Back around the first of the year, there was a lot of discussion about an APUG/DPUG get-together somewhere in the NW (like the one at WSU Vancouver in 2009). I haven't seen much discussion of it in the past few months, and I was wondering if it's going to happen, or if it's fallen by the wayside?

--Greg

Hi Greg,

I just got an email alerting me to your question. Last winter, I reserved the art center meeting space in Newport, OR, for an October get-together, but Robert Brummitt signaled that he wanted to organize it someplace else. I don't know where that stands, but I cancelled my reservation at the Yaquina VAC and got my $200 back.

Additional info: Four years ago, when I organized the first get-together in Newport, I had hoped that it could be an annual thing here, but Robert set up the next meeting at UW Vancouver before the weekend was even over (I think he doesn't like the beach ). Anyway, long story => short, there are plans to start a film camera club based from Newport sometime early next year. The only 'rule' will be film only - no digital capture. From the film on, anything goes.

Rich Bergeman and I had hoped to get it started this summer, but he ended up with a really great art fellowship and I've been recovering from hand surgery, so things are postponed a bit. I'll try to keep this forum updated.

All the best,
Denise Ross

Hey Denise, What ever happened to the coffee house by the sea and take some pictures? We could still have a get together in Newport if just for the day----- Just thinkin' Ron

Hi Ron,

That's been going on informally with a few people who live close enough to go with the vagaries of coastal weather.

The whole concept of small, local meet-ups is probably the best way to go -- commitment without too much investment (or is it investment without too much commitment?) Anyway, trying to get a crowd of people together doing one'ish thing is getting more and more like herding cats, but I'm holding on to hope for a film camera get-together sometime next year.

Denise Ross wrote:
"The only 'rule' will be film only - no digital capture. From the film on, anything goes."

That's a bit of a bummer for me, the vast majority of my capture is digital.

If I get really brave, I may host a simple, local get-together in the fall if the big show doesn't happen.

--Greg

PS--Too bad there's no quote function on the group boards.

Ooops...by local I meant Vancouver, WA.

--Greg

Greg
If you want to have a meeting in Vancouver. Count me and others in. I'm open to digital and analog. Why be exclusive? It's all good in my book!
Robert "the beach hating guy" NOT!

The last time I checked, the name of the organization is APUG, and A stands for analog. Now, I know that this is a stupid name for a group of photographers, and adopting a computerese term to describe what we do is somewhat counterintuitive, but I'm with Denise on this one. We are about using and promoting the traditional methods which we have used lo these many years, and we have eschewed the use of the computer for our craft. Now, you guys can meet anywhere in the world and photograph with anything you want, but you are NOT APUG when you use a digital camera. And I, for one, will not join you.

In these sub forums we can include digital as I was told by a monitor. I have no problem with Analog or Digital. As I'm mainly a color photographer and most labs producing prints via inkjet, you are basically excluding me or Greg or others who don't have a darkroom from APUG gatherings. Which is very interesting. I enjoy and respect traditional but I also look to what is coming from the future. Someday, maybe digital photographers will say, Hologram photography is not true photography because it's not two dimensional!
This is getting old, folks. Move on.
Sorry that you wish not to be with Greg or I, Michael. I truly enjoy your work and your thoughts but I will not be a separatist as you, Denise and others wish to be. Photography is all. From pinhole to large format to digital to cell phone. From Hand made emulsions to silver to inkjet. It's all good in my book. As Ruth Bernhard said My quest, through the magic of light and shadow, is to isolate, to simplify and to give emphasis to form with the greatest clarity. To indicate the ideal proportion, to reveal sculptural mass and the dominating spirit is my goal"
I'm looking, questing that magic of light and shadow.
Thank you.

This is not about personal philosophies, it is about who we as a group want to define ourselves.

I have my fingers crossed that there will be holography in my lifetime. How cool will that be?! I'll be first in line for a camera. I might even think about putting together a holographic club. Get-togethers of like-minded interests are just about the best times there are. Plein air watercolor meetups are a big thing here on the Coast. The participants look like they're having such a wonderful time I've thought about getting out my old watercolors just to join in the fun. But (and here it comes...) I wouldn't expect to be included if I showed up with a camera rather than a box of paints. If I formed that hypothetical holographic camera club, 2D cameras (film or digital) would not be 'invited'.

I absolutely love my Pentax DSLR and my Canon Powershot. I absolutely love my 120 rangefinders and my Whole Plate view. To my mind the two kinds of image gathering are as different from one another as watercolor from a camera. For me, the defining point is about the tools used and their entwined and inescapable differences in workflow and vocabulary and the resulting impact on the social and educational aspects of get-togethers.

