First attendance at a camera club coming up... and I'm nervous

nigpd

nigpd

Suspended / Banned
Messages
5,989
Name
Nigel
Edit My Images
Yes
On Thursday I am going along to a local camera club for the first time and I must admit I am extremely nervous and aprehensive.

I have only been taking hobbyist photos for a year and I know I have a long long way to go along the learning curve, so naturally I'm a bit aprehensive about feeling somehow inadequate or being seen to be a photographic pygmy.

For a start it's called a Photographic Society rather than a camera club, which sounds very grand.

I'm thinking will the members be cliquey, or snobbish etc. I just dont know what to expect.

It's going to be like the first day at school, when you join half way through the year and everybody else already knows everybody.

Anybody had the same sort of experience that they would be willing to share? I'd like to be prepared as much as possible ahead of the time.

Thanks in advance
 
You'll be fine, when I was a memeber of a camera club a few years back I found the members to have a broad spectrum of experience, from seasoned experts right the way down to people with their very first camera and everyone was very friendly. :)
 
I felt the same way myself when I first attended, particularly as I was the only one using film and everyone else had digital gear. I imagined I'd stand out like a sore thumb, but everyone was welcoming and friendly. Just explain on your first meeting that you are a beginner and you are keen to learn and I think you'll find that you will fit in nicely. Most experienced photographers I know are only too happy to help out.
 
I still haven't been to my local camera club- though I keep meaning to. I can't remember more than 2 new names a day :(
 
I'm thinking will the members be cliquey, or snobbish etc. I just dont know what to expect.
Click to expand...

To be frank, there are some like that. But mostly the reports of people trying their local clubs would suggest that more and more are becoming friendly and encouraging places.

Go and see, the very worst that can happen is that you wont want to go twice. Compared to the possibility of new friends and opportunities to enjoy your shooting more, it's not much of a risk. :)
 
I felt pretty much the same on my first day too :D

There may be a few snobs, there may be a few arses, but the majority will be welcoming and likely older chaps too. If you don't want to appear to be a newbie too much, ask people what sort of photography they are into rather than what camera have you got and be wary of those that ask you about your camera straight off too as they are trying to pigeonhole you

Also, while there may be a few good togs there, most won't be, even some of the been at it 40 year types are likely to be rubbish too - but they all enjoy their togging and that's what it's about

Give it a few months to fit in then start entering the competitions - you'll find that scary too at first, but crit really helps you to develop faster - so do it

If they have a website, take a look at that as it's likely to host their very best work so if some of it you feel you can do better than then you should feel more comfortable about your own abilities too

Have fun :)

DD
 
Which club is it? (You can PM me if you don't feel comfortable posting it here)

The one I'm in is on a Thursday and has 'Photographic Society' in the name! :)
 
I wasa a camera club member for many years and aonly working away a lot caused me to leave,they were very freindly and I found no cliques at all so hopefully you will have a great time
 
All I can say is to reinforce what the others have said. I joined a club last year and once I broke the ice with someone the rest was easy. I found the same, a broad spectrum of experience from geeks to novices. Good luck:clap:
 
I've been thinking of joining one of the clubs near me too.
Think it's also on Thursday.
Meant to go along last year but kept putting it off.
First night seems to be a slide show which I'm not too sure about.
I'm mainly interested in going along to figure out how to use flash - hoping to see the light... eventually.
 
you will be fine...its just like the first time at any meeting
you will find people there on the committee who are keen to welcome new members and put them at ease
put yourself down for any outing...this is where we all get to know each other
 
Thanks for the supportive comments guys. I am sort of looking forward to it but its just not knowing what to expect that makes me a bit anxious.

hope to be posting after the meeting that i didnt know what all the fuss was about :)
 
rob200sx said:
So....how did you find your first evening?
Click to expand...

It was the first meeting of the season so quite a lot of people there (about 40 would be my guess).

They seem a friendly bunch of people with a wide age range but mainly older types (like me) but with some around late 20's/early 30's too.

They have quite a lot of competitions during the year which I think would be a good thing as this would make me go out and do something specific for an end goal.

They suggest going for the first couple of weeks as a guest (£2 a time) before committing to full membership. A try before you buy, which I think is a good idea.

The events and competition program is varied and busy , so it looks like it will be a very active club.

