There are many ways to indulge and develop an interest in photography. That is, after you've bought the equipment, retrieved your initial efforts from the lab, and thought "obviously, David Muench knows something I don't."
Photography clubs offer an opportunity to find out what others know. You can see the work of others, attend programs and workshops, and ask questions. They are also full of people as obsessed as you about photography. They usually offer competitions in slides and/or prints. Some plan regular field trips. Most will have programs demonstrating a photographic technique.
One argument against photography clubs is that they enforce a arbitrary set of photographic rules and standards. Some say an uncreative and mediocre set of standards. But I think this depends on what you want from photography. I have taken photo classes with fine arts students, and their approach to photography was often different from mine (although we admired each others work).
You could say that camera clubs are good for learning the rules, but maybe not so good for learning how to break the rules. Most people do need to know and understand the rules before you can break. Clubs can be good for teaching a certain discipline - you are always free to experiment and maybe then the club will no longer meet your needs.
Different clubs have different flavors. If you are fortunate enough to be near more than one club, I advise visiting several. And if one attracts, visit more than once. Check out what programs they have put on in the past. Are they demonstrating techniques that are useful to you? Are there several members at your level in the club, or is everyone more advanced or less skilled than you?
It can be time-consuming searching for club links, so I am happy to take submissions. Send to my e-mail address below.
copyright ©1996-2005 Bertha Adamson
created by belleame@usa.net
Last edited June 28, 2005