Thoresby Forties

Thoresby Forties event is on the 16th and 17th May weekend at Thorsby Hall.

Step Back in Time: A Unique 1940s Photographic Opportunity The event is free to enter. However, there is a £5 charge for all day car parking.

This upcoming event promises to be a fantastic photographic opportunity for anyone with an interest in history, storytelling, and visual detail. With a strong focus on the 1940s era, the event will showcase a rich display of Second World War memorabilia, offering photographers the chance to capture the sights, textures, and atmosphere of a pivotal period in history.

Expect an array of authentic uniforms, military vehicles, period costumes, and carefully curated artefacts that evoke the spirit of the wartime years. From weathered leather and polished brass to the subtle details of period dress, there will be no shortage of compelling subjects for both close up detail shots and wider scene setting images.

Whether your passion is portraiture, documentary-style photography, or creative storytelling, this event provides the perfect backdrop to experiment, observe, and capture images that feel timeless. It’s an excellent opportunity for club members of all experience levels to build a themed portfolio, practise working with natural light and candid moments, and immerse themselves in a living slice of 1940s history.

Cameras at the ready, this is an event not to be missed.

Great Central Railway

Great Central Railway is on the 30-31 May with tickets from £30

The Great Central Railway weekend is a must attend event for all steam enthusiasts and photographers with a passion for railway history and memorabilia. Taking place over two days, this evocative event offers a rare chance to step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of Britain’s steam era heritage.

From beautifully restored steam locomotives to authentic carriages, station details, and period artefacts, the Great Central Railway provides an exceptional setting for photography. Plumes of steam, polished metalwork, vintage signage, and the timeless charm of the railway environment create countless opportunities for both dramatic action shots and carefully composed detail images.

Whether your interest lies in transport photography, industrial heritage, or storytelling through images, this event delivers something for photographers of all levels. The working railway environment allows for dynamic scenes throughout the day, while quieter moments offer the chance to capture textures, craftsmanship, and character that define the steam age.

With so much visual interest packed into a single location, this promises to be a rewarding and inspiring weekend for anyone keen to build a strong themed portfolio.

Orchids at Calverton Colliery

This event is on multiple dates as it will be weather dependant 28th May 10th & 11th June its also a free event

The Orchids at Calverton Colliery event offers a wonderful opportunity for photographers to immerse themselves in the delicate beauty of nature and capture images rich in colour, form, and detail. Set within the unique surroundings of the former colliery site, this event combines a backdrop of old slag heaps with the elegance of a stunning orchid display.

Visitors can expect an impressive variety of orchids, showcasing an array of shapes, textures, and vibrant hues, from subtle pastels to striking, dramatic blooms. This makes the event ideal for close up and macro photography, as well as more creative compositions playing with light, depth of field, and contrasting backgrounds.

Whether you enjoy botanical photography, experimenting with natural light, or refining your composition skills, these sessions provide a relaxed and inspiring environment for photographers of all experience levels. The contrasting setting of reclaimed industrial landscape and refined floral beauty adds an extra layer of visual interest, making it an excellent subject for creative storytelling.

With multiple dates available, this is a perfect chance to revisit, refine techniques, and build a strong floral portfolio. A highly recommended event for anyone looking to capture the intricate elegance of orchids in an unusual and atmospheric setting.

Landscapes at Curbar Edge in Derbyshire

This event is in early June (the exact date is weather‑dependent)

The committee are delighted to invite you to our upcoming photographic outing at Curbar Edge in Derbyshire, one of the Peak District’s most iconic locations. With its dramatic gritstone cliffs, sweeping moorland, and far reaching views across the Hope Valley, Curbar Edge offers endless opportunities for capturing striking landscape images whether you’re drawn to wide panoramas, textured rock formations, or wildlife along the ridge.

We’ll be timing our visit to make the most of the golden hour and, with a little luck, a truly spectacular sunset. As the sun dips behind the distant hills, the landscape often glows with rich colours and atmospheric light that photographers adore. It’s a fantastic chance to experiment, improve your skills, and enjoy the natural beauty of one of Derbyshire’s finest viewpoints.

Whether you’re one of our more experienced members or just enjoy getting out with your camera, we hope you’ll join us for an inspiring and sociable evening in the great outdoors. Bring your kit, your creativity, and a sense of adventure we look forward to seeing you there! (We might even find a pub on the way home!)

This event is to be arranged in early June. It will be an afternoon into the evening event to hopefully capture a spectacular sunset. For all those interested please contact a committee member to register for this event.

Papplewick Steampunk

This event is on 11th & 12th July £14.50 entry fee which is valid for 12 months

Step back in time and dive headfirst into the imaginative world of Steampunk at the stunning Papplewick Pumping Station. This unique Steam Punk event promises an unforgettable blend of Victorian engineering, creative fantasy, and visual drama making it an exceptional opportunity for photographers of all styles and abilities.

Papplewick Pumping Station itself is a masterpiece of Victorian industrial heritage. Built around a magnificent working beam engine, the site was historically used to pump water from local wells into a reservoir. Today, it stands as one of Nottinghamshire’s most beautiful historic buildings, both inside and out making an atmospheric backdrop perfectly suited to the Steam Punk aesthetic.

During the event, the location comes alive with intricate costumes, elaborate props, brass and leather details, goggles, gears, and imaginative characters straight out of an alternative Victorian future. From dramatic portraits and costume details to wide architectural shots and candid moments, there will be no shortage of photographic inspiration.

