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Info about camera clubs


j._swinehart

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I'm not sure if this is an appropriate question, but a friend and I are interested in joining a camera club. We have been unable to locate any in the Austin, TX area so we are actually considering starting one. Do any of you have any experience with these clubs? Any ideas on setting one up or how to locate one? I have tried the Chambers of Commerce, local photography stores, newspapers, libraries, and photography instructors at high schools and colleges. We would love it to be a "nature" camera club, but that may be too restricting. Is there, perhaps, a national club that we could connect with and create a local chapter? Thanks for any help.
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Most clubs that Im familiar with dont restrict it to nature photography, but photography in general. You have different catagories (Nature, PJ, Travel, and 'color'(which can include anything in color), in which members enter slides, and are judged. Our local club has competitions one meeting, and talks or presentations the next, and alternate each meeting. If there are local clubs, then surely local camera stores would know about them. As large as Austin is, you should have a few, I would think. I guess if you wanted to start one, and have it restricted to nature, thats up to you. You should elect officers, and collect dues (for a projector, refreshments, etc.). Our dues are $15 a year. Set a reasonable fee, but make it within reach of students and others that have limited funds. Guests are welcome at our club. Its a good idea to have a forum (club) to share photos and ideas.
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There's another list of clubs by geographical location at

http://www.tiac.net/users/bcsbob/biglist/page13.htm

 

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Regarding a nature-only club:

Although my subject matter of choice is nature, I'm glad that I belong to a typical club that has a non-nature division and a nature division. I am challenged to make photographs that I wouldn't make otherwise, I see images I might not see otherwise, and I am constantly reminded that visual impact can come from a rare presentation of a common subject. Too often in my own nature photography and that of others I see a common presentation of a "rare" subject - ho hum if you don't know it's "rare." There's is only one delicate Arch, for example, but I've only seen two memorable photographs of it - the first one I saw and one with star trails circling the Arch. Good Luck with the Club! Pete

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Thanks for the suggestions. I tried both sites and the only listing is for an outdated club that no longer exists. So, it looks like it's up to me to get it going again. Ron, is it possible to get a copy of one of your meeting outlines? I have never attended a camera club meeting, therefore, I don't know what is usually covered. I have ideas, but still need suggestions. Should the club be "approved" by PSA and, if so, any ideas on the guidelines? Thanks.
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Bob-apparently I cannot e-mail you directly, so hopefully you will read this and respond. What is the name of the nature photo group you belong to? I understand you are in NJ and I work in Norhtern NJ. I would like to find a local group as interested in this subject other than the photo.net population at large. Thanks.
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My email address (bobatkins@hotmail.com) is good.

 

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Anyway, might as well post it here. The "Camera Naturalists" club

(I think that's the name), meets the 2nd Thursday of the month at

the Lord Sterling Park (Somerset county) building. I think the

town is probably Basking Ridge. They don't meet during the summer

months though. They run from setember/october (not sure which),

through may/june (again, not sure which!). They are a nice bunch

of people and there is no charge to visit and attend a meeting.

Dues are...$15/yr? Somewhere in that ballpark anyway.

 

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Shun and Duanne both attend some of the meeting as well as posting

here! I used to attend, but last year I had other things going on which kept me from getting to the meetings much.

 

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The programs are about a 50/50 split of slide competitions (no prints, just sides) and talks either by club members or outside speakers

(often from other clubs, but usually local speakers). To participate

in the competitions you have to be a member. They also run trips

to places like the Bronx Zoo or the Pine Barrens. When I say "run

trips" I mean people get together and go to the same place. They

don't hire a bus!

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Jackie;

 

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I have some liteature about competition rules and by-laws for camera clubs. I belong to two clubs here in the Research Triangle Area of North Carolina. One is a general interest club meeting in Chapel Hill and the second(which I stared about a year ago) is a specalized group for B&W only. Having started at least two other clubs in the past, I would be willing to provide some advice ideas on how to start one and trying to keep it going.

 

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PSA also has a lot of ideas, althought some people don't like the "PSA Style"

 

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E-mail me and I may be able to provide some help.

 

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Clubs are tougher to start and keep going as people have less spare time than they use to. Our club mambership is predominately retired people, as Chapel Hill is a retirment mecaa.

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  • 1 month later...

Jackie,

 

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This past summer I started a photography club in the metro-DC area

(Laurel, MD). If you haven't already, may I suggest you first call a

general interest meeting. I used fliers at local camera/photo stores.

At that meeting we (16 of us) identified what we wanted that club to

be. Personally, I feel this is the most important aspect....

Defining exactly what you want the club to be, and what you don't want

it to be. The Greater Laurel Photography Club (GLPC) does not and will

not hold competitions, critiques, etc. There are other clubs in our

area that can provide that. We wanted to be a focus for ametures and

pros alike, sharing technical skills and info for the enjoyment of

photography. We've become popular and still growing. Our web-site is

coming soon ... http://members.bellatlantic.net/~glpc/

 

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Quinn

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