Photo Clubs

[LuxBob]

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Do you or have you belonged to a photographic club? My experience is that I have visited a few but have never found one that meets my needs which would be; pursuit of excellence, no dogma, pushing the limits and a welcome to all levels.

I can't say that I have looked hard as my various visits have put me off searching again for a long period.

Do people on the Forum have a view?

[msk2193]

Bob,

 

In the USA there is a web-based organization in many cities. That is the first photo club I joined where I did not have to sit and listen to the board talk about how great they arefor several hours.

Through the meetup.com site (there is a group in NY for Leica shooters only) I joined one in Dallas. 90% of the things they do are photo shoots around town. This could be the botanical gardens one week, and the next we might shoot downtown at night!

It has been a lot of fun and "forces" us to go out and take pictures instead of sitting and listening to windbags talk about their greatness till all hours of the night!

Most of the time we have around 60 to 90 people out.

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[earleygallery]

I went to one a couple of times when I was about 14. The average membership excluding me was probably about 65. Great I thought, all this experience to learn from! They seemed to delight in patronising the newcomer (I'd been into photography for and about 7 years by then so knew the basics, and I was doing my own B&W and colour processing) and left with the stereotypical view of a bunch of old duffers in anoraks who just want an excuse to take photos of naked young women in the name of art on the regular club 'glamour' night

 

A few years ago I found this forum and I think this is one of the best 'camera clubs' you could hope to find.

Edited March 24, 2010 by earleygallery

[andybarton]

I was "Young Photographer of the Year" in Maidenhead. In 1978. There was me (age 17) and a 12 year old in the competition. I was a shoe-in, to be honest.

 

But. BIG BUT. I did meet an old man at that club called Charles Coles. He will be long gone to that great darkroom in the sky by now. He showed the most fantastic slide of a white, clapperboard church, in Canada, with a beautiful stormy black sky behind and a beautiful sunlit meadow in the foreground. It was a fabulous Kodachrome. And taken with a M3. And Charles was a kind and generous mentor.

 

Charles Coles has an awful lot to answer for. And I'm still looking for my Canadian church...

 

Since then, I've not been back. Too much Tattersall check shirts and brogues for me.

Edited March 24, 2010 by andybarton

[Ed_K]

Haven't really joined any club, but had joined their activities for a few times. Still recalled vaguely a bus load of 30+ people shooting 2 girls out on a beach with all sorts of telephotos and zoom lens; nope you are not "allowed" to get in close as to block out other shooters' potential moment

[jpattison]

my "club" does have a range of experience and age, we don't take part in competitions, or patronise new members, young or old.

We show our own work, either in theme nights or individuals work. We have guest speakers: so far this year Ian Beesley (ian beesley web), A chap from the stereo photography society, 5x4 techniques demonstrated, A colour industry lecturer...

 

Salford Photography Group

 

Anyone who fancies showing their portfolio is welcome, you can try out your lecturing skills on us! Please let me know.

 

John

Edited March 25, 2010 by jpattison
typo

[stunsworth]

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After visiting the local camera club a few times after a gap of 35 years or so I decided that clubs weren't for me.

 

The people were friendly and welcoming, but there seemed to be a "camera club" mindset that seemed to value what I saw as dire photoshop work - people are still desaturating colour photographs leaving one element (usually in red) in colour, and "glamour" photographs. If that's what people want to do then I'm happy for them to be allowed to continue, but I decided it wasn't for me.

 

Personally I find photography a solitary pastime, and I don't have a problem with that. As much as I enjoy the forum get togethers, they rarely result in good photography - for me at least.

[Guido]

Interesting discussion. I previously thought that these phenomena existed in the domain of sports clubs only; now I guess I'll have to revise my view.

[leica dream]

I have tried a couple of times, but even though I got a very warm welcome I found that they were very competition based and met weekly. I could not commit to weekly meetings, monthly would be much better, but just going to one meeting in four loses continuity.

I enjoy what I do, to produce results which I like. I always seek to increase my knowledge but Photographic clubs do not seem to give that sort of atmosphere.........for me, anyway.

Richard

[jpattison]

Steve, I said we don't do that.

Come and give it a try, you are extremely local!

we value good photography, Wigan 10 are banned.

look at our Apr 12th night for instance...

