Camera/Photo Clubs? good/bad idea...

MindofMel

MindofMel

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Mel
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Anyone here a member of a local camera club - thinking to join one here in London. http://thecameraclub.co.uk/

Just wondering whether it was a "done" thing or not and what people had got out of it etc..

I have visions of a Mr Myagi type fella taking me under his wing and showing me the key to being godly with my d300..
 
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Hi Mel,
I am a member of my local camera club, and i would say join.
My photography has developed enormously since joining.
We have several club and inter club competitions through out the year, and are affiliated
to the the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain through the Northern Counties Photographic Federation.
It is a great way to meet like minded people of all ages.
Hope this helps.
Dave
 
I used to be a club member many years ago in a different part of the country and it was OK. I recently discovered that my local club had moved just around the corner from where I live, so despite having been put off by their annual exhibition for the past few years I decided to join.

Managed to last one and a half sessions - £30 wasted. Must remember to trust my instincts in future.

Not to say that all clubs are like that, and I guess it depends on the type of person you are. I'm just not a "club" member any more I think, though I am sure that meeting the right type of people would be great - they just aren't at my local club.
 
I joined a local NI club last year and for me it was great. It forced me to focus more on all aspect of my photography and improve substantially in all areas. However as has already been pointed out - the clubs are only as good as the members so go along to a few and see what fits you.

I doubt that you will get the more experienced pros lining up to be your sole mentor - but just by turning up at the club and listening to the feedback on judging nights, you'll get what you need. For me it was a £40 gamble for annual membership and it paid off.
 
As has already been said there are good ones & bad ones.
The good ones are those that do what you want and the bad ones are those that don't do what you want :D

Our local club lets you go and "just see what its like" but the club you have linked to does not allow that. It might be worth looking for a smaller club that allows visits before paying an annual fee.

The dangers of any club include the risk that it becomes a Mutual Admiration Society and also that everyone tries to take the "accepted" type of photo.
 
very very very few camera clubs are any different to the stereotype.

if you like looking at other people photographs and listening to other people massage their egos then they are the place for you.


MindofMel said:
Anyone here a member of a local camera club - thinking to join one here in London. http://thecameraclub.co.uk/

Just wondering whether it was a "done" thing or not and what people had got out of it etc..

I have visions of a Mr Myagi type fella taking me under his wing and showing me the key to being godly with my d300..
Click to expand...
 
I've tried two clubs and didn't get on with either of them. Found them cliquey and fairly rigid in their attitudes. Definitely felt like a Mutual Appreciation Society and that the only way to take photographs was their way.

I'm not saying all clubs are like that, but my experience with those two have definitely put me off trying any others.
 
the club i go to is freindly and helpful, we have equiptment members can borrow to try , eg calibrator and studio lights.

my last one was not as good , very set in there ways.

Cheers Steve
 
I've been a member of our club for 3 years now. I must admit when I first went, I was a bit off-put by the average age (50-60) in fact the friend who came with me didn't stay. The average age has lowered considerately in the last year or so. I'm glad i joined, the team who organise external speakers are great, we've had some awesome guests. There is also a great development programme, with lots of field trips. You only get out of a club as much as you're willing to put in. Give it a go.
Dean:)
 
Hi Mel :wave:

Weirdly this is the one Im looking at joining too, its on my "to do" list for 2011. I met a photographer a few months ago who is a member and says it is good....its meant to be one of the better ones, you can also rent out the studio space as a member which is a bonus!
 
I'm considering giving it a go again. Last time, about 30yrs ago, there were pipe and tweeds mixed with younger men wanting to see bare naked ladies. 3 or 4 turning for regular meets, over 20 for glamour shoots lol. Naked women not being my thing, I soon lost interest!
I always envisage a club that says 'established over 100 years' as having some of the founder members still attending :)
The salesman in my local, friendly, independent camera shop recommended I try one. I've moved towns, so it won't be the same one and I should be over the trauma.
Thurs 6th Jan, here's hoping :)
 
missemanuel said:
Hi Mel :wave:

Weirdly this is the one Im looking at joining too, its on my "to do" list for 2011. I met a photographer a few months ago who is a member and says it is good....its meant to be one of the better ones, you can also rent out the studio space as a member which is a bonus!
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Hey!

