I just joined a club...

Just got back from the 2nd 'Bradford Photographic Society' meeting of the year...

I went to a 'strobist-training night' last year and enjoyed it but didn't go back again until last week...

This week I reckon the idea was to get us (new members) ready for competition-photography... Lots of talk of the definitions of 'record'...

Not sure how I feel about submitting for competitions but I've just paid for a years membership so I'll give it a go...

Some of the talks in the syllabus look quite interesting though and nobody has sneered when I've said I shoot a Pentax...

Camera clubs are the lifeblood of our hobby.. Personally I dont enter the competitions, but there are certainly many that do, and get great enjoyment and satisfaction.

I really must have a look and see if there is one in my area.

I joined my local (5 mins walk) club, enter competitions, take on-board the critique, have a coffee learn something new and chat with like minded people.

There are people who win in the comps, who use bridge or the better type of compact cameras, no problems with size or type of camera.

I would recommend people to try there local club, who knows they may enjoy it.

This is my club - BCC

Most of the camera clubers I've come across don't seem to have the elitist attitude, In the 7 or more years I've been a member of mine I've only heard one "proper" dig at the Pentax brand, the jesting is always there but that's not just limited to Pentax.

Bradford PS is a very old and respected club, some of it's members are brilliant people too, Graeme Mitchell has often given my work good comments when he's judged our competitions, I wonder if he knows I shoot Pentax

One old guy who isn't good at names anyway, just calls me Mr. Pentax. There are a few Alan's but only one Mr. Pentax

There have been quite a few light-hearted jokes about non Canon cameras over the years at the Workshop I attend, but there have also been many envious comments about features the canon users don't have.

Until recently Pentax users have outnumbered Nikon, but Canon outnumber everyone else 3:1.

Fortunately members realize that it's the photographer that matters not the camera - except I guess for the underwater photographer - with some excellent shots from an i-phone putting some other members dslr shots to shame. The best camera is the one you've got with you!

I live in Tywyn on the west coast of Wales. There used to be a camera club here a few years back but as far as I'm aware there isn't one any more. I would love to join one but it's a matter of finding one within a certain distance. I'll have to keep looking into finding a camera club

Don't know if this will help link

Clubs can be very good if you can find one that suits you. I have been a member of Holmfirth for about 8 years holding various posts and really enjoy it.
Derek

Why don't you try setting one up Howie?

Regards
David

There are more than half a dozen Pentax users at Durham Photographic Society, perhaps more than I'm aware of. We have more than 100 members and most discussion is about picture appreciation, not camera brands.
Three members of this forum are members at DPS and there are other Pentax users who are not members of PUF.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Someone new has joined with a Kr. I will no longer be called Mr. Pentax

A forum Member?

No - hopefully he'll join. I did point him in this direction.