bristol camera clubs

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Watersedge

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Ian
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im interested to find out the best camera clubs around bristol and your reason why?
 
Depends on what you want from the club and whether you are likely to get on with the people there.
There are some very good clubs in Bristol, but I wouldn't fit in with most of them...
A bit more info please - expectations, experience, age, aspirations, etc...

Also - most clubs close for the Summer.
They often start the Autumn season with an open evening.
Draw up a shortlist of clubs you think you might like (look at their programmes) and call in on their open evening.
 
im trying to break into wedding photography so a club who would beable to help me gain experience. equipment and book loan scheme woild be good friendly and relaxed membrrs

why wouldnt you fit into any clubs
 
Watersedge said:
im trying to break into wedding photography so a club who would beable to help me gain experience. equipment and book loan scheme woild be good friendly and relaxed membrrs

why wouldnt you fit into any clubs
Click to expand...

I didn't say 'any', I said 'most'...
Clubs are as much about getting on with the people as the standard of their programme; and that's definitely down to individual preference.
Point is that if you go along to a club and it doesn't float your boat, don't give up as there are huge differences between the clubs.

I'd also heartily recommend the TP Loony Meets held in South Wales.
They are landscape meets, but several of the regulars are part time wedding photographers and last year one of them made the leap to full time pro.
They are a friendly bunch and very helpful.
There's one tomorrow....
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=411444
 
Watersedge said:
im trying to break into wedding photography so a club who would beable to help me gain experience. equipment and book loan scheme woild be good friendly and relaxed membrrs
Click to expand...

Ian,

I think you will have trouble finding club members that are wedding photographers (either part or full time) that will offer you much in the way of advice or opportunities for gaining practical experience. You're basically asking them to help train you so that you can become their competitor ... not good business sense :nono:

I'm not aware of any club (Bristol area or otherwise) that has an equipment loan service. The cost of purchasing camera equipment is (as I'm sure you've already realised) pretty high and would drain even the richest club's coffers dry in minutes. On top of that you then have to factor in the administration of a loan scheme - who looks after the kit when not on loan, how do you insure it when it is on loan, who pays for damages, etc., etc. Having said that, I know that at Thornbury CC individual members are sometimes willing to loan out kit to other members but you'd have to be a members for a while and be on good terms with the person loaning to you.

Regarding your question about Bristol PS; I've been to a handful of their meetings (when they've had interesting speakers) and found it to be a bit "stuffy" for my tastes. The first time I went no-one spoke to me except the chap on the door collecting my entrance fee. Second (and subsequent) times were a bit better as I knew some members from WCPF exhibitions and seminars. The quality of the work the club produces is generally excellent but I've seen as good (if not better) elsewhere in Bristol.

You've already had my precise on clubs local to you (and me). Others in Bristol that you might want to take a look at are Downend and Kingswood. Both have good reputations but aside from visiting Kingswood to view an exhibition last year I don't know either.

Hope that helps :)

My invitation for next Monday still stands, BTW.
 
I'm a member of Kingswood Photographic Society (KPS) we regularly have quality speakers and member evenings and I have always found the evenings very interesting..but as the Bristolian has already mentioned equipment for hire etc is a pretty big ask! but there are many members who can offer rich advice on many aspects of photography.

Robin
 
thanks for the invite just a bit short notice but possibly could get together over summer do u think clibs are a good thing or not.
 
Watersedge..yes I think a camera club is a good thing, the input from other members as to your own images is very helpful, club competitions and critique evenings I found helped me a lot

Robin
 
I agree with Robin and the main reason I looked to join a club was to test my abilities against others by entering competitions and being there to hear the judge give his critique. There will always be someone in the club that can help with specific problems/techniques and that is very useful too.

One thing to consider though, you won't find the right club for you by asking on here. You need to invest the time to visit each one locally a couple of times each and then make your decision based on whether you feel comfortable/welcomed there and how the club stacks up to your expectations/needs.

Unfortunately your looking to find a club at the very time of the year when many take a break from regular meetings ... you just can't win some times :)
 
but u recommend thornbury. i might consider it when the meetings start up in september
 
A friend of Maine goes to reflex camera club, they organise shoot walks and what, he highly recommends them.
I personally have no experience of them
 
kk thanks might try thornbury and reflex ill try and pop in sun re books any problem ill message u. is that ok ill bring a memory stick as well
 
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