Yup that's one of the cool things about it - although I'm more interested in the 'learning' aspect of things -- I might actually use the studio once/twice a year in reality...

:thumbs:
 
You may want to look for one with people that share the same interests and attitude as yourself.

So far I haven't been lucky myself in this search. Student clubs are usually yet another 'real ale' society - not much attention for development as a photographer. Local clubs can be too local with most members hanging out with their P&S.
I need an advanced club in around Bristol where I could also find friends and have fun shooting some challenging and 'pretty' assignments.
 
I've been to a club where the group has tried to mould me in to their way of shooting :thumbsdown: but lately I've joined another and they are all great, individual and completely non-judgemental :thumbs:
 
Must admit this thread has given me a few ideas - while I am very disillusioned with the local club, there must be more like me around. So am considering setting up a group (not going as far as calling it a club :) ). Will start a new thread on this when I have my ideas formulated.
 
I must be lucky! I joined my local club last March, no stereotypes, age range from 18-80, both sexes and all levels catered for. A big :thumbs: for Cardiff Camera Club.
 
Thought about this myself and mentioned it at home just before Christmas, wife and daughter both laughed and basically said you wouldn't last five minutes

Strange how you see yourself compared to how others do, think they are right though and I am an antisocial old sod
Just the word committee sends a shiver down my spine and unfortunately not always the most diplomatic of people either

Perhaps I will give it another year and see if I age a bit more gracefully, thought I would at 30, then 40 and 50 too, not happened yet i'm afraid.

Just prefer being out on my own with the camera, some soothing heavy metal on the mp3 player and doing my own thing.
Nearest I come to being sociable is here and this virtual TP camera club suits me fine thanks
 
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tijuana taxi said:
Strange how you see yourself compared to how others do, think they are right though and I am an antisocial old sod
Just the word committee sends a shiver down my spine and unfortunately not always the most diplomatic of people either
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We sound quite similar in that respect :lol:

I also don't see this competitive thing where the club has to go in for competitions against other clubs, and if the pictures don't follow "The Rules" then they have no chance, no matter how good they are! That was what resulted in me walking out halfway through my second visit to my local club.
 
Dino f said:
I've been a member of our club for 3 years now. I must admit when I first went, I was a bit off-put by the average age (50-60) in fact the friend who came with me didn't stay. The average age has lowered considerately in the last year or so. I'm glad i joined, the team who organise external speakers are great, we've had some awesome guests. There is also a great development programme, with lots of field trips. You only get out of a club as much as you're willing to put in. Give it a go.
Dean:)
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This!

Absolutely correct in my opinion. I am sure there are some real proper old school camera clubs out there, but also there will be some really great ones.

I know when i joined my local one 3 years ago average age was over 50 or 60 years. I was the "baby of the club" at 24 :) there was maybe 2 other members under 40.

Since then a number of the younger ones inc myself have gotton onto the committee (i have been on it for 2 out of 3 years), implemented changes and put a lot of effort in. Our membership in terms of numbers has nearly doubled in size, average age is right down, must be around 30 now which is great!

So what I would say is definately give it a try! And do remember you really DO on get what YOU put into it!!! If there are things that you dont like or think could be changed for the better then make the suggestion, perhaps offer your services. Remember it will not only improve things for you but for the benefit of everyone!

My 2p worth anyway :thumbs:
 
^^^ That's a brilliant post Ant! Sounds like a great club :thumbs:
 
Its often the case that a club, photographic or otherwise, will be little more than a gathering of individuals who like to strutt their stuff, pontificate, learn little and give almost nothing other than the way they see things.
You may strike lucky and gain a better understanding of the basics of photography but you'll probably get little else,,unless of course its an exceptionaly open minded gathering of free spirits.
Self teach by reading, shooting, reading, shooting and understanding.Try everything you read about. Copy all the great shots you see in books and mags and forums and maybe, if youre really lucky, you'll discover for yourself, that you actually have the ability to 'see' the shot for yourself.
After that of course you'll have no need to join a club, unless you're prepared to and want to share youre skills and experience with others.
You might also consider enrolling in a photography course at your local college.
Look at the works of the great pre digital photographers where the artistry was generated without computer assistance, only an understanding of the light, the equipment and a bit of darkroom expertise when required, oh, and a lot of film.
talbot
 
