STOURBRIDGE Photographic Society held its AGM recently when the Annual Awards were given out to members and the new Committee and Programme for 2009 were unveiled.

The competition secretary reported that a total of 39 members had entered pieces of work through out the year and the overall winners were - Open Mono Prints - Jeff Riley who also won the Open Colour Prints, Sue Keeling won the overall Digital Projected Image section and Michael Smith won the Slides.

The winners of the Threesome Plaque, which is awarded for members best 3 pieces of work, were awarded to - in Mono prints - Garry Jackson, Colour Prints - Phil Waldren, Digital Images - Glen Ness and Slides - Sue Keeling.

There has also been success in Competitions against other clubs, with wins over Wall Heath, Wolverhampton,Great Barr and Stourport. In External Competitions Stourbridge came 6th in the Midland Counties Championship and won a Gold Medal in the Austrian Supercircuit, a very creditable year for all members.

At the year end membership stood at 65 with 17 new people having joined during the year. Members have enjoyed various days out to the Black Country Museum the Peak district and Wales where valuable instruction is always on hand from more experienced photographers.

The new Committee was elected with Heather Woodhams remaining as President, John Bissell as Secretary and Garry Jackson as Treasurer, new to the Committee were Karen Marshall, Phil turner and Dave Roberts.

The President outlined her hopes for the new year - a monthly Sunday photographic outing is planned, the Digital Group on a Wednesday is to cover a question and answers session to help beginners, there is to be a new AV competition with digital images set to music, and a theme competition running every 6 weeks with ideas suggested by members is to be introduced.

At members request there is to be a Beginners tuition course introduced to teach basic techniques in camera use and digital software, the Committee are sure this will be helpful to new members just starting out and wishing to improve their picture taking.

The New programme was handed out for 2009 and begins on January 8th with an Instant Exhibition. Members are invited to bring along new work, not seen at the club before for display, this can be slides, digital images, prints, or a sequence of images to music.

This will be followed on January 15th when new members and beginners will be welcomed and questions answered by the more experienced members.

Both these nights will be an opportunity for anyone thinking of joining a camera club to come along to see what goes on, also anyone who may has had a new camera for Christmas and may need some advise on its use will find both evenings useful.

The Clubs final meeting for the year is its Christmas Social at The Bonded Warehouse which consists of a fish and chip supper, cakes and desserts provided by members, a quiz and some musical entertainment.

Two members who are especially celebrating with success in Smethwick International Exhibition are Michael Smith who has two images accepted and Sue Keeling who has won a Royal Photographic Society Silver medal for a print and a Highly Commend Award for a digital image, plus another acceptance, these will be awarded in the New Year.

Stourbridge Photographic Society is a very friendly club with all members being encouraged to improve their images with help from more experienced members, all level of skills are always welcome and January is an ideal time to join when the new programme starts.

The club meets at The Bonded Warehouse,Canal Street,Stourbridge on Thursdays at 8pm, just turn up on January 8th or phone Heather on 01384 894578, or visit the web site on www.stourbridgeps.co.uk.