In this edition of our Meet the Members  series, we’re shining a spotlight on someone whose dedication, energy, and talent have been at the heart of the club for many years – Les Smart . Les joined the club around ten years ago and wasted no time getting involved. Within just a few weeks, he was already serving on the committee – a sign of the commitment and enthusiasm that have become his trademark. Today, Les holds the essential role of Competition Secretary . It’s a positi

In this edition of our Meet the Members  series, we’re delighted to shine the spotlight on our Vice Chair, Andy Hoyle. Andy first joined the club back in the 1960s, making him one of our longest-standing members. Over the decades, he’s built up an incredible wealth of knowledge and photographic experience — and what makes Andy so special is his generosity in sharing it. Whether it’s a tip on technique or advice on gear, Andy is always ready to help. He plays a particularly ac

We’re continuing our Meet the Members  series by introducing one of our newer members — David Baron . Although David only recently joined Otley Camera Club, he brought with him a wealth of experience in photography. From the outset, it was clear that he had a real talent for capturing the natural world. His portfolio features stunning images of wildlife and landscapes, showcasing not just his technical skill but also a strong eye for composition and light. David has quickly b

In this edition of our Meet the Members  series, we’re shining a spotlight on one of Otley Camera Club’s most talented travel photographers — Paul Buckley . Paul is an adventurous spirit with a camera always at the ready. His work takes us around the world through striking images that capture not just places, but the atmosphere, the culture, and most importantly, the people. His portraits are particularly powerful, offering intimate glimpses into the lives of those he meets a

Next up in our Meet the Members  series is the talented Keira Thorogood. Keira is about to embark on her 10th season with the club, making her one of our most experienced and dedicated members. A passionate and versatile photographer, Keira has explored a wide range of photographic styles — always with spectacular results. From landscapes to portraits, street to abstract, she embraces every challenge with creativity and skill. But it’s in nature photography that her heart tru

Over the summer, we’d like to introduce you to some of our members and share their favourite images. To get the ball rolling, we’re starting with myself, Richard Sells. I’m the Chair of the club and about to begin my 10th year as a member. I started out very much as a beginner, having just purchased a DSLR and looking for support and opportunities to use it. Over the years, my skills have developed, and I’ve achieved the CPAGB, BPE2, and EFIAP accreditations. I’ve also been h

Last weekend, Otley Camera Club members took a much-anticipated trip to the Farne Isles – one of the UK’s top wildlife photography destinations. While some members made the journey up just for the day, others turned it into a weekend getaway, taking the opportunity to enjoy some good food, unwind, and, of course, capture the stunning Northumberland coastline with their cameras. Saturday was the big day, and we all met at the harbour, ready for the boat trip to the islands. Th

As part of this year’s Annual Exhibition, we were thrilled to also host two public photography competitions — one for adults and one for juniors. The response was fantastic, with nearly 50 entries showcasing a wide range of talent and creativity. Our panel of three judges certainly had their work cut out, but after much deliberation, they selected their top three images in each category. You can view the winning entries below — and we’re sure you’ll agree, they’re stunning! W

We held our Annual Photographic Exhibition over the last weekend of May at All Saints’ Parish Church, Otley. The free event attracted a...

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

Our final competition of the 2024/2025 season took place last night: Photo of the Year , and what a brilliant way to wrap up another fantastic season at Otley Camera Club. The format was simple but engaging. We looked back over the year, revisiting all the placed images from our competitions. Members gathered in small groups to review the photographs and reflect on the creativity and technical skill on display. Each person then voted for their top three favourites —a tough ta

Back in February, four of our members set off on a photography adventure to Iceland, drawn by its dramatic landscapes, icy textures, and unique winter light. From frozen waterfalls and black sand beaches to the elusive Northern Lights, the trip offered countless opportunities for breathtaking images. On Thursday evening, they presented their photographs and shared stories from the journey with the club. It was a fantastic night filled with inspiration, laughter, and plenty of

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

Last week, members of Otley Camera Club had the pleasure of spending a memorable morning at Croft Foot Farm , hosted by the wonderful Amy Bateman  and her family. The visit coincided with lambing season—an incredibly special and busy time on the farm. Cameras in hand, we were given the opportunity to document the life, energy, and beauty of spring’s arrival in the countryside. From newborn lambs to the quiet resilience of the landscape, every moment offered a unique photogra

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

We are excited to announce that through the support of #TogetherLeeds we have been able to increase the prize fund for our public...

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 thrilled to unveil the official poster for this year’s Otley Camera Club Annual Exhibition  – beautifully designed by our talented...

We’re excited to announce the launch of our public photography competition  to celebrate our Annual Exhibition ! This is a fantastic...

This year, we’re excited to continue our partnership with the Leeds Warriors Ice Hockey team, bringing the fast-paced thrill of the sport to life through our photography. As members of Otley Camera Club, we love the challenge of capturing the speed, intensity, and raw emotion of the game. Attending their home matches gives us the perfect opportunity to refine our sports photography skills while supporting a fantastic local team. Ice hockey is a sport of split-second action, d

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