Last night’s talk by Helen Williams was superb. It was fascinating to hear about her photographic journey and her experiences working on TV sets. Members were particularly inspired by her insight into the continuing value of quality photography, especially in an age when cheaper, lower-quality options like screen grabs are often used. Her passion and professionalism shone through, making for a truly memorable evening. Next week, we continue our exciting programme with a focus

Last night we kicked off our new season, and it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces returning as well as lots of new members joining us for the first time. The room was full of energy, conversation, and, of course, plenty of inspiring photography. It was a great reminder of what makes our club such a friendly and creative community. We’re also excited that next week is our first speaker of the season: Harrogate-based photographer Helen Williams . Helen began her photo

We’re almost there! This Thursday marks the beginning of our 2025/2026 season at Otley Camera Club, and we couldn’t be more excited to get started. Over the coming months, we have a packed programme of events designed for photographers of all levels. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience behind the lens, there’s something for everyone. Opening Night – Thursday Join us for the beginning of our highly anticipated 2025/2026 season! To celebrate, we’ll be s

As the 2024/2025 season draws to a close, we’re getting ready for one final gathering before the summer break. Next week marks the last meeting of the season , and we’ve got a relaxed and enjoyable evening planned. We’ll be unveiling the 2025/2026 programme , giving everyone a first look at the exciting talks, workshops, and competitions lined up for the year ahead. To round off the evening—and the season—we’ll be hosting a fun social quiz . It’s a great opportunity to unwind

As the season draws to a close, we have a special evening dedicated to celebrating the very best of our photography competitions from the past year. We'll be showcasing all the images that placed in our 2024/2025 competition. It’s a chance to revisit the standout moments of the year and appreciate the diverse styles and subjects that have inspired us. In a relaxed and social setting, we’ll share our thoughts on our favourite images and enjoy some friendly discussion before ca

Congratulations to everyone who took part in our final competition of the year— Triptych . The standard of entries was incredibly high, showcasing a wide range of genres including nature, landscapes, and architecture. Judging was no easy task, especially with the added challenge of evaluating how each set of three images worked together as a unified piece. A special thank you goes to Mark Waddington, who judged the competition with insight and generosity. His feedback was bot

Join us at Otley Camera Club for a special evening as we hear from four of our members who set off on a week-long photography adventure to Iceland earlier this year. They’ll be sharing captivating stories from their journey, along with a showcase of stunning images capturing the dramatic landscapes, icy scenes, and unique moments they experienced. It promises to be an inspiring night full of photographic insight and travel tales. Don’t miss it!

Last night, we held our AGM which was a positive, constructive and celebratory evening. It was great to see how the club is continuing to be a success and to grow. We’re excited to welcome Mark Waddington as our guest judge for this season’s Triptych  competition. With his keen eye and extensive experience, Mark will be reviewing entries across two categories: prints  and digitally projected images . As part of the evening, he’ll select his personal favourites in each categor

We’re thrilled to welcome Dani , our newest member at Otley Camera Club  – and she’s already making headlines! Recently interviewed by the BBC , Dani shared her insights on some of the best bird-watching spots in Yorkshire . As a keen wildlife photographer with a particular passion for birds, Dani brings not only her talent behind the lens but also a deep knowledge of local nature reserves and bird habitats. The article highlights Dani’s favourite places to capture birds in t

Last week, we were delighted to welcome Nigel Plant to the club as the judge for two of our most imaginative competitions: the Long Exposure Print Competition  and the Multiple Exposure DPI Competition . Both categories showcased a stunning array of creative talent. From beautifully composed long exposures to inventive multiple exposure images, the standard of work on display was truly impressive. It was a fantastic reminder of the diverse photographic skills within our club.

We're excited to welcome John Bolloten, a renowned documentary photographer from Bradford, UK, as our guest speaker. John's compelling work captures the raw realities of people and subcultures often overlooked by society, with a particular focus on heroin and crack users over the past five years. Currently, John is deeply involved in several long-term projects, including bare-knuckle fighting, illicit drug use, and the world of Sunday league football. His photography offers a

Get up close and personal with the fascinating world of macro photography at our upcoming hands-on evening! Whether you're a seasoned macro enthusiast or just curious to try something new, this is a perfect opportunity to explore the art of capturing stunning close-up images. We’ll have multiple themed stations set up, giving you the chance to circulate, experiment, and photograph a variety of intricate subjects—from textures and patterns to tiny objects you might never have

