Members Evening

This weeks members evening had a range of members giving talks on Smartphone photography, Architectural images from Manchester and one members entry images into the L&CPU individual competition.

First up was David higton on why he is trying to make better use of the camera in his pocket (Android phone) and some of the associated Apps. This was closely followed by David and myself on a walk around Manchester. the aim was to take some a Architectural images from the same vantage point and then compare the different ways we edited the final images.

This was followed after the break by Fiona on her use of the smartphone. Fiona demonstrated how to replicate the style of one of our previous speakers by the use of multiple exposure technique within Snapseed. The evening was finished by Aamer showing his submissions into the L&CPU individual competition. He explained some of the detail behind the images he had submitted.

Guest Speaker

Mark Gilligan

Our guest speaker next week is Mark gilligan. Below is a brief Bio on Mark.

 “Mark Gilligan is cited as one of the countries' foremost full time professional landscape photographers and teachers.An official Ambassador for LEE FILTERS, he is one of only a distinct few across the world to be awarded the status of ‘LEE Master’ of which he is rightly proud. An accredited, award-winning member of the British Institute of Professional Photography,  Mark was made a Fellow by them because of his specialist and original Landscape Photography in the Lake District and Eryri (Snowdonia). A features writer for many magazines, his work regularly appears in the national  walking and photography publications. His bespoke, popular Landscape Photography Workshops and courses in the Lake District and  Eryri (Snowdonia) are fully endorsed by LEE filters and he regularly undertakes them for photographers from across the globe.  He also works on his own portfolio with projects that include a life long undertaking at the Dinorwig Quarry in Eryri (Snowdonia). Mark didn’t just take still images over those years but also produced a directed many films for the Home Office that were used both internally and externally for public consumption. Trained at the BBC, he and his team are the proud recipients of several national and international video awards.After he retired from the Home Office, he said he wouldn’t go back to programme making but he did get on the camera from ‘the other side’ and presented a film on behalf of Fujifilm about the XF8-16mm lens. However, time has a habit of changing things and in the autumn of 2025, he decided to start making his own programmes and they can be seen on his ‘MovingStills' channel via YouTube. A renowned speaker on the ‘talks circuit’ he delivers his presentations right the way across the UK. Not just to clubs and societies but also presenting at The Photography Show on behalf of several of  companies who support him. He has also been a guest on many stands, as well as being  ‘just him’ on the bigger stages. Better known for his landscape work, Mark has delivered commercial shoots for all different types of photographic requests. This has seen him undertake commissions for commercial airlines, international holiday companies, hotel chains, jewellers, high-end watch manufacturers, restaurants, the motor industry and sport. He is very proud to also be supported in his work by BENRO, SHIMODA UK, BERGHAUS, BenQ and PACER POLES.”

People's Choice Competition

17th May is the people's choice competition.

You can enter the competition via PhotoEntry portal.

There are two sections in PhotoEntry.

• Open Mono.
• Open Colour.

You will be limited to two entries per section.

The closing date for entries is Friday the 15th May.

For any clarifications please see David Hardy.

I’d be very grateful if you would include this new photography competition from CPRE Cheshire on any 'external competitions’ comms to your members and on any social media you might consider appropriate.

CPRE is the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, and this is a competition their Cheshire branch are running to celebrate their 100th birthday this year.

I’ve attached a press release, but please do let me know if you need any more information or any images. 

We’d be happy to tag you on socials from our end too. Just let me know.

With best wishes,

Mandy

Mandy Martinez

CPRE freelance PR

Press release

April 2026

CPRE photography competition celebrates the Cheshire countryside

CPRE – the Campaign to Protect Rural England – is celebrating 100 years of protecting the countryside. To mark this milestone, CPRE Cheshire is launching a competition to find photos that best capture the essence of the Cheshire countryside. 

For inspiration, there are four themes to choose from, each of which represent landmark campaigns in CPRE’s 100-year history. 

• Cheshire landscapes – The county is blessed with many magnificent landscapes. Maybe you can find a new angle or a secret spot that takes the breath away. 
• Nature on your doorstep – Whether it's a nearby river or canal, the depths of a woodland or an urban green space, share your shots of the rural scenes and spaces on your doorstep. 
• A countryside at work – This is your interpretation of the working countryside: from the local farm shop to the people who keep our rural communities thriving. 
• Hedgerow life – Our hedgerows are unique. Help preserve nature at its most precious by sharing your images of hedgerows and the life they sustain. 

There are two entry levels: 13-17 years old and 18 and over.  

Winning photographs will be shown at venues across Cheshire in the Autumn and on the CPRE Cheshire website. Overall winners in the 18 and over category will also receive a £75 Mountain Warehouse voucher, an annual CPRE membership (worth £36) and Future Rural: Imagining Tomorrow’s Countryside published to celebrate the charity’s centenary; the 13-17 years overall winner will receive a £25 Mountain Warehouse voucher and the centenary book. 

Winners and runners up will be chosen by Howard Barlow, award-winning former Sunday Times, Telegraph and Observer photographer.

The closing date is 24th July 2026, so make the most of the spring and summer months and get snapping!

How to enter the competition 

You can find full details and terms and conditions by going to the CPRE Cheshire website www.cprecheshire.org.uk/news/photography-competition 

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Notes for Editors

CPRE – the countryside champions 

CPRE was launched 100 years ago to champion, protect and celebrate our precious countryside. CPRE Cheshire is the group covering the Cheshire region.

Back in the 1920s, CPRE was busy laying the groundwork for national parks, the Green Belt, and rural planning policies. Today, the charity still works to shape and promote solutions for the sustainable use of land and to challenge decisions that lead to the loss of countryside and nature. 

CPRE’s activities include both practical action and lobbying. From prioritising rooftop solar panels over vast rural solar farms to getting hands-on with hedge planting; from campaigning successfully for the first ‘green farming’ payments to facing down fracking, CPRE’s work is a consistent force for positive change. 

Visit https://www.cprecheshire.org.uk to find out ways to get involved and to support CPRE.

For more information or images of the Cheshire countryside, please contact mandy@mandymartinez.co.uk

Thanks to our media partner: Cheshire Life