Photography club questions (Page 2): :thumbup: :thumbup:...

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Mac wrote:

I can't hep you with the specific club you asked a... (show quote)

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Orca Loc: Little Egg Harbor, NJ USA

We started a camera club in our community about 4 years ago. We set up trips in our area to shoot. Meet at our clubhouse and car pool. Lunch has always played a important part in our trips. More time spent on that then where we want to go. Had about 20 members but it has cut down to about half. The biggest problem was what we discussed at the meetings. Since we had all levels of photographers it was hard to keep all the members interested in the topic's. Most with point and shoot just enjoyed the trips and eating. These are the ones that have backed off from the meetings. We all help each other and enjoy photography.
Try the club out and see if your interests in photography match the other members. I would never have gone to the different places without being in the club. Always one of the club members photo's are on the cover of our community paper.

waywest Loc: las vegas

i'd say to definitely join this club. you'll learn at least a few things for sure & you'll be proud of yourself for getting in there and at least trying it out. the club i tried was way into 35 mm slide competitions that i didn't go for too much. there were some great lectures that i'll never forget from some real pros. you can always just drop out if you see it's not for you. all in all i'm so glad i did that for a year. happy snappin'

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I believe the mentioned society is PSA, not PPA. (I'm pretty sure that was a "whoops" SS.) I helped form a club in NC. It was and still is a friendly club. The photographic growth of the members was geometric. I think visiting the club a few times will allow you to make an informed decision.
Mark

SharpShooter wrote:

Geof, like most, I can't comment on your club. br... (show quote)

taffthetooth Loc: U.K

G Brown wrote:

a club is only as good as you make of it. ie ask t... (show quote)

I'm in the process of moving to Hayling Island, hopefully by May. There seems to be a good club there meeting weekly which I will check out, thanks for the info. :thumbup:

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

Geofw wrote:

Thank you for the quick reply Mac,
Looking at their website on Meetup.com it looks like they do not hold what I would call regular set meetings,The club description says,
'The club holds regular photo shoots and outings, workshops, and critiques in a friendly, supportive environment."
I think I will go along and check it out.
Geoff

Most photo meetup groups are not about competition, but about getting out to shoot and learning.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

markngolf wrote:

I believe the mentioned society is PSA, not PPA. (I'm pretty sure that was a "whoops" SS.) I helped form a club in NC. It was and still is a friendly club. The photographic growth of the members was geometric. I think visiting the club a few times will allow you to make an informed decision.
Mark

PPA and PSA are two different organizations with different objectives of what makes a good image. To say one is better than than the other is a personal subjective choice.

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Geofw wrote:

I am thinking about joining a local photography club, "The Lakeland Shooters".
Hopefully to help me learn more and to get me out meeting other photographers in the area.

1) Are there any other fellow Hogger's members of this club?
2) Would it be beneficial joining a photography club?

Not a member of this club but I do belong to the St. Petersburg Photography Group. Every club will be different in its approach to the direction of the club. What I recommend is that you go to www.meetup.com, type in "photography" in the search box, type in the name of your city and click on the link for however far you're willing to travel to become a member of a group. For example, I typed in Davenport and went out 50 miles (the maximum distance) and found 25+ groups to choose from. You can click on the link for as many as you want in order to see what each group's direction takes them. I cannot say enough about the St. Pete group because they always have several shoots lined up that cover a wide range of interests, photographers in the group are comprised of beginners all the way up to professional published photographers, the dues for the group is only $5.00, and they offer several classes throughout the year that also cover a wide range of topics---and many of those classes are free! So give this a try and see what you like. By the way, the "Lakeland Shooters" are among the groups listed when you try the meetup.com route.

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

Generally one can tell in the first meeting if a club fits your personality and needs. Things to look for:
If they walk around with their light grey long lenses-inside.
If they ask if you shoot Canon or if you are a Nikon snob.
If they publish a topic and the presentation is nothing related to the topic. (with no explanation of the change)
If they talk about a event coming up, but don't want to share the info with you.

