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Welcome to the Otley Camera Club blog, where you can keep up to date with everything happening in and around the club.
Here you will find posts covering a wide range of activities, including club nights, competitions, outings and our involvement in the local community. It’s a great way to see what the club has been doing and the photography our members are producing.
You can use the options below to filter posts by category, including Out and About, Community, Competitions and Club Nights, making it easy to explore the areas that interest you most.
Meet The Members
Find out about some of our members and take a look at their stunning images.
Meet The Members – Claire Wilson Sharp
This week in our summer Meet The Members series we're featuring Claire Wilson Sharp. Claire has enjoyed photography for many years, although for much of that time it was simply a way of recording memorable moments. Her camera usually accompanied her on holidays, where she found herself naturally drawn to landscapes, wildlife and the places she visited. Inspired by a friend whose photography had flourished after joining a camera club, Claire decided to become a member of Otley
3 days ago
Meet The Member: Karen Weir
Karen has been one of Otley Camera Club's success stories over the past year. Her confidence behind the camera has blossomed, her photography has reached a new level, and she's enjoyed her most successful competition season to date. With more placings than ever before, including 2nd Place in the Landscape Competition with her stunning image of Loch Muick, Karen has shown that hard work, enthusiasm and a willingness to try new things really do pay off. Karen picked up a camera
Jul 11
Meet The Members – Mary Marshall
This week in our summer Meet The Members series we're featuring Mary Marshall. Mary originally joined Otley Camera Club to unravel the mysteries of photography and finally understand terms such as f-stops, apertures and shutter speeds. Since then, she has learned a tremendous amount, not only through the club's talks and practical evenings but also from the support, encouragement and example set by fellow members. For Mary, one of the greatest strengths of the club is its fri
Jul 2
Meet The Members: Danni Burgess
📸 Meet The Members – Danni Burgess 📸 This week in our summer Meet The Members series we're featuring Danni Burgess. Danni's photography journey began quite recently, inspired by joining her husband, Chris, on his countryside walks. What started as a growing interest in local wildlife quickly became a passion, and the turning point came when Chris gifted her a Canon camera for Christmas in 2023. Since then, Danni has embraced every opportunity to get outdoors and explore. Wh
Jun 28
Meet The Members: Chris Burgess
📸 Meet The Members – Chris Burgess 📸 This week in our summer Meet The Members series we're featuring Chris Burgess. Chris has recently rediscovered his love of photography. A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, he has always enjoyed hiking and exploring the countryside, particularly in and around the Yorkshire Dales, often with a camera tucked into his pocket. However, like many of us, the demands of everyday life meant that photography had to take a back seat for a number of year
Jun 21
Meet The Members: Keira Thorogood
Keira is one of Otley Camera Club's most accomplished photographers, having been awarded Photographer of the Year in 2019, 2020 and 2021, as well as winning Photo of the Year in 2023. These achievements reflect not only her technical skill but also her ability to produce outstanding images across a wide range of photographic genres. However, as you can see from this selection of photographs, nature and wildlife photography hold a special place in Keira's heart. Many early mor
Jun 17
Meet The Members: Les Smart
📸 Meet The Members – Les Smart 📸 This week in our summer Meet The Members series we're featuring Les Smart. Originally from Liverpool, Les likes to joke that he had to leave because he doesn't like football! A member of Otley Camera Club since 2017, Les recently stepped down from the role of Competition Secretary after many years of dedicated service (joining the committee on almost his first visit to the club). During his time in the role, he did an outstanding job helping
Jun 12
Meet The Members: Richard Sells
This week in our summer Meet The Members series we're featuring Richard Sells. Richard recently stepped down as Chair after two years leading the club but remains an active committee member with responsibility for the club's website and social media. Outside the club, Richard teaches computing at a local primary school and also runs a beginner's photography course through a community education programme. Unlike many photographers, Richard doesn't have a favourite genre and en
Jun 5
Meet the Members: James Grimmitt
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
Aug 12, 2025
Meet the Members – Margaret Purkis
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
Aug 10, 2025
Meet the Members: Claire Wilson-Sharp
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.
Aug 6, 2025
Meet the Members: Kay Roxby
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
Aug 4, 2025
Meet the Member: Jerry Marriner
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
Aug 2, 2025
Meet the Member: Danni Burgess
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
Jul 22, 2025
Meet the Members: Massimiliano Malisan (Max)
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
Jul 19, 2025
Meet the Members: Les Smart
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
Jul 16, 2025
Meet the Members: Andy Hoyle
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
Jul 12, 2025
Meet the Members: David Baron
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
Jul 8, 2025
Meet the Members: Paul Buckley
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
Jul 2, 2025
Meet the Members: Keira Thorogood
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
Jun 26, 2025
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