photography clubs, who's in one?

lexie

lexie

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i'm considering joining the local photgraphy club in an attempt to meet like minded people and hopefully learn from more experienced photographers. are many people on here members of local clubs? if so what sort of stuff goes on at them?

is it all just sitting around looking at each others pics? are there themes for each meeting?

i know each club will be different so please post what goes on at your club if you're in one.

if you're not in one would you like to be, or do you prefer going solo and interact on the internet a la talkphotography.co.uk and whatever other forums you visit?
 
Im not in one.

I did e-mail the local one and got no reply, so I thought screw em!

That was ten months ago.

Since then everything I learnt is from here, the site gives you so many ideas, tips, and fantastic help in all kind of fields you want to shoot in.

I personally think its best to get out there on your own then you develop your own idea, I find in grounps that you tend to shoot the same, if that makes sense?

however, I know what you mean about finding like minded people, its great to talk to some one with the same passion.
 
I'm in a small local group organised through Flickr (about 20 members, usually only 6/8 really active on a regular basis).. there is a "proper" camera club in the town but it doesn't appeal to most of us (we don't fancy doing the sit-down and watch a projector thing, we can use Flickr for that). We're a bit ad hoc as to when we meet, usually over a coffee in a local cafe.. but we have the odd group outing, we've had our first small exhibition and we share contact details so that if you suddenly find yourself with a spare day/evening you can put out a SMS to the group and see who might be about. Our autumn plans are to hire a small local studio (we've got a good price) and practice lighting portraits.. there's enough of us to keep a 4 hour session filled and be each others models.

You generally get as much out of a group as you put in.. having a small local group of people with similar interests is a very supportive environment to learn/improve - and you need never be doing a late night shoot on your own.
 
I've been a member of my local club for the past couple of years....
We have 40-50 members of varying abilities from complete novice to seasoned pro. One of the guys is quite high up in Canon Europe, so that can be handy. He seems to take great pleasure in bringing along new toys - even before they are available to thegeneral public.
Anyway, the club runs a veried programme which includes a couple of series of competitions. So, good chance to show off your best work and hopefully rack up some points. Although sometimes the judding can be unbelievably biased and that can knock your confidence.
When we're not having a comp evening, we do some practical stuff (although I usually find that I gain nothing from these sessions). We also have a series of studio lighting workshops which I find extremely enjoyable and productive.
Yes, the club does seems to have it "cliques", but generally the folks are nice and friendly. I'm not a particularly sociable person (lack or confidence rather than being aloof), so I do struggle to "mingle" at times.
What I would say is that you should get in touch with your local club, go along for a couple of evenings and see what you think. See what the other members are like, what the club's programme consists of, and take it from there.
 
I've just joined a local one. Only been going three weeks so far - but we've had presentations on how to use Flickr, the basics of PASM modes (I think because there are new members along and some of us are new to photography as well), a demonstration on how to use ColorMunki etc. This week we had entries for round one of a comp so viewing prints with feedback and comments. Next week we are having a talk on using Lightroom and there is a landscape outing day planned for October.

People are friendly and its quite informal with time to chat over a cup of tea and a biscuit. :D

It probably varies from group to group - worth checking out any local groups to see what they're like.
 
was in one for a year, was very boring never went back.

if you like looking at lots of other peoples pictures, judges that have no idea how to judge comps and old people with no sense of reality then you'll enjoy it. I'd advise a newbie never to join a camera club
 
I am a member of my local club.

I find it very useful and I learn a lot. We invite famous photographers for presentations, we have local competitions and take part in national and international ones and we go for photography day trips, have studio sessions and more.
 
if you are a "Joiner" Then you might enjoy one.
If you are not they won't work for you.
I have been in two over the past 60 years one lasted three meetings the othet a couple of years. I never learnt anything from them as I was already a qualified photographer, and member of the MPA at that time. It was more a social thing.
 
I joined one last year, learnt a lot and has helped my photography. I have joined again this year. We have over 150 members so quite a large club.
 
POAH said:
was in one for a year, was very boring never went back.

if you like looking at lots of other peoples pictures, judges that have no idea how to judge comps and old people with no sense of reality then you'll enjoy it. I'd advise a newbie never to join a camera club
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:lol: Thats sound great.

