PORTSMOUTH
PHOTOGRAPHY
GROUP

Upcoming Events

Using Composition for Impact Photography Meetup

Using Composition for Impact Photography Meetup

Saturday 22 February
Broad St, Old Portsmouth - 10am - 2 Hours
Jon Mainwaring
Composition in Photography is how a photographer arranges visual elements within the frame.

In this course, we will discuss five, seven, and even ten, rules that will enhance your photography.

1) Rule of thirds
2) Shapes
3) Negative Space- Positive
4) Line
5) Symmetry and patterns
6) Points
7) Color
8) Tone
9) Distance
10) Balance

As a photographer, beginner, intermediate, or professional. Please join me so we can with together to improve your ability to see the scene you wish to photograph.
book now
£26      
Beginners Photography Class

Beginners Photography Class

Sunday 23 February
Southsea, Portsmouth - 10am - 3 Hours
Jon Mainwaring
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? Now is your chance! Join us as we break down your camera to help you learn about shutter speed, aperture, ISO and how these settings affect your exposure.We will then put your new knowledge to the test with the guidance of a professional photographer.
book now
£67       2 places left
Beginners Photography Class

Beginners Photography Class

Saturday 08 March
Southsea, Portsmouth - 10am - 3 Hours
Jon Mainwaring
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? Now is your chance! Join us as we break down your camera to help you learn about shutter speed, aperture, ISO and how these settings affect your exposure.We will then put your new knowledge to the test with the guidance of a professional photographer.
book now
£67       3 places left

Capturing Time: Photography in Historic Settings

Capturing Time: Photography in Historic Settings

Saturday 15 March
Fort Nelson - 10am - 2 Hours
Jon Mainwaring
In this meetup we'll capture the history and atmosphere of this unique historic location. We'll explore striking compositions featuring cannons, historic weapons, and rugged architectural details. Under Jon's guidance, you'll learn black-and-white photography skills and refine your documentary-style techniques, creating compelling visual narratives that echo the past.
book now
£26      
Beginners Photography Class

Beginners Photography Class

Saturday 12 April
Southsea, Portsmouth - 10am - 3 Hours
Jon Mainwaring
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? Now is your chance! Join us as we break down your camera to help you learn about shutter speed, aperture, ISO and how these settings affect your exposure.We will then put your new knowledge to the test with the guidance of a professional photographer.
book now
£67       5 places left
Capturing the Beauty of Nature Meetup

Capturing the Beauty of Nature Meetup

Saturday 26 April
Stansted Park - 10am - 2 Hours
Jon Mainwaring
In this meetup we'll use a range of techniques to capture nature at the beautiful setting of Stansted Park. The colours of spring will provide a stunning backdrop for landscape, nature and even macro photography. The season permitting, I'l lead the group to a secluded area with a carpet of stunning bluebells.
book now
£26      

The Art of Pride: Street Photography in Motion

The Art of Pride: Street Photography in Motion

Saturday 07 June
Southsea, Portsmouth - 12pm - 2 Hours
Jon Mainwaring
Portsmouth is host to this fantastic event again in 2025. A parade led by drummers starts at 11.30 along the Seafront so we can capture the party atmosphere and follow along to Castle Field where the main event takes place. The costumes, flags, and decorations will provide a colourful palette and the relaxed and inclusive atmosphere will allow us to capture genuine moments of connection and emotion. With its dynamic energy and diverse stories, a Pride march offers endless opportunities for creative and impactful street photography.
book now
£26      

Nearby Photography Groups

Portrait Photography Meetup

Portrait Photography Meetup

Saturday 22 February
Surrey Road - 10am - 2 Hours
Bournemouth Photography Group
Ahsan Ali
Whether you wish to up your selfie game or begin developing a portfolio, this workshop will help you learn the basics of portrait photography and push your creativity and technical understanding.

Learn which settings are best to use, how to select the best locations, and what lighting and poses highlight a model's best features. We will also explore how to build rapport to get the best reactions and genuine emotions from a person.

Please note: Participants are encouraged to bring a family member, friend, or model for the session to practise and enhance their skills during the workshop.

book now
£26      
Nature Photography Meetup

Nature Photography Meetup

Saturday 22 February
Sturt Road, Frimley Green - 10am - 2 Hours
Farnborough Photography Group
Nikita Piven
Join this session for tips on how to use your camera settings to creatively capture nature in a visually interesting way. We will be looking at composition, focus, and colour.

