This is the stereo-typical image of camera clubs, as perceived by non club member amateur photographers, and I'm sure that in many case it is true.
It certainly put me off for many years, then when last year I decided that I really would like to share my hobby with like minded people, and started looking in detail at clubs local to me, this perception began to appear as a reallity.
The most prominent feature was one of an obsession with competitions, and little else.
I think this is a historic things, as many club have been in existence for decades, with their committee members having held their position for decades. Maybe cardigans and competitions was the 'norm' when these clubs were created, back in the days of 35mm mono film, and home processing. (Yes, I come from those days, having done the film processing and printing bit, in my mum's bathroom
). It may be case that many clubs have failed to embrace 21st century thinking, and are stuck in a 'time warp rut'.
Dave's club has broken away from the trend, and as such is attracting members, not losing them.
The club that I found and joined last September, is only three years old, and is certainly attracting members both young and old. Why, because like Dave's club, it is providing what today's amateur photographers want, not a programme dictated by boring old farts, as in Mike's club.
No club can please all of the people all of the time, but it can, by having a diverse and interesting programme, please most of the people most of the time.
To date we have had:
A social evening, for sitting and chatting with other members about their particular photographic interest, equipment and technique preferences etc.
A practical evening, on mounting prints for competition or show.
A mono print competition, judged by an external judge. To join in the 'spirit of things' I entered a print, and did learn from the judges comments.
A talk on the filters and their use, by a professional photographer. I thought I was fairly well informed on this subject, but as it happened, not as well informed as I thought. An informative evening.
A talk on image management and storage, based around Photoshop and Lightroom. Visiting speaker.
Workshop: Understanding Pixels, and how to work with them. Visiting speaker.
A talk on underwater photography with a compact camera. Some stunning images.
Next a practical evening. 'Studio Evening', with members providing their own props, camera and lighting gear, and volunteering to model, under the guidance of an expert in studio work.
Still to come: topics such as a Talk and demo on close-up and macro photography, plus other informative and practical evenings.
Oh yes, the last of the only two competitions, at the end of March.
Now that is my sort of camera club. A breath of fresh air amongst the stagnant and competition obsessed alternatives local to me.
BTW, even this 'old fart' has been asked to give a talk on astro-imaging during the next season of meetings.
Dave, you are 'bang on the right track' with what you have created, and are continuing to develop.
Dave
