A Brief History

In April 1982, former students on the Photographic Night School course at Dartmouth High School asked the Principal if they could form a camera society and use the School’s name. Permission was granted and the society was formed under the title of Dartmouth Photographic Society on the 20th April 1982. The society met on the high School premises and was able to use the photographic facilities. Membership was gradually built up through advertising in local shops and papers. Exhibitions of members work were held at local libraries to stimulate further interest in the society.

In march 1984, the society joined the midlands counties photographic federation which gave access to lecturers, competition judges, photographic exhibitions and the opportunity to have print battles with other local societies.

As the society continued to grow it was decided to change the name from Dartmouth Photographic Society to the Great Barr Photographic Society. In march 1989, the newly renamed society relocated to a base at the RSPB in Tanhouse Avenue, Great Barr which enabled the society to open during school holidays.

When the RSPB began a rebuilding project in 2000, the Society had to relocate, firstly to a temporary base at the Beaufort Arms Pub on old Walsall Road, and then to a home at the United Reform Church at the junction of Hamstead Road and Newton Road, Great Barr. In 2009 we had to leave the church because the building was falling into disrepair and our membership was suffering, after much searching and failing we finally settled at the West Bromwich community centre on Gayton Road , West Bromwich.This venue is where the society meets today.

Harold Whitworth a founder member of the society, was the honorary president until his sad passing in 2009 we all miss him.


What we get up to!


Our evenings are all about photography and community, we are all good freinds and enjoy a good laugh as well as improving our photographic capabilities. The club presents evenings that include presentations of images from both professional and amateur photographers alike, these usually have a theme and can be quite entertaining, we also run workshops on studio lighting, model posing( using real models!) macro photography, digital manipulation of images and monthly competitions of work submitted by our members, judged by members of the MCPF and other organisations All the results go onto a league table and awards given at the annual general meeting every March / April.

We also arrange field trips every so often to give members the opportunity to put their skills to the test and we have even persuaded the odd model to join us for a bit of extra photographic opportunity.

So if you fancy joining us here at the Great Barr Photographic Society, please don’t hesitate to contact us or pop along to see what we’re about, we would love to see you and your photography!