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Camera Clubs

PentaxBabe
Posted 23/05/2009 - 13:09 Link
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
davidtrout
Posted 23/05/2009 - 14:29 Link
I can't speak for other camera clubs but I'm a member of Durham Photographic Society (nearly 100 members)and the chat there is certainly not all about whose got which camera and gear. Apart from those of my immediate friends I haven't a clue which camera most of the pictures we see at the club were taken on. From personal experience of my own club and neighbouring societies the prime interest is in creating images, not camera equipment. It's useful to hear visiting speakers talk about their own photography and to hear judges commenting on pictures in competitions. Some of us go to the pub after the meeting and the chat there is also instructive. Camera clubs are great for like minded friends to meet up and learn more about photography skills. If you are unsure why not go along to the Chesterfield camera club for a couple of meetings to check it out before deciding whether to join. If you don't care for the company there I'm sure there are other similar societies in your area where you may feel more at home.
david
loskeran
Posted 23/05/2009 - 17:03 Link
PentaxBabe wrote:
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.
mowog
Posted 23/05/2009 - 17:23 Link
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!
No man is worth his salt, who has not been banned from at least one Forum, and two Flickr groups.

Mowog.
fatspider
Posted 23/05/2009 - 19:10 Link
A camera club is only as good as its members so trying to put a label on whether they are good or bad is immpossible. Peoples expectations of clubs also vary enormously, many assume you just stand around chatting about gear and showing each others images... WRONG!

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
My Names Alan, and I'm a lensaholic.
My PPG link
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PentaxBabe
Posted 24/05/2009 - 09:37 Link
Thanks to all of you for your comments. I might email them and go along. My problem is that I am really shy and don't like going to events where I don't know anyone! I used to wait outside pubs for friends rather than go in and wait by myself! Or I would go in one door and straight out another if they hadn't arrived
Mannesty
Posted 24/05/2009 - 09:42 Link
Go for it, you might surprise yourself.

Walk in, bold as brass, head in the air, ask the first person you see "How do I join?", and take it from there.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
davidtrout
Posted 24/05/2009 - 15:31 Link
mowog wrote:
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
sandy
Posted 27/08/2009 - 18:37 Link
Hi

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
grahamwalton
Posted 27/08/2009 - 23:19 Link
I have been a member of Photographic Societies for 23 years. In that time I have been in 4 different Photographic Societies. They have all been friendly, helpful, entertaining and a worthwhile experience.

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.
Friendly Regards
Graham
johnriley
Posted 27/08/2009 - 23:22 Link
You can get a feel for what we get up to in Atherton by looking at the website and forum on www.adaps.org.uk - this is where most club activities get announced first.
Best regards, John
Marcus1
Posted 28/08/2009 - 10:48 Link
As a Newbie and very much an amateur,I am looking for a Camera club within reasonable travelling distance. Looking at their websites gives a clue as to what one might expect. For me, the larger clubs/societies seem to have all manner of Rules and Regulations, populated by proffesionals and the commercially orientated, all very competetive, their exhibitions say much about them! Smaller Clubs, appear more sociable with a degree of flexibility in meeting members needs. Most small towns in my area have a 'Camera Club'. I am still undecided, I would not want to join a clique wealthy 'Gadget Freaks'. For me it is a hobby and should be fun.
K10D 50-200mm, 18-55mm, Battery Grip, AF360FGZ flash, Manfrotto Tripod.
Other stuff includes Programme A, Takumar 70-200mm, Rollei Prega 145AF - Still in its box, Pentax Zoom 105R,Olympus OM2n,a Fuji Digital Finepix.
johnriley
Posted 28/08/2009 - 11:30 Link
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.
Best regards, John
Marcus1
Posted 28/08/2009 - 12:05 Link
johnriley wrote:
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.
K10D 50-200mm, 18-55mm, Battery Grip, AF360FGZ flash, Manfrotto Tripod.
Other stuff includes Programme A, Takumar 70-200mm, Rollei Prega 145AF - Still in its box, Pentax Zoom 105R,Olympus OM2n,a Fuji Digital Finepix.
grahamwalton
Posted 28/08/2009 - 13:49 Link
From my experience Photographic Society rules vary very little between large and small societies.
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.
Friendly Regards
Graham

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