Photography Clubs.

Johnny Thunder

Johnny Thunder

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Hi everyone.

I have discovered that there are three clubs local to me, and I am considering going along when they
start up again for this year. They all return from the summer break next month.
What I am wondering is, are these type of clubs good to be part of with regard to improving my knowledge
of photography, or are they typically full of old farts showing off their pictures and boasting about how
good they are?
Would the 'in house' nights be spent helping with one to one instruction, or is it a case of slideshows and
cups of tea with general banter?
Would I be given guidance if I took part in some of the outdoor events that are regularly scheduled, or would
it be a case of fending for myself?

I appreciate that all clubs are different, but I would just like a general consensus of you experiences.



Thank you.
 
I think a lot of clubs are different but the one i went to for one night seemed to be full of men called Norman who wore tweed jackets with leather elbow patches. They all seemed a bit up their own a$%^ But my mate goes to one in West Sussex and loves it.

Go along and see what it's like. Nothing to lose.

Apologies to anyone called Norman:love:
 
I have learnt a great deal since joining my local camera club. Last night for instance a couple of the pros set up a makeshift studio with backdrop and wireless flash and let us have a play, I learnt more in ten minutes about portraits than all my reading and theory so far. I realise that no two clubs will be the same but I am really enjoying learning new stuff. I also had a play with a PEN :) and a couple of the pro's cameras. I was also offered a lend of a flash and stand to have a play at home, something I don't think would happen somehow at my local Jessops.

Go for it, if it's not for you then you can always leave.

Good Luck
John
 
Merc said:
I think a lot of clubs are different but the one i went to for one night seemed to be full of men called Norman who wore tweed jackets with leather elbow patches. They all seemed a bit up their own a$%^ But my mate goes to one in West Sussex and loves it.

Go along and see what it's like. Nothing to lose.

Apologies to anyone called Norman:love:
Click to expand...

:lol::lol::lol:
 
All clubs are different.

I'm sure people will help you at whichever club you go to. Ask for advice and i'm sure it'll be given.
 
Thanks for all your replies guys.

Biggz are you a member of a club?
You appear to be from the same place as me.:)
 
The best thing about the one I used to go to was the tea and biscuits in the interval.


Steve.
 
They are like all things in life - good ones and not so good ones.

And, to be fair, what suits one person will not suit another, so it's good to have a mix.

Go to them all, they are all really glad to see new members, although sometimes it's difficult to notice. We'll all be old farts one day.

Yours
Norman.

PS. where did I put those leather patches ?
 
The best thing about the one I used to go to was the tea and biscuits in the interval.


Steve.
Click to expand...

sounds like they are the same.

I used to go to Worthing camera club and it was ok some nights and totally not my thing other nights.
Look on line at their galleries and get a feel for what people are into.
but also go along and see.
 
Nah i'm not a member of a club :P I'm a very new amatuer, I've been looking for a club (or lessons) for my girlfriend though, they seem to be a little bit scarce around this way.

I did find www.masterdigital.co.uk (from Billingham) doing a day session down the A1 in Bedale.
 
I joined a Club but it just wasn't for me. All they seemed to do was attend Club Nights once a week, drink tea, chat, have slide shows and the odd competition - I just couldn't find anyone who would actually get out, get together and go shoot images.
 
There is a camera club in Clydebank near me which I got asked to join so i think i might pop along next week as i'd like to focus on more stuff other than horses :)
 
Cheers Johnny,

I'll take a look at them now. :D
 
Johnny Thunder said:
I appreciate that all clubs are different, but I would just like a general consensus of you experiences.



Thank you.
Click to expand...

been to 3 in different areas and they are all basically the same. if you are old and like landscapes or old and like listening to someone prattle on about how great their pictures are or if you like to get annoyed at judges that have no grip on reality of what makes a good picture then they are for you. Going to a camera club will cause you to be over critical of images and make your photographic soul desend to the depths of hell. my advice would be to stay well clear.
 