 

John

Edited March 25, 2010 by jpattison

[stunsworth]

John, thanks for the very kind offer. I have absolutely no problem with people who belong to clubs, it's just that I've reluctantly realised that they're not for me.

 

Please don't see this as a slur on your club, it's my problem not yours <grin>.

[dkCambridgeshire]

I went to one a couple of times when I was about 14. The average membership excluding me was probably about 65. Great I thought, all this experience to learn from! They seemed to delight in patronising the newcomer (I'd been into photography for and about 7 years by then so knew the basics, and I was doing my own B&W and colour processing) and left with the stereotypical view of a bunch of old duffers in anoraks who just want an excuse to take photos of naked young women in the name of art on the regular club 'glamour' night

 

A few years ago I found this forum and I think this is one of the best 'camera clubs' you could hope to find.

 

I am a member of two photographic clubs/societies and joined one of them over 25 years ago. Unfortunately there are a number of photographers who have a somewhat ageist attitude towards camera club members. Anyone joining a camera club affiliated to the PAGB (Photographic Alliance of Great Britain) has opportunities to improve his/her photography to a far greater extent than can be achieved by only participating on forums. Have a look at some of the award winning images on the PAGB website to see what you might be missing. Photographic Alliance of Great Britain You might also be interested in exploring the PSA website and checking out their galleries http://www.psa-photo.org/

 

One of the best known clubs in the UK is 'The Camera Club' in London The Camera Club - List of Groups:*Members Only. If you check out their website and galleries you will probably be left with a very different impression to that conveyed above.

 

And Solihull Photographic Society, one of the most successful UK clubs, http://www.solihullphotographicsociety.com/index.htm also features superb images in its Members Galleries section.

 

dunk

Edited March 27, 2010 by dkpeterborough

[roydonian]

I’m not much of a ‘joiner’ but I investigated the camera club in my nearest town some years ago. Their programme seemed to consist of an endless series of ‘slide competitions’ and ‘print battles’. It didn’t sound much like fun.

 

A few years back, I attended a one-day lighting course at the ‘The Camera Club’ in London and joined soon afterwards, But I was only a member for a year – they seemed incapable of getting their monthly programme of planned events published until well through the month.

 

However, I kept an eye on their website, and when they got that problem fixed, I rejoined, Although a number of the members are the in grey-haired age bracket, others are not, and they seem a friendly bunch. I’ll be renewing my membership next month.

 

(But I will confess to being an occasional member of their female figure group, so presumably I qualify as one of the “old duffers in anoraks who just want an excuse to take photos of naked young women in the name of art”.)

 

'msk2193' mentioned the concept of meet-up groups. I signed up for the London group and attended and enjoyed several of its outings. However the organiser, angered by the number of ‘no-shows’ attending some events, decided to charge a refundable deposit. Given that the joining instructions for the sessions I went to were quite vague (I almost failed to connect to two of the events), I disagreed with this policy and signed off.

 

I discovered that the Basildon meet-up group often held outings in the London area so signed up and attended one of their outings. It was good fun, but a few months later I received an email from the organiser saying that he had unsubscribed me because I was not attending its events. That was a valid comment, given that my professional life make getting time off difficult, but I was a bit miffed at being chucked out.

 

Recently, I’ve noticed that the London meet-up group seems to have abandoned its deposit scheme, so I’m planning to sign up again. The outings I went on had a good number of young photographers, and there is a strong social side to their meetings. (On one occasion I was amused to watch a boy and girl progressing from ‘Sorry to bother you, but can I borrow your lens brush’ to becoming an item in the course of the afternoon.) But the nice thing is that it’s not an ageist group – despite my grey hair I was always made welcome.

[dhsimmonds]

Well I must be in the minority on this forum as I actually really enjoy my camera clubs, photographic societies etc. The best of course is the Leica Fellowship and I am aware of a few regulars on this board who are also members....aren't you David! The cameraderie and social life at the Fellowship is fantastic, even if, or perhaps because, we only meet twice a year.

 

I also belong to the Royal Photographic, Winchester and Southampton photographic societies/clubs. I thoroughly enjoy the competitions....especially if I win something! But I know that even if I don't always win I will get another person's experienced and detailed critique and it's always great fun entering. The adrenalin rush when your image comes up, is I am told good for you!

 

I have frequently driven home seething and furious after my image was lambasted by a judge, mentally accusing him/her of their doubtful parentage and needing a white stick!!

