Photography can be a social activity. Doing some photography as part of a group can have many benefits.
Eight days ago I met up with a group of fellow photographers who also participate on the Australian Photography Forum. This was the first time I had done such a thing in a long time with a group, though I had met individual photographers over the years that I had met online. I was curious to see how it would go because I have been considering organizing a get together of people working with alternative digital print processes.
We met at Southbank, hung out for a while at a MacDonald’s and then walked around parts of Melbourne, shooting and talking as we went. They were a great bunch of people, ranging in age probably from their early 20’s up to the 50’s, with the majority being young. Most were Canon users, with a fair number of Nikonians and a lone Sigma dSLR user. I also had a Panasonic G1 I was testing.
A get together like this can be useful in many ways, depending on the individual. For many it was a learning experience with the more experienced members passing on advice. There was the opportunity to compare equipment and share gear. Even watching the way other photographers shoot can be a learning experience. Whilst Melbourne is pretty safe, at least during the day and away from certain nightclubs, I can imagine that night group photography would be a great way for anyone nervous about being seen with a lot of expensive gear to get out and shoot.
Like camera clubs, such experiences can vary greatly depending on who you are with and your own level of experience. My observation is that less experienced photographers probably gain more in direct benefit to their photography, whilst more experienced photographers gain from the social aspects, perhaps making new, lasting friendships.
I’ve illustrated this article with images I took on the day. I was mainly shooting with my infrared converted 350D, so I have included mainly those.
Like all other aspects of photography, doing a group get together is something you should definitely try. You never know what you will get out of it. For online groups it can add a face and voice to people you may have chatted with only for years. I was able to do this several years ago when a trip to HP in Barcelona brought together a great many people I had been talking with on groups for many years. It was truly wonderful.
Wayne, these were the most captivating images I have seen in a long time. Some one thing in most of the images made all the difference.
The two small white figures and the bus made the first special.
The second has no horizontals or verticals.
The third the riveted iron and graceful arch of the distant bridge contrast nicely
The fourth–the people and the blue area add drama and are unexpected
In five there is again little verticals and horizontals and the pink rail and light orange lamp add an interesting complexity.
under finders street station, the colored lights add so much drama to an otherwise basically black and white image.
The next to the last one– the leaves work great and are necessary, and my only negative comment is that the leaves should
have been left out in the last one. They seem to detract rather than add.
Just my opinions. I think that there were so many visions expressed in this group of images that i t shows great depth in your ability to accually see rather than just look.
Just wonderful and thanks for sharing.
cheers
john
What a fun time, Wayne. I belong to a small group of 6. We meet for lunch each week and often go for a group shoot afterwards. It is a good thing!