Solo or in groups

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andrew
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Being totally new to photography, im curious what the proportions are on whether people go off solo to an event/trip/walk etc and spend the day in their own company snapping away, or how many go out as a group.

Ideally I’d like to be in the latter so I can learn but Im likely to be more solo as I don’t have any photography freinds (other than times when I take the kids out snapping).

I can currently see positives to both.
 
I generally go out by myself, I like my own company and this means I can spend as long or as short at a location as I want. I also find that when I'm by myself I tend to end up speaking to more people than I would if I was with someone else. This has got me into some intresting locations where others are not allowed and allowed me to learnmuch more about what I am looking at (planes at airports ,historic railways +++). If you would like to go out as a group then it maybe worth while seeing what your local club is like and the sort of things they do. Where are you in North West England ?
 
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I prefer to be out on my own however I have been on a couple of photo walks in a group which I found interesting and informative. Both in area's I would not normally go
 
Both! I have gone out with other photo enthusiasts many times, but much more often prefer to go alone. The trouble with going with others is you tend to end up with similar images to everyone else. Going alone you choose which path to take, you decide how long to stay there until you get what you want, you decide when enough is enough. I'd suggest trying out going with a group at least a few times but go it alone in between to practice what you learn from the others but with your own creativity
 
I do a bit of both. Left to my own devices it's mostly solo, but I'm lucky to have a local photography group that favour going out and taking photos rather than sitting around judging each other's photographs in competitions, so lately I've been 'forced' to go out and take photos that I wouldn't normally. We've done fire spinning (which also included a lively discussion with a busy-body), sunset photos, abstract flash photography...
 
Bit of a mixture, depending on circumstances really. Mostly I will go out on my own, but camera club trips can be fun. I would recommend searching for a local one to you (as said above), and see what they`re up to.
There are also meet ups here on TP, although not so many London ones for me nowadays. But generally they`re a decent bunch ;)
 
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Mainly a one man band, i'm not very user friendly and as an only child used to my own company.

Had a nice day out with my keen photographer grown up daughter when the snowdrops were out.
She understands/tolerates me so that's as good as its going to get I reckon.
 
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By myself is best as when I'm with people I'm conscious that photography can take over and instead of spending time with people I'm taking pictures... and being the annoying geek with the camera. I don't want to be that guy and I do know that spending time with people is what I should be doing.
 
I would imagine that a beginner would benefit from going out with one or two more experienced photographers, but not a large group, even if all they do is watch what they do, but once you know what you are doing being with other people can be distracting.
 
I like going places on my own, get immersed in the photography thing, sitting waiting for as long as I please.

I've given up taking a camera when going for a walk in a place like Hyde Park with Ms d00d. I give her my full attention. (or that's what she thinks ;) I'm sometimes seeing a shot and making a mental note to see it again next time I'm there, on my own, with a camera).
 
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I like going places on my own, get immersed in the photography thing, sitting waiting for as long as I please.

I've given up taking a camera when going for a walk in a place like Hyde Park with Ms d00d. I give her my full attention. (or that's what she thinks ;) I'm sometimes seeing a shot and making a mental note to see it again next time I'm there, on my own, with a camera).

Yup :D
 
I have three friends into photography so if I am not out on my own I am with at least one of them.
Back in the day when meet ups were more popular I went to several and I've met some really nice people from here.
As a beginner I found that meeting more experienced photographers really helped as they were willing to share their knowledge.
 
I really don't want to be in the company of other photographers if I'm looking for pictures. When I notice other photographers at work they usually seem to be on their own as well.
 
depends really, i tend to find if out on a photography jaunt with other people you end up getting in each others way and end up with similar images but conversely depending on where you are visiting there is safety in numbers (either from thieves when you have loads of expensive gear or if you are in the mountains someone to help if you get in trouble) and they are usually more understanding of taking a while to get the shot you want. I am happy in my own company so will often go out on my own but a lot of the trips i do i will have the mrs with me but thankfully so long as i don't take the proverbial she is pretty good about it
 
Thanks for the replies. Its clear that most photographers like to pack their kit and go off on their own and I can clearly see the positives in that. Being newly separated, I’ve got free time on my hands (when I don’t have the kids) so its looking like a great hobby to have to fill my time up and get out in the fresh air. Being up in Northumberland, next to the coast I feel blessed to have such a wonderful part of the country to explore on my doorstep

I plan to go out to a local motorsports track on bank holiday Monday and am excited about just getting a good spot, taking a one man picnic and snapping away trying different things. My only concern is this…. I haven’t a clue what im doing haha which is why I thought maybe a group would be better for a new starter.

