Question:
Hi Friends! My wife recently found some old b/w 8X10 pictures I took in late sixties and early seventies in a camera club meetings. A model was photographed. We then developed the pictures and printed to 8×10 size and brought them to the club in two weeks time for discussion. This was the camera club members task for that week. I suddenly realised that why I never had the urge to buy the best & latest in camera equipment. In those camera club meetings, when one reviewed the pictures of fellow club members, one soon realised that camera equipment has very little to do with the final product. It is the vision that counts. One of the member had even poorer equipment than mine but he consistently produced excellent prints. Even then I realised that I shall never be a good photographer and better stick to my job. Sorry for the long post. My two cents. With thanks. Before you buy.
Response:
Well stated. Now if only this could be posted on the sales counter of every camera store in the country, along with the opportunity to attend a photography class. http://pug.komkon.org The first picture in the gallery this month was NOT shot with the supporting brand. Enjoy shooting, Collin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Friends! My wife recently found some old b/w 8X10 pictures I took in late sixties and early seventies in a camera club meetings. A model was photographed. We then developed the pictures and printed to 8×10 size and brought them to the club in two weeks time for discussion. This was the camera club members task for that week. I suddenly realised that why I never had the urge to buy the best & latest in camera equipment. In those camera club meetings, when one reviewed the pictures of fellow club members, one soon realised that camera equipment has very little to do with the final product. It is the vision that counts. One of the member had even poorer equipment than mine but he consistently produced excellent prints. Even then I realised that I shall never be a good photographer and better stick to my job. Sorry for the long post. My two cents. With thanks. Before you buy.
– *** Life’s Priorities: #1 When you are willing to stand up and say "I believe…" then you begin to understand freedom. #2 Alcohol and math don’t mix. Don’t drink & derive. #3 A polar bear is a rectangular bear after a coordinate transform. *** Before you buy.
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The is, of course, blasphemous. Everybody knows that the EOS1V is the only camera to own. Just ask Annika. Who cares what the photos look like? Heh, heh… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Friends! My wife recently found some old b/w 8X10 pictures I took in late sixties and early seventies in a camera club meetings. A model was photographed. We then developed the pictures and printed to 8×10 size and brought them to the club in two weeks time for discussion. This was the camera club members task for that week. I suddenly realised that why I never had the urge to buy the best & latest in camera equipment. In those camera club meetings, when one reviewed the pictures of fellow club members, one soon realised that camera equipment has very little to do with the final product. It is the vision that counts. One of the member had even poorer equipment than mine but he consistently produced excellent prints. Even then I realised that I shall never be a good photographer and better stick to my job. Sorry for the long post. My two cents. With thanks. Before you buy.
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Once the film is out of the camera nobody can tell what it was shot with.
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Every camera club I ever tried was more into parlimentary procedure than photography. The concept of taking pictures at a meeting, or even discussing pictures at a meeting, seemed to be foreign to them. I once attended a club that claimed to be about photographs as opposed to equipment – so they discussed all the up-coming juried shows. If more photography clubs were like the one you attended, the hobby would be in a healthier state. Every time I read about a club with darkroom facilities and/or a studio I think what a great thing it would be to start one like that. Then I think about the energy levels needed to get it going, and take a nap. — Digital photo restoration in autumnal Chapel Hill NC http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/magor/tony New – A Digital Workflow + Sharpness: Threat or Menace? And Selecting Your First SLR - Java must be enabled Before you buy.
Response:
Well stated. Now if only this could be posted on the sales counter of every camera store in the country, along with the opportunity to attend a photography class…
… and if it could, nearly all of these camera stores would go out of business. Sad but true, equipment-crazed wannabes are the ones who keep the businesses… in business! Before you buy.
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Let’s be fair. The 1V is not the only 35 mm camera to own. It is just the best! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The is, of course, blasphemous. Everybody knows that the EOS1V is the only camera to own. Just ask Annika. Who cares what the photos look like?
Response:
Every time I read about a club with darkroom facilities and/or a studio I think what a great thing it would be to start one like that.
Tony, have a look at ‘our’ club’s webpage… I think it meets you’re criteria! http://www.melbournephoto.org.au/ Cheers, Nige
Response:
Just had a quick look at your site, looks great Any suggestions for clubs for newbies in Sydney. Thanks in advance Paul
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Every time I read about a club with darkroom facilities and/or a studio I think what a great thing it would be to start one like that. Tony, have a look at ‘our’ club’s webpage… I think it meets you’re criteria! http://www.melbournephoto.org.au/ Cheers, Nige
Response:
You are absolutely correct. Even in class, the professor never onced asked what camera was used except if there is a blatant problem with the picture. I don’t frequent my camera club alot, but it is a fantastic place to share personal photographs which I would not dare show on the internet (I tried it once, mistake). Most of the members are older and wiser and been practicing for 10+ years. Many works are conceptual, most are popular photography. Don’t sell yourself short, keep praticing and you will excel. You have to be relentless, and its hard…but darn it..let us not give up. Don’t put anyone a head of you without giving up a fight! Ann – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Friends! My wife recently found some old b/w 8X10 pictures I took in late sixties and early seventies in a camera club meetings. A model was photographed. We then developed the pictures and printed to 8×10 size and brought them to the club in two weeks time for discussion. This was the camera club members task for that week. I suddenly realised that why I never had the urge to buy the best & latest in camera equipment. In those camera club meetings, when one reviewed the pictures of fellow club members, one soon realised that camera equipment has very little to do with the final product. It is the vision that counts. One of the member had even poorer equipment than mine but he consistently produced excellent prints. Even then I realised that I shall never be a good photographer and better stick to my job. Sorry for the long post. My two cents. With thanks. Before you buy.
