What do photography clubs actually do?

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liydjw3

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I'm new to photography and would like to join a photography club but I'd like to know what they actually do.

Obviously they take pictures but do they organise trips? Analyse photos? Give equipment talks?

Are they quite serious or laid back and you just go along and do what you like?

Thanks
 
Don't wish to sound picky, but wouldn't the best way to find out be to contact them in your area and ask?
I'm sure clubs differ from club to club, so you need to ask them.
Where are you based?
Finally, and this might just be me, but it sounds like you are only asking that question to plug the competition in your sig?
 
liydjw3 said:
I'm new to photography and would like to join a photography club but I'd like to know what they actually do.

Obviously they take pictures but do they organise trips? Analyse photos? Give equipment talks?

Are they quite serious or laid back and you just go along and do what you like?

Thanks
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Best check the club(s) you are thinking of joining to see what they include, year to year. All of the things you mention are included in what camera clubs do.
 
In my experience of clubs (my tennis club) for example say they do a lot of things to entice you to join. For example, free tickets to Wimbledon, tour abroad and tournaments. I've been a member there for two years and none of those things have even come into discussion, we just play tennis. I'm not saying this a bad thing but I just want to know whether photography clubs work in a similar way and whether it just taking photos or if they actually do what they say they do.

I guess you are both right, I guess the only way to find out is ask and then see what happens.

Thanks both.
 
My local ones hold competitions with various challenges. Winners tend to talk through their result etc. They organise trips locally and what not to shoot something and generally a physical variation of this forum.
 
Paradoxically, some photography clubs sit around discussing gear while some camera clubs actually get out there and take photos. As has been said, check local clubs' websites or, if possible, drop in to a meeting to see what they're like. Cliqueyness will soon become apparent, as will gear snobbery etc. I would suggest that clubs displaying traits like these may be best avoided!
 
liydjw3 said:
I'd like to know what they actually do.
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Most I've experienced congratulate each other a great deal, are overly obsessed with the technical merit of images and not the artistic, and tend to be very snobbish and patronising toward anyone who's hair isn't grey... or has breasts.

I'm sure there are great camera clubs out there... I've just not experienced any. To be honest, I found camera clubs creatively stifling. It's all so prescriptive. You need to do this if you want to win that. You must shoot things like this, not like that. It's creative incest in most camera clubs.

I'd stay away if I were you. THIS forum is a camera club, but it's one that has a more balanced approach and wider opinions than the closed mind set that is pervasive in most bricks and mortar camera clubs.
 
I've attended 2 different camera clubs in my local area and I'm ashamed to say I've had some of the very best snoozes while there.

Look in the meets section on here and also for flickr groups in your area, you're more likely to improve your image taking and progress your creativity.
 
Pookeyhead said:
Most I've experienced congratulate each other a great deal, are overly obsessed with the technical merit of images and not the artistic, and tend to be very snobbish and patronising toward anyone who's hair isn't grey... or has breasts.

I'm sure there are great camera clubs out there... I've just not experienced any. To be honest, I found camera clubs creatively stifling. It's all so prescriptive. You need to do this if you want to win that. You must shoot things like this, not like that. It's creative incest in most camera clubs.

I'd stay away if I were you. THIS forum is a camera club, but it's one that has a more balanced approach and wider opinions than the closed mind set that is pervasive in most bricks and mortar camera clubs.
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I have to say this made me laugh , because this has been my experience also but from what I can gather they are starting to change ...veryyy slowwwly
 
There are good camera clubs, and those less good. Some are social clubs that talk about photography, others are highly competitive and a bit sniffy. I think you need to visit some in your local area and see for yourself. You usually get 3 or 4 visits before you have to pay out membership fees.
I'm sure there are great camera clubs out there... I've just not experienced any. To be honest, I found camera clubs creatively stifling. It's all so prescriptive. You need to do this if you want to win that. You must shoot things like this, not like that. It's creative incest in most camera clubs.
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I'm not sure I'd agree with that as a general statement. Never come across that attitude. Sure, there are some old-timers who still shoot the same way/style that they've shot forever, but not everyone is like that. Look at the images presented for crit/competition. Make up your own mind.

If you want active photography outings, try Meetup Group. I belong to http://www.meetup.com/foto-graph/ which is London based but there are others.
 
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Seems the only reports are negative ones!
I am a member of Conwy Camera Club in North Wales, we have 109 members and a varied programme on Tuesday nights which includes lectures by local and national lecturers, internal competitions and fun/social evenings.

We also have regular Thursday night sessions for Special Interest Groups, which include a Portrait group, Action group, Photoshop group, Creative group and AV group.

At the last Portrait group, cameras used included Nikon D4, D800, D3000, D40, Canon 1D3, 5D3, G9, some Sony's and a couple of Panasonic compacts. Everyone took pictures, some with more difficulty than others due to set-up problems, but still all got images. There was no gear snobbery and there was plenty of help available for anyone who wanted it.

We also organise landscape trips, night photography trips, car and motorcycle racing/rally visits and simple "learn to use your camera" photowalks! Anyone and everyone in the club is welcome to come to anything that we organise, and there are plenty of experienced members willing to give whatever help our newer photographers need.

Moral of the story - all clubs are not the same, but remember that you only get out what you put in.
 
Photodiva said:
I'm not sure I'd agree with that as a general statement. Never come across that attitude. Sure, there are some old-timers who still shoot the same way/style that they've shot forever, but not everyone is like that. Look at the images presented for crit/competition. Make up your own mind.
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You referring to this forum, or camera clubs? In camera clubs, yes, I do see younger members presenting creative, and fresh ideas.. that get shot down in flames and never win THEIR competitions, judged by THEM because they are all too creatively neutered and entrenched to accept change.