Ive picked up some advice from reading on here and a few you tube videos so I have the theory….its just the practical I need.
 
Have you checked out the meeting place thread?
There maybe something that takes your fancy
https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/meeting-place.45/

But generally the organised meets aren't that serious on the photography front, its more about socialising, and any images are a bonus ;)
Having said that, people are always willing to help anyone that might need it (y)
 
But generally the organised meets aren't that serious on the photography front, its more about socialising, and any images are a bonus ;)
Having said that, people are always willing to help anyone that might need it (y)


Very much this.

It can sometimes be good to work as a group, especially for beginners but the meets are as much about the craic as they are about photography (apart from the semi organized trips which can be more photography than socialization.)
 
I like going places on my own, get immersed in the photography thing, sitting waiting for as long as I please.

I've given up taking a camera when going for a walk in a place like Hyde Park with Ms d00d. I give her my full attention. (or that's what she thinks ;) I'm sometimes seeing a shot and making a mental note to see it again next time I'm there, on my own, with a camera).

I got a shocked reaction when I did not take my camera last weekend though it should be noted a photo opp was spotted and I went back two days later
 
Generally I much prefer to go out on my own, awhile back I went up to Brick Lane with a bunch of very nice guys from here and I enjoyed it when we were chatting over a coffee or something to eat, but I think I probably annoyed them when I kept wandering off and getting lost.
 
Have you checked out the meeting place thread?
There maybe something that takes your fancy
https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/meeting-place.45/

But generally the organised meets aren't that serious on the photography front, its more about socialising, and any images are a bonus ;)
Having said that, people are always willing to help anyone that might need it (y)

Any thoughts on a TP yearly meet this year?
Am I right in thinking it was going to be up north last year, but nothing came of it.
 
Am I right in thinking it was going to be up north last year, but nothing came of it.
Two years running "people" were supposed to be doing doing a Northern one, after all the complaints that it "Was always down south"
But they then realalised that actually it wasn't that easy and it faded into nothingness both times.
I've no plans to do one this year but if someone else wants to take up the baton and run with it, they are most welcome.
Generally I'd start planning in Jan, for a May / June meet.
 
I normally go out on my own as none of my mates do/like photography, but I have set up a London Meet up and anyone with any camera is going and I`m really looking forward to it.

Glad you made the effort Dave, I'm looking forward to it as well.
 
Did the art deco lido get restored?
Always enjoyed the beer down there, think it was Harveys
 
I'm a lot more productive on my own, but then I've been doing this for a while now and like to think I know what I'm doing. As much as I like the social side of shooting with others I find it distracting making conversation rather than compositions, and if those people aren't into photography don't think they'll be interested in hanging around while you get your shot. Shooting with experienced photographers can be really helpful as a beginner though, in fact workshops or photowalks can be great for building confidence and learning new skills
 
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That's good, art deco and in particular lidos are one of my little projects, would be interested to see and photograph it

I remember someone wanted it pulled down and flats built, but all the locals kicked up merry hell and managed to buy it back for the local council and the last time I went past on a bus it was looking very good.
 
I do a bit of both. Sometimes I'll go "walkabout" on my own, other times I'll go with a few friends, usually a smallish group. I think I take more pics alone. But then I'm happy with my own company, some people dont like being on their own.
 
I was out and about in town (Derby) a few months ago and came across a large group with cameras, I think they were on one of those "Photo Walks". Not for me I'm afraid.
If I did go on one I'd mentally separate myself out and concentrate on photographing the group.
 
I'm not very gregarious, and my photography is usually an adjunct to whatever else I'm doing, so I prefer to be on my own or with my wife. She's pretty tolerant..:)
 
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