Croydon Camera Club meet on Wednesdays, 7:45 for 8:00pm-10pm between early September and late July, except during the Christmas & Easter breaks. Tea, coffee and biscuits are served at the interval, during each meeting. 

They meet at Shirley Methodist Church Hall, Eldon Avenue, CR0 8SD. If you’re driving, the church has a small car park and there’s ample free on-street parking adjacent. The Hall is approximately 1.5 miles from East Croydon Station as you travel along the A232 heading towards Shirley.  Alternatively buses 119, 194, 466, 198 and 130 stop close by.

If you’re interested in photography, novice or expert, you’re always welcome. Newcomers may join us for several evenings, at no cost, to see if the club is right for you, before making any longer term commitment. All you need do is turn up on an evening which looks good to you – their programme of events, examples of our images and plenty more can be viewed at www.croydoncameraclub.org.uk. 

Caroline Avern Describes why she joined Croydon Camera Club

“I recently got asked why I joined Croydon Camera Club: the obvious answer is that I like taking photos, but that doesn’t tell the full story. 

The truth is that I’ve liked taking photos since I was a child.  I guess back then I liked the power it gave me; how when I had a camera in my hand, I could boss the adults around for the sake of the photo. I liked how people said I “took a good photo” and at family events my Nan would give me her camera to take photos for her.

In the beginning, I was using a film camera, so I learnt the hard way to keep fingers, hair and wrist strap out of the frame. But I was intimidated by more complicated SLR cameras; I didn’t feel I had the skill or the know-how to use them. However, with the introduction of digital cameras I could see any mistakes right away and retake the photo. Now I could take as many shots as I liked, well at least until either the card was full or the battery was dead!

I always thought photography was a solo hobby, until I came across the Croydon Camera Club website and decided to visit one evening.  I joined up there and then! Why? Well, I guess the real reason is that I no longer wanted to take just “good photos”. I wanted to stop using “auto mode” on my camera, to really learn about photography and how to let my creative side come through. Joining the club has done this. Seeing the images others are producing has given me the confidence to try taking different types of shots that I wouldn’t have attempted before.

I now only use auto mode occasionally and as a result I’ve seen a vast improvement in my photography. I’m therefore now happy to call myself an amateur photographer, which I never would have before. 

So if you want to take better photos or be with other like-minded people; or if like me, you’re the person who’s too busy taking photos at events to enjoy the action, maybe the “event” you’re missing is Croydon Camera Club!  Whatever the reason check out the club’s website http://www.croydoncameraclub.org and come visit us one evening. I can promise we don’t bite; we do snap but we only snap photos!”