POAH said:
very very very few camera clubs are any different to the stereotype.

if you like looking at other people photographs and listening to other people massage their egos then they are the place for you.
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Not much different to photography forums then.;):p
 
tijuana taxi said:
Thought about this myself and mentioned it at home just before Christmas, wife and daughter both laughed and basically said you wouldn't last five minutes

Strange how you see yourself compared to how others do, think they are right though and I am an antisocial old sod
Just the word committee sends a shiver down my spine and unfortunately not always the most diplomatic of people either

Perhaps I will give it another year and see if I age a bit more gracefully, thought I would at 30, then 40 and 50 too, not happened yet I'm afraid.

Just prefer being out on my own with the camera, some soothing heavy metal on the mp3 player and doing my own thing.
Nearest I come to being sociable is here and this virtual TP camera club suits me fine thanks
Click to expand...

I looked at a local club last year . . . only 5 minutes drive down the road from me. Very experienced membership, very active within that membership, I was made welcome by the membership secretary . . . The interval came, got my cup of tea then stood there for 20 minutes like a lemon on my own, I felt like a prize pr**k! Finally got to talk to an equally lonely newbie, who I sussed out by luck, for a few minutes before the re start!

My experience was 'cold'. I remember a club that Hazel and myself joined 10 years back, when we lived in Dunstable. So different, we were nurtured along gently, no pressure, the first in club competition we entered, Hazel got commended 6th place.

Tijuana Taxi, you ain't a taxi driver by any chance? Cos I am, have been for 20 years, makes one very cynical:bang: Finish my working day, glad to be on my own, not having to say 'yes' and 'smile' all the time!!! Put some country music on, or early rock and roll, perhaps a bit of 'Frankie' and 'Pleasure Dome' very loud!!! I usually save Pleasure Dome for when I'm on my boat:thumbs: Roll on 2013!

I am going to give the club thing another go 2011 :thinking: at the one just down the road, I will also look at one on the East side of town, smaller and more expensive! we will see, I need to get out of my cynical shell, makes me unhappy that I make others unhappy . . . thats right I cant say 'yes' when I mean 'no' all the time:shrug:

Get rid of the 'cynical cynic',try to see things from the other point of view :thinking: and put in as much as I can . . . however, I draw the line at comitttttties:rules: . . . did enough of that in my previous life as a young man . . . . :lol:

By the way 'Daugirdas' . . . why look down the nose at P&S's . . . I often use one, my partner Hazel uses one, it is all she can use due to disability . . . I even use a 4/3 G1 as my 24/7 glove compartment camera in my Taxi! I hope there are not to many like you in any club I might join! But just to keep you happy, I also have a Nikon DSLR:bonk:

CJS
 
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barbs said:
I joined a local NI club last year and for me it was great. It forced me to focus more on all aspect of my photography and improve substantially in all areas. However as has already been pointed out - the clubs are only as good as the members so go along to a few and see what fits you.

I doubt that you will get the more experienced pros lining up to be your sole mentor - but just by turning up at the club and listening to the feedback on judging nights, you'll get what you need. For me it was a £40 gamble for annual membership and it paid off.
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Kieran, what club are you in? i'm thinking about joining one also.
 
CJS said:
By the way 'Daugirdas' . . . why look down the nose at P&S's . . . I often use one, my partner Hazel uses one, it is all she can use due to disability . . . I even use a 4/3 G1 as my 24/7 glove compartment camera in my Taxi! I hope there are not to many like you in any club I might join! But just to keep you happy, I also have a Nikon DSLR:bonk:

CJS
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Please let me know which clubs to avoid then. At lease we feel the same way about each other now :clap:

It is not about the size and length as you presented. A good club should be all about improvement in photography, development, challenges and networking with like-minded people.
 
