Photographic club

Some months ago I mentioned i wanted to (re) join my local photo club. I had one or two offers to join but I chose one that I was in twenty plus years ago. Back then I felt young and not part of some of the cliquey groups that form...

Well I went along this week and so weird seeing one or two faces that i hadn't seen in all that time. This was an open evening and packed and tbh, the room seems far too small for everybody to attend. I would imagine a fair few people who came along for a look won't sign up and of those that do, it will be like the gym in January...within a few weeks, many will have given up. I noticed that there were a few people who were beginners...my last experience of club photography was that it wasn't really a place for beginners but more for those wanting to get into competitions and moving on and already reasonably competent. However they are running seperate workshops for those wanting to learn the basics. Lets see.

One of my first encounters with a commitee member who didn't know me and spotted my modest camera bag...'Hello, welcome to the club...you can have a go at the free model shoot...' good... 'what camera do you have?' ... 'er, a d700', 'er ah well, a Nikon...thats for people who can't spell Canon isn't it...'.... 'that's a good start ' i said... It is jokey, but amazing how first impressions leave you wondering is this a place for me or old school. I did speak to the guy a litle longer and to be fair he was a nice chap and explained some of the club goings on including a studio group...maybe good as i want to learn a bit about lighting and am contemplating trying to get some stuff and space (Moonie, i haven't fiorgotten you have that lovely room which I would trade my Ecuadorian wife for! )


Anyway, i picked up a programme, various competetions throughout the year, mounted prints and projected images, mostly heats. They also displayed some of (i would guess) the better work of the club photographers. Hmmm... a few good images, all technically very good, some good thinking, nothing that I spotted totally inspiring... sounds a bit rude, but I have seen some better images on the club website and I guess we are saturated with images so much it's not too often I go 'wow!' any more. However, be assured the images were very good, and in a competition the standard will be high I am sure. I notice competitions seems to be judged by people from other clubs, maybe because they see it fairer that way. I always felt years ago it was the same cliquey groups that voted for each other... I did notice though that the same names appear repeatedly in the prizewinners sections of the handbook. Hopefully that is a reflection on their standard as i do know some folks genuinely are a cut above the masses in their thinking and presentation of images.

So i am going with a relatively open mind...hopefully it isn't dominated by some of the thinking from 20 years ago and the folks have just got older. the programme kicks off with someone coming to talk about how they joined the RPS, and then there is a display of mono andscapes and stuff... first competition around mid October I think. Will give it a whirl...hopefully pick up tips from others and meet people. they also seem to do a few walkabouts..not sure about that, there were a few people there in Christmas jumpers so could be a bit worrying unless i wear my false beard and dark glasses... Lets see what happens...

I have heard about other clubs being "cliquey" as well as my picture is better than your types. Again I have heard from people that belong to clubs don't generally get much help on the best setting and the ins/out of a particular camera, you are supposed to already know that. So I just can't see any point in joining.
Personally I would rather experiment and learn in my own good time. If other like what I take that is a huge bonus, but as long as I am happy with my shots that all that matters

Bazza

I find with these things it's a case of 'you get out what you're prepared to put in'. I think all you can do is exactly what you said - go with an open mind.

If you find that you enjoy it - we could perhaps have a YoP 'whip round' for a Christmas jumper.

Good luck - I'm sure it'll be fine! I miss Morriston club - it was wonderful. When I moved here I joined Clon, but to be honest, I've found it a little cliquey - and far far too expensive I had to give up because of costs

xx

My experience of a photographic club was weird, I went to one in Yorkshire that my FIL belongs to, we were visiting, and I had just got my Oly.

OMG, Christmas jumper brigade , also very serious club members who wore club tiesdistinct lack of females, anybody under 55, and a mind numbing slideshow, and dull speaker, and then mutual back slapping afterwards.

BUT, I have heard of some very good ones too, so if this one doesn't work out, find another one.

There are usually strobist groups in large towns and cities, you could give that a go.

My experience over here is different, the one in NC was fab, very informal in manner, but photographers from those at the top of their game, to very beginners, there were very cheap workshops, photographic meets, comps, exhibitions, plus close ties with local Make up artists, designers etc, hairdressers. Weekly meeting in a coffee house and a studio, informal meet ups between members.


Just joined one here, same sort of thing,laid back, loads of helpful advice, from those higher up the food chain, and meeting other photographers.



Do you want a reindeer jumper, for Christmas? or a snowflake one

Thanks for the insight BC - sounds like a scary place

Might be worth visiting a few until you find one where you feel more at home?

I love the idea of joining a club, but fear it will be exactly how you describe it BC.
I am desperate to learn and develop, but not sure any of the local clubs will help me to do that.

I've just joined a local club. I went to the first meeting two weeks ago, I had no idea what to expect. I was very worried that it would be very competitive, male dominent and that I would be looked down on.......
It was very nerve wracking walking through the door but to my delight I was welcomed in This club is for all abilities and not all have DSLR, some only have compacts which surprised me. I'd guess a third of the members are women, I was pleasantly surprised to find a couple of young members - the majority are age 45-55.
Anyway, I had a lovely evening, a few drinks from the cheap bar , and a bit of a laugh...I learn't a few things too. Hopefully, I will continue to enjoy it and learn a lot....it's worth going just for the cheap bar

Tina

Glad you enjoyed it Tina! I do miss my nice little club - the one here is more like you describe, with having plenty of young and female members - however, it's incredibly cliquey and competitive and a bit unfriendly really... and shockingly expensive!

xx

...young, expensive females...where is it you say???