 

However, once I have calmed down and thought about the criticisms more logically, I usually come around to recognising that the judge probably did have a point or two and I will certainly never make those mistakes a second time. However, do you know what, it just makes me all the more determined to do better and try and win next time!

 

That is what competition is all about in any sort of activity, from baseball to winning an order as a salesman, if that is your work. You strive to get better and improve your game.

 

I also know that photo clubs and competitions aren't for everyone, certainly not the feint hearted! My son-in-law who is no mean photographer himself, could never put himself in a position where his work could be criticised...........and yet people will be quietly doing it all the time when looking at his images, but he never knows it!

 

My regular club is Southampton C.C. the home of the Southampton Annual International Salon of Photography. Over 10,500 entries from all around the world this year. As you would expect, the standards are high, very high. The friendliness and camaraderie amongst members is genuine and warm, especially to new members. We run a regular workshop for new members that covers everything from basic camera settings to Photoshop techniques and colour management in the workflow. All for free if you discount the annual subs! the cost of this education if paid externally would be massive, but best thing of all is we all have fun doing it!

 

In between the monthly competitions there are lectures from leading photographers and social outings and group activities for those who want to join in. Or just a drink at the local pub after the meeting! Ages are anything from teenagers to octagenarians with most of the membership in their twenties and thirties.

 

So give the clubs a try, you might be pleasantly surprised. If the first one is not to your taste, try another as there are good and bad as in everything else.

[wda]

Dave, I rise to your coded invitation!

 

I have belonged to many clubs over the years and certainly learned a lot from my elders in the Abington Camera Club in Northampton during my teenage years. (Not sure whether it still exists). During a long itinerant career I was involved with small camera clubs in the UK and Cyprus. Continuity was difficult and practically no members aged during their tenure of two or three years. So membership was vibrant and interests varied. All of that long before the digital era.

 

On the general point of Camera Clubs today, I fear that the young tend to expect their entertainment to be served to them; long gone are the days of earnest involvement and enthusiasm. Sadly, also, the Internet era and love of computers competes, too successfully, with clubs dependent on membership participation. Perhaps that will change and some clubs have taken an enlightened approach to recruiting the young.

 

My recent involvement in clubs has been rather more restricted (apart from active participation in the Royal Photographic Society's forums and occasional meetings), and I echo Dave Simmonds sentiments regarding the UK Leica Fellowship. Out of a membership of rather less than 200, some from the USA and Australasia, our Spring and Autumn meetings regularly attract 50-60 members. In fact I believe our next meeting in East Anglia will break records with over seventy members attending. So why is the Leica Fellowship successful despite its infrequent meetings.?

 

Each meeting occupies a long weekend in a different geographical location within the UK so that most members have the chance to attend. A mixture of genial informality, optional organized coach outings from our hotel, gentle competition and unbridled socializing has proved to he a highly successful formula. Interesting speakers are invited to talk about matters 'Leica', as are members from time to time. Membership is rich in experience of photography and life in general. In addition, because friendships are forged through the Fellowship, members are frequently in touch with one another, by email or telephone. An added interest is the quarterly Leica Fellowship Newsletter which is a regular good read.

 

Historically members can apply to join the LF following attendance at a Leica course anywhere in the world. In the UK there has been an unfortunate gap in such training since Brian Bower's health took a turn for the worse. However, Brett has been busy resurrecting new courses in London, so the flow of new applicants might resume.

 

LF members are very proud of the organization and are grateful to the active and inspired committee who generate a good programme of meetings. Long may it be so.

 

Enough banging the drum. I hope I haven't missed anything vital, Dave!

Edited March 28, 2010 by wda

[Rolo]

Steve, I said we don't do that.

Come and give it a try, you are extremely local!

we value good photography,

 

John.

How long have you been a member ?

 

I gave an evening's presentation there (the old Working Class Museum building) about 15 years ago. Subject of the talk was Salford Royal. Did you attend ?

 

Nice guys and very pleasant. Glad it's still being enjoyed.

[roydonian]

Historically members can apply to join the LF following attendance at a Leica course anywhere in the world.

 

Is having attended a course still a mandatory requirement for admission?

