Author: Solas Photography Club

February 2026 Updates from Solas Photography Club

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Lightroom Skills Workshop – January 3rd

February kicked off with Solas welcoming Sean McCormack on Wednesday February 4th to share his expertise with us on editing in Adobe Lightroom Classic. We are very lucky to have a photographer and educator of Sean’s calibre here in Galway on our doorstep. He is an experienced commercial photographer who is an Adobe Community Professional and an official Fujifilm X-Photographer. He has been running a Lightroom blog for 20 years, has written books on Lightroom and regularly contributes to several magazines.

Sean showed us a variety of techniques in Lightroom including how to retouch portraits, edit landscapes, and make the most of astro shots like the Milky Way. He also demonstrated techniques such as Lightroom’s powerful masking capabilities, colour grading and distraction removal.

POTY Round 2 Judging  – February 19th

On Wednesday, 19th February, we were delighted to host Suzanne Behan to judge our Photographer of the Year (POTY) Round 2. Suzanne holds her FIPF and ARPS, and is currently secretary of the Irish Photographic Federation. She visited the club last year to talk about her grandfather’s legacy as a photographer in Dublin’s Liberties in the 1950s and 1960s.

 

The themes of POTY Round 2 were Minimalism and Wildlife/Biodiversity, and as usual there were separate Advanced and Non-Advanced categories under both themes. We had a great response with 110 images entered in the competition. Suzanne put a huge amount of work into judging both themes and she particularly gave us some very interesting insights into best practices regarding entering wildlife photography competitions. We now have just one round left in this year’s POTY competition.

On February 19th, we also took print submissions from our members for the annual Wild Atlantic Way print competition, which will be judged in March. Watch this space for the results of that!

 

The weather didn’t look kindly on us this month, and our planned outing to Connemara had to be postponed twice. We are looking forward to holding it during March instead.

January 2026 Highlights at Solas Photography Club

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A month of warm welcomes, winter sunrises, coffee mornings, fine art inspiration, and a deep dive into underwater ecology 

January arrived exactly as a new year should — with energy, enthusiasm, and the click of camera shutters. After a well-earned Christmas break, active members reunited while new faces joined the fold, bringing fresh curiosity and, in some cases, shiny new photography gear. With the club year already halfway through, January’s calendar proved there was no slowing down. It was a month dedicated to creating, learning, and collaborating — the very heart of Solas Photography Club.

A Solas Tradition: Sunrise at Blackrock Diving Tower – January 3rd

Some traditions never lose their magic. The annual Solas sunrise meet at Blackrock Diving Tower unfolded as if Mother Nature herself was part of the committee. A crisp winter morning greeted members with frost underfoot and a breathtaking sunrise stretching across the horizon.

Scattered left, right, and centre around the iconic tower, 25 members captured the scene as low tide revealed a perfectly dramatic stage. Locals paused, puzzled, perhaps wondering which celebrity had arrived — but for Solas members, the star was the sunrise in all its glory.

Each attendee was gifted a Solas Photography Club cap, worn with pride before retreating to the warmth of Blackrock Cottage Restaurant. There, over hot coffee and much-loved limited-edition scones, stories were shared, laughter flowed, and new photographic plans were born.

An Evening with Denis O’Reilly – January 7th


The first guest speaker of 2026 set the bar high. Denis O’Reilly FIPF, ARPS travelled from Kilkenny to present a stunning panel of fine art flower and still life photography.


Denis didn’t just talk about images — he revealed the passion behind them. From planting and nurturing specific flowers solely for photography, to harvesting them at just the right moment, his dedication was inspiring. He shared his studio setups, lighting techniques, recommended reading, and the extensive equipment that brings his vision to life. The evening was rich with insight, leaving members both informed and creatively energised.

Chasing the Northern Lights – January 19th–20th


Some nights are simply unforgettable. An unplanned but spectacular display of the Aurora Borealis lit up skies across the island of Ireland, and Solas Photography Club members were ready.


From early evening on the 19th through to the small hours of the 20th, cameras were pointed skyward as the “Northern Nights” danced overhead. It was one of those rare moments photographers live for — miss it, and you’d regret it. Members shared an array of stunning images that captured the magic of the night.