Thursday night saw the much-anticipated judging of our Portrait Competition , with Peter Wells  taking on the challenge of selecting winners from a truly outstanding set of images. For me, a great judging session is one where you learn something new  and have a laugh along the way —and Peter certainly delivered on both fronts! His insightful critiques and engaging commentary made for an enjoyable evening while also helping us see our work from a fresh perspective. With such a

We’re excited to welcome Peter   Wells as our guest judge for this year’s Portrait Competition ! Peter will carefully review entries across two categories— prints and digitally projected images —selecting his personal favourites. Beyond choosing the winners, Peter will provide invaluable feedback  on each submission, sharing what stands out in the images and offering constructive suggestions  for improvement. This is a fantastic opportunity for our members to celebrate their

Max and Claire may be relatively new to our club, but they’ve already made a strong impression. Max has showcased his fantastic skills in travel and portrait photography, while Claire has captivated us with her stunning nature and travel images. This week, we have the opportunity to dive deeper into their photographic journeys—discovering what inspires them, the lessons they’ve learned along the way, and the tips they have to share. Don’t miss the chance to view their incredi

Don’t miss this incredible chance to explore the Masters of Prints  exhibition, presented by the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB) . This prestigious showcase features 60 breathtaking images , each crafted by a different photographer and selected as a first-time exhibition entry. This week, Otley Camera Club  will be visiting the exhibition hosted by our friends from Cookridge Camera Club . It’s a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in some of the finest pho

Next week at Otley Camera Club, we are excited to welcome Christine Hodgson as our guest judge for our Reflections  competition. This eagerly anticipated event will showcase our members’ creative interpretations of reflections, with images presented in two categories: prints and digitally projected images. Christine will bring her expertise and keen eye to the judging process, selecting her personal favourites while providing invaluable feedback on each submission. Her insigh

Last Thursday, we hosted our very first Photography Knockout Night , and what a fantastic evening it was! The event brought excitement and plenty of engaging photographic discussions. What Is Photography Knockout? 📸🔥 This unique event is a battle of creativity where images face off in a thrilling competition. Here’s how it works: 32 Captivating Images:  The competition kicks off with 32 stunning photographs. Head-to-Head Face-offs:  Each pair of images is presented to the a

We are thrilled to announce an exciting new addition to our programme: Photography Knockout Night!  This fully interactive event is sure to be an evening packed with fun, friendly competition, and engaging photographic discussions. What Is Photography Knockout? Imagine a thrilling battle of creativity where images face off in a series of head-to-head matches. Here's how it works: 32 Images:  The event kicks off with 32 captivating photographs. Paired Competitions:  Each pair

Thursday evening turned out to be perfect for one of Otley Camera Club's most eagerly anticipated events: long exposure photography. Despite the day starting with rain, the skies cleared just in time for us to head out and create some magical shots. Long exposure photography is always a club favourite, offering endless creative possibilities. We had a fantastic turnout, with members braving the earlier weather to join us for this exciting session. Armed with tripods, cameras,

Join us for one of Otley Camera Club's most popular nights as we dive into the captivating world of long exposure photography! This exciting session will take us outdoors, equipped with an array of vibrant light sources. We'll set up our cameras on tripods, adjust to long shutter speeds, press the shutter, and watch the magic unfold. Our experienced members will be on hand to provide support and share tips throughout the evening, ensuring everyone can capture stunning light t

As the temperatures dropped dramatically last night, we decided to move our Otley Camera Club meeting onto Zoom. Despite the chilly weather outside, the evening turned out to be a wonderfully engaging and interactive session that left us all feeling inspired and connected. The focus of the evening was on providing constructive feedback on members' images. To make this process as inclusive and effective as possible, we split into four smaller groups. This allowed for detailed

We’re excited that Erica Oram , will be joining Otley Camera Club next week as our guest judge! Her visit promises to bring inspiration, constructive critique, and a wealth of knowledge. Erica will be reviewing submissions across two categories: Unmounted Creative DPI Street Her role will not only be to select her personal favourites from these submissions but also to provide invaluable feedback on each image. With her keen eye and vast experience, Erica will highlight the el

Last week at Otley Camera Club, we embraced the festive spirit with a relaxed and enjoyable social evening. Together, we prepared our Christmas decorations for this year’s Christmas Tree Festival  at Otley All Saints Church. The festival, running from Wednesday to Saturday, promises to be a magical celebration of creativity and community. Don’t forget to stop by and admire our beautifully decorated tree! Looking Ahead: A Night of Long Exposure Photography This week, we’re shi