This Friday we welcome Ian Whiston DPAGB, BPE 4*, AFIAP from Crewe Photographic Society to Wrekin Arts for the first time. Ian’s lecture, “Kenya’s National Parks” contains many of his award winning images gained in International Salons. Last year Ian won the UPI Gold Medal in our own Wrekin Salon with “Cheetahs Looking for Prey.” I think we will be treated to an excellent night of first class nature photography.

In the learners hour Calvin will be talking about Topaz and its integration with Photoshop.

This Friday is also the hand in night for the 4th Merit Print competition. As always please register your entry online at http://www.photocompentries.net/?org=WrekinClub

Next Friday, 20 May, Peter Gennard MFIAP, EFIAP/p from Smethwick Photographic Society will judge the 4th Merit Print Competition. Before that at 6.45pm, member Ed Philips will talk in the learners’ hour about “Macro My Way”

Many of you will have been to Blists Hill Victorian Village in Telford to photograph the characters there. If you’re looking for new photographic opportunities then it may be worth considering The Black Country Living Museum at Dudleyhttps://www.bclm.co.uk/ Adult tickets are £15.95 and over 60s are just £12.50 when bought online. The tickets are valid for 12 months from your first visit to the Museum.

Finally, news of 2 local photographic competitions. Church Stretton Arts Festival 2016 http://www.strettonfestival.org.uk/information-for-artists/ is now open for entries. This is a well established festival in the south of the county and has an extensive list of events http://www.strettonfestival.org.uk/events-listing-at-a-glance/. If you do enter this competition then it is a condition of entry that you act as a steward for 3 hours. The second competition is the Annual Friends of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust http://www.ironbridge.org.uk/support-us/friends-of-igmt/the-friends-2016-annual-photographic-competition/ The theme this year is “Happy 30th Birthday World Heritage Site” and there is a first prize of £100.