Camera Clubs

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nikonuser

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Dave
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Are there many people in a Camera Club these days.
If so, what are the benefits, do you think there is plenty of scope for improving your photography or can it become just another night out talking about photography.
 
Quite a few people on here are members of clubs or have been. I enjoy the one I go to and have got a lot out of it. Other people have had bad experiences and will no doubt come on here saying they're full of old men talking about gear or haemorrhoids. All clubs are different, some are heavily into competitions, others are more social gatherings, you'd really need to try out a few and see how you get on!
 
I'll watch this thread with interest :)

I've also wondered if I would learn from a camera club. Think the closest one to me is at Northowram.

Is there a directory of camera clubs, as in a web site that list's them?
 
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The PAGB photographic alliance of GB is the parent org for county wide groups and camera clubs tend to be affiliated to the county org so google that for more info. Go visit one or more and make your own mind up.
 
I get a lot out of our camera club, we do lots of competitions internal and external, good workshops, we also get involved in lots of International Photo Salons. Plus we have a good social side to it.
 
I went to a couple before I found one I thought would be good for me to join.

I think a lot of it depends on who runs it, how proactive they are about organising events, outings etc.
 
Another vote for clubs here, provided you find one that suits you!

Our club is active, has interesting speakers, and also runs several special interest groups that meet regularly separately from the club, and run their own activities and meets!

You may need to try a few before you find one you like, but most will let you you visit a couple of times before you have to join.

Good luck with the search, a good club can inspire you. (There is another side to that argument!!!!)
 
Yet another club fan here :)

When I joined about 3 years ago there would be maybe 20 members at our weekly meetings but recently this has ballooned and we're now regularly seeing 50+ - the room is getting a bit cramped! The club is very active with internal and external competitions, days out and social events too, which I'm certain helps to promote it.
 
Another club fan...

I tried a couple before I found one I liked...

What I like:-
  • Informative and interesting talks
  • Competitions (the constructive criticism from the judges makes you look at your own images in new ways..)
  • The friendly atmosphere and like minded people to chat about the hobby with
  • Trips out
  • The pub after :)

The potential negatives

  • Can be run by the shall we say older generation


Try a couple out before deciding....
 
Ive recently been to a few meetings at my local camera club.
They seem like a nice bunch of people and do do a lot of stuff,my second visit was on a studio night where they had two different light setups for use.
The biggest down side for me is that most as a lot older,at 27 i seem to be by far the youngest there.
 
Just joined a club this year for the first time. Not exactly my local club being 30 miles away, but the club name kept popping up, and the variety of people in it seemed good. Checking their website, I found them to be very modern and couldn't wait to get my name down. I reckon each club will vary and its just about doing your research to find the best club suited to your needs? I looked at a couple before settling and true, the average age was probably late 50's and all male, but my club now age is around mid 30's? It also is half and half male female, and a good few working photographers to share their knowledge which is such a great insight and learning tool!
 
If you are new to photography then they can be a great source of info and inspiration, go find your local ones, go along for a day or two (they all usually allow a couple of free intro nights to see if you want to join), go join one :thumbs:

If you are old hat like me, they can be soul destroying life sucking bores - which is why I left mine :lol:

Dave
 
I went to my local club a few times but found the average age seemed to be about 105! I also found it very clicky (excuse the pun) and just not very welcoming at all. There were a few people that seemed ok but found it very dull.
After reading this thread I will try some others.
 
Yes I think I might've struck gold with my club find, and I found it by speaking to other people my age who instantly recommended it. Maybe worth asking around?
 
Hi Dave,

Some clubs are good, some are not so, but it depends what you are looking for. I joined a club once I retired and wanted to do more with my updated equipment. Unfortunately the first club seemed to have more leaning towards competitions where the members spent the evening discussing the images submitted ........ a bit boring. The activity as far as constructive help and advice was limited and I felt that it was not for me.

I then looked around and found a more active club that meets twice a month, a weekday evening and a Sunday morning, where actual shoots take place on a regular basis, or information/explanation of how something was achieved is talked about. The competition entries from shoots are submitted and judged, but we don't spend a whole meeting viewing them, but can comment once they have been displayed and this can help us all improve and see what we may be missing.

