For anyone with a camera, the glorious summer we have just had has hopefully enabled lots of photo opportunities - from portraits to holiday shots, from landscapes perhaps to action shots of TT riders.

During our traditional summer break, a number of social events were arranged for Isle of Man Photographic Society members, including a visit to the Gaiety Theatre, outings to Kentraugh Mill and the Ayres, a boat trip to the Chicken Rock and a day trip to Liverpool.

These were intended to encourage members to make use of their cameras, to develop an understanding of how to make the best of their equipment, and hopefully take some great shots.

While summer is fast receding, to be replaced with cooler and wetter autumnal weather, it still provides many opportunities for super shots, albeit perhaps with different weather conditions and different, maybe moodier lighting.

And the Isle of Man Photographic Society is a great meeting place for everyone with a love of photography - giving the opportunity to learn new camera skills and to improve images - to make the move from taking snap shots to perhaps something more artistic, more exciting, and with more impact - and all done with an emphasis on sharing the pleasure and the enjoyment of photography.

This year is a very special year for the society. It was founded in November 1938 and means that we soon celebrate our 80th anniversary, which will be marked with a members’ exhibition at the Port Erin Arts Centre.

In the meantime, the programme for our new season starts on Wednesday, September 26, with a relaxed and informal social evening, enabling all those attending to catch up with friends (perhaps including meeting and making some new ones) and reminisce about the summer.

Club president Chris Blyth will run through some of the highlights of the coming season before members will be asked to show 10 to 12 images of their activities over the summer months, and to talk through their selection of shots.

The society meets at the Art Society Building (Thie Ellyn) in Withington Road, Douglas, with all meetings starting at 7.30pm.

Meetings are open to the public, and all will be given a very warm welcome. More details of the Society and its programme can be found on our website at www.iomps.com.