 

Best regards,

 

Doug

[dhsimmonds]

Hi Doug

Yes it is. But as David Askham mentioned there was a gap of a few years when the "Leica Academy" (posh name for a training room!) at Milton Keynes was inoperative due to the ill health of their tutor, Brian Bowers FRPS. Fortunately he has recovered but understandably retired from running the training courses.

 

If you or anyone else are interested, it might be worth contacting the Leica Boutique in London as I believe that as David hinted, they were seriously considering starting them again with a new tutor and based in London. The object of the exercise as far as Leica is concerned is to assist photographers to become more proficient with their Leica camera of choice so the courses are leica model dependant. Courses for the D2, M8 and DMR were all run at Milton Keynes since the beginning of the Leica digital era and the film camera pre-runners previously. It also gave delegates an opportunity to try out lots of different lenses and accessories in real shooting environments before agonising on which one(s) to buy perhaps.

 

I daresay that it will be the M9, X1 and S2 courses that will be run initially if they start up again but I do not know that this is exactly how it will be.

 

Once completing the course (usually 2 days) and getting your diploma (certificate of attendance) then you can apply for membership of that excellent band of people called the Leica Fellowship.

 

We hold a long week-end in the spring and again in the autumn usually alternating north to south and east to west. This year it is east to west...East Anglia and South Wales. We run a slide competition in the spring and a slide and print comp in the autumn in various classes, monochrome, reportage, colour and nature (wildlife).

 

Consideration is seriously being given to moving to digital projection as well as slides for the competitions or even perhaps eventually replacing them.

 

But mainly we have lots of fun and leica discussions with trips out to various places of interest photographically. It is a mixed social week-end where spouses, even if they are non photographic join in at every tour and discussion. The Fellowship is affiliated to the Northern Federation of the PAGB who often supply the experienced judges but in fact the spouses are usually the fiercest critics of the images entered and in fact do judge the spring slide competition! We also have quite a number of single members too. So something for everyone.

 

Oh, did I mention that we are a mixed bunch from every walk of life from ex-professional photo journalists, writers, farmers and a train driver. I don't know of any dentists but wouldn't care if there were! As David mentioned we also get attendees and competition entrants from USA, New Zealand, Australia, etc.

 

I do hope that Leica re-instate the UK "academy" soon and that you attend a course and eventually join us at the Fellowship.

[wda]

Is having attended a course still a mandatory requirement for admission?

 

Best regards,

 

Doug

Doug, may I add to David Simmonds' detailed description? Don't be put off by the Leica marque-specific courses. Often the courses are intended for prospective Leica owners. For example, when I did mine it was for the M6 camera system. Several attendees only had older Leica cameras and were exploring the upgrade path. So if you own and use an M8 or older Leica camera, you could attend an M9 course and still qualify.

 

Speaking with a LF committee member recently I learned that there may be further changes to admission criteria. If you are interested, send David Simmonds or me a PM in early May and we might have more news on that subject.

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[rcoles]

In 1989 several friends and I formed the Focus Group Camera Club. We did not want the PSA type club. What we wanted was a small club (maximum of 25 members) focused on sharing ideas and images, that provided more opportunities to take pictures, opportunities to exhibit work and had good programs (50% of which were presented by club members).

We have one meeting a month except in July and August. The meetings are limited to the program, a roundtable discussions of photography related items (gear, processing, locations and problems) and sharing recent images. We have dinner together before each meeting.

Membership is open to anyone with work that shows good potential and is committed to improving their skills and willing to share their ideas and knowledge with the other club members. The dues are $50 per year and you are required to attend at least 50% of the meetings and serve on one committee. We also have a professional affiliate membership with no dues and we currently have five professional members.

Today, the club has increased the size limit to 30 members plus affiliates and has a waiting list. Our newsletter has been replaced with our web site. Almost all of our current members have switched to digital. Our June meeting is our only official critique session with a guest expert to review and comment on work (digital or print) selected by each member.

We also have a quarterly Showcase meetings (formerly called Slide Night). These meetings give our members the opportunity to show additional work (special projects, travel, slideshows, etc.) to members and their guest. We have one main exhibit each year (three new framed images) with a reception for members and their guest and about 3 other exhibits during the year. There is also one social event per year.

The friendships, knowledge and enjoyment resulting from this club are priceless.

Here is the link: Focus Group Camera Club

So, you can do as we did and design a club to address the members needs and desires.