Underwater Explorer & Ecologist: Nick Pfeiffer – January 21st


With a slight change to the schedule, January welcomed underwater explorer and ecologist Nick Pfeiffer — and he arrived with an impressive arsenal. The club meeting room was transformed, layered with gear including Sony A7s, Nikon Z9s, Canon D90s, GoPros, underwater domes, and specialist diving rigs.

Nick offered a fascinating insight into his world beneath the surface, narrating his dives through powerful imagery and immersive video. His work highlighted both the beauty and complexity of underwater ecosystems, and one truth became clear by the end of the night: capturing an underwater image makes landscape photography feel easy by comparison.

January at Solas Photography Club was a month of connection, inspiration, and unforgettable moments — a perfect opening
chapter to the year ahead.

December Reflections at Solas Photography Club (2025)

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December found us rounding out the year with one last workshop and a festive group outing.

We kicked off the month with a fascinating and enthralling presentation by Ruth Medjber, a Dublin-based photographer, who spoke about her experiences starting out in photography and as being one of the only women in Irish music photography at the time, to her journey to being a tour photographer for Arcade Fire and Hozier. Ruth also spoke about some of her projects, including the covid-inspired Twilight Together: Portraits of Ireland at Home series which culminated in a book, her regular articles for the Irish Independent, and her newest project coming up for 2026 where she will venture all across Ireland taking portraits and stories of a new person every day. The series is called Sin Scéal Eile, which translates to That’s Another Story. The club were very grateful to Ruth for sharing her insight and stories with us all, and we look forward to following along on her new project.

Later in the month, getting into the festive spirit, some of our members gathered for the annual Festive Photo Outing in Galway City. They split into groups and took photos to fit into different categories: Architecture/historic building, Christmas market vibe or Christmas vibe (e.g. Shop/stall/market/food/drink), Movement, Transport or any intentional motion, Portrait/people, and water or anything that contains an element of water. This is always an enjoyable session for our members, and a fun day out was had by all!

As we close out the year, we find ourselves reflecting as a club on all that we have done in 2025, and all that is to come in 2026 – and we are excited to continue exploring, creating and snapping to our hearts content! Sending you and those you hold dear festive greetings and best wishes for 2026 from all of us here at Solas Photography Club.

Solas Activities in November 2025

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November was a busy and exciting month for Solas members, full of photography, learning, and a great achievement.

 

The month kicked off with a fantastic two-day trip to the Irish Photography Hides in Ballyfin, Co Laois on the 1st and 2nd. 16 members of the club got hands-on opportunity to capture photos of wildlife in their natural habitats, learning patience within the hide and were rewarded with visits from Buzzard, Kestrel, Pine Martin, Fox, Pheasant, Squirrels and a range of small birds, all while enjoying the beautiful surroundings. Everybody enjoyed the day and managed to capture some fantastic shots, and a few that got away!

On the 5th, our entries to the club Round One of the Photographer of the Year competition were judged by Martin Kalvaster.

Our first two Themes were Open Colour and Sports or Games. It was a great chance for members to see and discuss each other’s work, share insights, and receive constructive feedback in a friendly and supportive setting. The winners and runners up were well deserved and have set the bar for the next rounds in February and April.  The session sparked plenty of conversation and ideas, inspiring everyone to experiment and push their photography further.

Mid-month, on the 19th, we held our Members’ Five presentations. Fourteen members; Adrian, Almila, Catherine, Ciara, Des, Filipe, Ger, Joe, Larry, Maria, Michael, Rachel, Sandra and Tom showcased their recent work.

In particular it was great to see our new members showing their work and discussing their techniques and motivation. The evening was full of discussion, inspiration, and plenty of encouragement from fellow members.

We also had fantastic news from the national scene: Solas came Second overall in the Irish Photographic Federation National Shield. Huge thanks to Catherine, Anton, Enda and Joe for selecting the images, coordinating the high-res images, printing, mounting, and representing the club on the day. Every member in the club, including those who had images selected, and everyone who supported the effort, played a part in this amazing achievement.

