bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I'm debating finding a camera club, need some inspiration/ motivation, is any one on the Hog a member of a NYC based camera club, Staten Island in particular? Thanks in advance. Bob.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

I don't know any in particular but I do know you can find a bunch at https://www.meetup.com/cities/us/ny/new_york/

I joined some time ago and I always get meetup notices for groups and photo walks.

They have a smartphone app too.

eagle80 Loc: Kutztown, PA

Check with PSA about clubs in your area.

photoman43

PSA stands for photographic society of America. Google it and look for psa clubs in the nyc area. Check out Gateway photographers Staten Island

elee950021 Loc: New York, NY

Bob!

I'm the President of Park West Camera Club, see: < www.parkwestcameraclub.org > The non-profit club has been around since 1937 and with close to 90 members, we are still going strong. You are cordially invited to attend several meetings gratis and check us out! We meet every Monday evening at 6:30 PM from September to June except for major holidays and the few times of extremely bad weather. Our Summer schedule has meetings every two weeks. The website provides more details about our activities and events as well as an archive of our award-winning newsletter, PhotoNotes, past club photo competitions and individual member portfolios and projects.

PWCC is open to all, beginners as well as experienced photographers, and offers a variety of programs, including photo competitions and critiques; lectures by professional photographers; member portfolio presentations; workshops and demonstrations on technique, gear, software and printing; gallery exhibits; field trips (local, national and international); model shoots; and a monthly newsletter. We also meet informally for social and dining events. Membership is open to all with a love of photography.

We meet weekly on Monday nights at 6:30 PM at the Soho Photo Gallery at 15 White Street, between West Broadway and 6th Avenue (Church Street below Canal Street in Tribeca), "A. C, and E" or #1 trains. Interested photographers are welcome to visit our Monday meetings between 6:00 and 6:30 PM, and inquire about membership.

This Monday evening, February 3 features our monthly competition with Jean Miele as our judge, see: < www.jeanmiele.com > where close to half the members show up for this popular activity.

Next Monday evening, February 10, David Atlas, "Photoshop Ninja" will make an editing presentation. An earlier video is here: < www.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSGYG2JdmHY&feature=youtu.be&o=y >

For info about other NYC area clubs, see: < www.NYMACCphoto.org > There's one member club in Staten Island. Click on that link for more details.

There are also over 50 photographic or related Meetup groups here in the metro NYC covering all aspects of our favorite activity. These are generally less formal, not regularly scheduled, have varying focus and topics and are free or low cost. I have organized the NY Photo & Safari Meetup group for the last 3 years and just a plain member before then (since 2004), see: < www.meetup.com/NYPhotoSafari/ > We schedule field trips to different and more interesting places around the NYC area with no charge except for individual carfare and dutch meals. We do coordinate some events with PWCC and use Meetup for recruiting and publicity.

There are some older and smaller clubs that also meet in Manhattan and around the city. Google is your friend! "Camera Councils" and "Federations" with local clubs in their areas exist both in nearby NJ and Long Island as well.

Visit several clubs so you can see their "culture" and "friendliness" and how well they are run. I'm sure you'll be able to find one to instill inspiration and motivation. Best wishes. Be well! Ed