Advice on photography club

Orla K

I am part of a photography group, in the group there are people who are at different levels, from 'how do I take a photograph?' to the more advanced photoshop user. I've noticed that the beginners seem to be less likely to go on outings and need to be shown everything, someone said about one "she'd want you to push the shutter button and everything for her" which in turn is fusterating the better able members who aren't getting an oppertunity to take their own photos.

There is no activity that we can do to encompass everybody and it seems to be the people in the middle that are advancing. The beginners are left confused and the more advanced left bored. One of the better members said he just wants to get everyone at the same level first but I think he's being neive, some of the members just seem to be afraid of their cameras, have bought a digital camera and have no idea how to turn on a computer, they are going to some meetings but are not learning or are very slow at learning it.

I'm not sure how many members are in the club, very rare to get full attendence on a night but it's about 20. I'm just wondering how other clubs handle this.

Fajitas!

Have novice, intermediate and advanced groupings? And let people sign up to them themselves.

Orla K

I don't think the group is big enough for that. At the last meeting there was 7 people with me being over half an hour late but, there was some 'issues' going on as well which is why there were so few people that night.

CabanSail

At DCC we include everyone on trips & outings, regardless of level. We have recently started to have a Beginner's Outing at the conclusion of the Beginner's Course. This is specifically meant to allow new users to go out in small groups with a more advanced photographer & ask questions using their own gear. We have run it twice so far & the feedback was very positive.

On trips away we tend to split up into small groups & ussually the more advanced members will happily assist the newer ones.

I agree that it is naive to think that all members in a group will move up to the same level. For a start, once you move on a bit some people will specialise in different areas. It would not be of any use asking someone who is passionate about B&W Film questions on processing in photoshop as this will probably be way outside of their area. Likewise a person who is well into Macro may have no idea beyond the basic about Landscapes or Portraiture.

If one Club does not suit you then maybe have a look at another one. They will all be different & suit different people.

Orla K

CabanSail wrote: »

At DCC we include everyone on trips & outings, regardless of level. We have recently started to have a Beginner's Outing at the conclusion of the Beginner's Course. This is specifically meant to allow new users to go out in small groups with a more advanced photographer & ask questions using their own gear. We have run it twice so far & the feedback was very positive.

On trips away we tend to split up into small groups & ussually the more advanced members will happily assist the newer ones.

I agree that it is naive to think that all members in a group will move up to the same level. For a start, once you move on a bit some people will specialise in different areas. It would not be of any use asking someone who is passionate about B&W Film questions on processing in photoshop as this will probably be way outside of their area. Likewise a person who is well into Macro may have no idea beyond the basic about Landscapes or Portraiture.

If one Club does not suit you then maybe have a look at another one. They will all be different & suit different people.

The idea of a beginners outing isn't a bad one and I think I'll bring that to the group but I've a feeling that it'll be shot down because most of the beginners just don't turn up to outings, it's quite fusterating when your trying to teach someone but it's like they're fighting you, they just aren't putting in the effort.

We split into groups aswell with more advanced&less advanced but I find the more advanced spend all/most their time helping the others and don't get to spend time taking their own. I don't know a good way to balance that out so the beginners feel there learning something and the other photographers get something out of it as well.

Also this is the only camera club near me, the next nearest one is a 20minute drive away and I don't have a full licence. I'm also tied to this club.

AnCatDubh

are you in a position to teach or are youhoping to be taught?

You may need to do an amount of spade work with individuals to build support and get people to attend until the point where there is some clarity and level of comfort with new initiatives.

Orla K

AnCatDubh wrote: »

are you in a position to teach or are youhoping to be taught?

You may need to do an amount of spade work with individuals to build support and get people to attend until the point where there is some clarity and level of comfort with new initiatives.

I'd be more the teaching kind but not the best.

How do you do that spade work?

trishw78

Why don't you set up a mentoring system within the club from advanced users that can impart there understanding of camera's use, to taking shots. to using photoshop. that's what happens in the camera club I'm in.

mrmac

trishw78 wrote: »

Why don't you set up a mentoring system within the club from advanced users that can impart there understanding of camera's use, to taking shots. to using photoshop. that's what happens in the camera club I'm in.

+1

Good idea.