Need advice on starting a photography group
Jan 29, 2015 00:07:49 #
My pastor has suggested starting a photography group in our church. Need suggestions for how to set it up and succeed with it. Blessings & thank you!
Jan 29, 2015 00:38:29 #
filzfotoz wrote:
My pastor has suggested starting a photography group in our church. Need suggestions for how to set it up and succeed with it. Blessings & thank you!
I'd start with the idea of a camera club, possibly within the church itself. Camera clubs usually belong to a larger state and/or national camera club organization.
The one thing I think you would gain by researching that would be all the organizational materials and support of such an organization. Most of the work is already done that way. Check to see if there is a camera club nearby, and ask them about such an organization. Why re-invent the wheel.
Jan 29, 2015 00:48:10 #
Filz, you're interested in photography, so I would think you know the basics.
May I suggest you ask for an announcement from the pulpit or in the bulletin that with sufficient interest you'd like to start a photography group, a meeting will be held <date/time> to explore the possibilities of such a group.
Hopefully your church will have space available to meet.
At your first meeting, try and establish ability of the folks there, especially if you will be leading the group.
Have a brainstorming session what folks would like to happen in such a group.
Armed with what comes out of that first meeting, decide to meet weekly (may be too often), monthly (maybe too far apart), every second week, every third week...
I'd suggest a definite cycle for meetings, for example if weekly meetings: 1st week of the month: general discussion, answer each other's questions, etc.
2nd week: bring in "photos with questions" - why does this photo have this awful colour, why isn't it sharp, etc. Emphasize that exif data must be available.
3rd week: bring in photos from outing, discuss
4th week: guest speaker, or have one of your members tell the story of their trip to Timbuktu in photos.
5th week if there is one: Tie up loose ends, members choice, social event, 'flea market' (members' for sale stuff).
You will also need to decide on possible membership fees and what they will be used for.
Keep discussions about camera either generic, or discuss very specifically a particlar camera or comparison of two or more cameras, including photos taken with those cameras.
Of course, the above not comprehensive by a long shot, but it should give you some ideas.
May I suggest you ask for an announcement from the pulpit or in the bulletin that with sufficient interest you'd like to start a photography group, a meeting will be held <date/time> to explore the possibilities of such a group.
Hopefully your church will have space available to meet.
At your first meeting, try and establish ability of the folks there, especially if you will be leading the group.
Have a brainstorming session what folks would like to happen in such a group.
Armed with what comes out of that first meeting, decide to meet weekly (may be too often), monthly (maybe too far apart), every second week, every third week...
I'd suggest a definite cycle for meetings, for example if weekly meetings: 1st week of the month: general discussion, answer each other's questions, etc.
2nd week: bring in "photos with questions" - why does this photo have this awful colour, why isn't it sharp, etc. Emphasize that exif data must be available.
3rd week: bring in photos from outing, discuss
4th week: guest speaker, or have one of your members tell the story of their trip to Timbuktu in photos.
5th week if there is one: Tie up loose ends, members choice, social event, 'flea market' (members' for sale stuff).
You will also need to decide on possible membership fees and what they will be used for.
Keep discussions about camera either generic, or discuss very specifically a particlar camera or comparison of two or more cameras, including photos taken with those cameras.
Of course, the above not comprehensive by a long shot, but it should give you some ideas.
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Jan 29, 2015 00:49:37 #
filzfotoz wrote:
My pastor has suggested starting a photography group in our church. Need suggestions for how to set it up and succeed with it. Blessings & thank you!
1. Allow NO cameras at meetings. If cameras are allowed, the manufacturers and model plates must be covered with gaffers tape.
2. If you decide to have contests, pray for Divine Intervention in the selection of judges.
3. The group rules must prohibit the discussion of equipment; only the finished product (and possibly the process of achieving such product AFTER exposure) are important.
Jan 29, 2015 00:50:54 #
Jan 29, 2015 01:31:41 #
filzfotoz wrote:
My pastor has suggested starting a photography group in our church. Need suggestions for how to set it up and succeed with it. Blessings & thank you!
I suggest you google the Photographic Society of America(PSA).
The PSA oversees 1000's of clubs all over the world. The PSA has a ton of infrastructure set up. You might even consider being a PSA club. Could solve a lot of in-club problems and power struggles. Good luck. ;-)
SS
Jan 29, 2015 01:47:14 #
filzfotoz wrote:
My pastor has suggested starting a photography group in our church. Need suggestions for how to set it up and succeed with it. Blessings & thank you!
If you introduce people to UHH tell them not to go into the attic!
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Jan 29, 2015 02:41:16 #
Peterff wrote:
If you introduce people to UHH tell them not to go into the attic!
Better not mention UHH at all until they've signed their contracts and PAID their dues!! :lol:
SS
Jan 29, 2015 06:46:26 #
A.J.R.
Loc: Devon, UK
I have been involved in the running of a village photographic group for many years now. We have a membership of about 15
Here are our aims:-
The main purpose of the group is to help each other master the techniques and the art of photography in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere
We talk about the methods and techniques involved in digital photography and occasionally look back to the days when film was the only means of capturing images.
Members are invited to show their work for appraisal on technique and aesthetics.
Occasionally we have a guest speaker to talk about their personal approach to photography, and field trips are sometimes organized in the local area.
