East Anglia Observer
Regional Organiser’s Update
Dear Members,
Welcome to the Winter Edition of East Anglia Observer.
As the festive season sweeps in with all its sparkle, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and soak in the memories we’ve captured together throughout the year. The past few months have been a whirlwind of creativity and connection as the region wrapped up the 2024 events programme with an Advisory Day at Foxton. I would like to thank the volunteers who have helped to make the events programme possible.
My own photographic year closed with the London Photo Show where I was exhibiting work from a working in progress project that hopefully will form the basis for a Fellowship Panel.
But we’re not slowing down just yet! Behind the scenes, we are busy planning an exciting line-up for 2025, with fresh ideas, stunning locations, and new ways to help you take your photography to the next level. Whether it is getting feedback on your images, attending an in-person photo event or achieving a distinction the East Anglia Region has got you covered.
As we wind down for the holidays, I want to thank you for support, kind words, and shared smiles as photography is so much better when it is shared with other photogrpahers.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful festive season filled with laughter, love, and plenty of photographic moments. See you in 2025!
Simon Regional Organiser East Anglia
Event Reports
Talk Walk Talk Holme Fenn NNR
Event Leader Gary Dean LRPS
On the 26th October members took part in a Talk Walk Talk event at Holme Fenn NNR. It is a National Nature Reserve managed by Natural England. Covering 266 Ha it is the largest silver birch woodland in lowland England. As well as woodland there are a couple of meres and some acid heath grassland. It is home to many species which includes a significant number of fungi for which it is designated a site of special scientific interest.
Gordon
Ian Whiting
Gary Dean LRPS
Talk
Walk Talk -Dunwich Event Leader Holly Stranks FRPS
A group of nine of us met at Dunwich Forest, Suffolk in October on a day that had promised to have beautiful autumnal weather, however, on the day itself we had disappointing dull light…..that was until we suddenly noticed the sky getting a little orange and pinky and we were rewarded with a lovely sunset.
However, we are getting ahead of ourselves. At 3.30pm when we met we all thought the photography would be challenging as the light was dull and flat, then you add in a dark forest – well we had to think about how we were going to approach the afternoon. All did very well and rose to the task. All the images show off Dunwich Forest well in its autumnal colours.
Image by Dennis Sewell
Dunwich Sunset - Holly Stranks FRPS
Late evening sunlight on Dunwich Woods by Eddie Pond
Emerging into the light by Mike Cowling ARPS
The Space Between by Nigel Ladkin
Image by Pat Farrow
A walk in the forest by Paul Farrow
Fungi Fun by Robin Garrod
Finally, an image by Paul Jenkin who was unable to make the TWT at Dunwich Forest. Paul retuned to the area a week later and found this image in Westleton and was much luckier with the light than we were.
We are now looking forward to the next TWT. Words by Holly Stranks FRPS
Image by Sue Grief LRPS
Image by Paul Jenkin
Truck Racing at Snetterton Event Leader Simon Fremont ARPS
The Truck Racing event at Snetterton offered a unique and exciting motorsport experience. For photographers, the blend of dynamic action, colorful characters, and atmospheric elements provided a rich tapestry of visual opportunities. Whether focusing on the drama of the races or the details in the paddock, the event was a fantastic setting to capture the power and passion of motorsport.
Euro Truck Race Lap 1
Saloon Car Race at Russells
Taking a break
Sometimes things go wrong
Staying on track
GT Championship
East Anglia - Photobook Workshop
19th July 2025 - Foxton, Cambridgeshire
The RPS recognise the important of photobooks as a object and it has its genre within Distinctions and this workshop will provide participants with an introduction to the genre from a recognised expert Simon Ciappara FRPS.
Photobooks are a powerful and accessible way to share and preserve photography, serving as a creative platform for disseminating visual stories, ideas, and cultural narratives. They occupy a unique space between traditional photo albums and fine art, making them versatile tools for photographers to connect with audiences.
Photobooks allow photographers to craft a cohesive narrative, where the sequencing and layout of images guide the viewer through a story. This curated experience enables deeper engagement than standalone photos often achieve.
Unlike exhibitions or digital galleries, photobooks are tangible, portable, and shareable. They can reach diverse audiences, crossing geographical and cultural boundaries to bring photography into everyday spaces.
A photobook isn’t just a collection of images; it’s an art form. Through creative design, choice of materials, and contextual elements like text or captions, a photobook enhances the photographic content, offering layers of interpretation.
Photobooks often serve as archives of personal or collective histories, documenting moments, movements, or eras in a way that’s both personal and enduring.
Unlike digital platforms, the tactile experience of flipping through a photobook creates a more intimate connection. It encourages reflection and a slower appreciation of the work.
