Best places and communities to meet photographers

hiroh · May 3, 2022

What are the best places (both online and offline) to meet other photographers, preferably locals. I found forums great places to learn things, but I never had a chance to meet anyone in person. I'm active on Reddit, but same thing, we all share and comment each others work, but I never met anyone. I heard there are some Facebook and Discord groups and communities, but I never been there, so is it worth? Before pandemic, I attended couple workshops, where I met some people and we have fun during the workshop, and shared contacts and social media, but mostly lost touch over time, because we all live in different countries. Is there any online place, where you end up meeting people in real life?

Sirius Glass · May 3, 2022

For a starter you could change you location at this website from USA to a city and state. If you are in a populous city the should be one of us near by.

DWThomas · May 3, 2022

Well the USA is a pretty big hunk of real estate, so where you are can likely make a significant difference. Living near the northeast corridor outside of Philadelphia, I have met a few APUG/Photrio members in person through notices that appeared on these forums about shows or meetings. In my case, it's not a high priority, so I've not done a lot of it. There was a handful of people who were occasionally meeting at a coffee shop to show what we were up to, and we also did a few photo walks. That was all pre-Covid.

There also seems to be some perversity in today's lifestyles that the more connectivity that's available, the less likely it is to get more than two people together at the same time and place! The board of a local art club I belong to is about 8 or 9 people and it seems to take about 40 emails over a ten day period to nail down a meeting. (Then on the meeting date, two don't show up!)

Anyway, in fairly dense population areas, checking local papers, art organizations, bulletin boards in libraries, museums, etc. may turn up notices of photography related events that might connect with other photographers. One could also enter shows or contests -- even some "art shows" accept photography. There are still occasional "photography centers" found in some cities that provide an opportunity for learning experience and exhibition. It takes some research. Community colleges or other university settings may have some possibilities also.

bdial · May 3, 2022

Camera clubs are common in many places. Photrio has a regional forums section, and folks occasionally self-organize meet-ups, https://www.photrio.com/forum/#photrio-regional-focus-groups.101
There are photographic galleries and non-profits that serve as meeting and gathering places. One I am particularly familiar with is Vermont Center for Photography (vcphoto.org), but there are several others around.

Two23 · May 3, 2022

Camera clubs--should be one in your area.

Kent in SD

Bob_Brooks · May 4, 2022

To be honest, other photographers will not ever purchase from you or support your work in this endeavor. I like to fly solo. I've been on those crap Facebook groups and Instagram and did more than my share of meetup. I've found that after loaning my equipment and giving giving instructions and advice, all I have come in contact with now thing they are pros and know it all. What I have learned in the last 5 years is that it is a toxic and fruitless to attend any such thing, I'm on here just for the entertainment value. Don't surround your self with ammeters, their learning curve is always on a downward trend.

MattKing · May 4, 2022

I am a member of two very different photography related small groups that are both supportive and inspirational. Our face to face get togethers have been severely affected by Covid 19, but outside of that I get a lot of benefit from both of them.
One is made up of people who get together because of a shared interest in Darkroom and alternative photography work. The other is made up of people who get together because of a shared interest in artistic growth in our photography. Both groups are involved in putting together public shows of a quite diverse range of photographs - all prints.
Many of us have had some experience with commercial and professional and institutional photography, but only two of us are currently working full time in the area (as teachers).
We are all amateurs, but some of us have a lot of varied and extensive experience.
And without question, the groups are more fun than almost all of the professional photographers I've ever worked with!
I have had good experiences as well in the camera club world - which my Darkroom group is partially associated with. Most of those experiences are good because they were good opportunities to interact with enthusiastic people who like photography. Photography can be an insular experience - it is good to be able to spend time with others who share some of your enjoyment.

CMoore · May 4, 2022

Youtube is FULL of photographers.
You may well find some in your locale......good luck

jnamia · May 4, 2022

Bob_Brooks said:
To be honest, other photographers will not ever purchase from you or support your work in this endeavor. I like to fly solo. I've been on those crap Facebook groups and Instagram and did more than my share of meetup. I've found that after loaning my equipment and giving giving instructions and advice, all I have come in contact with now thing they are pros and know it all. What I have learned in the last 5 years is that it is a toxic and fruitless to attend any such thing, I'm on here just for the entertainment value. Don't surround your self with ammeters, their learning curve is always on a downward trend.

did you offer to buy any of their work ?

Bob_Brooks · May 4, 2022

jnamia said:
did you offer to buy any of their work ?

Nope.

jnamia · May 4, 2022

Bob_Brooks said:
Nope.

thanks, why would someone go out of their way to buy your work if you didn't go out of your way and buy theirs ?

DonJ · May 4, 2022

Bob_Brooks said:
Don't surround your self with ammeters

I have no pressing need to measure electrical current, so I hadn't planned on doing that.

