A MIDDLEWICH photography group was given a helping hand as they took their pictures out of the electronic world and into print.

Mel Smith of the 21st Century Technology and Camera Group has been working with Middlewich residents for the past two years, developing camera skills and encouraging publication of members’ work.

For some, taking the step from sharing online to in a permanent, printed form was daunting and the lack of a reliable printer meant a planned group exhibition had to be cancelled.

Fortunately Printgrafix in Northwich, run by the wife and daughters of group member Phil Tomlinson, offered their services and advice free of charge meaning the exhibition could go ahead.

Phil said: “Mel came up with this idea but nobody seemed to be getting on board, because people don’t generally print their photos and they aren’t really sure what to do or where to go.

“My wife and daughter run a print company, Printgrafix, so I just brought the two together.

“We are hoping to give people in the Middlewich area an opportunity to join the club and get involved. We hope people will go along and get to see what the group is all about.”

The exhibition, which began last Tuesday, June 14 and runs until this weekend in Arts and Frames, Wheelock Street, is something the group hope to repeat in the future.

Group chair Mel said: "We have had very positive comments from everyone who has seen it, and the group intend to do it again next year.

"It’s a different aspect of photography. It makes you think very carefully about what the photo includes.

"We share our photos with members of the group but it’s another step to say ‘I want to share this with people outside of that environment’.

"When you print photos they look different and we are enlarging them so there is more to think about."