CJS said:
I looked at a local club last year . . . only 5 minutes drive down the road from me. Very experienced membership, very active within that membership, I was made welcome by the membership secretary . . . The interval came, got my cup of tea then stood there for 20 minutes like a lemon on my own, I felt like a prize pr**k! Finally got to talk to an equally lonely newbie, who I sussed out by luck, for a few minutes before the re start!
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Sounds similar to my experience, except that in this club they gave new members blue badges rather than white for the first year so that people would talk to you. Both weeks I went, during the break, the person I had been sat next to (in each case an octogenarian) turned to me and said "oh, you're one of the new people, we have to talk to you" and then proceeded to discuss the tea! When I managed to move away and tried to find someone to talk to about photography, I was met with a wall. :shrug:
 
I could swear you mentioned you were a student in another thread, does your university not have a Photosoc?
 
. . . P&S (compact?), low standards, octogenarians, whats wrong with them? ask questions, listen!!! and you might learn something . . . :thinking:agreed, some of them are silly old farts . . . ?

We all have to start somewhere . . . all our aspirations are different . . . but . . . surly its all about enjoyment of photography at whatever level? . . . are we into impressing with the kit we own, how much we think we know . . . digging out a few decent pictures taken over lots of years that come out every competition season, how boring is that! Essentially, photography is about the photographer and his eye. Cost and type of kit, computography and pure bravado do not come into it, IMHO!

These are the impressions I get . . . from the various threads, clubs and individuals I have encountered.

I am looking for a club that has photography as its base, but can rise above that to the real world on occasions. Do you take a picture of something and want to know more about it? Remove the blinkers, they are only 'needed for the race' . . . ? without them, you might even see others who need help?

I am going to visit a small club on the other side of town tomorrow, they make no secret of their competitive orientation to improve standards. However also mention 'days out' and 'social activities' and lack of 'elitism' . . . sound like there is a human element there?

CJS
 
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I keep meaning to join a club but I can see I'd be an outcast by not having a canon or nikon :D

I think there is a lot to be said for finding a few people local to you that you can meet up with somewhere to actually do some photography. When there's a few taking photos you don't feel such a plum.
 
No one brings cameras to our club, so wether you use a pro body, entry level or P&S no one knows, or cares. The proof is in the pudding, when your pictures go up on the projector and you get the marks it makes no difference. We welcome anyone. The club is about photography not cameras.
Dean:)
 
As posted earlier, I did go to visit one of my two local Camera Clubs last night. Made me very welcome, no standing around like a spare pr**k. They were judging the 'in club competition' . . . very interesting, 12 entries, 'sets of four', should have been more, but the point was made, 'to near Christmas'.

They have also just bough a CD projector and laptop, showed a few pictures last night. The presentation was excellent, as a first time, IMHO, it was brilliant!!!

Noticeably there was a good mix of ages, average type of people, no airs and graces. One or two mid 20's a few forty'ish, but 50+ was predominant, and the surprise; a ratio of about three to one, men to ladies, the ladies could take a picture as well, no window dressing there.

I had an enjoyable evening, spoiled only by me, I have a 'creeping' nervousness of people in groups, starts to kick in after about 2 hours . . . ? The meeting ended at 10pm . . . I could not help myself, headed for the door! :shrug: Been bugging me more and more in recent years, trying to overcome it . . . :thinking:

I'll try to give it a second go . . . then I have to fight this 'people problem', and decide, do I want to get involved, it does seem like a commitment . . . ? to ones self as much as the club?

CJS
 
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Definitely join. Toward the end of last year we can Thomas Joshua Cooper do a talk and had Colin Prior judge a photography competition. Not sure where else you could find such inspirational figures apart from joining up with a society. Do it!
 
Scarecrow said:
I've tried two clubs and didn't get on with either of them. Found them cliquey and fairly rigid in their attitudes. Definitely felt like a Mutual Appreciation Society and that the only way to take photographs was their way.

I'm not saying all clubs are like that, but my experience with those two have definitely put me off trying any others.
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Have to agree with Derek 500%.
 
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