Peltigera · May 4, 2022

DonJ said:
I have no pressing need to measure electrical current, so I hadn't planned on doing that.

I was just about to post the exact same thing!

Peltigera · May 4, 2022

Bob_Brooks said:
To be honest, other photographers will not ever purchase from you or support your work in this endeavor. I like to fly solo. I've been on those crap Facebook groups and Instagram and did more than my share of meetup. I've found that after loaning my equipment and giving giving instructions and advice, all I have come in contact with now thing they are pros and know it all. What I have learned in the last 5 years is that it is a toxic and fruitless to attend any such thing, I'm on here just for the entertainment value. Don't surround your self with ammeters, their learning curve is always on a downward trend.

Were you wanting to share or did you want to tell? All amateurs know things you don't and I find listening pays dividends – the more you listen to others, the more others will listen to you.

Alan Edward Klein · May 4, 2022

I belong to the photo club where I live in a 55+ community. But because of Covid, I haven't done any group meets. Hopefully, that will change soon.

Before I retired, when I lived in Queens, NYC, I belonged to a photo club that met often. We would critique each other's work and have field trips. Unfortunately., I missed the time they set up for a model to come in to photograph. I heard it was highly attended.

jnamia · May 4, 2022

Alan Edward Klein said:
Unfortunately., I missed the time they set up for a model to come in to photograph. I heard it was highly attended.

Sounds like the scene from the movie The Brain That Wouldn't Die ...

MattKing · May 4, 2022

Alan Edward Klein said:
Unfortunately., I missed the time they set up for a model to come in to photograph. I heard it was highly attended.

Did the model look like this?:
(From a photo shoot organized by my Darkroom Group)

Alan Edward Klein · May 4, 2022

MattKing said:
Did the model look like this?:
(From a photo shoot organized by my Darkroom Group)

If we choose that model, no one would show up.

Sirius Glass · May 4, 2022

MattKing said:
Did the model look like this?:
(From a photo shoot organized by my Darkroom Group)

That model would require the photographer to make him look better than on life.

MattKing · May 4, 2022

Alan Edward Klein said:
If we choose that model, no one would show up.

Than you should look for a new group.
He is actually a great subject - relaxed in front of the camera and, if I do say so myself, his natural joy in life shines in the print.
And that isn't a costume - I photographed him at his farm.

Sirius Glass · May 4, 2022

MattKing said:
Than you should look for a new group.
He is actually a great subject - relaxed in front of the camera and, if I do say so myself, his natural joy in life shines in the print.
And that isn't a costume - I photographed him at his farm.

The model will not crack the lenses either.

jnamia · May 4, 2022

MattKing said:
Did the model look like this?:
(From a photo shoot organized by my Darkroom Group)

Really nice portrait Matt!

Making portraits of people isn't easy, especially if someone is billed to be a "natural" infront of the camera..

4season · May 4, 2022

hiroh said:
What are the best places (both online and offline) to meet other photographers, preferably locals. I found forums great places to learn things, but I never had a chance to meet anyone in person. I'm active on Reddit, but same thing, we all share and comment each others work, but I never met anyone. I heard there are some Facebook and Discord groups and communities, but I never been there, so is it worth? Before pandemic, I attended couple workshops, where I met some people and we have fun during the workshop, and shared contacts and social media, but mostly lost touch over time, because we all live in different countries. Is there any online place, where you end up meeting people in real life?

I've had some luck arranging lunch get-togethers lasting for a number of years, because everyone needs to eat sooner or later, but how many workshops can a person attend? This can work very nicely if your gang of regulars isn't too big - maybe 5-8. Beyond that, and you may struggle to converse with folks sitting at the other end of the table.

It may have started off as a photo-centric group, but soon morphed into more of a general social gathering, which was also okay by me as I only occasionally had some new toy to show off.

I had less luck arranging photo-walks, but that may have partly been due to the group being a bunch of enthusiastic eaters first and foremost, often trying some different place, though we had definite favorites too. My only regret is that I could never get the gang enthused over the prospect of a vegan lunch - this was definitely more of a steak frites / dumplings / eggs benedict bunch!

gone · May 4, 2022

Camera shops. I met someone the other day carrying a Leica M4, we got into a conversation, and they wanted to learn darkroom printing. Sold them an enlarger, trays, papers, everything they needed.

As for going out to shoot w/ someone, it's difficult to put together actually. There's camera clubs, but those are dedicated amateurs or newbies. A meetup at a coffee house or for lunch works better just to talk and stuff. At least you get some conversation and something to eat or drink. Two or more photographers going out to shoot together on the street would scare all the people off. It works much better going on a nature walk.

Sirius Glass · May 4, 2022

National Parks and National Monument photographic expeditions.

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