What I would give for a good camera club

[Sobriquet]

Sigh! Sigh! Sigh!

I won't say where I am but I really miss my old camera club. There were some characters I didn't like to spend too much time with and mostly really great people. They were proactive and run a great competition every year, they ran workshops on a regular basis and each month the meetings had a little competition and I know I learned so much.

I was so excited when we moved it was one of the first things I did, find the local camera club and head to a meeting....what a mistake. It was the freakiest experience I have ever had with human beings. I introduced myself to lots of people and not a single one told me their name. They were proud of the fact they still used film and lamented the invasion of digital photography.

I know there are great camera clubs out there, so what now? If anyone had been even slightly welcoming I would have perservered but I couldn't force myself to try again, it was just too painful. Do I start a Digital Camera Club? just realise that time of my photo life is past? travel 2 hours to a better club in night traffic when wombats and kangaroos are likely to jump out in front of the car?

[TheDarkReaver]

You could try starting a new club, if you feel you could handle the organisation. You can't have been the first to be turned off by the old-school-film-purist-elitist people, so you might get some interest right off the bat.

[Q2SHOOT]

Originally Posted by Sobriquet

Sigh! Sigh! Sigh!

I won't say where I am but I really miss my old camera club. There were some characters I didn't like to spend too much time with and mostly really great people. They were proactive and run a great competition every year, they ran workshops on a regular basis and each month the meetings had a little competition and I know I learned so much.

I was so excited when we moved it was one of the first things I did, find the local camera club and head to a meeting....what a mistake. It was the freakiest experience I have ever had with human beings. I introduced myself to lots of people and not a single one told me their name. They were proud of the fact they still used film and lamented the invasion of digital photography.

I know there are great camera clubs out there, so what now? If anyone had been even slightly welcoming I would have perservered but I couldn't force myself to try again, it was just too painful. Do I start a Digital Camera Club? just realise that time of my photo life is past? travel 2 hours to a better club in night traffic when wombats and kangaroos are likely to jump out in front of the car?

I am always amazed that there are still Neanderthals like this out there.

[Nicole]

I have to admit, I'm struggling to find a camera club that fits as well. I've tried the local Flickr group (the meets are few and far between), I've tried a group via meetup.com (there's a mix of old school film and P&S and it's so far seemed very gear oriented... and comparing lenses isn't my thing), and I'm put off by the presentation sort of nature of the other local camera club (you know, the "I've been a photographer since 500B.C. so look at all the pretty pictures I took and tell me how good I am" sort of presentations).

I'm beginning to think I'm just past the camera club phase because I can't really find one that fits my needs. I'd really like to see one with good information on techniques. I know that there's not going to be something that fits every level, but I'd like somewhere that's friendly and will teach me new techniques or help me progress in what I already know. I realise that probably sounds more like a photography class, but there's got to be something between ego stroking and "my lens is bigger than your lens". Maybe I just haven't found the right group yet.

See, you're not the only one whinging about camera clubs, Sobriquet.

[Bluenoser]

Perhaps asking around, posting some bulletins or an ad in the local paper to see if their's enough interest in starting a club that caters to Digital?

Originally Posted by Q2SHOOT

I am always amazed that there are still Neanderthals like this out there.

Not sure I understand this?

There's something wrong with being dedicated to a specific style/type of photography?

I think if people are happy with what they are doing, then more power to them. This club appears to have a fair number of dedicated film users. I see nothing wrong with them having a club that serves their needs.

[IainM]

I think it's more the attitude of "film is real photography, and digital is for undeducated laymen, it's their cameras that take the nice photos. They have no real skill."
That kind of elitist attitute is pretty off putting, no matter what your hobby may be.

My advice would also be to start one yourself, and be the welcoming accept-all-styles kind of group you want. There should be a community centre nearby that you can utilise.

[Q2SHOOT]

Originally Posted by Bluenoser

Not sure I understand this?

There's something wrong with being dedicated to a specific style/type of photography?

I think if people are happy with what they are doing, then more power to them. This club appears to have a fair number of dedicated film users. I see nothing wrong with them having a club that serves their needs.

Absolutely not, but criticizing digital photography as an invasion is kind of backwards thinking wouldn't you agree. If someone likes to travel around in a horse and buggy, good for them, I have no issues, but if they suggest that it's a better form of transportation, well then........

[Bluenoser]

Originally Posted by Q2SHOOT

Absolutely not, but criticizing digital photography as an invasion is kind of backwards thinking wouldn't you agree. If someone likes to travel around in a horse and buggy, good for them, I have no issues, but if they suggest that it's a better form of transportation, well then........

No I wouldn't agree at all. There are people that still prefer Horse and Buggy, just like there are people in all walks of life that crticize the "invasion" of a lot of things. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being old school. I may not agree that film is better or that digital is an invasion, but I certainly respect their right to have a club of their choice.

You can find 1000's of clubs, not just photography, around the world that take the same stand. They aren't interested in all the advances of technology, and that's their right. More power to them for standing up for what they believe in.

What I don't respect is people who criticize them for doing their own thing and believing in it.

[ffscj3562130]

Originally Posted by Bluenoser

What I don't respect is people who criticize them for doing their own thing and believing in it.

Sounds like that's exactly what they were doing with their attitude. To be accepted you also have to accept and it doesn't sound like they too friendly to anyone different from themselves. And maybe it wasn't an film vs digital problem. Could be just unaccepting of anyone new.

[Bluenoser]

Originally Posted by ffscj3562130

Sounds like that's exactly what they were doing with their attitude. To be accepted you also have to accept and it doesn't sound like they too friendly to anyone different from themselves. And maybe it wasn't an film vs digital problem. Could be just unaccepting of anyone new.

That's quite possible. However we don't know that it wasn't a film vs digital problem.

All I'm saying is, be critical of the arguement/opinion, not the person. Everyone has a different opinion, and that's what should be debated. Not the person for standing up for what they believe in.

Instead of labeling the group as Neanderthals, maybe label the idea/opinion as neanderthal, and then back the arguement up with some facts as to why it's so.