Many professional offices and places of business have large prints gracing their wall space of things such as fields of flowers, a butterfly perched on a leaf, and a single dew drop on a rose petal. These beautiful images are all around us in nature. It just takes that special "eye" to not only see it but to capture it in a way that will turn that simple little piece of nature into a beautiful piece of art. We will learn how to use different angles, light and shadows, and settings to make subjects pop.
book now
£26      
Beginners Photography Class

Beginners Photography Class

Saturday 22 February
Palmerston Rd, Southampton - 2pm - 3 Hours
Southampton Photography Group
Nikki Wileman
Whether you are photographing people or plants, making memories or making art knowing how to use your camera is key.The class will give you the knowledge you need to expose, to compose and to create the images you have always wanted to. Learn the basics of photography including using manual camera settings for perfect exposure and tips for good composition. The session will look at ways to improve composition using light, colour and perspective.
book now
£67       5 places left

Beginner's Photography Class

Beginner's Photography Class

Saturday 01 March
Surrey Road - 10am - 3 Hours
Bournemouth Photography Group
Ahsan Ali
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? Now is your chance!

Join us as we break down your camera to help you learn about shutter speed, aperture, ISO and how these settings affect your exposure.

We will then put your new knowledge to the test with the guidance of a professional photographer.
book now
£67       5 places left
Beginner's Photography Class

Beginner's Photography Class

Saturday 08 March
Sturt Road, Frimley Green - 11am - 3 Hours
Farnborough Photography Group
Nikita Piven
Ready to learn more about your camera and get out of automatic exposure? Now is your chance!

Join us as we break down your camera to help you learn about shutter speed, aperture, ISO and how these settings affect your exposure.

We will then put your new knowledge to the test with the guidance of a professional photographer.
book now
£67       5 places left
Street Photography

Street Photography

Saturday 08 March
Southampton City Centre - 3pm - 2 Hours
Southampton Photography Group
Ahsan Ali
People, cafes, vendors, street merchants, buskers, historic buildings, art installations and much more. The power of observation underpins the art of great street photography. Learning to "see" interesting detail is a practised skill and we introduce you to easy methods that will open your photographer's eye and expose you to a world that is alive with detail. The most rewarding part of the class is learning how to approach interesting people and have them willingly pose for you.

We will also go over settings, focusing techniques and lens choices common to street photography to help us capture those random chance encounters.
book now
£26      

The Nature of Cities Photography Meetup

The Nature of Cities Photography Meetup

Saturday 15 March
Southampton City Centre - 2pm - 2 Hours
Southampton Photography Group
Nikki Wileman
The meetup will be an opportunity to photograph nature in the urban environment to think about contradiction, contrast and the juxtaposition of the man-made and the naturally or intentionally wild. The meetup will encourage a different way of seeing beauty.
book now
£26      
I Shoot It, You Shoot It

I Shoot It, You Shoot It

Saturday 22 March
Sturt Road, Frimley Green - 10am - 2 Hours
Farnborough Photography Group
Nikita Piven
This session, will have a wide variation of subjects and creative lighting. The idea is that you can see how I shoot a scene, and then you place your camera in position and shoot the same way. This is a very effective way to study and learn new techniques.
book now
£26      
Black and White Photography

Black and White Photography

Saturday 22 March
Southampton Common - 2pm - 2 Hours
Southampton Photography Group
Ahsan Ali
Introduction to Black and White Photography. What makes a good Black and White shot?

We will look at the contrast and using textures. How does the camera see the image and how do we create Black and White images in a camera or in post-production. We will look for some good examples and set some exercises.

This is a more advanced course and assumes you understand the basics of photography and controlling your camera.
book now
£26      

Nature Photography Meetup

Nature Photography Meetup

Saturday 29 March
Surrey Road - 10am - 2 Hours
Bournemouth Photography Group
Ahsan Ali
Join this session for tips on how to use your camera settings to creatively capture nature in a visually interesting way. We will be looking at composition, focus, and colour.

Many professional offices and places of business have large prints gracing their wall space of things such as fields of flowers, a butterfly perched on a leaf, and a single dew drop on a rose petal. These beautiful images are all around us in nature. It just takes that special "eye" to not only see it but to capture it in a way that will turn that simple little piece of nature into a beautiful piece of art. We will learn how to use different angles, light and shadows, and settings to make subjects pop.
book now
£26      
Composition in the Park

Composition in the Park

Saturday 05 April
Southampton Common - 11am - 2 Hours
Southampton Photography Group
Ahsan Ali
Come and join us as we explore composition in photography.

Composition is one of the most critical element in photography. Composition is how a photographer arranges the visual elements within their image, frame. I promise you that if you search for information on composition you will find plenty You will find formal rules, opinion, some of which you can trace back to historical art movements and painters.