We came Second in the Mono Panel and Third in Colour with Commended Mention awards to Michael Gough, Owen Nally and Enda O’Loughlin. We received top score for 50% of our images and the others were not far behind with a final score of 228 / 240, just two points behind the winners Blackwater Photographic Society.

All in all, November was a month of exploration, creativity, learning, and recognition. Solas Photography Club continues to show just how vibrant and talented our club community is.

October Highlights at Solas Photography Club

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A Month of Inspiration, Education, and Artistic Excellence

October proved to be a dynamic and enriching month for the Solas Photography Club, with a packed calendar of events that brought members together to learn, create, and celebrate the art of photography.

An Evening with Cormac Byrne – October 1st

The month kicked off with a captivating presentation by acclaimed photographer Cormac Byrne, who shared the story of his photographic journey with warmth and insight. His talk was accompanied by a stunning visual showcase of his work, each image a testament to his skill and passion. Members engaged enthusiastically, posing thoughtful questions and enjoying a lively discussion that made the evening both educational and inspiring.

Portrait Masterclass with Paul Cooley – October 15th

Mid-month, the club welcomed Paul Cooley FRPS, FIPF, FSWPP, a master of portrait photography. Paul’s presentation traced his path through model photography, detailing the challenges and triumphs that led to his prestigious distinctions: AIPF, FRPS, and FIPF. His talk was rich with personal anecdotes and professional insights, and his displayed images left a lasting impression on all in attendance.

Natural Light Portrait Workshop – October 18th

Following his talk, Paul Cooley returned to lead an exclusive Natural Light Portrait Workshop. Limited to just 12 members, the hands-on session offered participants the chance to refine their skills under Paul’s expert guidance. The workshop featured professional models Sylwia Klimczak and Maria Wiktoria Cieslikowska, whose presence added depth and elegance to the creative experience. The day was a resounding success, filled with learning, collaboration, and beautiful imagery.

Photography of the Year – Round 1 Submissions Close

The month concluded with a flurry of excitement as the deadline for Round 1 of Photography of the Year (POTY) approached on October 26th. A total of 36 members submitted digital entries across two themes: Open Mono and Games or Sport. The submissions showcased a wide range of styles and interpretations, setting the stage for a thrilling competition season ahead.

October at Solas Photography Club was a celebration of creativity, community, and continuous learning. With such a strong start to the season, members are already looking forward to what November will bring.

Solas Activities in September 2025

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Solas members started the 2025 season with a month of photographic opportunities and engagement. Altogether, it was a month that blended public engagement, learning opportunities, and plenty of creativity—laying strong foundations for the busy season ahead. This year we have our biggest membership in the history of the club with 25 Advanced and 29 Non-Advanced members.

The month opened on 3 September with our Opening Night, where returning members and new faces gathered to launch the 2025/26 season. The evening provided a chance to introduce upcoming talks, workshops, competitions, and outings, and to showcase the club activities.. The welcoming atmosphere set the tone for the weeks that followed, with plenty of lively discussion about photography projects, techniques, and personal goals, and a session of club member portraits hosted by club member Cathal Bowe.

Mid-month, the club focused on a food photography workshop in the Blue Room, led by our own Marie Mc Neela. Members learned about composition, styling, and lighting techniques to make food imagery both appetising and visually striking. The session was hands-on, creative, and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Maria provided her slide deck from the evening which you can find here.

On 19th September, Culture Night, Solas presented a much-anticipated public exhibition of members’ photographs, hosted at the Marine Institute. “Moments in Light, Wild Atlantic Way” showcased the wide range of talent within the club, from moody Irish seascapes to expressive portraits and marine-based images from along the Wild Atlantic Way. Visitors engaged warmly with the work and shared glowing feedback on the diversity of styles represented.

The club also enjoyed a day trip to Achill to photograph the “Battle of the Lakes” kite and windsurfing competition. The dramatic setting, combined with colourful sails and high-energy action on the water, offered members a wealth of photographic opportunities. From fast-paced sports shots to sweeping coastal landscapes, the outing proved both exciting and creatively rewarding.

 

Altogether, September was a month of energy, learning, and public connection, setting the stage for another exciting year of photography at Solas.