Waikato Photographic Society

15/09/2026

📸 Calling all Waikato Photographers! Unlock your gear’s full potential. 🎒

Just a reminder that our massive, multi-part photography gear and accessory workshop is happening THIS TUESDAY night!

Navigating all those settings and accessories can be overwhelming, so we are breaking it down from smartphone to studio.

We will cover:
📱 Smartphone Masterclass: Hidden modes (Pro, Portrait, Night), gridlines, and editing
📷 Camera Basics: Understanding your sensor and controls.
🔍 Lenses 101: Kit zooms vs. primes.
🕶️ Filters & Rings: CPLs and NDs for silky waterfalls.
⚖️ Support Systems: Tripods, ball heads, and stable setups.
💡 Lighting Magic: Speedlights, LEDs, wireless triggers, and modifiers.
🛠️ Remotes, Care & Field Accessories: The little things that make a big difference.

👉 IMPORTANT: Don’t leave your camera at home! Pack your body, lenses, and a fresh battery. We will have experienced members ready to help you navigate your menus and adjust your settings if you need a hand.

Bring your phone, bring your camera, and bring your questions! Visitors and new faces are always welcome!

📍 Where: Melville Methodist Church Hall, Bader St, Hamilton
🗓️ When: This Tuesday, 22 September at 7:30 PM
☕ Door charge: Free for first-time visitors / All welcome!

28/08/2026

The latest banner is a photo from Shirley Warner

Send a message to learn more

28/08/2026

Don't forget to come along to our Coffee and Photography meet up at The Verandah, Hamilton Lake 2pm on Sunday 30 August

28/08/2026

Come along and join our Spring walk

Celebrate spring and connect with fellow photo enthusiasts as we capture the vibrant cherry blossoms around Lake Te Koo Utu! Whether you shoot on a smartphone…

27/07/2026

📸 UPCOMING WORKSHOP: Tuesday 28 July at 7.30pm Seeing Through Glass! at the Methodist Church hall in Bader Street

Get ready to play with light, reflections, and sharp outlines! Our next hands-on workshop is all about capturing the stunning, creative qualities of glass.

We’ll have 4 unique shooting stations set up for you to experiment with everything from dramatic backlit silhouettes to colourful abstract reflections and classic still-life setups.

Here is what you need to bring:

📷 Camera (A MUST!): Make sure your battery is charged and your memory card has plenty of space.

📐 Tripod (Highly Recommended): If you have one, bring it along! Tripods make a huge difference when tweaking reflections and locking in your focus.

🍷 1–3 Glass Objects (Optional): Want to photograph your own items? Bring along a couple of interesting pieces—think wine glasses, coloured glassware, perfume bottles, vases, or paperweights!

Whether you’re brand new to photography or looking to polish your studio skills, there will be short mini-tutorials and plenty of hands-on shooting time.

Drop a comment below if you're coming—we can't wait to see you there! 👇

29/06/2026

🚨 IMPORTANT VENUE CHANGE FOR TOMORROW NIGHT! 🚨

Hey photo crew! Quick heads-up about our catch-up tomorrow night (Tuesday). Coffee Culture is now closing early on Tuesdays, so we have pivoted to a new location to keep the meeting alive!

We have officially booked a spot at The Cook Cafe & Bar in Hamilton East. It’s got plenty of room for the group to spread out, talk shop, and share ideas. 📸✨

📍 Where: The Cook Cafe & Bar (Cook Street, Hamilton East)
⏰ When: Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7:00 PM

See you all there at 7 PM! 👇 Drop a comment below if you’re coming so we can keep an eye on final numbers!

18/06/2026

Whether you’re a total novice picking up a camera for the first time or an A-Grade shooter preparing your next exhibition portfolio, learning how to decode an image is the ultimate shortcut to improving your own photography.

Join us this coming Tuesday, 23 June at 7:30 PM for an interactive evening focused on Constructive Image Evaluation: Moving Beyond 'Well Done' to Elevate Our Images.

🗓️ What’s On the Agenda:
Part 1: External Insights with Judy Alley LPSNZ — Judy will guide us through her recent judging results from another club, giving us a look at external trends, creative compositions, and what other regions are producing.

Part 2: The 4-Step Evaluation Framework — A dead-simple, practical blueprint to help you analyze any image using initial emotional response, visual design, constructive suggestions, and positive closing.

Part 3: Interactive "Have-a-Go" Session — We’ll break into small, casual groups to review a selection of prints and digital images together. No pressure, no "right or wrong" answers—just a fun way to practice your eye with Judy on hand for support.

📌 The Details:
When: Tuesday, 23 June 2026 | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Where: Waikato Photographic Society Clubrooms, Hamilton

Who: Open to all skill levels! Visitors and new faces are incredibly welcome.

What to bring: Just your eyes, your enthusiasm, and a pen!

24/05/2026

Planning your week? Make sure Tuesday night is locked in! 🌌

We’ve got a massive double-header at the club this Tuesday (26 May):

The Results: See the winners of our Photojournalism Competition as judged by the incredible Elizabeth Passuello. It’s a rare chance to hear how a world-class judge breaks down a winning image.

The Stars: Tim Stewart is taking the floor to show us the ropes of Astrophotography. If you’ve wanted to learn how to capture the Waikato night sky, you won’t want to miss this.

Not a paid member yet? No worries! We love seeing new faces. Come along as a guest to see what we’re all about. If you like the vibe, we can chat about how to sign up so you can enter the next competition and get your own work critiqued by experts like Elizabeth.

When: Tuesday 26 May, 7:30 PM.

Where: Melville Methodist Church Hall, Bader Street, Hamilton

See you under the stars! ✨📸

22/05/2026

Don’t forget your walking shoes! 👟📸

We’re heading to the Frankton Markets tomorrow morning (Saturday 23 May). If you’ve been looking for an excuse to practice your candid street photography or find some gritty, industrial textures for Black & White editing, this is the one.

When: Meet at 9:00 AM sharp.

Where: Kent Street carpark.

The Vibe: Casual, creative, and a great way to meet some of the faces behind the screen.

Whether you’re an experienced shooter or just starting out with your phone, come along and say hi. We’ll likely grab a coffee nearby afterwards to talk gear and shots!

See you there! 👋

21/05/2026

It’s Club Night! 🏛️

We’ve got a massive Tuesday lined up. First, we’ll be revealing the results of our Photojournalism Competition. We are incredibly lucky to have the esteemed Elizabeth Passuello (FPSNZ, FNPSNZ, EFIAP/s) judging our work. Seeing how a judge of her calibre interprets "the decisive moment" is an education in itself.

Following the results:
We are diving deep into the night sky with guest speaker Tim Stewart. Tim will be sharing his secrets on Astrophotography. If you’ve ever wanted to capture the Milky Way over the Waikato but didn't know where to start, this is for you!

When: Tuesday 26 May, 7:30 PM.

Where: Methodist Church Hall, Bader Street

Who: Open to all skill levels.

Come along, get inspired, and let’s talk shop. 🌌🔭