Even in the digital world, composition remains the key to creating strong images. Composition is what guides our eye through an image and gives importance to the subject. It creates the story for the viewer and how we as photographers convey that message.

This meetup will explore composition using our frame and tools available to us as the photographer.
book now
£26      
Flower Photography Meetup

Flower Photography Meetup

Saturday 12 April
Jermyns Ln, Romsey SO51 0QA - 2pm - 2 Hours
Southampton Photography Group
Nikki Wileman
Learn all the tips and tricks you need to take stunning pictures of flowers. We will discuss composition, the use of light and colour, and other aspects of photography that will help you create unique and artistic images.
book now
£26      

Other Nearby Groups

Painting Landscapes with Acrylics

Painting Landscapes with Acrylics

Saturday 22 February
Willis Rd - 10am - 2 Hours
Portsmouth Art Group
Fakiha Khan
Explore the beauty of nature through acrylic painting! Join our engaging art class on Painting Landscapes with Acrylics and discover the techniques to capture scenic vistas on canvas. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned artist, this class offers step-by-step guidance to create stunning landscapes. Learn color mixing, brush techniques, and composition to bring your landscapes to life. Unleash your creativity in a supportive and inspiring environment. Enroll today and start painting your favorite landscapes with confidence!
book now
£26       5 places left
Urban Painting: Warli Meetup

Urban Painting: Warli Meetup

Saturday 22 February
Ensbury Avenue, Bournemouth - 10am - 2 Hours
Bournemouth Art Group
Ahana Byregowda
This workshop provides an opportunity to explore the traditional techniques of Warli painting in an urban setting. Participants will learn how to use basic geometric shapes to create intricate compositions, developing a deeper understanding of the cultural and symbolic elements behind each motif. The session will focus on storytelling through art, allowing participants to craft their own visual narratives inspired by this centuries-old tradition.
book now
£26      
Tonal Drawing and Painting

Tonal Drawing and Painting

Saturday 01 March
Above Bar St - 10am - 2 Hours
Southampton Art Group
Fakiha Khan
In this workshop, we will explore drawing and painting techniques that emphasize tone and shading, helping you to create depth in your artwork. Please bring a sketchpad, pencil, rubber, and your preferred painting medium.
book now
£26      

 Still life with Dry Pastels Meetup

Still life with Dry Pastels Meetup

Saturday 08 March
Ensbury Avenue, Bournemouth - 11am - 2 Hours
Bournemouth Art Group
Ahana Byregowda
Join us for a relaxing and creative still life session with dry pastels. Whether you're a beginner or have experience, this meetup is all about slowing down, observing carefully, and bringing objects to life with colour and texture. We'll work with simple arrangements, focusing on light, shadow, and composition. Come along, meet like-minded people, and enjoy a bit of art and conversation in a friendly, laid-back setting.
book now
£26      
Architecture Drawing and Painting

Architecture Drawing and Painting

Saturday 15 March
Above Bar St. - 10am - 2 Hours
Portsmouth Art Group
Fakiha Khan
In this session, we will learn architectural drawing and painting with the study of perspective and it's types.
book now
£26      
Creating a Mountainscape with Watercolour Meetup

Creating a Mountainscape with Watercolour Meetup

Saturday 22 March
Westover Road, Bournemouth - 2pm - 2 Hours
Bournemouth Art Group
Ahana Byregowda
Let's capture the beauty of mountains with watercolours! This meetup is a chance to unwind, play with washes and layers, and explore the delicate balance between light and form in landscapes. Whether you're new to watercolour or have some practice, we'll guide each other through simple techniques to create serene and atmospheric mountainscapes. It's all about having fun and letting creativity flow in a relaxed, supportive environment.
book now
£26      

Crochet Flowers Class

Crochet Flowers Class

Saturday 29 March
The Polygon - 10am - 3 Hours
Southampton Crochet Club
Radhika Taneja
In our Flower Crochet Class, participants will embark on a creative journey where they'll learn to craft exquisite crochet flowers. From mastering the fundamental stitches to creating lifelike petals and leaves, participants will gain the skills and techniques needed to bring the beauty of nature into their crochet projects. They'll also delve into the art of color selection and customization, enabling them to design unique floral creations. With expert guidance and a welcoming atmosphere, our class is perfect for all skill levels, promising to cultivate a newfound appreciation for the art of crochet and a talent for crafting stunning floral motifs. Join us and let your creativity bloom!
book now
£46      
Oil Painting Meetup