Film cameras are an endangered species. There just isn't anywhere to learn how to use film cameras. Meetings and field trips were always the path for newcomer to become oldtimer. Still are -- for digital cameras. Everybody hanging around staring at histograms and talking about HDR and apps. Speed shooting 50 frames for every one sheet of film I can set up and expose. Can you imagine how aggressive a film newb would have to be to get any help learning? How would you ask questions about camera operation? And we oldies: how do you squeeze in questions about new products? The film and film camera world is changing so fast, it's very hard to keep up. Forming an affinity group is a very doable way to at least try.

My plans for a film camera club don't really involve APUG. Technically, I think, APUG dictates analog, start to finish. My personal opinion is that that's self-defeating in the extreme. Making an analog print requires a darkroom -- a rapidly disappearing beast. Developing film just requires a dark space for a short time. I once worked out of the hall bathroom in my apartment for two years. There are still commercial color processors who might appreciate new customers. From the developed film anyone can go to a scanner and inkjet printer, although probably needless to say, but I would hope that most people would want to travel through to an analog print.

I wish very much we could have more annual get-togethers like the ones in Newport and Vancouver. I thought they were a wonderful mix of all the Ways of photography. I'd love to see a different part of the PNW every year, or I'd be happy to host one every year in Newport, but I'm getting too old and cranky to put up with too much sh*t trying to make it happen. The film camera club hopefully will be what it will be: loose, fun, educational, retro, and unabashedly 'separatist'.

Denise

But unfortunately, it's individuals who seem to want to define the group. And I will include myself into that mix. Luckily, as you said before you, I or anyone else can choose not to attend.

Michael,
You managed to say in one sentence what I probably couldn't in five paragraphs. Thanks!

Very well said, Denise and Michael. I use both film and digital and wouldn't expect to take a film camera to a digital workshop/group. If your interest doesn't lie in a certain field, then simply ignore it. I'm very much looking forward to this event.
Gerry Miller

Well, I attend these meetings to be with people that have like interests, not the gear they chose to use! Nice people migrate towards nice people and friends I have made thru these get togethers are great people!! Count me in. Ron

We really need a Photostock NW. IMHO.

I have a great suggestion for anyone interested in hooking up with "people that have like interests". On Saturday, Aug. 20, the PPF (Portland Photographer's Forum) will meet at the Beacon Rock marina parking lot at five p.m. for an evening of photography. The park is located in the Columbia River Gorge, on the Washington side, and there will be both film and digital shooters in the group, and the event is open to the public. However, If anyone is interested, it is requested that you e-mail them to let them know that you are coming, so that they know who to look for. It sounds like it will be a fun gathering.

Wow...I go away for the weekend and miss all sorts of stuff!

Trying to drag this conversation back on-topic...

Do I understand from Denise and Robert's comments that there will be no large gathering with a formal program this year?

--Greg

We go to pieces without you. :-/
I'm willing to pull something in October. I had thought something was happening on the coast?
I'm working on several projects. And this coming weekend I'm thinking of photographing the Oregon airshow.

I'm trying something different. More people less sticks and stones.

I only here the chirping of the crickets. I'll take it that no on is interested. That's ok.

Well, I had really wanted to be able to contribute something, either with regards to content or planning, but September has already been wiped out for me with work and travel. I really like the idea of this sort of event. Gives people a chance to learn and see things in person, meet others, etc. But it looks like it's not gonna come together this fall.

Maybe next spring? Make it hybrid-friendly and publicize it on DPUG, as well? I don't know how many more PNW DPUG members we would reach who aren't on APUG (or reading this forum.)

--Greg

OK, Greg. You got it! I would love to hear what you have idea wise. The more the merrier. Contact me at robert8x10@comcast.net That request is open to everyone who wishes to help or suggest ideas. I have some myself and like you want to include all forms of photography. I would like to make it open to the public as well. I have been doing lots and lots of volunteering of myself and my camera to non-profits. I would like to do a talk on how it's good stuff in doing so. Not only for those you are working with but for yourself and for your photography.
As to location? Let those who wish to share with you and I talk it over. I like various locals. Our group encompasses lots of area, lots of land.
I'm still open to host a gathering this year. I was with a photo friend yesterday and she said how she is looking forward to the Fall colors. Which is funny because she does more B&W and photographs lots of rocks.
Anyways, lets talk.