Do clubs have a image problem? I've always imagined its for those who haven't quite caught up yet with the likes of FlickR and Photoshop, or they have just discovered the joys of editing on the pc and think colour popping is the bees kness....
 
I was in one for a few months - it nearly killed my love of photography!

There is only so much sitting on plastic chairs watching presentations that appear only to be designed as an ego boost for certain club members that I can take.

I got more knowledge from a few days of forum browsing than I ever did from a photographic society.
 
most poeple join camera clubs to learn about photography, they are not really geared for this. as we are all aware no 2 cameras have the same menu system. i for one would not like an evening devoted to nikon point and shoots , or an evening devoted to canon cameras. therefore clubs need a varity of events and subjects.

i joined my current club for the friendship and competitive ness of the members.

one last thing clubs are daunting places , most new members are discourged by the standard of images in comps ) how will i be able to get that good).

must of the clubs , have a policy of letting potenial members attend for a few visits before they join to see if they like it.

Cheers Steve
 
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HoppyUK said:
All camera clubs are affiliated to The Photographic Alliance of Great Britain.
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Not all, only those that choose to be.

There's more to camera clubs than "Upper Nosebleed and District Photographic Society".. all it takes to have a camera club are a few friends with cameras getting together once in a while to share their hobby.

When you get to the point of committees, bank accounts and club charters.. that's generally the point the enthusiasts exit stage left to be replaced by the club-goers from stage right.
 
Alastair said:
Not all, only those that choose to be.

There's more to camera clubs than "Upper Nosebleed and District Photographic Society".. all it takes to have a camera club are a few friends with cameras getting together once in a while to share their hobby.

When you get to the point of committees, bank accounts and club charters.. that's generally the point the enthusiasts exit stage left to be replaced by the club-goers from stage right.
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True, not all, but I think most are.

I've been to lots of clubs over the years. I got invited to most of them as a judge which I guess suggests they were maybe amongst the more outgoing, but I generally found them all to be very welcoming, enthusiastic, positive, well attended, and with a very good standard of work.

Very much a case of you get out what you put in, as someone said above.
 
two things make a good club
keen photographers
good social skills...in the bar afterwards and out on the trail for competition work

the club i was in had...prints slides and audio visual...
now i expect its prints, jpegs and camcorder stuff

i learnt a lot and got to see what a camera could do irrespective of its lineage or marque
everyone had all sorts of cameras and usually could compete well

its about competing and getting your skills learnt and then honed

some clubs organise overseas visits, we never but had saturday outings along the byways and cliffs of the penwith cornish area..

give it a try...and wait a while before making a judgement...the occasional workshop may show you something in use which you either feel you can use or would be wasting cash on it...lenses, lighting, printing, and developing...is this still done?

good luck
 
RichardtheSane said:
I was in one for a few months - it nearly killed my love of photography!

There is only so much sitting on plastic chairs watching presentations that appear only to be designed as an ego boost for certain club members that I can take.

I got more knowledge from a few days of forum browsing than I ever did from a photographic society.
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Surely thats just down to finding the right club?

I am in a club and thoroughly enjoy it. We have a mixed programme which includes sitting down to a few presentaions, but also lots of practical activities and group shooting and so on..................
 
I've been in a club for a couple of years and have found taking part in competitions and having my shots critiqued (usually) by somone who knows what they're on about has helped hugely in terms of developing my skills. Also we're lucky in that it's a fairly large club so can attract some excellent speakers, and you always pick up something new.

If you're thinking about it, just give it a go - you can always leave if you don't like it - and most will let you sit in a few times to see if it's for you.
 
After a few years competitiveness runs thin, portfolio's get boring and sometimes friendship is the only thing keeping you there.

You really have to see for yourself.
 
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As a non-club member - who has never been along to one - I'd imagine a trip would be quite competitive, has anyone found that? I'd think everyone would be looking for good places to shoot from, but then not wanting to copy someone else's vantage point if they didn't get there first? Or maybe that's me and hence why I shouldn't join!

The forums seem all I need - some great feedback and a chance to see other peoples images and views.
 
Simon, you'd be lucky if there was a trip to go on.

Thats where the forums win, as you're not really competing against one another.
 
