Camera Clubs

I'm just curious as to how many of us are members of Camera Clubs/Photographic Societies and if so which ones. The reason behind this is to see if there are any joint activities we could arrange, be it meeting up somewhere or just exchanging Speakers to do something for each other's Events programmes.

I'll start it off by saying I'm Vice-Chair/Syllabus Secretary/Treasurer of Atherton & District Amateur Photographic Society ("ADAPS", which is near Manchester.

Anyone else?

Hello John
I'm a member of Thornton Heath Camera Club (South London).
Tom

I've considered joining one of the clubs here in Edinburgh, mainly to get access to their darkroom and studio facilities, but never actually got around to it.

I'd be interested to hear what sort of things the various camera clubs that folks are members of get up to, and what benefits they feel they get from membership.

I am currently Vice President of Wythall Photographic Society in North Worcestershire. We are located 8 miles south of Birmingham. We are members of the Midland Counties Photographic Federation (MCPF), which is part of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB).

We hold weekly meetings September to June. Our meetings consist of Lectures by prominent Midland Photographers and Competitions which are judged by approved MCPF Judges. We also have a number of nights, where members can show and discuss their own work.

During the mid-evening breaks and after the formal part of the evening members chat about Photography, Cameras, Enlargers, Techniques, Chemicals, Printing Papers, Computers, Monitors, Printers, Inks, Scanners Lenses, Software and all associated problems and solutions. We also talk about Photographic Locations, Holidays and recommended accomodation. We find that guest speakers often stay behind and join in the informal chat.

We also hold fun competitions where each member brings 4 small unmounted prints - maximim 7" x 5". These are randomised, numbered and placed on tables. Each member then awards marks out of 20 for each print but do not judge their own. The score sheets are entered into a computer spreadsheet and sorted for top 10 prints and most generous judge and tightest scrooge.

We submit Society entries into many Photographic Exhibitions.

Day trips to events and locations are also organised.

Interclub Competitions and Photographic Games of Snap against our friendly neighbouring Photographic Societies, also feature.

Its generally all good fun with everyone participating.

Regards

Graham Walton

It appears that you are all from old england, is there anyone from new england?
Jack

Many of us aren't from England - old or new.

Iv'e been in Clubs since 1951 ( East Ham Grammar School Photo-Soc), then South Essex Camera Club, then Barking P.S now I am President of Brentwood & District Photographic Club here in deepest Essex.
I used to run the Essex Group of the Pentax Club of Great Britain until I had divorce worries. It was very hard getting anyone to turn up to meetings. I got the computer readout of members in Essex given me from the Pentax Club office and contacted personally dozens of members to try to get them to attend. At one stage we had a regular attendance in my house of around 20, then I hired rooms in Brentwood and ran many meetings there. When I gave up it seems to have fizzled out although the Kent Group is still going. The Brentwood town club has over 60 members, 9 nationalites and traditional and digital interests . I organise weekend events and workshops as well as the normal Friday meetings, which is NOT a good night to get new members as the excuse is " That is the night I go out with my mates to the pub after work "

A Portuguese Football supporer perhaps?

Have you considered holding your meetings on a different night?

G

No.

Even for those of us that don't hit the beer on a Friday it's not a great night. I'm usually tired by the time Friday evening comes around and dislike going out that night at all.

Jusr read the messages re Friday night Club meetings- well, the Brentwood Club had Tuesday meetings forty years ago, in a Toc H nissan hut then it had to be pulled down, then met in a pub until it was found members were not coming back into the meeting after the interval! Then the committee were offered rent in Friends' Meeting House Shenfield BUT the only night available was Friday - we are lucky to get any room to meet as space is not available much in Brentwood.

Hi
Wow, only been a registered user of this forum for about 15minutes and already found a thread to reply to.....

I think Camera clubs are an excelent way to improve ones photography, I joined my Local club "Leeds Co-operative Photographic Society" about three years ago and my work has improved 100%, we meet all year round with only a couple of weeks off for xmas and new year, we have guest speakers, members nights, dozens of competitions etc etc etc.
we are members of the PAGB and the YPU and have interclub and one on one battles with other local clubs. Anyone on this forum who lives in the Leeds area (uk) will be most welcome to come along and give us a go, we have a reputation for being the friendliest club around. Time for a shameless plug:

http://www.lcps.freeserve.co.uk/

My advice, get out there and join a camera club, dont have one nearby? then create one.

PS sorry, realised we may have readers from outside the uk, PAGB, Photographic Alliance of Great Britain. YPU, Yorkshire Photographic Union