Photography is a fascinating passion for many of us but it is also recognised as being a significant aid for mental health and wellbeing due to the creativity it engenders and the fact it gets people outdoors.
This has been officially recognised by the RPS (Royal Photographic Society) who have adopted mental health as one of the key messages incorporated in their new strategy ‘Photography for Everyone’.
Even in these challenging times, it is perfectly acceptable to carry a camera or camera phone when exercising and so photographers are able to keep mind and body active.
Many readers will themselves enjoy taking images and following the wonderful images posted on social media, which help us all to appreciate the beauty of our natural surroundings, itself a source of great fortitude. 
Members of Sidmouth Photography Club have been additionally inspired by interesting challenges and for the club competitions which continue unabated. Indeed the annual ‘Comp 2’, judged in November by the venerable judge John Tilsley, was almost oversubscribed with 83 images awarded valuable critique in an evening meeting online. Some of these images can be seen here and more information about Sidmouth PC can be found online at www.sidmouthphotoclub.co.uk
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