Last night Otley Camera Club enjoyed a fantastic evening with Andrew Wakefield, who delivered an entertaining and informative talk on macro photography. The session was illustrated with some excellent photographs, offering practical insights and inspiration for members looking to explore the world of close-up photography. Looking ahead, next week we have our first competition night of the season, where the open competition will be judged by Giles Rocholl. Giles is known for h

Last night marked the end of our recent series of monochrome-focused meetings at Otley Camera Club, with a lively Q&A evening to round things off. Members were invited to submit their questions in advance, and several of our more experienced photographers prepared short presentations to answer them. The evening covered a wide range of topics — from histograms to presets to printing — and provided plenty of inspiration for anyone exploring the art of black and white photograph

A huge congratulations to Danni, whose wonderful photograph of a little owl perched in the hollow of a tree has won this month’s Photo of the Month competition on our members’ Facebook group. The winning image was chosen by Claire, last month’s winner, who had the tough job of selecting from a range of excellent entries. The monthly competition is a fun and friendly way for members to share their work, get inspired, and celebrate each other’s creativity. Following tradition,

What a fantastic evening we had last night at Otley Camera Club! Our member Danni Burgess shared her short but spectacular photographic journey — an inspiring look at how passion and dedication can lead to rapid growth and creativity in just a short time. Then David Baron took us on an unforgettable visual adventure, recounting his experiences photographing a research expedition in the Himalayas. Both talks offered insight, inspiration, and plenty of stunning images. Next wee

Some of our members had a fantastic evening last night photographing the dress rehearsal of 9 to 5 , performed by Guiseley Theatrical Productions . The rehearsal was full of energy, laughter, and vibrant performances — the perfect opportunity to practice our theatre photography skills. The combination of stage lighting, movement, and emotion made for a dynamic and creative challenge, and our members rose to it brilliantly. It’s always a pleasure to collaborate with local arts

Next week marks the start of our Members’ Talks evenings  at Otley Camera Club — a chance for our members to share their photographic journeys, adventures, and insights. We’re excited to begin with two very different but equally inspiring talks. Danni Burgess – My Photography Journey Through Pictures Danni may only have joined Otley Camera Club a year ago, but she has already impressed us with her passion and talent, especially in the field of wildlife photography. In her tal

Last night Otley Camera Club hosted something new: our very first “Same Image, Different Vision”  evening. In the run-up to the session, members were given eight RAW image files and invited to edit them in any way they wished. The only rule? There were no rules! Each photographer could apply their own style, techniques, and creative approach. We began the evening with a short discussion on the advantages of working in RAW — from the wider dynamic range to the flexibility it g

At Otley Camera Club, it isn’t just about Thursday nights. The club is also about the social side of photography – getting out together, discovering new places, and supporting each other as we grow in our creativity. This weekend, one of our members, Chris , organised a trip to Hebden near Grassington  to photograph a waterfall. After the recent heavy rain, the falls were in full flow, providing a dramatic backdrop for our cameras. While this did mean a few of us ended up wit

Last night, Otley Camera Club welcomed Joe Houghton  for a fabulous talk on processing in mono . Joe shared his expertise and gave us plenty to think about when it comes to creating striking monochrome images. Next week, we’re trying something completely new with an evening titled “Same Image, Different Vision.” In preparation, our members have all been working on the same set of images  — but with their own unique approaches to post-processing. It’s been fascinating to see j

After last night’s talk from our member Andy on colour and monochrome, we’re keeping the monochrome theme alive with a very special guest. We’re thrilled to welcome Joe Houghton back to the club  after his fantastic talk last year! Joe is a well-known photographer and trainer, and this time he’ll be focusing on how to create powerful black-and-white images. Processing in mono isn’t the same as working in colour – and Joe really knows his stuff. He’ll be showing us how to turn

Today’s meet-up took us out to the beautiful Thruscross Reservoir. With the water levels unusually low at the moment, the long-submerged village has reappeared, offering a rare glimpse into the past. It’s fascinating to see how nature and history intertwine in this quiet corner of Yorkshire. As we wandered along the reservoir’s edge, there were plenty of other discoveries too — including some incredible fungi popping up along the paths and a deer. Between the serene waters, e

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

Last week we introduced the fantastic line-up of speakers who will be joining us this season. This week, we’re turning the spotlight onto...

After a refreshing summer break, Otley Camera Club is back in action on Thursday 4th September  — and we’ve got an exciting line-up to...

After a well-earned summer break, Otley Camera Club  is excited to be returning on Thursday 4th September  for the start of our 2025/2026...

Our final “Meet the Members” feature introduces James Grimmitt, an outstanding photographer and a valued member of our club. James consistently performs well in our competitions and has recently achieved his British Photographic Exhibitions Crown 2 award – a fantastic accomplishment that reflects both skill and dedication. James has a remarkable eye for detail, and his images are thoughtfully composed. He pays particular attention to leading lines, using them to guide the vie

Our Meet the Members  series continues with someone who has quickly become an invaluable part of Otley Camera Club – Margaret Purkis . Margaret recently completed her second year with us, and in that short time she’s made a big impression. At our last AGM, she generously stepped forward to take on the role of Secretary , a position that helps keep the club running smoothly. We’re delighted – and very grateful – to have her in that role. Like many of our newer members, Margare

Our latest feature in the Meet the Members  series shines a spotlight on the talented Claire Wilson-Sharp. Claire is an accomplished photographer with a keen eye for capturing stunning images. Her work was recognised in this year’s Annual Exhibition, where she was awarded second place – a well-deserved accolade. Much of Claire’s photography is inspired by her travels. She has a passion for exploring new places, and her adventures provide a rich source of subjects and stories.

We’re delighted to introduce the next photographer in our Meet the Members  series: Kay Roxby. Kay first contacted us last year after relocating to the area. Already an active member of another camera club, she was looking to find a new photography community locally—and we were thrilled that she wanted to try out our club. Before she even stepped through the door, a quick look at her Instagram confirmed what we’d suspected from her message: Kay is an incredibly talented photo

In this edition of our Meet the Member  series, we're delighted to introduce someone who needs little introduction—Jerry Marriner. Jerry is believed to be the longest-standing member of our club, and his contribution over the years has been invaluable. His dedication, support, and quiet leadership have helped shape the club into what it is today. He’s served as treasurer not once, but twice, and is always one of the first to offer help behind the scenes. Whether it’s sharing

At Otley Camera Club, we’re lucky to be surrounded by passionate and talented photographers — and one of our newer members, Danni Burgess , is a fantastic example. Danni joined us halfway through last season after attending the beginners’ photography class offered by Prince Henry's Grammar School Community Education. But it quickly became clear she’d walked into the wrong class — not because she didn’t belong, but because she was already an exceptionally  good photographer! S

Our Meet the Members  series continues with a spotlight on one of our talented and dedicated members— Massimiliano Malisan , or as most of us know him, Max . We were very fortunate when Max joined Otley Camera Club from Hebden Bridge Camera Club after relocating to the area. With his warm personality and outstanding photographic skill, Max quickly became an active and valued part of the club. He regularly joins our photography outings and is always willing to lend a hand at