• SPECIAL EVENT: Captivating Nature - Wildlife of Britain & Beyond - Presentation by Des Ong
  • Colour Skull (ICM) (1) - Jeff Scott
    Colour Skull (ICM) (1) - Jeff Scott
    Highly Commended - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Colour Skull (ICM) (2) - Jeff Scott
    Colour Skull (ICM) (2) - Jeff Scott
    Highly Commended - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Colour Skull (ICM) (3) - Jeff Scott
    Colour Skull (ICM) (3) - Jeff Scott
    Highly Commended - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • DERELICTION (1) - Roy Essery
    DERELICTION (1) - Roy Essery MPAGB
    First - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • DERELICTION (2) - Roy Essery
    DERELICTION (2) - Roy Essery MPAGB
    First - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • DERELICTION (3) - Roy Essery
    DERELICTION (3) - Roy Essery MPAGB
    First - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Philip Rodak (1) - Steve Ball
    Philip Rodak (1) - Steve Ball LRPS CPAGB BPE2*
    Second - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Philip Rodak (2) - Steve Ball
    Philip Rodak (2) - Steve Ball LRPS CPAGB BPE2*
    Second - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Philip Rodak (3) - Steve Ball
    Philip Rodak (3) - Steve Ball LRPS CPAGB BPE2*
    Second - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Reduction (1) - Tony Smith
    Reduction (1) - Tony Smith
    Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Reduction (2) - Tony Smith
    Reduction (2) - Tony Smith
    Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Reduction (3) - Tony Smith
    Reduction (3) - Tony Smith
    Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Shapes in the rocks (1) - Colin Brett
    Shapes in the rocks (1) - Colin Brett CPAGB, BPE3*
    Highly Commended - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Shapes in the rocks (2) - Colin Brett
    Shapes in the rocks (2) - Colin Brett CPAGB, BPE3*
    Highly Commended - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Shapes in the rocks (3) - Colin Brett
    Shapes in the rocks (3) - Colin Brett CPAGB, BPE3*
    Highly Commended - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Wet Cyanotype (1) - Chrissie Hart
    Wet Cyanotype (1) - Chrissie Hart ARPS DPAGB
    Third - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Wet Cyanotype (2) - Chrissie Hart
    Wet Cyanotype (2) - Chrissie Hart ARPS DPAGB
    Third - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Wet Cyanotype (3) - Chrissie Hart
    Wet Cyanotype (3) - Chrissie Hart ARPS DPAGB
    Third - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Three-on-a-Theme (print) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • A12 (1) - Alex Tyler
    A12 (1) - Alex Tyler LRPS
    First - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Triptych Competition (pdi) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Flatford Lane - a mist opportunity (1) - Andrew Bailey
    Flatford Lane - a mist opportunity (1) - Andrew Bailey
    Third - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Triptych Competition (pdi) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Floral Dreams (1) - Mark Kench
    Floral Dreams (1) - Mark Kench
    Highly Commended - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Triptych Competition (pdi) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • On The Move (1) - Hilary Knight
    On The Move (1) - Hilary Knight CPAGB
    Highly Commended - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Triptych Competition (pdi) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Snow drops (1) - Shaun Hykel
    Snow drops (1) - Shaun Hykel CPAGB
    Highly Commended - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Triptych Competition (pdi) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026
  • Warped Disneyworld Fantasy (1) - Kate Jackson
    Warped Disneyworld Fantasy (1) - Kate Jackson
    Second - Appraisal by Caroline Preece LRPS
    2025-26 Triptych Competition (pdi) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026

Welcome

Colchester Photographic Society was formed prior to the Second World War to promote and encourage interest in the study and application of photography.

This is achieved by a varied programme of weekly meetings during the club’s season, which is September through to May. It includes visits from a variety of skilled and interesting speakers, practical evenings, competitions, plus discussions and encouragement between members. In addition we usually have some planned outings, especially during the summer, which help to provide continuity and additional opportunities for our members.

From time to time workshops are also provided to help members, particularly those who are new to photography or those wishing to learn a particular skill.

The club takes part in several local and regional competitions with other clubs, with great success over the last few years.

The Society meets on Tuesdays at 7.30 pm between September and May at Christ Church, Ireton Road (off Maldon Road), Colchester CO3 3AU.

Membership is open to all photographers over the age of 18. All new members and guests are assured of a warm welcome.

Please use our search box (top right) to search this site or the web if you are unsure where to find information you may require.

Download CPS Programme 2025-26 | View What’s On 2025-26

Subscribe to the free CPS newsletter

Are you passionate about photography? Stay inspired and in the know by signing up for the Colchester Photographic Society's newsletter.

Our newsletter is free to join and you don't have to be a member to subscribe. We will send you occasional emails with updates on our inspiring talks, and competitions.

Don't miss a moment, subscribe today and find out more about Colchester's vibrant photography community.

Privacy
CPS does not pass on subscribers' information to any third parties. Please see the Privacy Statement here for further information.

We do not advertise third-party products from outside of the CPS. Occasionally we may include photographic equipment that our members offer for sale.

You can unsubscribe easily whenever you want.

Next Club Event

Image Appreciation
Image Appreciation

Tues 17th Mar 2026 7:30pm - 10:00pm

Tonight we’re blending a relaxed social gathering with an opportunity to explore the printed medium. Tables will be set up throughout the hall where members can display possibly unseen and/or unmounted printed images they’ve created. This is a chance to discover a variety of genres, explore ideas, discuss paper types and receive valuable feedback to refine and enhance the presentation of your own work.


Club News

CPS 8 x 8 Trophy Competition

Monday, Oct 27, 2025

CPS 8 x 8 Trophy Competition

On Tuesday 21st October, we enjoyed the 8 by 8 competition at Christ Church. It was lovely to see such a high standard of print on display from a variety of different genres and authors which goes to show the art of printing is still a strength in this region. It was neck and neck at half time, with a three way tie for the lead. The scoring was high on the night and one low score proved to be tough to make up. We were fortunate in that the judge liked all of our prints and although we only had one 20 (Colin Westgate’s ‘The Guardians’, well done Colin!) we averaged 19 across all 8 prints, 3 marks ahead of our nearest rivals. Thanks to all members who helped to put on a delightful buffet in the interval and for being so welcoming with our guests from other clubs.

External News

The East Anglian Federation of Photographic Societies Annual Exhibition 2026

Sunday, Jan 4, 2026

The East Anglian Federation of Photographic Societies Annual Exhibition 2026

This year the Exhibition is now in the second year of the new venue at The Apex Gallery, Charter Square, Bury St. Edmunds, IP33 3FD, running from Saturday 2nd May 2026. The official opening will be at 2.00pm by the then Federation President, Paul Radden, DPAGB, E/FIAP/g, PSA4*, followed by the presentation of awards and a full-screen-projected display of the accepted PDI images. The Exhibition closes at 1.00pm on Sunday 17th May. With this newer location we are hoping that more people will attend and visit the exhibition, with more on offer around the local area.

Halstead Twin Towns Competition 2025

Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025

Halstead Twin Towns Competition 2025

Judge: Mike Fuller

On Thursday 13th November, we travelled to Halstead for the Twin Towns competition. This year there were a full complement of 6 clubs taking part, submitting 11 PDI images to the competition.