About this Event
Ready to try something a little different with your camera?
Join UK Social Photography for an affordable, hands-on evening exploring light trails, long exposures, light painting and creative night photography in Cambridge.
We’ll start somewhere warm with a short introduction at The Sage of Cambridge, before heading out together towards Jesus Green as daylight fades. This is designed to be a relaxed, social workshop rather than a formal classroom session.
Complete beginners are very welcome. Already know your way around long exposures? Come along too. Experienced photographers are actively encouraged to get involved, experiment and help anyone in the group who may be struggling. That community approach is a big part of UK Social Photography.
WHEN?
Sunday 15 November 2026, 3:00pm – approximately 5:30pm.
We intentionally start before sunset so there is time to talk through the techniques, get everyone set up and then photograph Cambridge as the light changes from late afternoon into dusk and darkness.
WHERE DO WE MEET?
The Sage of Cambridge, inside The Fellows House, 33A Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1UZ.
Please arrive shortly before 3pm. We’ll begin at Sage with introductions and a short photography briefing before walking together to the Jesus Green area, just a short distance away.
WHAT WE’LL COVER
• Long exposures and light trails
• Light painting and movement through a photograph
• Creative shutter speeds and manual exposure at night
• Focusing in low light and tripod technique
• ISO, aperture and shutter speed
• Experimenting rather than relying on one “correct” setting
We’ll start with suggested camera settings and then help you understand why they work, so you can adapt them for your own photography.
WIRE WOOL PHOTOGRAPHY
We also plan to include a controlled wire-wool photography demonstration if the location, weather, ground conditions and permissions allow it to be carried out safely.
Attendees will photograph the demonstration rather than everyone operating wire wool themselves. If conditions aren’t suitable, we’ll replace this section with additional light-painting and long-exposure photography. There will still be plenty to photograph.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
You don’t need to be an experienced photographer. This workshop is suitable for people who have never tried long exposures, want to understand manual camera settings, practise night photography, create unusual photographs, experiment creatively or meet other photographers.
Already understand the techniques and fancy an evening shooting with other people? You’re welcome too. If you have experience, we’d love you to share it and help somebody beside you who is struggling. That’s what UK Social Photography is about.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
• A camera with manual exposure controls
• A tripod
• A fully charged battery and empty memory card
• A wide-angle or standard lens
• Warm clothing and suitable footwear
• Waterproof clothing if the forecast looks uncertain
A remote shutter release can be useful but isn’t essential. If you’re unsure whether your camera is suitable, join our community beforehand and ask us.
HOW MUCH?
£5 per person. Just 12 places.
The ticket fee helps cover the materials used during the workshop. We’re deliberately keeping the cost low because UK Social Photography is about making photography, creativity and meeting other people more accessible.
MAKE A WHOLE SUNDAY OF IT
There is also a free UK Social Fitness social walk taking place in Cambridge earlier the same day at 11am. The walk takes in Cambridge sights and riverside areas before finishing at The Sage of Cambridge, where this photography workshop begins later in the afternoon.
Join the walk first, stay for a drink or something to eat, and then join us for photography at 3pm. The walk has its own Eventbrite listing and is completely free:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cambridge-social-walk-coffee-with-uk-social-fitness-tickets-2004165636369
15% OFF AT SAGE
Workshop attendees can make use of the 15% Social UK discount at The Sage of Cambridge during the meet-up. UK Social Photography members can also use their member discount at Sage. Arrive a little early if you fancy a coffee before we begin.
JOIN UK SOCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY BEFORE THE WORKSHOP
You don’t have to join our community to attend. But if you’d like to meet photographers beforehand, ask questions about equipment, share photos and stay involved afterwards, join the UK Social Photography Telegram community for just £2 per month.
It gives you access to the main UKSP community and helps support what we’re building.
Join through @SocialUKbot: https://t.me/SocialUKbot
Introduce yourself and say you’re coming along to the Cambridge Light Trails workshop.
REFUNDS AND WEATHER
Tickets are refundable if UKSP has to cancel the workshop. If adverse weather or safety conditions prevent the planned wire-wool demonstration, the remainder of the photography workshop will still go ahead where reasonably possible.
ABOUT UK SOCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography is better when it brings people together.
We’re creating friendly opportunities for photographers of all abilities to meet, learn, shoot, share knowledge and build real friendships. You don’t need the latest camera or to be a professional. You just need an interest in photography.
https://www.uksocialphotography.co.uk/
Event venue & nearby stays
The Sage of Cambridge, 33A Milton Road, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.