Oil Painting Meetup

Saturday 29 March
Vincents Walk - 10am - 2 Hours
Southampton Art Group
Fakiha Khan
Join us for a relaxing oil painting meetup where creativity flows and brushes bring visions to life. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting, this is the perfect space to share techniques, inspiration, and good vibes!
book now
£26      
Painting with Watercolors Meetup

Painting with Watercolors Meetup

Saturday 05 April
Gunwharf Quays - 10am - 2 Hours
Portsmouth Art Group
Fakiha Khan
Unlock the captivating realm of artistic expression with our Painting with Watercolors class. Immerse yourself in the fluidity and transparency of watercolor paints, allowing your creativity to flow freely onto paper. This class is an invitation to explore the unique qualities of watercolors, from delicate washes to bold strokes, as you learn essential techniques and unleash your imagination. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned artist, our experienced instructor will guide you through the mesmerizing world of watercolor painting, fostering a supportive environment for growth and self-expression. Join us for a transformative journey where you can cultivate your skills, discover the joy of painting, and create stunning, evocative artworks with the timeless beauty of watercolors.
book now
£26      

Creating Mountains with Acrylics Meetup

Creating Mountains with Acrylics Meetup

Saturday 05 April
Ensbury Avenue, Bournemouth - 11am - 2 Hours
Bournemouth Art Group
Ahana Byregowda
This workshop is all about capturing the drama and beauty of mountain landscapes using acrylic paints. With bold brushstrokes and smooth blending techniques, you'll create a striking scene filled with depth, contrast, and atmosphere. Working on a round canvas, we'll explore how to shape towering peaks, soften distant ridges, and layer colours to bring the sky to life.

You'll learn how to mix warm and cool tones to add light and shadow to your mountains, making them feel rugged and realistic.
book now
£26      
Pastel Painting Meetup

Pastel Painting Meetup

Saturday 12 April
Cumberland Pl - 10am - 2 Hours
Southampton Art Group
Fakiha Khan
Join us for a relaxing Pastel Painting Meetup, where artists of all skill levels can explore their creativity and connect with fellow art enthusiasts. Bring your own supplies and enjoy an inspiring session of color and imagination!
book now
£26      
Beginner's Crochet Class

Beginner's Crochet Class

Saturday 19 April
The Polygon - 10am - 3 Hours
Southampton Crochet Club
Radhika Taneja
If you are brand new to crochet, haven't picked up a hook in years, or simply want a little more guidance on those all important basic stitches this is the class for you. We will start with techniques for holding the yarn before moving onto forming the stitches that make up a traditional granny square.

Crochet materials are included as well as a free tea or coffee.
book now
£50       2 places left

ABOUT PORTSMOUTH
PHOTOGRAPHY
GROUP
Come along to our photo sessions to dust off your camera and get snap-happy with a professional photography instructor.

Brush up on your camera skills and learn new photography techniques whilst on a photo walk class with other local keen photographers!

We run two hour photography sessions based on a photography theme/technique/style and they take place in various locations in Portsmouth .

  • New to photography? We also run a popular 3 hour Beginners Guide to Photography Class once a month. And once in a while we will run special niche 3 hour classes, for example, Astrophotography - so do subscribe to our newsletter to know when the next on is!

  • Who can attend? Open to all skill levels, from beginners to keen amateurs. The photography instructor is there to help you with camera settings and provide any advice you need.

  • What to bring? We recommend bringing a camera that has full manual mode or semi-manual modes (Aperture or Shutter Priority). Compact cameras and smartphones also welcome!

    The meeting point and full details for the day are sent in the booking confirmation email to the email address you provide at time of booking.

    Join the Portsmouth Photography Group on Facebook to share your photos after the session.

    Got a question? Try our FAQ.
  • REVIEWS
    Jon facilitated great morning knowing exactly where to find all the best photo opportunities and angles. It was also helpful that he asked everyone to introduce themselves. Also a great group of people who were helpful and generous with their advice. Every day is a school day even at my age !
    5/5
    Stephen
    2025-02-17
    It was good I just felt we didn?t cover much of an area with much variety . John was fantastic though and very talented. A great host
    4/5
    Richard
    2025-02-17
    Another enjoyable session with some great tips.
    5/5
    Nigel
    2025-02-11

    Another really enjoyable event.
    5/5
    Julie
    2025-01-23
    A very enjoyable and informative workshop. John is a great tutor.
    5/5
    Helen
    2025-01-13
    Great photography session. Jon as always is helpful and knowledgeable. Enjoyed meeting new people & catching up with others that have joined previous sessions.
    5/5
    Anita Edney
    2024-12-17

