Exhibition

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:21:12 +0000

Members Summer Exhibition

Gallery 1885

8th June- 4th July

Open View: 11th June @ 7:00PM

Gallery 1885 is glowing with artistic brilliance once again as The Camera Club welcomes its annual Members' Summer Exhibition. From stunning landscapes capturing the fleeting light of golden hour to intimate portraits revealing raw human emotion, 63 exceptional entries have transformed the space into a celebration of photographic talent across our community.

Submissions get Better and Better

This year's exhibition has seen one of the highest participation rates in recent memory. After a rigorous submission period that concluded on 31st May, members rose to the challenge, delivering work spanning diverse genres: street photography that captures life in motion, nature photography showcasing Surrey's natural beauty, and abstract compositions that challenge conventional perspectives.

"The quality of work submitted this year has been extraordinary," noted the club's exhibition coordinator. "It was genuinely difficult narrowing down what made it to the walls."

Dual Prize Categories

Attendees can engage with the exhibition in two ways. First, through the popular Members' Vote, where all visitors contribute to determining the community choice winners offering substantial point rewards:

🥇 First Prize: 50 points
🥈 Second Prize: 40 points
🥉 Third Prize: 30 points

Second, through the prestigious President's Cup, judged professionally by an experienced Surrey Photographic Association Judge. This year marks the introduction of the newly named President's Cup, adding renewed prestige to the competition's heritage.

Open View Highlights

At the Open View on Thursday 11th June (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM), the Members' Vote winners will be announced amid a celebratory evening featuring complimentary refreshments. Following this, Nick Andrews will present the newly established President's Cup, underscoring the collaboration between local photographic communities and regional professional associations.

Visit the Exhibition

The exhibition runs from 8th June to 3rd July 2026 at Gallery 1885, located at The Camera Club headquarters. Visitors are welcome during regular gallery hours to view the collection and support their fellow members.

Whether you're a seasoned photographer or simply appreciate visual artistry, there's something compelling here for everyone. Come witness the creativity thriving within our community—and perhaps leave inspired to enter next year's competition yourself.

Gallery 1885 Exhibition: EXP Group - The Slow Shutter

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:16:41 +0000

Gallery 1885

16th March -10th April, 2026

Open View: Thursday 19th March @ 7:00PM

This exhibition is not merely a display of images; it is a celebration of patience, planning, and the profound joy of slowing down. From careful framing to darkroom rituals, each piece tells a story of time well spent. Watch images emerge in the developer, master dodging and burning under the safelight, and control contrast through chemistry. Witness cyanotypes' ethereal blues, salt printing's delicate tonalities, and platinum prints' majestic depth alongside silver gelatin—handcrafted artifacts demanding connection between artist, light, and paper.

The Portrait Group : 26th March 2026

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:16:41 +0000

Get your cameras ready for The Portrait Group.

The Portrait Group is a studio lead workshop offering members and non-members to learn about studio portrait photography.

Whether you are new or experienced with taking studio portraits, this is the workshop for you.

The Portrait Group Dates:

Thursday 16th April 2026 - 7pm - 9pm

Thursday 21st May 2026 - 7pm - 9pm

Please Note: Non-members are welcome to join one workshop by paying £40.

After this membership would need to be attained to participate in future workshops.

More information can be found below;

The Portrait Group

The Portrait Group | Thursday 26th March 2026 7pm - 9pm

Coffee and Cameras: Lomo Daylight Tank Demo At The Camera Club

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 21:49:08 +0000

Join us this March for our Coffee & Cameras, and see the Lomography Daylight Tank in action!

We'll show you how this nifty bit of kit works and give you a demo on how to load your film in the tank.

There will be two kits on hand and you'll get the chance to process your own roll of B&W film.

No Booking Necessary

The Camera Club, 16 Bowden St, London, SE11 4DS

The next Coffee and Cameras is Saturday 28th March 2026 at 11:00 am

Please Note: Non-members are welcome to come to 2 free mornings, but after that we do ask that you either become a member or pay a fee of £10 day rate to attend any socials

More information can be found below;

Coffee and Cameras

Urban Portrait Pod - February 2026

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:32:02 +0000

A photowalk around Barbican Estate, St Pauls and Bazalgette Embankment

Come and join February's Urban Portrait Pod photowalk around the Barbican Estate before walking and exploring the beautiful gardens of St Paul's Catherdral, before ending at Bazalgette Embankment, a new park on the north embankment of the River Thames.

Date: Saturday 21st February 2026

Meeting Point: Barbican Underground Station

Time: 11 am

Route: Full walk is about 2 miles

Urban Portrait Pod

Scan the QR code to join our Urban/Studio pod WhatsApp group