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I help run a club - now Barnsley's biggest

I run evenings/days out to shoot & learn and yes, we do sometimes use the same 'tripod holes' - but this is a good thing not a bad one as...

a) if its a good shot why the Hell wouldn't you want to copy it?
b) its a great way to learn by 'seeing' through others' eyes
c) the PP we all do makes those shots remarkably different anyway

Clubs can be stuffy and they can get great, and they may not be your thing at all - suck it (maybe a couple) and see :)

DD
 
Correct in your thinking Dave. Only problem is your too far away ;)
 
Tiree said:
I've been in a club for a couple of years and have found taking part in competitions and having my shots critiqued (usually) by somone who knows what they're on about has helped hugely in terms of developing my skills. Also we're lucky in that it's a fairly large club so can attract some excellent speakers, and you always pick up something new.

If you're thinking about it, just give it a go - you can always leave if you don't like it - and most will let you sit in a few times to see if it's for you.
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:agree:

I am a member of 2 clubs. Both serve different purposes, both very friendly.
 
Hi. I belong to a good club. I enjoy the challenge of a competition but don't take them too seriously. You need to find one with a good standard. Some are social clubs that talk about photography!
 
I'm a member my local camera club and joined to help progress my skills ~ which has been very successful, so far. The club has around 60 members of varying ages and skill levels and I've already found myself assisting the newer members.

Each year we run a beginners course,which lasts 6 weeks and covers how the camera works, the exposure triangle, how/why to use various modes, etc. Students have weekly homework projects and a final show & tell exhibition. With a limit of 20 students per course there is always a waiting list.

Throughout the year we have a mixture of competitions (both internal and external), talks from other photographers, practical sessions on technique and processing, studio sessions and visits to local (and not-so-local places. We also hold two exhibitions each year in the local library and take pictures for the annual carnival organisers.

Overall the club is very active and I really enjoy attending the weekly meetings. The atmosphere is very welcoming and committee members make a point of meeting new members and visitors to make sure they don't feel like outsiders.
 
antc said:
Surely thats just down to finding the right club?

I am in a club and thoroughly enjoy it. We have a mixed programme which includes sitting down to a few presentaions, but also lots of practical activities and group shooting and so on..................
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You are of course correct - but tbh after my experience I didn't really have much desire to go trying other clubs after that!

Which club are you in? PM me if you would prefer :)
 
I :love::love::love: my Camera Club and for some strange reason am on t'comittee :D

Every two years they run at least one beginners course and also some more advanced courses throughout the year. Regular photowalks and a few competitions.

From the first day I joined, I have had nothing but encouragement and teaching from a bunch of very likeable people.

We have also had a number of guest photographers in to give slide shows and talks, which have been extremely impressive.

But, best of all each and every photowalk, meeting or class also has to invlolve some sort of eating or drinking :D There was one memorable occassion when I left my house at 10:00 Saturday morning to return 06:00 Sunday morning :lol: A fabulous day that consisted of 100's of photos, lunch, dinner, beers, processions and dancing into the wee hours - What more do you want from a Camera Club ;)?
 
I joined a local club several months ago, at first I was nervous about the type of people I'd meet and how they'd react to a newcomer but it was worry over nothing. Everyone there is very friendly and willing to help out newcomers.

My club has a fairly mature membership with me being the youngest of the bunch so it's not as common to have us out on clueb walkabouts. A number of them are also ex-professionals so they have a good range of experiences to share.
 
I joined my local club (Oxford Photographic Society) a few weeks ago and so far it's great.

I also went on my first photo walk yesterday which was fun, although it showed me just how much I still have to learn! :lol:

At this stage I'm just happy to be in the company of far more experienced togs from whom I can learn, both technically and creatively.

So far we've had a few guest speakers and also last week was my first competition, although I didn't enter any pics. It was good seeing others and judging them though. Although I will probably enter a few comps in the future, that's not why I joined. I did because I wanted to mix with some like minded people from whom I can learn and dvelop my own (lack of) skills, and so far it's well worth it! :thumbs:
 
Robbo said:
Im not in one.

I did e-mail the local one and got no reply, so I thought screw em!

That was ten months ago.

Since then everything I learnt is from here, the site gives you so many ideas, tips, and fantastic help in all kind of fields you want to shoot in.

I personally think its best to get out there on your own then you develop your own idea, I find in grounps that you tend to shoot the same, if that makes sense?

however, I know what you mean about finding like minded people, its great to talk to some one with the same passion.
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I nearly emailed them too. Take it your on about the club at the peoples centre. Glad I didnt now.
 
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