I believe that this club suits me batter than the first, but can see that particularly newer members may be looking for more explanation of how things work and various ways to improve in different areas, as we all have a learning curve that needs this.

My advice would be to join a club, find your level and chat with others on how to improve and move forward. There is also an great deal of instructional videos and printed information on the internet and looking at videos to see the actual way things are done will help you improve.

If the first club doesn't fit you, don't give up, try another as what suits some people will not suit others.

Also, when you are new to a forum (not you Dave), try and help yourself more by ensuring your profile has your name, your general location and you have listed the camera equipment you have. It saves others asking and will get more contact to you from local Togs, wh may have similar equipment and be in the same boat as you.

Good luck

Malcolm
 
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I joined my local club but they only meet monthly and most of the time it's picture reviews. I can honestly say I've never learnt a thing as old blokes who seem to talk more about their gardens or cars than photos. I joined hoping to learn how to take pictures, but that is not happening.. The next club was weekly and it seems to be run by 3 guys who are obsessed with you need to go full frame...... Talk about putting off newcomers
 
This thread seems to be having a pattern to it. I also have been to two previous camera clubs until I found the one that suited me. I have now been with this club for many years.
 
I go to a local club - a wide age range from teenagers to retired folk, and a good mix of male/female. Two weeks ago we had a studio night with exotic pets (snakes, spiders, owls etc) and last week a novices competition night where newcomers to the club who had been paired with a couple of more experienced members to mentor them on image selection and processing, presented images for critique. Last Saturday there was a club outing along a towpath walk.

There is a focus on 'camera club competition' type photography but the main emphasis is on enjoying photography.

As well as learning a lot over the past couple of years, I've also made some great friends.
 
I joined one this year, some interesting talks and others not so much

Can't get into the competition bit, mind you I have nil competitive spirit anyway

Bit like life, some people you get on with and others you don't

Might be wrong, but from what I can see i'm probably the youngest there, somewhat surpising considering I will be 54 next month

All in all worth the 35 quid a year I reckon especially only being a ten minute walk up the road
 
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I asked a similar question in a thread on here about 2 months ago, the answers were very useful. Camera Clubs do vary and I rang a few up to see what they had to offer.

I went along to one in Haslemere and quite frankly it was quite boring, the chairman or whoever in charge just showed his pictures from the weekend and went through them pretty much. There were other talks too about what the Camera Club's plans were etc.

I then went to one in Guildford and it was fantastic, the people were fun and it had a very relaxed informal feel to it. It was all about taking photos, no 'look I've taken this great photo' etc.

You won't know until you have turned up to a few and seen if you get on with the people because I think this is the most important thing.
 
my local club has a beginers section which meets on a tues night hosted by one of the advanced togs, great for asking all the stupid questions like what does this button do or how do you do this, can you show me how to do that
then the real camera club meets on a wednesday beginers inermediate, advanced
it meets every week for competitions , outings ,and events, and guest speakers
i cant sing its praises enough.mid calder camera club
 
Bristolian said:
When I joined about 3 years ago there would be maybe 20 members at our weekly meetings but recently this has ballooned and we're now regularly seeing 50+ - the room is getting a bit cramped!
Click to expand...

It was announced at our meeting last night that we've had to close the books to new members as we're running the risk of breeching the fire safety limit of the room we use :(
 
I have been going to a photography club for 3 months now and its been ace, the best thing to do is go and find out whats out there. Only then will you fully know what you want to do.

I have found just being with other photographers helps, sure it cool on the forum but face to face is so much better. Try and find a club who is really active and has meets and activities.
 
Phil-D said:
I'll watch this thread with interest :)

I've also wondered if I would learn from a camera club. Think the closest one to me is at Northowram.

Is there a directory of camera clubs, as in a web site that list's them?
Click to expand...

Hi Phil, are you the same PhilD from SL?

If your in Leeds then Exposure Leeds is worth a look not a club as such, but a great bunch of people, with regular meets. Also the Leeds flickr group is very active, again lots of great people with regular meets.
 
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