THROUGH the medium of your newspaper, I would like pose a question to your readership: "if your house was burning down, what item would you grab?" the answer was traditionally "the family photograph album".

But another question comes to mind: how many people are keeping photo albums these days? For sure, plenty of photographs are being taken on digital cameras and smart phones - but how many of these images get to be made into prints for a permanent record of significant family events or holidays enjoyed?

Further, if the camera, phone or your computer dies or is stolen all your images may be lost. The Positive Image Photographic Society, based on Barry Island, is a small group of photography enthusiasts who meet weekly with a programme that encompasses talks by visiting speakers, hands on practical evenings, gentle reviews of members' work as well as ventures into other aspects of photography such as 3D and audio-visual presentations.

The Chairman, Guy Bulter-Madden welcomes new members, particularly those who would like to take their photography from something that is viewed on a screen to having one's life time memories as a print to hold in your hands or even to put into an album to rescue if the worst happens. You will also be shown how to make a safe digital store of your images.

If you are interested, then please visit the club's website http://positive-image.smugmug.com to get a flavour of the sort of work we do.

You may ring Guy on 01446 751 389 to find out more - or just turn up at the meetings which are held each Thursday starting on September 4 at 7.30pm at St Baruc's Church on Phyllis Street, Barry Island CF62 5UH. You will be assured of a warm welcome.

Guy Bulter-Madden

Chairman of The Positive Image Photographic Society