UPP President
Monty Trent LRPS
Monty Trent LRPS
Welcome to UPP
This is the official website of United Photographic Postfolios of Great Britain, commonly known as UPP. Founded in 1931, it was originally a postal group, which is why it has this unusual name.
As with all things, times have changed. Digital photography now coexists with film and other processes. Our membership stands at over 200 from across Great Britain and beyond. Many members have been with us for over 40 years, ranging from the distinguished and experienced to those just beginning their photographic journey.
So, what can UPP offer you that’s special?
The answer is that we collaborate in small groups (Circles) discussing and appraising our work together. No, we don’t sit in dark rooms or in front of a computer or in Clubs as a silent audience members watching Judges appraise our work or speakers present theirs. We learn to comment on each other’s work constructively instead of box-ticking them or muttering ‘awesome’ on social media.
Will this conflict with my Camera Club membership?
No, on the contrary we work side by side with Camera Clubs since most of us are active members.
So how does UPP operate?
UPP operates in “Circles” with up to 15 members in each. Most Circles are “open” or general interest but there are specialised Circles for subjects such as Natural History, monochrome photography, Audio Visual, InfraRed, Analog, and mobile phone photography. Most Circles circulate monthly.
Print Circles
There are 13 Print Circles to choose from, which can be made from digital or negative images, using Lightroom, Photoshop or other software, darkroom or trade-processed techniques. Most are up to A4 or A3 size but there are also “small print” Circles for A5 and two of 12 square inches.
How does a print circle operate?
Once a month members receive a packet through the post. For example, I am a member of Circle 29. Right now, I have besides me a packet containing Folio 904 (yes, we’ve been running now for many years). Opening it, I find a Notebook and other goodies, an earlier Notebook for the previous circulated Rota, a folder of loose items, snippets from useful magazine articles and the like, the occasional memory stick full of useful stuff and stationery. Then there are 3 packets of prints each with an attached comment sheet with comments from all of us on our print entries— one containing all 15 members’ prints for comments and voting, another with the earlier prints, another for entering a new print for the next round and a final packet of prints to withdraw and store my previous entries.
PDI Circles
Eight PDI Circles are available, with several ways to view the images including online Dropbox and memory stick. As previously mentioned, there is also an AV Circle that produces folios quarterly.
Zoom Circles
A positive outcome of the Covid pandemic lockdown has been the development of Zoom Circles. These have proven to be a popular method for conducting non-judgmental group discussions. The number of these has now increased to 13, including some that specialise in monochrome, infra-red and the latest for panel discussions. They are non-competitive and select an entry for the annual Exhibition. Zoom Circles meet monthly and continue the principle of bringing the Club to members’ homes.
How do we engage socially?
The Circles also incorporate a social element where members can engage in discussions in folio “notebooks” or ask questions about any photographic subject. This fosters lifelong friendships.
Do we ever meet in person?
Yes, many of the Circles organise the occasional rally exploring an area together.
Our main get-together is our annual weekend Convention. We get together over a weekend for UPP’s AGM, Exhibition, lectures and semi-formal dinner. This provides an excellent opportunity to meet others from your own Circle and beyond.
We also maintain contact by distributing a well-illustrated magazine, the “UPPJournal”.
We also distribute an “Exhibition Catalogue”, featuring images from all our Circles featured in our annual Convention.
Do I need to be a top photographer?
Although many of our members are highly experienced, eminent, photographers, regardless of experience all members participate on an equal basis. If you want to develop your photography skills, UPP is an excellent forum in both picture-taking and assessment. While for some it remains their sole Club due to the inability to attend a local club (hence our logo representing a single photographer), for many it is also an ideal addition to membership of a conventional club and provides an opportunity to “test” pictures before submitting them to the local club. Critiques are more in-depth and comprehensive than those from a single judge or social media - and everyone can introduce their photographs saying why and how they made them.
Further details, including members’ photographs and an application form, are available elsewhere on this site https://www.uppofgb.com/promo-video.html. Do come and join us. I hope you will enjoy your time with us as I have for many happy years.