Interested in learning more about photobooks then join us at Foxton. Book via East Anglia Events
Simon JG CiapparaFRPS,is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and sits as an RPS assessor for the Photobook Genere. An accredited Camera Club Judge Simon regularly adjudicates club competitions all over the East Anglia in the UK.Widely regarded as a Fine Photographic Artist, Papermaker, Printer and Bookmaker Simon’s work has found acclaim in many European competitions and has found its way into several “Private Collections”.
As well as Judging Camera Club competitions Simon can provide talks “Discussions” on his Fellowship, Photo Project creation, PhotoBook Making, Paper making and paper choices, fostering creativity in one’s practice, “Off The Wall” moving photography into three dimensions and much more. All talks are interactive and didactic, lectures require audience participation and conversation.
East Anglia - Photo Clinics
New for 2025 the Region is going to introduce Photo Clincs as a new event series. Initially they wil lbe run months. They aer intended to address a different need from Advisory Days that are an important tool for photographers pursuing a Distinctino with the RPS.
What is a photo clinic?
A photo clinic is a focused, interactive session where photographers—amateurs or professionals—submit one or two images to receive expert feedback and personalized guidance. These clinics are designed to help you improve your photography skills by focusing on specific aspects of your work, such as composition, lighting, post-processing, or storytelling.
How
the photo clinics will work?
Image Submission: Participants submit 1-2 images ahead of time. Expert Review: Experienced photographers, editors, or mentors analyze your work. Feedback: Feedback will be given in a live group session so that all participants will benefit from the feedback.
Practical Tips: Experts provide actionable advice on how to improve and might suggest techniques or tools to use.
Why join a Photo Clinic?
Targeted Improvement: Gain insights on specific strengths and weaknesses in your photos. Quick Progress: With focused feedback on 1-2 images, you’ll see faster improvement. Networking: Meet other photographers and mentors to exchange ideas and inspiration.
Where to find a Photo Clinic?
Photo clinics will be on-line using zoom. Book via East Anglia Events
East Anglia - Advisory Day
2024 Advisory Day Report 16th November
East Anglia Region hosted its first Advisory Day for a few years, we were joined by Dr Hazel Frost FRPS and Dr James Frost FRPS to share their knowledge as distinction panel members across Travel, Document, Applied Photography.
We had people looking for advice across all distinctions Licentiate, Associate and Fellowship with the largest group being those preparing to submit a panel for Liecentiate. Each person looking for advice received specific feedback on the images they submitted for advice.
We had over 10 people who had booked observer tickets who we hope will share their panels at future Advisory Days as they progress on their distinction journey.
The day included talks about successful panels from RPS members who had recently been awarded a distinction, great way to see how the distinction guidelines translate into a finished product.
2025 Advisory Day
Following the successful 2024 Advisory Day at Foxton Village Hall, Cambridgeshire we will be returning to there on the 11th October for the 2025 Advisory Day.
Similar to the format used in 2024 we will be be providing advice for those looking to achieve a distinction at Licentiate (LRPS), Associate (ARPS) or Fellowship (FRPS). For Associate and Fellowship Levels we will cover Landscape, Visual Art and Photobooks
Tickets will be available for Advice and Observers. Observer tickets are a great way to leran about the process before starting your distinctions journey.
Book via East Anglia Events
Event Calendar
Date Event
20th February Photo Clinic (Zoom)
20th March Photo Clinic (Zoom)
April (TBC) East Anglia Region AGM (Zoom)
11th April to 12th May Talk Walk Talk - Garden Parkland Events (in-person)
24th April Photo Clinic (Zoom)
17th May Old Hunstanton and Snettisham - Photowalk (in-person)
22nd May Photo Clinic (Zoom)
19th July Photobook Workshop - Foxton Village Hall (in-person)
11th October Advisory Day - Foxton Village Hall (in-person)
Booking Events
Events can be booked via the following link East Anglia Events
Talk-Walk-Talk events can be booked via the following link Talk-Walk-Talk
Volunteering
Sense of Fulfillment: Contributing to a cause you care about can bring a profound sense of satisfaction and purpose.
Networking Opportunities: Volunteering can expand your social and professional network, connecting you with like-minded individuals and potential career opportunities.
Making a Difference: Volunteers play a crucial role in addressing societal needs and creating positive change.
We currently have vacancies on the East Anglia Region Committee for the following roles:
• Engagement and Events Officer
• Communication Officer
We are looking for volunteers to support running events! Just 6 hours of your time can make a big difference to the event programme within East Anglia.
If you are interested in any of our volunteer roles, please reach out for more details to EastAnglia@rps.org. Thanks.