Photography clubs
- Thread starter FastGlass
- Start date
LOL. WOW. Never thought there were that many groups out there of so many kinds. But sad to say, no photography ones. There are clubs around here but not sure if it's what I'm looking for by what I've read.
Don Kuykendall_RIP
RIP :(
I went to my local one for the first time last month. Looks like it might be interesting.
Your best bet is to visit the local ones and get a feel for how they are.
Your best bet is to visit the local ones and get a feel for how they are.
That's the best idea Don, visit them first. Heard a few stories.
@FastGlass worth a shot and meetup.com has some very out there groups. Kind of scary if you ask me. Wish there was some for you.
@FastGlass worth a shot and meetup.com has some very out there groups. Kind of scary if you ask me. Wish there was some for you.
I have also been trying a few local ones out. Seem ok but not quite the right fit just yet. Can't seem to put my finger on why as who am I to be fussy?
Next meeting the guest speaker is a wedding photographer. Might be interesting but definitely not something I want to do.
Next meeting the guest speaker is a wedding photographer. Might be interesting but definitely not something I want to do.
Browncoat
Senior Member
Part of the issue for me, is that the groups in my area are concerned mostly with people/fashion/model photography. There's always talk of raising cash to hire models for the next lame themed photo shoot. I get that weirdo vibe from some of the guys...like they're just creepers who want pics of girls as opposed to being photography enthusiasts.
Personally, I wouldn't mind meeting occasionally just to discuss photography at a local coffee shop or something. A discussion that isn't centered on gear. But, after mentioning a more intellectual approach, it was pretty clear that these groups aren't into that kind of thing.
Personally, I wouldn't mind meeting occasionally just to discuss photography at a local coffee shop or something. A discussion that isn't centered on gear. But, after mentioning a more intellectual approach, it was pretty clear that these groups aren't into that kind of thing.
Don Kuykendall_RIP
RIP :(
The one I went to was a mixed group of pros and hobbyists like me. They do online themed photo contests every month and print contest every two months. The prints were not bad and a couple were pretty good. Their method of judging was not what I would consider outstanding. A lot of the meeting was refreshments and people just talking which I really liked. When I first got there a guy walked up to me and said aren't you Don Kuykendall? Come to find out he was a ex employee of mine at one of my photo labs. I got him into photography and now he is the staff photographer at a local university. Was interesting to talk to him.
They do outings every month or two year round so that will be nice too.
They do outings every month or two year round so that will be nice too.
Whiskeyman
Senior Member
Where I live, I just hang out with the professional photographers guild since there are no "photography clubs" that Ive found in my area. They typically have a very good presentation each month, some more formal than others. I've also been invited to come work with a couple of them, but it never seems to work out with my day job.
As far as photography clubs go, I've been involved with several as I moved around the county, and most were more social than anything. One however, The Shreveport Photographic Society, in Shreveport, Louisiana, was heads above all others. Each month, they had a photograph judging, and you would get real constructive criticism when you entered. Sometimes the critiques hurt, but they would help you get better if you listened to them and implemented their suggestions. Often, the senior members would mentor younger/less experienced members, which was fantastic.
As far as finding a club, ask at any camera shops, if available, or at a studio or local school/college.
WM
As far as photography clubs go, I've been involved with several as I moved around the county, and most were more social than anything. One however, The Shreveport Photographic Society, in Shreveport, Louisiana, was heads above all others. Each month, they had a photograph judging, and you would get real constructive criticism when you entered. Sometimes the critiques hurt, but they would help you get better if you listened to them and implemented their suggestions. Often, the senior members would mentor younger/less experienced members, which was fantastic.
As far as finding a club, ask at any camera shops, if available, or at a studio or local school/college.
WM
RocketCowboy
Senior Member
This...is what I would like to find in a local club. Someone, more experienced, who wouldn't mind mentoring someone less experienced as myself. My only fear is my day job, as hectic as it has been lately, only leaves me with weekends being fairly dependable. But still, even just the discussion and constructive criticism would be welcome.
Your profile says "upstate, NY" which is a huge area. But if you're in the Albany area (like myself) there are:
Meetups
Capital Region Photography Meetup Group (Albany, NY) - Meetup
Capital Area Photography Seminars and Workshops (Schenectady, NY) - Meetup
Upstate learn photography club (Schenectady, NY) - Meetup
Saratoga Photography Club (Saratoga Springs, NY) - Meetup
Adirondack Hiking Photography Group (Ballston Spa, NY) - Meetup
Traditional Clubs
http://photocentertroy.org/
http://www.schenectadyphotographicsociety.com/
I've spent my whole shooting life in a camera club, albeit that only covers 18 months or so. I live in a coastal town with a smal population(approx 7000) and joined a local club the day after I bought my first DSLR. It's a small group with maybe 25 members and about 10 regulars. It's very informal, we meet once every two weeks but have lots of impromptu outings covering the whole country. The location we are in, we are heavily landscaped based and I've learnt nearly everything I know within and from this group. The core group I would now consider my friends and am in touch with them daily through whatsapp and we meet for coffee etc and a chat about photography and loads of other stuff.
I do do shoot on my own too but there is nothing better than getting up before dawn and heading off on a road trip with a few other people that you get on well with and share the love of photography with. It helps keep things fresh too.
In an effort to gain some more memberswe are actually half way through a 6 week introduction to photography that we decided to run. If we got 3 or 4 attending it would have been great, would have covered the rent we are paying for the premises for the course and hopefully some fresh faces in the group. We have 10 attending the course which is great. We bought a projector out of the money raised and have been using it for the classes. This coming Thursday I have my moment! I have to do a 15 minute talk and demo on landscape photography. Kinda feel awkward "teaching" some photographic techniques as I'm so new to the craft but the majority are point and shooters so could be classed as complete noobs so I suppose I can share what I have learnt in my short time.
We have started entering some national photographic competitions but are a tiny group compared to most, who are numbered in the 100s but it's a worthwhile exercise and we get to see what others are up to. It also encourages us to venture into other areas that we don't shoot regularly, studio work etc.
Im a bit of a lazy git and I doubt I'd have got as far as I have today with the camer if I was left to my own devices. It was the best thing I did joining the group. Having said that it's probably not the typical set up. It's quite small and it's as informal as can be.
I do do shoot on my own too but there is nothing better than getting up before dawn and heading off on a road trip with a few other people that you get on well with and share the love of photography with. It helps keep things fresh too.
In an effort to gain some more memberswe are actually half way through a 6 week introduction to photography that we decided to run. If we got 3 or 4 attending it would have been great, would have covered the rent we are paying for the premises for the course and hopefully some fresh faces in the group. We have 10 attending the course which is great. We bought a projector out of the money raised and have been using it for the classes. This coming Thursday I have my moment! I have to do a 15 minute talk and demo on landscape photography. Kinda feel awkward "teaching" some photographic techniques as I'm so new to the craft but the majority are point and shooters so could be classed as complete noobs so I suppose I can share what I have learnt in my short time.
We have started entering some national photographic competitions but are a tiny group compared to most, who are numbered in the 100s but it's a worthwhile exercise and we get to see what others are up to. It also encourages us to venture into other areas that we don't shoot regularly, studio work etc.
Im a bit of a lazy git and I doubt I'd have got as far as I have today with the camer if I was left to my own devices. It was the best thing I did joining the group. Having said that it's probably not the typical set up. It's quite small and it's as informal as can be.
Gobae, I'm actually located in Endwell, NY. Really only 1 or 2 clubs around hear from what I've found out. Allready reached out to one of them so we'll see what happens.