All this talk of slideshows makes me wonder - are camera clubs (particularly those with a, er, more senior membership) still strongholds of film, or have the Normans embraced digital?

A.
 
I wish there were some around here, there are NONE that I have heard of.
 
I must admit I dont like the idea of photography clubs, but I wouldnt mind having somone who knew what they were doing show me where i'm going wrong... but I guess that's what this site is for ;)
 
Anorakus said:
All this talk of slideshows makes me wonder - are camera clubs (particularly those with a, er, more senior membership) still strongholds of film, or have the Normans embraced digital?

A.
Click to expand...

During a poll at my camera club there was only one member still shooting film and then only some of the time. At that was Sue (whooshdemon) on here!

We have a Canon 1400x1050 projector that is used for "slide" shows...
 
I have been to two clubs

the first was full of normans (i think that may become a recognised term)

did nothing but competetions and none of them shared any info about there shots (not even location. never mind shutter speed or angle to catch light in certain angle etc) and if any body "tampered" with a picture in photoshop they had their shirts removed and were flogged in a corner before having 3 fingers broken (no idea why they chose 3 fingers)

the other was the exact opposite.

full of very helpful folks who were more than happy to share. they eventualy ran regular photoshop tutorials (after I sorted them out with a decent pc when they managed to secure some lottery money) adn through the summer months we went out to many locations to do various styles of photography ( and in winter months as well to do slow shutter speed work etc)

all in all chalk and cheese, and i only left the second club because my work commitments changed leaving me 70 miles away on the club day :(
 
POAH said:
been to 3 in different areas and they are all basically the same. if you are old and like landscapes or old and like listening to someone prattle on about how great their pictures are or if you like to get annoyed at judges that have no grip on reality of what makes a good picture then they are for you. Going to a camera club will cause you to be over critical of images and make your photographic soul desend to the depths of hell. my advice would be to stay well clear.
Click to expand...

I joined my local club and suggested things like letting the audience vote on the best image, as well as the so called judges (who seem to me get a check for £25 or so to say the same thing each week) - you would have thought I had suggested abolishing the monarchy or Lenin was a good guy!!! AS for asking a critical question of a judge ... doff your cap time.. you cant do this we wouldn't have any judges ... good say I

Very few visits to make images which strikes me as odd, little on the technical side... in fact it is often just holiday snaps.. that said i have offered to do a talk and we will see how that goes down when I spend the first 30 minutes talking about the technical side... have I learnt anything -- only that i disagree with judges period!
 
My local club is the Rushcliffe Photographic Society (www.rushcliffeps.com): we try to offer a varied program of comps, talks, practical sessions, trips out etc. This year we're introducing 'critique' evenings - the idea is to get members to look critically at their work - guidance will be provided on how shots could be improved. We're a mixed bunch of complete novices, semi-pros, and 'enthusiatic amateurs' - all very friendly and with a help-each-other-out attitude that works well for us all. Come and see us!
 
I am sure like all clubs there will be the good and the not so good... maybe I just belong to the Groucho Marx club principle!
 
Tall Bloke said:
My local club is the Rushcliffe Photographic Society (www.rushcliffeps.com): we try to offer a varied program of comps, talks, practical sessions, trips out etc. This year we're introducing 'critique' evenings - the idea is to get members to look critically at their work - guidance will be provided on how shots could be improved. We're a mixed bunch of complete novices, semi-pros, and 'enthusiatic amateurs' - all very friendly and with a help-each-other-out attitude that works well for us all. Come and see us!
Click to expand...

Good for you and your club. The one nearest me is very much in the "Norman" category. Even the tea's not that great. Been a few times, but wasn't inspired. Sure, there are some great, talented 'togs and they were friendly enough. But slide shows, tea and biscuits isn't really for me.

I've met much more interesting people (in real life) on here and on flickr. And we meet in the pub. And we go out and shoot things. Much better.
 