Whether you are a virtual beginner or someone who has enjoyed taking photographs for many years, you are very welcome to join us for an evening or two to see if you would like to become a member. We meet on the last Thursday of the month for 9 months of the year. The venue being our Primary School, where we have the use of their computer and projection equipment.
The most successful part of our meetings has been the critical appraisal sessions. Here are our guidelines for these sessions:-
Most months a member of the group will be asked if they would like to prepare 4 of their Photographs for Critical Appraisal. These can be prints, or jpeg files on a memory stick for projection.
Your photographs could have been taken at any time, favourites or ones that you are not so keen on, but would like to know how other members perceive them.
All members present at the meeting will be asked, one at a time to comment on each photograph. A different member will be asked to start the discussion for each new photograph.
When all the photographs have been shown and appraised by the group, each member present will be asked to say which of the four photographs they like best, these will be given 2 points each. The photographs voted second best would be given 1 point each. The winning photograph being the one with highest points. The photographer will not be allowed to vote, except in the case of a tie, and then they will have the deciding vote.
An A3 Print is then made of the winning photograph and exhibited in our local pub.
Hope this is of some use.
Here are our aims:-
The main purpose of the group is to help each other master the techniques and the art of photography in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere
We talk about the methods and techniques involved in digital photography and occasionally look back to the days when film was the only means of capturing images.
Members are invited to show their work for appraisal on technique and aesthetics.
Occasionally we have a guest speaker to talk about their personal approach to photography, and field trips are sometimes organized in the local area.
Whether you are a virtual beginner or someone who has enjoyed taking photographs for many years, you are very welcome to join us for an evening or two to see if you would like to become a member. We meet on the last Thursday of the month for 9 months of the year. The venue being our Primary School, where we have the use of their computer and projection equipment.
The most successful part of our meetings has been the critical appraisal sessions. Here are our guidelines for these sessions:-
Most months a member of the group will be asked if they would like to prepare 4 of their Photographs for Critical Appraisal. These can be prints, or jpeg files on a memory stick for projection.
Your photographs could have been taken at any time, favourites or ones that you are not so keen on, but would like to know how other members perceive them.
All members present at the meeting will be asked, one at a time to comment on each photograph. A different member will be asked to start the discussion for each new photograph.
When all the photographs have been shown and appraised by the group, each member present will be asked to say which of the four photographs they like best, these will be given 2 points each. The photographs voted second best would be given 1 point each. The winning photograph being the one with highest points. The photographer will not be allowed to vote, except in the case of a tie, and then they will have the deciding vote.
An A3 Print is then made of the winning photograph and exhibited in our local pub.
Hope this is of some use.
Jan 30, 2015 06:15:30 #
Mogul wrote:
1. Allow NO cameras at meetings. If cameras are allowed, the manufacturers and model plates must be covered with gaffers tape.
2. If you decide to have contests, pray for Divine Intervention in the selection of judges.
3. The group rules must prohibit the discussion of equipment; only the finished product (and possibly the process of achieving such product AFTER exposure) are important.
2. If you decide to have contests, pray for Divine Intervention in the selection of judges.
3. The group rules must prohibit the discussion of equipment; only the finished product (and possibly the process of achieving such product AFTER exposure) are important.
I would add to the above hold the meetings away from your church. Preferably on licenced premises. Then you have an excuse to arrive home blind stinking drunk on Camera Club nights.
Enjoy my man and I hope its successful for you
Jan 30, 2015 06:47:53 #
filzfotoz wrote:
My pastor has suggested starting a photography group in our church. Need suggestions for how to set it up and succeed with it. Blessings & thank you!
There are several Meetup camera groups in this general area, and I know they have had a tough time continuing. Everyone expects the one guy running it to do all the work and come up with good ideas. Complaining is very easy.
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Jan 30, 2015 07:46:49 #
A.J.R.
Loc: Devon, UK
jerryc41 wrote:
There are several Meetup camera groups in this general area, and I know they have had a tough time continuing. Everyone expects the one guy running it to do all the work and come up with good ideas. Complaining is very easy.
So true. Beware that one guy could be you filzfotoz
Jan 30, 2015 08:44:08 #
a camera club should be fun..a group of folks that enjoy learning the art and techniques from each other in a friendly manner..i belong to a Nikon group that meets once a month at a local camera store that set up two groups..one for canon and one for nikon..one meets on a wed and the other on a thur..we have fun and enjoy each others different styles of photography ..the group leader brings something new to each class..we can bring our cameras and experiment ..or even use the products he brings from the store...if you want to start a club like that you can always post a notice on a bulletin board at the church..see how many are interested in showing up..have a set date each month so at least it can be consistent..such as the first wed of each month ..find a neutral place to have your meetings..if the church is letting you use some of their available space for free even better ..or you may have to rent their space and have a modest fee for each time from all the participants..just remember to keep it as friendly as possible..i look forward to my group each month because it is informative and a great way to learn ..i refuse to join the heavy duty ones that are extremely competitive ..to me that takes away from the joy of this art form..
Jan 30, 2015 09:07:21 #
katbandit wrote:
..i refuse to join the heavy duty ones that are extremely competitive ..to me that takes away from the joy of this art form..
Definitely!
Jan 30, 2015 09:11:40 #
If you wind up setting up a
'regional" group please let me know. I am 30 miles North of your location.
'regional" group please let me know. I am 30 miles North of your location.
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