    Great event as usual
    5/5
    Tracey
    2024-12-10
    Another excelent event thanks to Jon.
    5/5
    David
    2024-11-21
    Lovely group, led by Jon who is very knowledgeable and helpful. Thoroughly enjoyed this session.
    5/5
    Anita Edney
    2024-11-18

    Couldn?t attend this course, but from photos on Fb it looked like the normal high quality course by Jon
    5/5
    Neil
    2024-11-18
    I thought the event was really good!! Jon is very knowledgeable and a great group leader, providing lots of useful advice and tips. We had a small group size which helped, as it meant we each could have enough individual time with Jon. I will definitely be signing up for more events!
    5/5
    Adam
    2024-11-12
    Another great event. John gives support and guidance where needed. All round a great event with like minded Folk
    5/5
    David
    2024-10-30

    PHOTOGRAPHERS
    Jon Mainwaring
    Jon discovered his passion for taking pictures over thirty years ago using a borrowed Praktica 35mm film camera. Photography has come a long way since! He studied the subject at Berkshire College of Art before starting work as assistant to a wedding photographer in Portsmouth.
    Jon continues to work as a professional photographer on a part-time basis, specialising in environmental portraits and sports. He also enjoys landscape and travel photography and makes the most of the stunning locations in and around Portsmouth.

    Jon Mainwaring is available for private bookings

    Available most Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 6pm. Based in Portsmouth and can suggest locations depending on subject of interest. My main areas of expertise are landscapes, sports & action, portraits, documentary and black & white photography.

    PHOTOS
    Portsmouth Photography Group
    2024-08-13
    Title or Location: Southsea Marina, Portsmouth
    This photo was taken a few weeks ago at the Southsea Marina in Portsmouth during sunrise. I used my canon R50 with an RF 50mm F1.8 STM lens. Settings wise I decided to use a 1/250 shutter speed, an aperture of F6 and an ISO of 200.
    Credit: Adam Bridgeland
    Facebook: adam_bridgeland_
    Instagram: adam_bridgeland_

    Portsmouth Photography Group
    2024-08-05
    Title or Location: Tiefi marsh
    A gorgeous male kingfisher looking over the pond at tiefi marsh.
    Credit: S,Owens photography
    Portsmouth Photography Group
    2024-07-29
    Title or Location: Stansted park, Hampshire
    I know this country estate very well and found a great location to take some shots of my daughter's labrador, Penny, on a Summer evening. We made it a fun session for her and I'm really pleased with the result as it captures the joy of Penny running through the flowers!
    Credit: Jon Mainwaring

    Portsmouth Photography Group
    2024-07-29
    Title or Location: Portsmouth Harbour
    Clipper Round The World Yachts, At Gunwharf
    Credit: Dave Aird
    Facebook: Portsmouth Aerial Media
    Instagram: portsmouth_aerial_media

    Portsmouth Photography Group
    2024-07-15
    Title or Location: Titchfield Haven Harbour. Hampshire UK
    This harbour is only a ten minute drive from my home. It was a very still evening with hardly a ripple on the water. The name of the nearest boat made me smile. (Its a reference to the eternal argument over whether jam or cream should be first on a scone) Fujifilm xt5 27mm f8 ISO 400 1/200
    Credit: Paul Lavin
    Portsmouth Photography Group
    2024-06-18
    Title or Location: Southsea
    Red arrow display for the 80 tribute to the fallen.
    Credit: ian gray
    Facebook: Ian Gray Promotional filming and photography
    Instagram: iangrayimages

    Swindon Photography Group
    2025-02-17
    Title or Location: Corsley, Wiltshire
    I took this photo on a very gloomy day in February! My aim was to get a minimalist shot with plenty of contrast and negative space. Camera: Fuji X-H2 and 16-55mm lens.
    Credit: Chris Andrews
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candaphoto1/

    San Francisco Photography Group
    2025-02-17
    Title or Location: Golden Gate Park
    Spent the evening practicing night photography using various settings. I turned the camera to get a unique perspective.
    Credit: Terry Enlow
    Instagram: @terryenlow
    Portland Photography Group
    2025-02-16
    Title or Location: Cannon Beach, Or
    Spent a couple days at the beach and was trying to attempt a night photo catching Haystack Rock along with the stars. Haven?t had much opportunity to practice and the sky was clear so, go for it. I had to cut off some of the sky due to roof overhead was in the way but it was an OK attempt for me. More practicing to follow.
    Credit: Ron Brown

    Newark Photography Group
    2025-02-14
    Title or Location: Central Park of Morris County
    During a recent photo outing dedicated to "snack time" I encountered this photo opportunity.
    Credit: Stephen Bush
    Instagram: @stephenbush219

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