Question for those who belong to clubs in your local areas: So if I join and start attending a local photography group I found with a bridge camera will they laugh me out of the group?

bbqsfarm Loc: Oregon

So if I join and start attending a local photography group I found with a bridge camera will they laugh me out of the group? I really have a desire to learn but until I know if I really like it I just don't want to invest the dollars in a DSLR. I have used SLRS before like back in 1980 (LOL) I really remember nothing at this point. I do have an end goal in mind though.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

bbqsfarm wrote:

So if I join and start attending a local photography group I found with a bridge camera will they laugh me out of the group? I really have a desire to learn but until I know if I really like it I just don't want to invest the dollars in a DSLR. I have used SLRS before like back in 1980 (LOL) I really remember nothing at this point. I do have an end goal in mind though.

I think you'll find most clubs are good about welcoming new members. On the other hand, our local club is one of the oldest in the west and is, to a great extent, an overgrown passel of senior snobs. A lot of it depends on how long the club has been around and the average age of the members (especially in relation to your age).

dragonswing Loc: Pa

The group I belong to would not laugh at you. We have several members who recently joined in order to find out what camera they want to get---they do not even have a digital camera. I wish I had waited til I knew more about different cameras before my first purchase as it would have greatly influenced what I got. Everyone begins somewhere and if others laugh, then they are not worthy listening to.
People need to remember that they were a beginner at one time.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Depends on the club. Mine started as a community college class and evolved into a club. We use just about everything that will take pictures.

bbqsfarm wrote:

So if I join and start attending a local photography group I found with a bridge camera will they laugh me out of the group? I really have a desire to learn but until I know if I really like it I just don't want to invest the dollars in a DSLR. I have used SLRS before like back in 1980 (LOL) I really remember nothing at this point. I do have an end goal in mind though.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

I suppose it is possible, but I think most clubs would be welcoming to any member. The club I belong to in the south metro Denver area has rank beginners and long-time professionals. All anyone cares about is that you show up, participate, and learn. Oh - and pay your dues!

anotherview Loc: California

A given camera club may have a Web-site that describes the makeup of its membership and its skill levels, among other information. You could also call the club to ask your questions anonymously.

Happy New Year!

bbqsfarm wrote:

So if I join and start attending a local photography group I found with a bridge camera will they laugh me out of the group? I really have a desire to learn but until I know if I really like it I just don't want to invest the dollars in a DSLR. I have used SLRS before like back in 1980 (LOL) I really remember nothing at this point. I do have an end goal in mind though.

bbqsfarm Loc: Oregon

Some good feed back. Thanks!

This club has been around since 1960. I recognize some of the members based on photos I have seen at local establishments and the county fair etc (I have been paying attention to photos for a long time) The motto is:
to encourage serious amateurs to take better photos.
So the club has a monthly format that I think I could really benefit from. I don't know how other clubs operate but this one is ran as follows: 1st week of month Challenge night, 2nd week is Education night, 3rd week is competition night. 4th week is social night. Is that a standard format for clubs?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Not my club, we meet once a month in the Senior Citizens Center. Show off pictures, talk about them. Discuss things. Exchange hints, ideas, recommendations etc. Very informal, very unorganized. No dues, more like a group of friends who share an interest. About 10-12 at a meeting, I am the only new member I know of in the last year.

dragonswing Loc: Pa

bbqsfarm wrote:

I don't know how other clubs operate but this one is ran as follows: 1st week of month Challenge night, 2nd week is Education night, 3rd week is competition night. 4th week is social night. Is that a standard format for clubs?

My club has two meetings--1st week is workshop night, 3rd week is competition night. There are also field trips and the annual banquet.

Sherman A1 Loc: St. Louis, MO

If that is how they treat new members, I would run not walk away and ask for a return of your membership dues, if any. There is no reason to treat people that way under any circumstances. As far as learning your camera, check local camera shops if any and of course Adorama & B&H have YouTube videos available along with some simple web searching for a host of tips & tricks.

These folks should be rated :thumbdown:

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

bbqsfarm wrote:

So if I join and start attending a local photography group I found with a bridge camera will they laugh me out of the group? I really have a desire to learn but until I know if I really like it I just don't want to invest the dollars in a DSLR. I have used SLRS before like back in 1980 (LOL) I really remember nothing at this point. I do have an end goal in mind though.

"I really remember nothing at this point." You are way ahead of me; it is taking me seemingly forever to unlearn film habits to get the hang of digital. ;)

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

The club I belong to would not laugh. We had a newbie with a Canon SX50 in our Nikon Fellowship Group and everyone went the extra distance to help and encourage her on an outing recently.

bbqsfarm wrote:

So if I join and start attending a local photography group I found with a bridge camera will they laugh me out of the group? I really have a desire to learn but until I know if I really like it I just don't want to invest the dollars in a DSLR. I have used SLRS before like back in 1980 (LOL) I really remember nothing at this point. I do have an end goal in mind though.

ncshutterbug

I joined my club several years ago with my 2.1 mega pixel Olympus with the same thoughts. Everyone was great at helping me figure out what I was doing. I warn you though, you will soon find yourself very envious around newer models with all the bells and whistles! Mine finally went to the camera graveyard and I decided to try the entry level Canon. It didn't take me long to be craving a better one!

Sloaner Loc: Dayton Ohio

robertjerl wrote:

Not my club, we meet once a month in the Senior Citizens Center. Show off pictures, talk about them. Discuss things. Exchange hints, ideas, recommendations etc. Very informal, very unorganized. No dues, more like a group of friends who share an interest. About 10-12 at a meeting, I am the only new member I know of in the last year.

Seems the two clubs when I attended a "sample meeting" were kinda snobbish. Maybe I shouldn't judge them after only one meeting. Got the feeling that I was an outsider and it was hard to get a discussion going on basic stuff. Just didn't feel like going to meetings to be impressed. Would like to find one made up of members at more of a novice level.

John

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

bbqsfarm wrote:

So if I join and start attending a local photography group I found with a bridge camera will they laugh me out of the group? I really have a desire to learn but until I know if I really like it I just don't want to invest the dollars in a DSLR. I have used SLRS before like back in 1980 (LOL) I really remember nothing at this point. I do have an end goal in mind though.

Not the club I belong to. We are only interested in sharing photographs and helping each other improve their photography skills, not in what equipment is used.