Life through a lens

Chris Silwood from Enfield Camera Club on how the group is embracing new technology while staying true to its roots

Enfield Camera Club member Pat Gowdie’s picture titled ‘St Mary's Shell’, taken this spring at Cleveleys Beach, Lancashire — Enfield Camera Club member Pat Gowdie’s picture titled *St Mary’s Shell*, taken this spring at Cleveleys Beach, Lancashire

Founded in 1950, Enfield Camera Club has long been a fixture of the local creative community.

Every Thursday evening, members gather at Trinity Church in Enfield Town for two hours of photography, conversation and competition — a tradition that has endured for more than seven decades.

As the club notes, it has “always been light-hearted and friendly with plenty of time for discussion” – a spirit that continues to define our weekly meetings.

But in an era where nearly everyone carries a camera in their pocket, the club is adapting to a rapidly changing photographic landscape. The rise of smartphone photography and social media has transformed how people take, share and think about images.

Recognising this shift, we have expanded our programme to include sessions on mobile photography and we actively reach out to this newer community of image-makers. As it can be argued that everyone is now an amateur photographer courtesy of their smartphones, this is a trend the club is keen to embrace.

Historically, the club has attracted photographers of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. Our programme blends guest presentations with digital and print competitions, and members regularly take part in local contests as well as the annual East Anglian Federation’s inter-club championships.

Outings remain a highlight, with recent trips ranging from Woburn Safari Park to Kew Gardens and summer walks through the Lea Valley.

Yet we are also confronting a challenge facing camera clubs nationwide – declining membership. To counter this, Enfield Camera Club recently opened its doors to younger photographers, welcoming secondary school-age members — with appropriate safeguarding measures, including the use of chaperones.

The move has already paid off, with one junior member using their participation to fulfil their Duke of Edinburgh Award requirements. Such an extended cohort will hopefully bring a new dimension to the club, particularly in a world shaped by the likes of Instagram and mobile creativity.

The club’s more established members are also exploring new technologies, including drone photography (undertaken while sticking to Home Office guidelines of course!) and the growing popularity of lightweight, mirror-less systems such as Micro Four Thirds.

This willingness to evolve is central to the club’s mission; staying relevant, welcoming and creatively stimulating for photographers of all ages and abilities. Our digital presence reflects that ambition, with active accounts across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Flickr, Snapchat and Pinterest, alongside our website at enfieldcameraclub.co.uk.

In a time when photography is more accessible than ever, Enfield Camera Club is positioning itself not as a relic of the darkroom era but as a vibrant, modern community. Whether you shoot on a DSLR, a drone or simply your phone, the club offers a space to learn, share and grow — and to enjoy the social side of photography that apps alone can’t replicate.

Happy snapping!

For more information about Enfield Camera Club:
Instagram /enfieldcameraclub2022

Visit enfieldcameraclub.co.uk

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