If any of these apply, this is the wrong club. If they greet you and share info and have intelligent conversations, then maybe you found a good club.

I was lucky to join the Boston Camera Club, when I lived there. I learned a ton and everyone was so nice. My local club, not so much. So I am on my own and looking.

Good luck. Keep shooting. Ask for help, just make sure the topic of your post tells what your problem is. Have more fun than is legal!

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Geofw wrote:

I am thinking about joining a local photography club, "The Lakeland Shooters".
Hopefully to help me learn more and to get me out meeting other photographers in the area.

1) Are there any other fellow Hogger's members of this club?
2) Would it be beneficial joining a photography club?

Sorry, I live elsewhere and was never a member of Lakeland. Re: clubs in general I believe they can be extremely beneficial for several reasons. The exchange of ideas and techniques is outstanding, practical and often useful. The encouragement of others with similar skill levels and interests provides positive support for my enthusiast ideas. Exchanging details and comments about shooting locations is very helpful. Having my work critiqued by like-minded peers has help me improve the quality of my work. (Yes, you will have tolerate the occasional close-minded, knowitall jerk, but they exist everywhere and ignoring them isn't that hard). I have been a member of a large club in the Chicago area and another very active club in Tucson. Both were well worth the effort and highly beneficial. /Ralph

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

These meetup groups- which I belong to 3 of then- are quite informal compared to groups associated with organized well established groups that have regular meeting that include training, competition, general "show & tell" and of course field trips I joined my first camera club - Diablo Valley Camera Club a local chapter of the CA state wide N4C grop in Martinez, CA so I could learn how to really us my first SLR back in '92 -none of that mine is better than your's stuff.

Geofw wrote:

Thank you for the quick reply Mac,
Looking at their website on Meetup.com it looks like they do not hold what I would call regular set meetings,The club description says,
'The club holds regular photo shoots and outings, workshops, and critiques in a friendly, supportive environment."
I think I will go along and check it out.
Geoff

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Geofw wrote:

I am thinking about joining a local photography club, "The Lakeland Shooters".
Hopefully to help me learn more and to get me out meeting other photographers in the area.

1) Are there any other fellow Hogger's members of this club?
2) Would it be beneficial joining a photography club?

Overall, I've always found it beneficial, enjoyable and have recommended folks look for a local club. (Meetup.com was one way to find them)

Going out shooting with other photographers or critiquing each others work or just meeting over coffee and chatting can be real learning and sharing experiences that almost anyone will get lots of benefit from. If nothing else, someone might stir your creative juices or suggesting a different way of looking at things. A couple local groups I occasionally participate with have a real mix of experience levels, specializations and even gear. Here in "Silicon Valley" there is a strong film/analog shooter community... A lot of whom are techies who don't want to even see a computer for any reason, after putting in five 12 hour says working at one. But there also are lots of digital shooters in the local groups. I've learned a lot... been able to share a bit... and even organized or led some workshops that folks seemed to enjoy.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Geofw wrote:

I am thinking about joining a local photography club, "The Lakeland Shooters".
Hopefully to help me learn more and to get me out meeting other photographers in the area.

1) Are there any other fellow Hogger's members of this club?
2) Would it be beneficial joining a photography club?

My wife and I joined a club and tried it for 3 years. Never got better perhaps 1-2 times a year we actually got some worthwhile information. Get more really good stuff on UHH than anywhere else. At least where to look etc. Try it and see if the club is active and doing interesting things. One years dues should not break the bank and you can see first hand if it is worth it for you.

Bob Boner

I belong to a camera club that is quite helpful. We don't have competitions, which frequently lead to hard feelings. Instead we have 2 meetings per month. One of them is led by one or more of our members who have an idea or project to show the rest of us or to involve us in a technique they have found useful. The other meeting consists of an invited photographer to discuss their particular type of photography; nature, wedding, portrait, wildlife, or whatever. The club also organizes group outings for the members to zoos, flower gardens, and trips to various parts of the country for a photo tour.

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

Try it and find out you have nothing to loose .