I'm going again this Thursday and hopefully wont be as nervous this time round.
 
JOIN.

I joined my local camera 9 months and am very glad I did.

Everyone is very friendly, helpful and there is a huge amount of knowledge on just about everything related to photography amongst the members.

The skill levels range from expert to absolute beginner.

You get to meet people who have experience of (and are able to give their personal opinion on) equipment, software, places to take photographs, where not to go, etc. Invaluable.

BUT what I most like about being a member of a camera club is the opportunity to enter competitions and receive unbiased constructive feedback on my own photos and to learn from the "mistakes" of others.

Family and friends will always tell you that your photos are good (compared to their photos they probably are) but if you really want to learn, then enter a few competitions.

You need a thick skin (and you will not always agree with the judge) but nothing prepares you for sitting in front of your photo receiving a critical analysis in front of the club members.

My photography has come on leaps and bounds. I make sure that the composition of the photo is correct, that dust marks on the sensor are removed, annoying distractions are cloned out, the photo is correctly exposed, horizons are level, there is space for between the subject and the margin of the photo, the shutter speed is correct for the subject matter, the photo is correctly mounted and square, there is no glue on the photo ETC.

And finally - it makes sure you enter photos that are of interest.

There is not much worse than the comment "I am trying to understand why the photographer took this particular photo".

It definitely focuses the mind and my own photography is now all the better for it.
Be brave. Go for it. It is worth the effort.
 
SmileyShazza said:
Thanks for the PM :)

I might even be brave and drop them an email with the view to coming along on Thursday. What did you need to take with you for your first visit?
Click to expand...

That would be cool if you could come along. Shared experiences and all that stuff.

I didnt take anything along with me except £2 for the visitors fee. Tea/coffee is 25p.

I think I will take a pocket sized notepad and a pen with me this time just in case I need to take a note of something from the presentations or if someone has hints or tips on anything photographic that I want to remember.

Let me know if you are going :thumbs:
 
The one near me is chock full of pensioners who seem to hunt in packs and not really have a great deal interesting to say apart from the tea is good tonight. They do have some good presentations though.
 
BertRoot said:
The one near me is chock full of pensioners who seem to hunt in packs and not really have a great deal interesting to say apart from the tea is good tonight. They do have some good presentations though.
Click to expand...
No Bert, the camera club is at number 34 next door, you've been going into the old peoples home by mistake!
 
joined the local summer club of mine next proper meeting is october but most members i have met and talked too

ours is also a photographic society one of the longest one runnning

jsut be calm and relaxed there only there for the same reason you are and thats taking photos and talking about there hobbie bit like here im glad i have joined ours you wont look back
 
You'll be fine, dont wash for a week and put on an anorak. it will be home from home.
 
BUT what I most like about being a member of a camera club is the opportunity to enter competitions and receive unbiased constructive feedback
Click to expand...

ROFL:lol:
 
Most of the clubs start up after the summer break again around now. My local clubs first night is this Thursday, seems a popular night. Club competitions are good for motivating you to produce the goods, sitting around stroking a new lens doesn't do you any good. If you're new to clubs the variation in judges can be interesting to observe. If you have a local club it's worth paying it a visit, they don't bite.
 
Like everyone else, my experience at my local photographic society has been very good. At 35, I'm probably the youngest there though, unless there's anyone new joined this year.
The standard of photography in club competitions is generally good, although not everyone enters. A lot of people just come along for something to do on a Wednesday night, which is fair enough. And yes, the seemingly arbitarary nature of some of the judging (by external judges) is always a talking point...
 
I turned up to my local club on Wednesday (we do things differently in Rugby :lol:) with Dark Star and there was one other newbie there too. I'll be going back, even if it is only so other people can look at my shots.
 
I've been thinking about joining a local club myself, but a bit hesitant, due to the amount competitions and lists of presentations on their website. It’s on Friday evenings, which suggests to me there will be more 'mature' members. Plus it’s in deepest Hertfordshire, so I am expecting snobbery. I will attend at some point, just not yet as I don't have transport at he moment.

I'm afraid of joining a club not knowing anyone and have found it very beneficial. I'm a member of a couple car clubs, a local paintball team and I have meet some people on here before.
 
I've been wanting to join my local one (peterhead if anyone know it?) but must admit, scared stiff of going and plus I work shifts so wouldn't be able to go every night
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top