About two years ago one of The Snappers founding members, Muriel Sage decided to follow in her father's footsteps and joined Wigan Photographic Society. The Society holds monthly competitions with each person entering up to three prints and three DPI's. Each entry is scrutinised by an external judge who awards marks out of 20.
In 2025 Muriel was placed overall 3rd in PRINTS and 4th in DPI's.
In December there was a special competition with the theme Light. Muriel scouped the pool with her five entries gaining; FIRST (20), VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED (20), HIGHLY COMMENDED (19) and two more 18's.
Not bad for an octogenarian, eh? Below is Muriel at Wigan Photographic Society receiving her "Winner's Ribbon" from the President, Phil Halliwell.
What is AI? The photo on the left shows Muriel being presented with her winner's Ribbon, by the President of Wigan Photographic Society, Phil Halliwell. This image was posted in ChatGPT and the programme was TOLD to make it look as if Muriel was being presented with a certificate, by The King, in Buckingham Palace. The process took about 45 seconds.
Does the Camera Ever Lie?
| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Leader: |
Paul Williamson
Tel: 01257 271748
|
| Group email: | Photography group |
| When: | On Friday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:00 pm 1st in month at 2pm |
| Venue: | St George's Church Hall |
| Cost: | £2.00 |
We call ourselves "The Snappers" and you do not need an expensive camera to join us, a good quality Compact Camera is OK and some of use a Smart Phone. Our aim is to enjoy our photography but we will encourage you to make better use of your photographs by compiling books and making slide shows (of holidays etc) so that you can reach a wider audience. Each month one member gives a 20 min. talk about his/her recent exploits and welcomes comments on these photos. We hold a competition each month with photographs taken relating to a specific topic. These are marked by the members present. It's not too serious and there are no prizes to be won. The emphasis is on having fun so we do not constantly talk about f-stops, apertures and exposure times; but naturally advice can be sought from others when things have "gone wrong".
We enjoy trips out together to take photos at special events and places of interest such as The East Lancs Railway, Heysham, Sculpture Parks & Gardens and Skippool Creek. We also have indoor sessions when we try out portraiture, table-top photography, close-up work and using other techniques.
On Saturday 7th February 2026 several of us are going to see the "York Ice Trail" with Ava Coaches of Leyland. Then on Sunday 8th March we are visiting the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, again arranged by Ava Coaches. For details of these events contact Ava or Paul Williamson (of The Snappers). Ava Coaches are comfortable and give a 10% discount on Days Out to u3a members.
Come along and meet us - your first meeting will always be free.
Snappers Meeting Dates, 2026
| 2nd Jan | 6th Feb | 6th Mar | 10th April | 1st May | 12th June |
| 3rd July | 7th Aug | 4th Sept | 2nd Oct | 6th Nov | 4th Dec |
Monthly Competition Results
Our subject for the February 2026 Competition was - "Technology"..
Peter Byrne took FIRST place with Cotton Spinning at Quarry Bank Mill; Paul Williamson was SECOND with Surviving Technology - Conway Castle ((1283-1287) & Suspension Bridge (1821-1826)
THIRD Place went to Robert Sage - Thames Crossing and FOURTH to Gary Poole - Wigan Pier Steam Engine,
This page is maintained by Paul Williamson
Have you investigated u3a Eye, a nationwide site with a themed competition? The judges choose only 15 photos from all those submitted and add these to the site. There are no prizes - just the fame. Chorley's Peter Byrne has had several submissions published and I am trtying to catch up with him. Connect with u3aEye u3a.org.uk/learning/learning-activities/u3a-eye
Here are some of our members' favourite images
From PETER BYRNE: The Great Wall of China, Sunset in Bardabos and Tawny Owl in Flight
From PAUL WILLIAMSON: Parasceder landing on the boat; Salford Quays - Media City; Red Rock Crab
From MURIEL SAGE: The Girl in Pink, Sunset Silhouette at Caemis Anglesey and Coppull Mill
From ROBERT SAGE: A View from The Shard, St. Katherine's Monastery and Beach Huts near Scarborough
From MEL WOLFF Coffee for One, Locano (Switzerland, and The Lytham Air Show
From STEWART LEYLAND: It'll Catch Pigeons, Sir Nigel Gresley at Leyland and Otter at Marttin Mere
From MARIAN JOHANESSEN: Cheetah in Kenya, The Manchester Monastry and Sacllop - A Conversaion with the Sea.
From LYNDA SUTCH; Squirrel at Shap, Taking a Break in Barcelona, Exmoor Pony
From JEAN COLWELL; French Grave of a 15 year Old, WHY?, The Knife Angel in Lverpool, In Blackburn Cathedral
From PETER GOLDSWORTHY; The Acropolis, No Towels on this beach . . . yet, The Red Army
From MIKE HASLAM; Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer, Iguassu Falls
From Ian Battersby:
