Question for those who belong to clubs in your local areas
Dec 28, 2014 17:28:49 #
I belong to a great local photography club that I discovered through Meetup.com. The club welcomes photography enthusiasts of all levels and all types of cameras are also welcomed. Last week I went to a club meetup at a local amusement center and I decided to leave my dslr at home and take my point and shoot. I must admit that that wasn't a very wise decision due to the poor low light capabilities of the p&s camera but my camera was just as welcomed as the dslr's. Check out the local photography groups in your area at www.meetup.com
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.
Dec 28, 2014 17:44:41 #
Our local camera club has 4 monthly meetings at a local senior home - print night, board meeting, EID (electronic images) and program night. They don't meet during the summer when they prepare and show an exhibit at the local fair.
I'm not a member yet, but they didn't complain when I showed up the first time, they asked me what I shoot, and I said "Bridge cameras." I now have 10 Kodak bridge cameras in my collection.
I'm not a member yet, but they didn't complain when I showed up the first time, they asked me what I shoot, and I said "Bridge cameras." I now have 10 Kodak bridge cameras in my collection.
Dec 28, 2014 17:54:55 #
You'll probably find that there are already a good number of members who do not have DSLRs. In my local club there are internationally known photographers and people who use their phones and lots in between. Sometimes the prizes for best photo go to people with little cameras and good eyes.
Dec 28, 2014 18:03:25 #
If your local club is anything like mine, there will already be members with compact cameras. My local club has members who are published in National Geographic and members who use only their cell phones. Some of those phone pictures have more pixels than my ancient DSLR. We have contests about once a year and the prizes are sometimes won by people with compact cameras. The photos are submitted with only numbers--no names or camera information. Having expensive equipment does not make one a better photographer and certainly does not make one better company. I think you will be welcome. The only danger is that being around a lot of photographers might give you Gear Acquisition Syndrome.
Dec 28, 2014 19:45:11 #
I belong to an excellent club, with a number of talented photographers, in San Jose, CA. I use a bridge camera, but most of the photos that I enter into competition (projected images) are taken with a point-and shoot camera. I've heard no derogatory comments from other members and have won several times with my pictures. Go for it!
Dec 28, 2014 20:42:33 #
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 do have an end goal in mind though.
BB, welcome to the Hog.
Actually the Hog is a club of sorts. If your bridge is a Canon bridge not likely anybody will laugh, but if it's a London Bridge, yes, you'll get some snickers!! :lol:
BB, seriously, you will probably get out of a club what you put into it. My club meets every week and has 200 members, but usually only about 75 are actually doing much. I don't go on our field trips/shooting outings so I don't have any idea what anybody shoots with. What I can tell you is that by the competitions some are really good.
My club is a PSA club that started in 1946 so it's pretty organized. Unless you're in a huge metropolitan area you're not likely to have a lot of club choices. I found the competitions did more for my photography than anything else. Just join, you can always change. Or even take some local classes, they can be a bit like a club, since there are always a lot of the same people taking classes. Good luck
SS
Dec 28, 2014 20:57:33 #
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.
Sounds like my club except we meet twice a month and do a field trip nearly every month. We have an hour or so for "show and tell" on a subject we were given and about 2 hours on the PS Elements or Lightroom programs for t hose who want to learn the computer. Another portion of the group meets to shoot outside whenever the weather permits.
Dec 28, 2014 22:50:15 #
David Popham
Loc: French Creek, British Columbia
What I discovered was that clubs with a high number of members will likely do better than clubs with a low number. Most of the group attend to get for their membership dues is how to use the camera.
In one instance as a new member I asked if the members would be interested in listening about the theories of composition. (I was a scientist in a former life and learned how to learn.). Since the club was always looking for speakers I got the chance. The former chair continued through the talk to make cheap remarks. I got so tired of it that I remarked that he could give the talk. All hell broke loose because I insulted him. This is what can happen when one moves from the big smoke to the little smoke.
In one instance as a new member I asked if the members would be interested in listening about the theories of composition. (I was a scientist in a former life and learned how to learn.). Since the club was always looking for speakers I got the chance. The former chair continued through the talk to make cheap remarks. I got so tired of it that I remarked that he could give the talk. All hell broke loose because I insulted him. This is what can happen when one moves from the big smoke to the little smoke.
Dec 28, 2014 23:05:40 #
David Popham wrote:
What I discovered was that clubs with a high numbe... (show quote)
That was a clique disguised as a club. :(
Sorry to hear that happened to you.
Dec 28, 2014 23:21:25 #
The Cascade Camera Club in Central Oregon that I belong to would welcome you with open arms. I think that most clubs would do the same.
Jack
Jack
Dec 28, 2014 23:38:50 #
Jakebrake wrote:
Do you and I belong to the same club? :lol:
Not unless you commute 1100+ miles each way for meetings. Actually, I'm not a member of the club. I attended several times, both on my own and as the guest of one of the members, a professional who delighted in bring his favorite camera, a Pentax 67. Just the sound of the shutter on that thing was enough to get everybody's attention. I believe he was club historian for one year, but was voted out in order to silence his cannon (yes, I spelled it right) during the meetings. He eventually quit - for the same reason I never joined. I was amused, however, when he took one of his portfolios to a meeting. It was a series he had done on a local sport - bocce. No faces were shown in the entire portfolio, but two of the more prestigious members noticably blanched when he showed the court; obviously they knew the players, who were good friends of this young pro. I'm not sure I understand. :wink:
Dec 29, 2014 00:06:19 #
Ask them, "is this a camera club or a photography club?" If it's a camera club, move on to a photography club.
Dec 29, 2014 00:15:20 #
Kiron Kid wrote:
Ask them, "is this a camera club or a photography club?" If it's a camera club, move on to a photography club.
I am afraid the distinction would be lost on many!
Dec 29, 2014 00:15:20 #
Dec 29, 2014 00:55:19 #
BobHartung wrote:
On the other hand, I personally find that the local club can seem like a clique, and that the image scoring on competition nights can be wildly variable and inconsistent. As with any smaller group, many can tell who made an image as soon as it is shown.
On the other hand, I personally find that the local club can seem like a clique, and that the image scoring on competition nights can be wildly variable and inconsistent. As with any smaller group, many can tell who made an image as soon as it is shown.
Our club uses outside judges, which just about eliminates that problem (but creates work for a Board member to find/line up these judges, and an added expense - but we have "cash for images" and a fundraiser to help cover that).
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