I'd love to see... just for a laugh.. someone like Alec Soth or Jurgen Teller try to win a camera club competition :) Yes... I'd like that.
 
This thread is in danger of going from discussing what camera clubs do, to the usual camera club bashing type thread.

All clubs are different. My photography has improved since joining my local photographic society, and would recommend going to clubs to anyone. Go try a few and see if you like what they do, rather than be put off by the bad experiences of others.
 
viewfromthenorth said:
This thread is in danger of going from discussing what camera clubs do, to the usual camera club bashing type thread.
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Or perhaps we're expressing our opinions and experiences? :) There's good an bad in everything.
 
Has the ability to share your images via forums etc diminished the need for camera clubs?

Photography clubs can provide a competitive element, appeals to some people, or a social aspect.

But my experience is ive learned more about photography via TP than any club ive joined.

So what do you want from your photography liydjw3 ?
 
Pookeyhead said:
Y

I'd love to see... just for a laugh.. someone like Alec Soth or Jurgen Teller try to win a camera club competition :) Yes... I'd like that.
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Oh I don't know, I think quite a lot of their work would do very well. Some images might be considered a bit 'strong' by members, depends how broadminded they are.
 
There will always be someone who enters an image with the sole intention of provoking a reaction, either by the judge or other club members. Most judges have seen a huge variety of work, both at club level and international level during their judging careers though, and look at the image with an open mind.

Just because an image is controversial/different does not make it either good or bad, but would usually be judged on its own merit.
 
Pookeyhead said:
You referring to this forum, or camera clubs? In camera clubs, yes, I do see younger members presenting creative, and fresh ideas.. that get shot down in flames and never win THEIR competitions, judged by THEM because they are all too creatively neutered and entrenched to accept change.

I'd love to see... just for a laugh.. someone like Alec Soth or Jurgen Teller try to win a camera club competition :) Yes... I'd like that.
Click to expand...

Referring to the quote.
 
liydjw3 said:
I'm new to photography and would like to join a photography club but I'd like to know what they actually do.

Obviously they take pictures but do they organise trips? Analyse photos? Give equipment talks?

Are they quite serious or laid back and you just go along and do what you like?

Thanks
Click to expand...

The are a place to compare beards and prostate exam results - if you are very lucky you'll find a club that won't make you think sharpness is the ultimate prize of a photo. The majority of clubs will just bore you to death - if you find one that actually improves your photography you are very lucky.
 
POAH said:
The are a place to compare beards and prostate exam results - if you are very lucky you'll find a club that won't make you think sharpness is the ultimate prize of a photo. The majority of clubs will just bore you to death - if you find one that actually improves your photography you are very lucky.
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Are we to assume that you are a signed up member, then? :lol:
 
I belong to a local camera club and it's great :) We meet once a month. In the summer we will all suggest somewhere to go and then decide on the best choice. In the winter we meet in an artists studio and mess around with photoshop or we might get a photographer to come in and do a talk. We do all sorts of stuff and since I joined just over a year ago I have learnt loads!!! We are a friendly helpful bunch and welcome new members :) Definately join one, I can highly recommend it ;) Next meeting for us is the local pub to discuss what we want to do and where we want to go next year ;)
 
I belong to/help run a camera club in the north east. It was a bit stagnant with old timers just sitting around talking about prostrate exams etc. I was introduced there by a friend who found it bby accident, since we got involved we have built a studio, acquired local grant monies for lighting, a computer and a new TV.
Although we are all relative beginners we are all learning new stuff now, using the TV for teaching editing techniques and studio lighting. Next on the list will be a better printer and calibration kit. Maybe then we will start getting serious with our photography and getting guest speakers in.

I guess I'm saying you get something out of it if you are prepared to put something into it.
 
Pookeyhead said:
Most I've experienced congratulate each other a great deal, are overly obsessed with the technical merit of images and not the artistic, and tend to be very snobbish and patronising toward anyone who's hair isn't grey... or has breasts.

I'm sure there are great camera clubs out there... I've just not experienced any. To be honest, I found camera clubs creatively stifling. It's all so prescriptive. You need to do this if you want to win that. You must shoot things like this, not like that. It's creative incest in most camera clubs.

I'd stay away if I were you. THIS forum is a camera club, but it's one that has a more balanced approach and wider opinions than the closed mind set that is pervasive in most bricks and mortar camera clubs.
Click to expand...

:agree:
 
Being a Committee members (various roles) over the last 10 years or so for one of Barnsley's biggest clubs - so I've been to several others - I'd have to say that locally to me they are a bit stuffy, full of old boys who use them for more of a social gathering than anything truly productive photographically

I've tried to introduce real training programmes and got pretty much nowhere, organised events that only the same handful ever bother to attend, but when they get a female in for the annual pointless nude shoot plenty turn out :(

So this year, Sept actually, I didn't renew my membership and I'm actually considering starting my own club - with a focus on something called... PHOTOGRAPHY !!! :D

Dave
 
Strangely enough I know an American woman who lives across the street from me & she's told me before she's in the local "camera club" as she put it. Haven't the foggiest what they do though :shrug: :lol:
 
I am too bloody busy taking pictures to go to a club, I also tend to not to suffer fools easily, thus getting me in trouble for saying it as it is.......

And we all know how odd photographers can be :)
 
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