Monty Trent
President
September 2025
This is the official website of United Photographic Postfolios of Great Britain, commonly known as UPP. Founded in 1931, it was originally a postal group, which is why it has this unusual name.
As with all things, times have changed. Digital photography now coexists with film and other processes. Our membership stands at over 200 from across Great Britain and beyond. Many members have been with us for over 40 years, ranging from the distinguished and experienced to those just beginning their photographic journey.
So, what can UPP offer you that’s special?
The answer is that we collaborate in small groups (Circles) discussing and appraising our work together. No, we don’t sit in dark rooms or in front of a computer or in Clubs as a silent audience members watching Judges appraise our work or speakers present theirs. We learn to comment on each other’s work constructively instead of box-ticking them or muttering ‘awesome’ on social media.
Will this conflict with my Camera Club membership?
No, on the contrary we work side by side with Camera Clubs since most of us are active members.
So how does UPP operate?
UPP operates in “Circles” with up to 15 members in each. Most Circles are “open” or general interest but there are specialised Circles for subjects such as Natural History, monochrome photography, Audio Visual, InfraRed, Analog, and mobile phone photography. Most Circles circulate monthly.
Print Circles
There are 13 Print Circles to choose from, which can be made from digital or negative images, using Lightroom, Photoshop or other software, darkroom or trade-processed techniques. Most are up to A4 or A3 size but there are also “small print” Circles for A5 and two of 12 square inches.
How does a print circle operate?
Once a month members receive a packet through the post. For example, I am a member of Circle 29. Right now, I have besides me a packet containing Folio 904 (yes, we’ve been running now for many years). Opening it, I find a Notebook and other goodies, an earlier Notebook for the previous circulated Rota, a folder of loose items, snippets from useful magazine articles and the like, the occasional memory stick full of useful stuff and stationery. Then there are 3 packets of prints each with an attached comment sheet with comments from all of us on our print entries— one containing all 15 members’ prints for comments and voting, another with the earlier prints, another for entering a new print for the next round and a final packet of prints to withdraw and store my previous entries.
PDI Circles
Eight PDI Circles are available, with several ways to view the images including online Dropbox and memory stick. As previously mentioned, there is also an AV Circle that produces folios quarterly.
Zoom Circles
A positive outcome of the Covid pandemic lockdown has been the development of Zoom Circles. These have proven to be a popular method for conducting non-judgmental group discussions. The number of these has now increased to 13, including some that specialise in monochrome, infra-red and the latest for panel discussions. They are non-competitive and select an entry for the annual Exhibition. Zoom Circles meet monthly and continue the principle of bringing the Club to members’ homes.
How do we engage socially?
The Circles also incorporate a social element where members can engage in discussions in folio “notebooks” or ask questions about any photographic subject. This fosters lifelong friendships.
Do we ever meet in person?
Yes, many of the Circles organise the occasional rally exploring an area together.
Our main get-together is our annual weekend Convention. We get together over a weekend for UPP’s AGM, Exhibition, lectures and semi-formal dinner. This provides an excellent opportunity to meet others from your own Circle and beyond.
We also maintain contact by distributing a well-illustrated magazine, the “UPPJournal”.
We also distribute an “Exhibition Catalogue”, featuring images from all our Circles featured in our annual Convention.
Do I need to be a top photographer?
Although many of our members are highly experienced, eminent, photographers, regardless of experience all members participate on an equal basis. If you want to develop your photography skills, UPP is an excellent forum in both picture-taking and assessment. While for some it remains their sole Club due to the inability to attend a local club (hence our logo representing a single photographer), for many it is also an ideal addition to membership of a conventional club and provides an opportunity to “test” pictures before submitting them to the local club. Critiques are more in-depth and comprehensive than those from a single judge or social media - and everyone can introduce their photographs saying why and how they made them.
Further details, including members’ photographs and an application form, are available elsewhere on this site https://www.uppofgb.com/promo-video.html. Do come and join us. I hope you will enjoy your time with us as I have for many happy years.
Monty Trent
President
September 2025
