Out & About – Our First Photography Day of the New Season
- 6 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Our new season isn't just about Thursday evenings at the clubhouse.
One of the things that makes Otley Camera Club special is the opportunity to get out with our cameras and photograph together.
Yesterday saw the first of our Out & About days of the 2026/27 season, with members heading to the wonderful Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park near Grewelthorpe.
What is an Out & About?
Our Out & Abouts are informal photography days where members meet up at an interesting location and spend time taking photographs together.
There's no competition, no set subject and no pressure to produce a particular type of image. It's simply an opportunity to get out, experiment, learn from each other and enjoy photography.
Sometimes we'll be photographing wildlife or landscapes, sometimes architecture or street photography, and sometimes we'll find ourselves somewhere that encourages us to try something completely different.
They're also a great way for newer members to get to know people outside the Thursday evening meetings.
Art, nature and plenty to photograph
The Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park was a fantastic location for our first outing. The 45-acre site combines woodland gardens, an arboretum, lakes and a large collection of contemporary sculptures, with more than 90 permanent sculptures positioned throughout the landscape.
That combination gave our members plenty to work with.
And it was particularly good to see people experimenting with their photography. From reflections and movement to abstract compositions, creative techniques and more traditional landscape images, there was plenty of opportunity to look at the surroundings differently.
That's exactly what these days are about – trying something new, seeing what works and perhaps coming home with photographs you wouldn't normally have taken.
The weather didn't stop us!
The day started with rather persistent rain, but our members weren't going to let a bit of Yorkshire weather get in the way! 🌧️
Thankfully, the weather eventually improved and the sun came out, giving everyone the chance to make the most of the gardens and sculptures.
We've included just a selection of images from Kay, Claire and Danni to give you a flavour of the day.
And this was only the first Out & About of the season.
There are plenty more planned over the coming months, giving our members lots of opportunities to get their cameras out, discover new places, try different techniques and, most importantly, enjoy photography together.
The season has only just begun – and we're already looking forward to our next adventure! 📸
Otley Camera Club – Learn • Inspire • Share