With a single ticket granting 12 months’ access for just £14.50, this event offers fantastic value and the chance to return in different seasons and lighting conditions. Whether you’re interested in portraiture, creative cosplay photography, architectural detail, or storytelling through images, Papplewick Steampunk is an event not to be missed.

Bring your cameras, your creativity, and your sense of adventure the world of Steam Punk awaits.

Pleasley Pit Country Park & Nature Reserve

This event is in July (the exact date is weather‑dependent)

Pleasley Pit Country Park & Nature Reserve is a fascinating and varied location, making it an excellent destination for a summer camera club outing. Combining industrial heritage with reclaimed landscapes and thriving wildlife habitats, the site offers a wide range of photographic opportunities for photographers of all interests and skill levels.

The reserve features miles of well‑maintained walking routes winding around a number of ponds, reed beds, meadows, and woodland edges. These water features and surrounding habitats support a rich diversity of wildlife, particularly during the warmer months. July is an especially rewarding time to visit, with insect activity at its peak.

For nature and macro photographers, Pleasley Pit is well known as a strong location for dragonflies and damselflies, which can often be seen patrolling the pond edges or resting on reeds and grasses. Butterflies, bees, and other insects are plentiful, offering fantastic opportunities for close‑up work and behavioural shots. Patient photographers may also spot water birds and other wildlife making use of the ponds.

Beyond wildlife, the park’s industrial heritage adds another dimension. Remnants of the former colliery infrastructure sit alongside the natural environment, providing interesting contrasts between nature and man‑made structures. But more importantly, there is a café onsite where members can get a cup of tea and a bun or two. Its open daily from 09:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

With open views, reflective water surfaces, and plenty of texture and detail, Pleasley Pit also suits landscape and detail photographers alike. Whether you’re practising composition, experimenting with depth of field, or simply enjoying a relaxed walk with your camera, there is plenty to inspire.

The exact date of our visit will be weather dependent, allowing us to choose conditions that maximise photographic potential particularly important for wildlife and insect photography. Further details will be shared closer to the time. This outing promises to be a relaxed yet rewarding day out, offering something for everyone. A great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, share ideas with fellow club members, and come away with a varied selection of images.

Osberton Horse Trials

Camera Club Outing 2nd to the 4th October £15 per car (includes all occupants)

This October, we are planning a camera club outing to the renowned Osberton Horse Trials, one of the UK’s most respected equestrian events and a fantastic opportunity for action, sports, and storytelling photography.

Set within the beautiful parkland of the Osberton Estate, the Horse Trials combine top level equestrian competition with a stunning rural backdrop. The event features three demanding disciplines such as dressage, cross country, and show jumping with each offering its own distinct photographic challenges and rewards. From the precision and elegance of dressage to the speed, power, and drama of cross country fences, there will be plenty to capture.

For photographers, Osberton Horse Trials provides an excellent chance to practise:

• Fast action and panning techniques
• Freezing motion at high speed
• Storytelling sequences and candid moments
• Environmental sports photography within a landscape setting

The varied terrain, autumn colours, and changing light conditions in early October add further interest, making it a particularly appealing time of year to visit. Whether you prefer tight action shots, wider contextual images, or atmospheric detail work, Osberton offers a rich and dynamic environment.

Entry is excellent value at £15 per car, which includes all occupants, making it a cost effective day out for club members wishing to travel together and share ideas in the field.

We plan to attend on one of the event days between 2 and 4 October, depending on club arrangements and conditions. Further details regarding meeting times and exact dates will be shared closer to the event.

This outing promises to be both challenging and rewarding which is ideal for anyone looking to push their photography skills, experiment with settings, or simply enjoy a great day out with fellow photographers in an inspiring setting.

Fungi at Calverton Colliery

Camera Club Outing, target dates are: 7th, 8th, 12th, 14th & 15th October This event is free entry

This October, we are planning a series of relaxed camera club outings to Calverton Colliery, focusing on one of autumn’s most fascinating and photogenic subjects — fungi.

Calverton Colliery, a former industrial site now reclaimed by nature, provides a rich and varied environment that comes alive during the autumn months. As temperatures cool and moisture levels rise, the woodland floors, decaying timber, and leaf litter become home to an impressive variety of fungi, making this an ideal location for seasonal photography.

For photographers, fungi offer fantastic opportunities for:

• Close up and macro photography
• Exploring colour, texture, and pattern
• Creative compositions using natural backgrounds
• Abstract and detail focused images

From delicate toadstools and vibrant brackets to more unusual and sculptural forms, the diversity found at Calverton Colliery rewards slow, careful observation. The site’s wooded areas also provide soft, diffused light which is perfect for bringing out subtle details without harsh shadows.

These outings will be run on multiple dates, 7th, 8th, 12th, 14th, and 15th October. Hopefully this will allow flexibility depending on weather conditions and giving members the chance to return more than once as different species emerge. Entry is completely free, making it an accessible and low pressure opportunity to practise and experiment.

This is an excellent outing for photographers of all experience levels. Whether you’re new to macro photography or simply enjoy getting out into autumn woodland with your camera, Fungi at Calverton Colliery promises a rewarding and enjoyable photographic experience.

Further details, including meeting times and date confirmation, will be shared closer to the time.

Bring your camera, a sense of curiosity, and perhaps a macro lens — autumn’s hidden world awaits.