At the end of the day, any club is only going to be any good if the members are prepared to get involved in doing stuff with other club members. If everyone sits back and waits for something to happen, the club will be full of normans!
 
Thank you for all your replies.
I don't want to go along to a club meeting and be bored. I want to learn.
I will probably give these clubs a go, but I think I am more likely to do my learning on this forum.





Biggz said:
Cheers Johnny,

I'll take a look at them now. :D
Click to expand...


Just noticed Biggz, the people running that day course you are looking at, are on the committe
in the first link I gave you.
 
Merc said:
I think a lot of clubs are different but the one i went to for one night seemed to be full of men called Norman who wore tweed jackets with leather elbow patches. They all seemed a bit up their own a$%^ But my mate goes to one in West Sussex and loves it.

Go along and see what it's like. Nothing to lose.

Apologies to anyone called Norman:love:
Click to expand...

That sounds like the other Camera club in our town you are talking about full of mainly old f-rts not many cars in car park but full of Zimmer`s.

The Camera Club i go to is a great well run club we have 8 comps through -out the year also comps with other local clubs to us. We have people coming showing their collections on a set subject, also club menbers will present their own works to the club as well. We also have a weekend away **** year as well and club days out through the year.
http://www.ttlcameraclub.com
 
Anorakus said:
All this talk of slideshows makes me wonder - are camera clubs (particularly those with a, er, more senior membership) still strongholds of film, or have the Normans embraced digital?
Click to expand...

Another reason I don't go to our local one any more is that I was one of only two film users. The rest have started to use that strange electric powered system.


Steve.
 
Does anyone know if there any good clubs in the Cardiff area or know a private teacher I could pay by the hour?
 
iffy area really, depends on the group you get. Mostly the pics comprised of holiday snaps or god awful HDR and/or pictures that were accompanied by 9347508934 word essay underneath explaining the depth and context and some other waffle about the photo. If a photo requires millions of words of waffle then it's usually not worth looking at.

that was up north though, I have an urge to check out a local surrey one and see what the crack is.
 
miurasv said:
Does anyone know if there any good clubs in the Cardiff area or know a private teacher I could pay by the hour?
Click to expand...

I'll teach you everything I know about photography for £100 per hour, will take 5 mins :D
 
adsayer said:
iffy area really, depends on the group you get. Mostly the pics comprised of holiday snaps or god awful HDR and/or pictures that were accompanied by 9347508934 word essay underneath explaining the depth and context and some other waffle about the photo. If a photo requires millions of words of waffle then it's usually not worth looking at.

that was up north though, I have an urge to check out a local surrey one and see what the crack is.
Click to expand...

Try Dorking, apparently they are quite good - I used to go to Reigate, but Got fed up as I had a distinct feeling that I lowered the average age of the members by about 50 years!
 
well with so many folk here on TP, why dont you start setting up your own club, im sure there is lots of people living in the same areas, just find a wee pub with a back room to start and Normans your uncle... iv got a small hotel just outside Edinburgh, and we get a couple of car clubs & a bike club meet here, its good business for me (they all buy a pint ) so i give them a meeting room at no cost....
 
GFWilliams said:
Try Dorking, apparently they are quite good - I used to go to Reigate, but Got fed up as I had a distinct feeling that I lowered the average age of the members by about 50 years!
Click to expand...

Cheers George! I'll check it out.

ads
 
I can just picture someone called Norman sitting at his desk reading this thread and getting more and more P!££ed off as he reads each post.:bonk:

I would again like to apologise to anyone called Norman. I think it is a wonderful name. So much so, i would like to start a Photography club Called
Norm's. Any takers?

Big up the Normans.:love: :help:
 
I suppose at the end of the day photography like fishing and diving (my other obsessions) are individual pursuits sod why do we need clubs...especially with the web we can all do our individual stuff and still be part of this community..:clap:
 
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