MEMBERS of the public in Ilkley have been voting early.

Not for the general election, but for their favourite photographs in Ilkley Camera Club’s Creative Light Exhibition, which has just finished. The winning images were commended at last Friday’s annual meeting of the club.

The image with the most votes was Puffin Landing at Nest Site photographed by Len Downe, who said he was surprised to win.

“I didn’t think it was technically the best image in the exhibition, but clearly this little bird bringing food for its young caught the imagination of the public,” he said.

In second place was Varanasi Ganges Bathers by Nick Hodgson, who is resident in Addingham.

His colourful photo of the scene beside the famous sacred river was taken while he was on a charity fundraising trip to India.

His shot led the voting for several weeks and it was just a late swing in the final week that cost him the top position.

Ilkley’s Rodney Marsh secured third position with a charming doorstep character study entitled Making a Point.

Some 309 members of the public voted, and over 2,100 people visited the Manor House Museum during the run of the exhibition.

There was a special surprise when one of the voting forms was drawn at random to discover which voter should receive a gift voucher to use at Annings, the camera shop in Ilkley. The winning form bore just an email address. Club committee member Sandra Burras got in touch with the winner.

“I discovered the person lived in Brazil and just happened to be visiting Ilkley when the exhibition was on.”

Sandra added: “It’s amazing how far people travel to visit Ilkley. Our visitors’ book shows we also welcomed a family from Malta and one from Transylvania. That certainly made us think.”

The club’s Friday meetings resume on September 18 at Church House, Ilkley. It is planning a number of photographic outings over the spring and summer period to venues such as Harewood Hill Climb and Bradford City Hall.

Visit: ilkleycameraclub.co.uk. New members, whether experienced photographers or beginners, are always welcome.