Local photography club

S

spacester

Messages
399
Name
Alan
Edit My Images
No
I have been toying with the idea of going to a local photography club, mainly to learn about presentation and post-processing, but also to learn some things about composition. I attended last "season" a few times, but it seemed to be quite a bit late in the programme, with final rounds of competitions dominating the line-up. These consisted of a series of photographs displayed on boards, with the members sitting on seats around the stage, listening to a judge (from one of the other local clubs) describe them in the utmost boring detail, often making quite obvious comments and sometimes being quite inappropriate. They often ended up marking down what I understood to be striking, dramatic and thought provoking photos, whilst marking up fairly run-of-the-mill landscapes. Little discussion, little opportunity to learn, just a 10 minute coffee break and silence for the rest.

Now, I understand that seeing as they were not my photos being judged, and I didn't appreciate the history of the competitions or the personalities involved, so maybe I left with a poor opinion. If I joined, and started competing, does it get any better? What are competitions involving clubs from the local area like? Are they all like this? Are the clubs in the sticks, such as where I live, always like is?
 
Sounds just like my local club :lol:

Nothing but a load of up your bum, back slapping, egotistical bores
 
Alan,

I'm afraid judging evenings at most clubs are like that. Fortunately the club I belong to only has about half a dozen of those each season - and that's from someone that actually submits entires :) Sometimes I agree with what the judge says ... and other times just chalk it up to experience :D I'm more interested in what my fellow club members think about my images than some random judge but it has to be remembered that judges are human (well, most of them) and they have their own likes and dislikes which will taint their judging. It shouldn't happen but it does :shrug:

It's the rest of the club activities that more than cancel out these evenings and make club membership worthwhile for me.
 
Last edited:
Bristolian said:
Fortunately the club I belong to only has about half a dozen of those each season - and that's from someone that actually submits entires :) .
Click to expand...

At my local club are 28(!) of these competitions, of one form or another, in the 2012/13 season.... More than half... A lot more...


Bristolian said:
It's the rest of the club activities that more than cancel out these evenings and make club membership worthwhile for me.
Click to expand...

There are some interesting ones, but by the looks of it many are just plain dull. For example, how to choose the right paper for your inkjet printer.... A DVD presentation of how to get PAGB accreditation.... a presentation from a commercial company to demonstrate their mount cutting expertise.....

The judging from the three sessions that I went to really were terrible. For example, one judge picked a technically flawed photo as a winner. Seemingly, it was because it had a very pretty model... He even commented on the size of her b**bs..... He rejected a much more technically sound image, with an equally pretty face, as she was a goth and he didn't like that sort of thing on women. That was the last time I went as a pay-per-visit basis, and now the programme this year has arrived, and I am wondering if it will be any better.... Did I just choose a few bad eggs when I went last season?

I had hoped for some actual practice sessions, for example they could set up a studio for the members to take photographs and learn from each other.... And how about a photoshop tutorial - I got a distinct impression that the members were not very good at photoshop (like me!).
 
Keith W said:
Sounds just like my local club :lol:

Nothing but a load of up your bum, back slapping, egotistical bores
Click to expand...

A bit harsh! From what I've seen, camera clubs, call 'em what you will, are not places of learning per se, for that you need to join a course at adult ed or community college. Camera clubs fulfill a different role, like it or leave it. Personally, I think the reason lack of 'learning' opportunities is manyfold - members not feeling confident enough, or willing enough, or sufficient interest. Some clubs have ad hoc groups where time and premises are available. Others are more like social clubs that talk about photography.
 
Last edited:
From experience, the clue is in the name... They're 'camera clubs', not 'photography clubs'! :shrug:

I joined the one here and whilst I can honestly say that I've made a few good friends from it, there were quite a few whose belief in their own self-importance was far greater than their abilities! ;)

I never made it through a full year and I won't ever go back.
 
I met a member last week who liked to brag about his equipment. I was soo excited to meet someone like this at a camera club. Whilst I don't buy lots of equipment I do read a lot. The look on this chaps face when he bragged about what he had, and I was able to give him a full discussion in return. He was very suprised and slightly gutted. I loved every minute and hope that he makes an appearance next week!
 
Last edited:
spacester said:
I had hoped for some actual practice sessions, for example they could set up a studio for the members to take photographs and learn from each other.... And how about a photoshop tutorial - I got a distinct impression that the members were not very good at photoshop (like me!).
Click to expand...

Have you spoken to the Chairman or someone on the committee about this ?

Most camera clubs are run by a few people, putting on a programme of events they either think will be of interest to the members, or based on suggestions from the members.

If you don't speak up they'll never know what you would find of benefit.
 
Keith W said:
No its not, my comment was in reference to my experience at my camera club so unless you attended the same camera club at the same time as me your in no position to comment
Click to expand...

