On the 'I wish' going back to basics...
Dec 27, 2020 11:01:02 #
I remember photoclubs from long ago..
They stank of chemicals but folks going there were sharing information and techniques as there was very little talk about 'feature' latest gear to have. Competitions took place... To represent the club in another competition.
Funny part is few of these clubs had 'group outings'. Instead they had a challenge for the month or even the year and each person was going out doing their own stuff then back inside were discussing every offer until one was selected as the 'winner'.
Trust me it sounds good but it was not utopia. The clubs were highly dysfunctional families but everyone took something home. Today? Bah.
They stank of chemicals but folks going there were sharing information and techniques as there was very little talk about 'feature' latest gear to have. Competitions took place... To represent the club in another competition.
Funny part is few of these clubs had 'group outings'. Instead they had a challenge for the month or even the year and each person was going out doing their own stuff then back inside were discussing every offer until one was selected as the 'winner'.
Trust me it sounds good but it was not utopia. The clubs were highly dysfunctional families but everyone took something home. Today? Bah.
Dec 27, 2020 11:08:05 #
Rongnongno wrote:
I remember photoclubs from long ago.. br br They ... (show quote)
You are right. I believe todays two clubs I joined and have since left were very "Clikish". Bah is a better word.
Dec 27, 2020 11:27:29 #
Camera clubs have always been fun. To chat with others sharing the same interest, the lectures from invited photographers and the sharing of information was all fun. I used to visit two of those camera clubs but I have not been there in many years.
You are right, information and techniques were shared and I remember sharing information with others about b&w techniques which draw my interest more than color photography.
I cannot speak on what is happening today. As I said, I have not visited a camera club in years.
You are right, information and techniques were shared and I remember sharing information with others about b&w techniques which draw my interest more than color photography.
I cannot speak on what is happening today. As I said, I have not visited a camera club in years.
Dec 27, 2020 11:48:35 #
Strodav
Loc: Houston, Tx
I joined a local camera club before the pandemic hit and was able to attend a couple of in person meetings. Nice group of people, most older like me, and has some good activities going, but clickish. Their communications with the membership was terrible, and they were never able to get Zoom meetings to work. One of the primaries did a political rant on the club's Facebook page after the last election. These are not supposed to be political organizations, they are there to promote photography. That was it, I quit. I'll wait until the vaccines are readily available before trying to find a new club.
Good topic and a related one to how do we get the next generation to join and attend or are clubs dead due to the internet?
Good topic and a related one to how do we get the next generation to join and attend or are clubs dead due to the internet?
Dec 27, 2020 12:41:46 #
From personal experience, with the Sydney and Newcastle "Focus" (Australia) groups, the internet has made things a lot easier, especially for more informal "clubs".
See this.
https://focusphotographers.org/about-focus-photographers/
Normally they have dawn shoots, mostly on weekends, at coastal locations. We will meet, at the location, about 1/2 hour before first light to set up. We will usually leave about 20 minutes after sunrise, depending on the light, and go and have breakfast at a nearby cafe, where one of the subjects discussed will be photography. During the shoot participants may help each other and it is good to see how people work. It is a great start to a weekend.
Images are usually posted to Flickr or facebook. They do have longer workshops at distant locations both locally, interstate and internationally. I havn't been on any of those workshops.
They are a great group to shoot with.
See this.
https://focusphotographers.org/about-focus-photographers/
Normally they have dawn shoots, mostly on weekends, at coastal locations. We will meet, at the location, about 1/2 hour before first light to set up. We will usually leave about 20 minutes after sunrise, depending on the light, and go and have breakfast at a nearby cafe, where one of the subjects discussed will be photography. During the shoot participants may help each other and it is good to see how people work. It is a great start to a weekend.
Images are usually posted to Flickr or facebook. They do have longer workshops at distant locations both locally, interstate and internationally. I havn't been on any of those workshops.
They are a great group to shoot with.
Dec 28, 2020 07:24:07 #
PixelStan77 wrote:
You are right. I believe todays two clubs I joined and have since left were very "Clikish". Bah is a better word.
I thought I was the only one to experience that. In my case three different clubs.
Dec 28, 2020 07:27:25 #
RichardTaylor wrote:
From personal experience, with the Sydney and Newc... (show quote)
Wow, wish I was closer than Nashville, Tn, USA. This seems like a great club after reading the club "About" page.
Dec 28, 2020 08:39:33 #
SonyBug wrote:
Wow, wish I was closer than Nashville, Tn, USA. This seems like a great club after reading the club "About" page.
Thanks. It's is a very enjoyable group to be in.
Dec 28, 2020 08:51:52 #
Apparently I am lucky. I belong to a small club (30+) in Anderson, Indiana. No cliques here, just friendly folks who like to share information and photos. We talk about and critique our works with the intention of trying to make everyone better, but we have no winners or losers, just friendly discussions and snacks. We meet monthly during better times with Zoom meetings being our present mode of getting together. We are some new shooters, some experienced folks, some young members, and some old guys like me. We all get along, and there’s no snobbery. We try to have two or three outings per year, and our only competition is to put together a body of prints for the yearly Indiana State Fair show.
Dec 28, 2020 08:52:56 #
Rongnongno wrote:
The clubs were highly dysfunctional families...
That's why I've never sought out a photo club.
Dec 28, 2020 09:18:05 #
I went to a camera club meeting in Los Angeles about 10 years ago. The featured speaker described his photo tours, inviting business. He presented feel-goodism and fun. I left never to return. And yes, I sensed clickishness. Not for me.
camerapapi wrote:
Camera clubs have always been fun. To chat with ot... (show quote)
Dec 28, 2020 09:49:41 #
anotherview wrote:
I went to a camera club meeting in Los Angeles about 10 years ago. The featured speaker described his photo tours, inviting business. He presented feel-goodism and fun. I left never to return. And yes, I sensed clickishness. Not for me.
My experience was similar to yours. My thought while exiting the meeting/presentation was, “this is worse than trying to crack a church congregation.” No mas....
Dec 28, 2020 10:06:29 #
mizzee
Loc: Boston,Ma
I’m part of the Hunt’s community and take part in their photowalks and classes. It’s not a club and it’s non-competitive, not clickish and it’s educational. I’ve made many good friends.
Dec 28, 2020 10:06:46 #
Rongnongno wrote:
I remember photoclubs from long ago.. br br They ... (show quote)
But It still Could be an interesting idea today too. New Technology is easy for some, but hard for others, so a monthly Photography club may be a successful venture. Share problems, Share Solutions, Share Achievements, Share Progress, No Controversial subjects allowed, No unnecessary Debates, No Bad Language, just the Love of Photography, would this be a realalistic Idea?
Dec 28, 2020 10:31:04 #
My local club is really well run and active. We have two regular meetings a month First Thursday is a speaker and usually very informative and interesting, the third Thursday is competition night. By using Zoom we’ve been able to keep our meetings going and it’s actually opened us up to having speakers/judges from outside of our area. We usually have a few shooting meetups a month and also do instructional seminars on many subjects, from the basics for beginners up to some advanced techniques, in both shooting and PP. Yes there is a certain camaraderie around the longtime members that might appear cliquish at first, but the club is actually very inviting and embraces new members and really tries to get them involved.
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