Response:
<<Once the film is out of the camera nobody can tell what it was shot with. My art director can.
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I’ll be at next month’s meeting. In spirit at least. I saw a tv show on the public gardens of Melbourne. Very beautiful city. — Digital photo restoration in autumnal Chapel Hill NC http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/magor/tony New – A Digital Workflow + Sharpness: Threat or Menace? And Selecting Your First SLR - Java must be enabled Before you buy.
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Some years ago I went on a photo field trip with a local group; expecting mud and maybe rain, I took along a cheapy very brassed black nikkormat and beat up macro lens and small strobes etc. macro rig with bent aluminum holders (homebrew) etc. and a table of exposures to use (from experience) needless to say, I not only had the only non-autofocus camera out there, it was the only non-autoexposure camera too. I was happily shooting away, but kept getting pestered by questions (which is pretty odd, since I was the only one there who didn’t have an autofocus camera, so how should I know the answers to their questions? 
in a perverse way, the beat up, dinged, and brassed camera was more proof of photographic "prestige" than all the fancy name brand auto-cameras that cost kilobucks but which most of the owners barely knew how to use in any mode, let alone all of them grins bobm — * Third Party 35mm Lenses: http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/third/index.html * * Medium Format Cameras: http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/mf/index.html megasite*
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in a perverse way, the beat up, dinged, and brassed camera was more proof of photographic "prestige" than all the fancy name brand auto-cameras that cost kilobucks…..
Used to be the first act on getting a new black Nikon was to take some sandpaper and brass it up good. — Technical Management Consulting & Engineering Services: New Product Development; Electrical Engineering; Software, System and Circuit Design. Oh, & Photography
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How to cure brand name envy? Join a camera club When I was in a club, many of the younger members were just as envious of the latest camera or lens as anyone. And saving up to buy the latest thing. OK, this was not an issue among the 55+ group but sure was among those under 40. Unfortunately (for other reasons) many camera clubs have not attracted younger members. What will such clubs be like in 20 years? No remaining members? Peter Burian
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I think most people can spot the guy who knows how to handle a camera. I took a couple a bird walks and found myself answering all sorts of questions. I had a very new looning AF camera, and only one lens, as I did not feel I could keep up with a group if I carried more. I got asked a lot of questions about operating cameras, and even bird shooting – which I had never tried before. I did end up giving a brief seminar on how to hold an SLR for a couple people who were holding thier cameras like point and shoots. The other night at a fire there was a tall guy who passed the police line. He had a Nikon with an 80-200 lens on it and a flash on top – he was shooting diffused flash shots of a blazing building from 100 feet. When the officer asked him to step back he repied "It’s okay, I’m a professional." He was then ushered back behind the line and stomped off in disgust. I have no doubt he was a pro – just not a news shooter. The battery pack and Sto-Fen flash diffuser indicated to me a wedding shooter. It’s fairly easy to see ability level and field of expertise from the gear. It is unfortunately also easy to see how many people are fooling themselves about their knowledge and abilities. — Digital photo restoration in autumnal Chapel Hill NC http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/magor/tony New – A Digital Workflow + Sharpness: Threat or Menace? And Selecting Your First SLR - Java must be enabled Before you buy.
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Just the opposite happened to me when I went to the park to take a few of the Asian Festival; very colorful. Some politician showed up riding in the official golf cart, and I happened to be standing there, and the security guard cleared a path for me. So I took a couple of this character so nobody would look stupid, before fading back into te crowd. Otherwise a nice day. Bob Hickey
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Some really good suggestions to the group here that the newer photogs should consider. (I was lucky to start in high school and soon become the chief photographer,–with mentors from the local paper). For the late bloomers in photography,–your learning will escalate considerably by meeting with others (who are always willing to share) and saving yourself a lot of time. I predict that digital photographer will breath new life into photography in general. Shoot lots of images makes for a better photographer. Digital costs you nothing in materials to do that dan
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As you say it’s the person behind the camera but it’s sure a lot easier with bells & whistles. Made many good pics with my screw mount and Canon FD mount cameras but I’ll never go back. Ron Walton Visit the BPC http://www.bpc.photographer.org
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi Friends! My wife recently found some old b/w 8X10 pictures I took in late sixties and early seventies in a camera club meetings. A model was photographed. We then developed the pictures and printed to 8×10 size and brought them to the club in two weeks time for discussion. This was the camera club members task for that week. I suddenly realised that why I never had the urge to buy the best & latest in camera equipment. In those camera club meetings, when one reviewed the pictures of fellow club members, one soon realised that camera equipment has very little to do with the final product. It is the vision that counts. One of the member had even poorer equipment than mine but he consistently produced excellent prints. Even then I realised that I shall never be a good photographer and better stick to my job. Sorry for the long post. My two cents. With thanks. Before you buy.
Response:
<<Once the film is out of the camera nobody can tell what it was shot with. My art director can.
He can? Hmmmm….. So, if you shoot a situation with a Nikon AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D and a Nikon N50, he will know which camera it was? Psychic? Peter Burian
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Why? because your art director would know if you did? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The only thing I would work harder to avoid than a photography club would be a Bob Shell photo seminar.
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The only thing I would work harder to avoid than a photography club would be a Bob Shell photo seminar.
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The only thing I would work harder to avoid than a photography club would be a Bob Shell photo seminar.
Horses for courses, LeadWater. Clubs are an excellent way for beginners and amateurs to learn the ropes. Colin.
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