Oh, excuse me! You post an impolite comment and react to a mild response. I bet theyre glad you didnt go back.
 
Photodiva said:
From what I've seen, camera clubs, call 'em what you will, are not places of learning per se, for that you need to join a course at adult ed or community college.
Click to expand...

The club I belong to runs a 10 week beginners course each year - used to start in October but has been moved to April so there are more opportunities to fit in practical sessions before it gets dark. The course includes understanding exposure, composition, how the camera works, controls, et al and covers compacts, bridge and DSLR cameras. Enrolling for the course gives the "student" a year's membership of the club. It is over-subscribed every year and yields the club a continuous stream of new members of all ages from teenagers to octagenarians.

Not all clubs are the same :D
 
thats photography clubs for you - beards, bores and prostate exam discussions over a cup of tea.

they should be banned under the Geneva convention for being cruel and unusual punishment :lol:

spacester said:
I have been toying with the idea of going to a local photography club, mainly to learn about presentation and post-processing, but also to learn some things about composition. I attended last "season" a few times, but it seemed to be quite a bit late in the programme, with final rounds of competitions dominating the line-up. These consisted of a series of photographs displayed on boards, with the members sitting on seats around the stage, listening to a judge (from one of the other local clubs) describe them in the utmost boring detail, often making quite obvious comments and sometimes being quite inappropriate. They often ended up marking down what I understood to be striking, dramatic and thought provoking photos, whilst marking up fairly run-of-the-mill landscapes. Little discussion, little opportunity to learn, just a 10 minute coffee break and silence for the rest.

Now, I understand that seeing as they were not my photos being judged, and I didn't appreciate the history of the competitions or the personalities involved, so maybe I left with a poor opinion. If I joined, and started competing, does it get any better? What are competitions involving clubs from the local area like? Are they all like this? Are the clubs in the sticks, such as where I live, always like is?
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
All camera clubs have a hierarchy. The old, usually retired, geezers who have a very jaded attitude to life and know more than anyone else. The competition prizes always go to the chosen few in the club and the selection process is an enigma. I once had an image selected for an interclub competition, but had it rejected when they realised it belonged to me and not one of the chosen few. At my present club they organised a visit to a private garden and had a comp. a few weeks later. The prize went to an image of the house as it was felt the owner of the gardens deserved a decent image of his house.
Judging is very hard to understand. On the plus side though, there is a good sense of camaraderie in my club and a very good education ethic. They also meet throughout the summer, which is unusual.
 
canonlad said:
They also meet throughout the summer, which is unusual.
Click to expand...

I've really don't understand why so many clubs have a break during the summer :shrug: The club I belong to does this ... and then proceeds to arrange photo outings on the very nights that we would have met anyway :thinking:
 
Bristolian said:
I've really don't understand why so many clubs have a break during the summer :shrug: The club I belong to does this ... and then proceeds to arrange photo outings on the very nights that we would have met anyway :thinking:
Click to expand...

In some areas the buildings may not be available to rent for their meetings.
 
Bristolian said:
I've really don't understand why so many clubs have a break during the summer :shrug: The club I belong to does this ... and then proceeds to arrange photo outings on the very nights that we would have met anyway :thinking:
Click to expand...

LOL - not all clubs do this, but it is normal as for most people the silly season does tend to get in the way.

More generally....
I'm surprised at the attitude in this thread.

Firstly - no two clubs are the same; and it depends on your attitude too!
A group of us recently visited a well respected club to see a speaker we were all interested to hear, and we came away with a completely different impressions of the club. The majority opinion amongst my friends was that they were warm and welcoming, but I felt distinctly unwelcome. I have my theories, but it comes down to my attitude as much as the club.
Moral of the story is to try a few clubs and see if you click with any of them.

Secondly - competitions have a purpose. My local club is now under new management with a firm agenda to get rid of competitions. I told them that as long as the new format gives an opportunity to see what each of us thinks represents the best of their work, and an incentive to making sure the standard is high - then they would get my support. Guess what, there are almost as many competitions in this year's programme as last year; I'm figuring it is the judging they have been tinkering with rather than the idea of members submitting their best work.

Thirdly - the best club atmospheres are not always the clubs with the best images. I've been lucky enough to have occasionally talked at another club for the last few years and the contrast with my own club is HUGE. I'd say my club has a measurably higher standard of image, but this other club is lively and fun! I enjoy my nights down there immensely. If they were closer it would be a no brainer!

In short - you get out what you put in; and shop around!
 
Bristolian said:
I've really don't understand why so many clubs have a break during the summer :shrug: The club I belong to does this ... and then proceeds to arrange photo outings on the very nights that we would have met anyway :thinking:
Click to expand...

A lot of camera/photographic clubs meet in school halls and there is no-one available to open/close up during the summer holidays.

Also, members often go away during the summer so clubs may decide that low attendances wouldn't make it worthwhile.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top