Camera Clubs
david
I was wondering what experience people have had of local camera clubs? I know we have the Local Groups topic where people can suggest starting a group in their local area, however, I don't know if these actually get of the ground?
There is a camera club in Chesterfield and I was wondering if it would be worth joining? I don't really want to get involved in a group were all they are interested in is bragging about who has the best camera, being told that canon are the best cameras, or who is the better photographer. That's why a Group of other Pentax owners seems more appealing. I have looked at their website but am not sure f they seem friendly enough!
Thanks
J
I also belong to my local camera club, we also meet loads more of like minded people in the federation (Welsh) although I live in England , and may I say a great bunch of characters they are, I have yet to find any snobs among them infact it would be frowned on.
The only clubs you may find anything like that maybe in the specialist type of club.
Yes we do have friendly competition, but we also pick up tips from each other.
Well worth a go and if it does not appeal to you try another club.
Also you may be rather surprised how many lady members there are, and not just tea makers some very good photographers.
There was a play on TV some years ago, called Glamour night. It was a perfect representation of what photography clubs were like, back then.
All different now... I hope!
Mowog.
Most clubs will have a sylabus of events for the year which includes guest speakers, AV shows, members nights and of course monthly and annual competitions, of course there will be a break for refreshments and time for a chat and even time for chatting afterwards.
Go along to your local club for a couple of nights, you will soon find out if the members are friendly, if you find the events boring give it a few more sessions before jumping ship as any club can end up with a couple of duff lectures in a row
I joined a camera club many years ago, when I first got into photography. It was awful. Full of middle aged men called Ron and Ken, banging on about their Canon T90s and Minolta 7000s.
There was a play on TV some years ago, called Glamour night. It was a perfect representation of what photography clubs were like, back then.
All different now... I hope!
What's wrong with Rons and Kens. There are several of both in this Forum and they're splendid fellows.
daviod
I belong to my local camera club and we have speakers that come and speak about their travel or how to do things in photoshop and once a month we have competitions and I enjoy the club meetings.
Sandy
All of my societies have had an annual programme of events, which have included:-
Audio Visuals
Print Lectures
Practical Demonstrations
Portrait Sessions
Competitions
Exhibitions
Assignments
Visits
Social Events
Holidays
Day Trips
Interclub Matches
Cameras and Lenses are rarely talked about, but producing the image is the main topic. This includes, problem solving regarding computers, projectors, software, printers, print mounting and slide copying.
I am currently a member of 2 Photographic Societies and for me it makes my hobby worthwhile.
Graham
Other stuff includes Programme A, Takumar 70-200mm, Rollei Prega 145AF - Still in its box, Pentax Zoom 105R,Olympus OM2n,a Fuji Digital Finepix.
It's not impossible to be a large group of people though and meet individual needs, but it does take a bit more effort from those who organise it.
We have a large mainstream of activity and then have sub-groups or special sessions to cater for specialist interests. An obvious one ois out beginners' group for Photoshop tuition.
We have found that concentrating on the beginners makes ADAPS stronger - the beginners become experienced in time and then help new beginners, and so we grow. Other groups in the area are not interested in helping people develop, and they don't grow.
Fair enough, Marcus, and I think you need to sample a few to see what sort of mix they are.
It's not impossible to be a large group of people though and meet individual needs, but it does take a bit more effort from those who organise it.
We have a large mainstream of activity and then have sub-groups or special sessions to cater for specialist interests. An obvious one ois out beginners' group for Photoshop tuition.
We have found that concentrating on the beginners makes ADAPS stronger - the beginners become experienced in time and then help new beginners, and so we grow. Other groups in the area are not interested in helping people develop, and they don't grow.
I shall continue my search, the PU site offers a great deal of help in addition to being able to make the occaisional contribution. Very positive and encouraging. I think a 'local' PU group would be a great stepping stone, I sense that we have a goodly number of Pentax Users in the North Wiltshire/South Cotswolds area in addition to some great locations.
Other stuff includes Programme A, Takumar 70-200mm, Rollei Prega 145AF - Still in its box, Pentax Zoom 105R,Olympus OM2n,a Fuji Digital Finepix.
I used to be a member of a society with 200+ members and they were certainly not dominated by profesionals. Their rules were very similar to another society which had only 16 members. At neither society, did talk about cameras get more than a passing comment. The image was the en-product.
There seems to be an old fashioned predudicial stereotype about photographic societies, which is so so wrong and completely out of date with current reality.
If keen photographers give their local society a try and stick with it, I am sure that in the majority of cases you will find it a good experience. If not then try another.
Graham
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395 posts
14 years
Chesterfield Derbyshire
There is a camera club in Chesterfield and I was wondering if it would be worth joining? I don't really want to get involved in a group were all they are interested in is bragging about who has the best camera, being told that canon are the best cameras, or who is the better photographer. That's why a Group of other Pentax owners seems more appealing. I have looked at their website but am not sure f they seem friendly enough!
Thanks
J