Hampstead Photographic Society

15/06/2026

World Naked Bike Ride, Sunday

Well, we only saw one group of WNBR riders at Trafalgar Square, but it was entertaining, although it was over fast, after we hung around for a couple of hours before retreating to the Waterstone's cafe.

We then caught a 24 bus and ended up in the newly refurbished Fleet Tavern at South End Green, which was excellent, if a bit pricy, although the beer was cheaper than some pubs in the area!

I only snapped wildly with my phone, so not much to see here, move on!!

David R

08/06/2026

Exhibition Road Walkabout Sunday

A bit chaotic, but we did meet up eventually, and it was dry, even sunny, with lots going on at the festival, although very busy!

But interesting to see more parts of London for the first time!!

04/05/2026

LITTLE VENICE WALKABOUT

Sunday's Walkabout was good, but only my friend Lydia turned up, although Chris joined us at the end! And we didn't see anyone else from HPS visiting the colourful event!

We just took a gentle walk to a cafe in Little Venice where my friend and I shared a full breakfast, watching the world and kids wander by! With a few random snaps here and there.

Then we did a bit more walking to another cafe for an ice cream, and finally a pub for a beer with Chris, who turned up at the end!

TBH we didn't see much of the Canal Cavalcade!! At ground level walking past dozens of moored barges, it was hard to see the various manoeuvres being described over a tannoy system. But the barges were colourful, and one or two had people to chat to or photograph.

A few snaps here, surprisingly the weather was great, a fair bit of sunshine and no rain (null points for the forecasters, again!).

A nice relaxing Walkabout for me at least!

09/03/2026

Swiss Cottage Holi festival

Despite the grungy weather on Sunday we had a good turnout for the Swiss Cottage Walkabout, starting at the Camden Arts Centre exhibition which we politely decided was "underwhelming", or, less politely, but more accurately: "a load of ..." nonsense!

Luckily the Holi celebrations down the hill were more interesting and good fun.

The central part of the Swiss Cottage open area was full of people celebrating the arrival.of Spring by throwing coloured powders over one another 🙄 !

And the cherry blossom trees, although not yet at their best, added a more gentle colour to the dull light.

Lots of photo opportunities of course, a few shown here (apologies for lack of attributions)

Then a few of us got a C-11 bus to The Roebuck pub by the Royal Free for a beer and meal. Even the child portions were generous and tasty!

A good time was had by all!!

D x

23/02/2026

Sunday's visit to the Science Museum exhibition: Water Pantanal Fire was good and scary!

The exhibition showcased the work of leading documentary photographers Lalo de Almeida and Luciano Candisani, capturing both the breathtaking beauty of the Pantanal and the devastation it now faces as water supply has been diverted by local people and industries, while global warming has increased the frequency and devastation caused by fires.

There were several gruesome photos of wildlife caught by the fires, as well as others showing the diversity of life in the region, which is roughly the size of England and Wales; a small but important chunk of Brazil.

The exhibition is free and runs until May 31st, so plenty of time for a visit!

02/02/2026

Clowns in Haggerston Feb 2026

A trio of members (myself, Francis Peckham and Carl Doghouse) managed to connect near Haggerston All Saints Church on Sunday, at the 80th Annual Grimaldi Service, an event to celebrate the creation of Clowns by Joseph Grimaldi, born in 1778. Richard Lansdown also arrived but, unfortunately, we failed to connect ...

Grimaldi popularised the role of clowns in traditional British pantomimes, as well as their slapstick capering, catchphrases, white make-up, and the traditional clown nickname "Joey".

Before the official event started, there were lots of clowns wandering around the area, so we managed to catch a few of them. Well, I say we, but as you can see here, my snaps (phone and camera) were poor (workman, tools, I get it!!).

A motley crew of jokers paraded around, blowing bubbles, spraying water out of plastic buttonholes (lens protectors on!), and making balloon poodles while they did readings.

It was probably the best fun in Haggerston on Sunday (sorry locals!), and we had a nice break in a local cafe: Bread & Butter, before heading our different ways.

02/12/2025

London Photo Trade Show & Convention 2026

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Discover the perfect ticket for you at our Convention! Tickets are now available for the London Photography and Video Trade Show and Convention, 14–17 January 2026.

01/12/2025

Sunday at Somerset House

Another gentle stroll mainly to see the ice rink at Somerset House, followed by a return to Hampstead on the No. 1 bus, eventually eating at the Garden Gate pub at South End Green ...

Just a handful of us made it (myself and my son Laurence (with dog Plum!), Chris, Nusse and Richard Lansdown), but it was a beautiful clear day, cold of course!

Below are a couple of my snaps, and two movie clips!

19/11/2025

Blackfriars visit on Sunday

After visiting Photo London exhibition on Sunday, we made our way across the river to visit the Blackfriars pub, which none of us had visited before, it was busy but we found a corner to settle for a beer at least ...

Then we went our various ways, but three of us ended up in Kentish Town for a quick coffee at Richard's house, before heading out to a Japanese restaurant, whcih was very pleasant, and an easy bus ride home for me! The restaurant is Kami, 260 Kentish Town Road, NW5 2AA.

It was a grey day, so not many photo opportunities but, as ever, the river was interesting to see ... and Blackfriars pub was fine, more below!

Blackfriars Priory
The City of London, which has extended very little, in the late middle ages. The once wholly walled square mile is nationally referred to as "The City". Locally is one of the notable extensions, Blackfriars, forms the south-west corner of the City.

The Blackfriars name first occurs in records of 1317; Black refers to the black cappa worn by Dominican Friars who moved their 1220s-founded priory from just west of Holborn bridge at the top of Shoe Lane (modern Holborn Circus) a few hundred metres south to be between the tidal Thames and the west of Ludgate Hill, a modest rise, but the highest in the city proper, in about 1276.

10/11/2025

Oh no, another visit to Greenwich!

Bu the four of us, myself, Nusse, Penny and Duncan, had a fu visit although we didn't get to see the Returning Turner in the Painted Hall as it cost £17 to go in. Only £5 on the first Sunday of the month so, we'll be back!

As ever the boat trip was fun, back in the dark ... although both my phone and camera were having focussing issues ... a few of my snaps anyway ... David R.