Englewood Camera Club...

toro_mike

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So that (there was a url link here which no longer exists)about photography clubs being deaf, dumb and blind to analog photography got me thinking about my local club, which I've never been to - the Englewood Camera Club. It appears, at least according to their website, as if they are not deaf, dumb and blind to analog photography at all, but again, I have never gone. So, their monthly meeting is tomorrow night and I am seriously thinking of going over to check them out. As all of my friends are digital nuts and don't understand what all those red lights in the basement are for, I think I need some new friends!

If anybody here are members and will be there tomorrow night, I'll be the lost soul . Otherwise, I'll report back on how it goes.

Mike
 
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toro_mike

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Well, I went last night. They are a great group of people, though, of course, they are 100% digital. I am apparently now known as "the black and white guy." I didn't enter anything into their competition nor bring any samples, but I may next month. I was thinking something to blow their minds - the theme is night shots - so maybe some Delta 3200 processed and enlarged to bring out the grain big time. A night shot really would lend itself to this. That might be fun. I'm really not sure how they would react. I have a month to think about it

One BIG plus, I walked out with a box of darkroom gear one of the guys was getting rid of (an old Pyro guy). Mostly easles, developing canisters (another AGFA tank!), slide components, graduated beakers, tongs, etc. He said I probably owe him something for all that, but then said JUST TAKE IT. So, that's great! I can always use more darkroom stuff! That in itself is enough reason to join for at least a year, and then decide from there.
 
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toro_mike

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So, where is everybody?

Okay, I can't be the only one down here doing analog? So, where is everybody? Are you guys in the Denver Photographic Society? Or not in any? Or not in the southern suburbs? Or already turned off by the club(s)?

Just looking to see why we are so inactive as a group. Well, there was some activity before I came about, so maybe it just didn't work.

Thanks!
Mike
 

mathomas

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Hi,

Another Mike here. Hey, you never know, I might show up at a club meeting sometime. I'm not much of a club guy, but I realize that going to club meetings and doing projects does help to keep one's photo juices flowing. I've been shooting (& dev/scanning) film a lot lately (started photography in the 70's), so you wouldn't be a complete loner . On the other hand, I shoot quite a bit of digital too.

Maybe we can get together to shoot sometime, if you like. I shoot in downtown Littleton quite a bit. What are your fave spots?

later...
 

Nikkorray

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Hi Mike,

Well... I'm up in Thornton so Englewood is a bit far for me. I do have a darkroom that I haven't touched in a while but looking forward to getting back into it again. I don't know if I have time for group meetings since my schedule has been wacky lately. I would like to attend a club meeting one of these days but I probably won't make it until the fall season.

Ray

PS - Every month, Illuminate Workshops holds a night photowalk that's really. You may want to look into that if you like night shooting.
 
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toro_mike

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Hi Mike. Good to hear of another shooter down here. I was never a club person either, but have decided to give it a chance. We'll see how I feel in a year after hanging out with all digital shooters. The goal, I guess, is to get photography more in my rediculously busy life and break out of this slump I'm in.

Definitely PM me as it would be great to get out with a like-minded person. I've not been out much lately, but the industrial parts of Englewood have been my haunts.

Mike
 
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toro_mike

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Yeah, that would be quite a haul! The Broomfield Photo Club or Denver Photographic Society would make much more sense for you than the club down here, but at least at Englewood there is definitely one analog shooter.

I have heard of the night photowalk. I may try to get up there one of these days.
 

mrwestphal

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Hey Mike,
There are still some of us (ugh) film people out there as I am called by some of my (ICKY) digi friends.Yes I do own a digital camera but will never admit it and you can't prove anything!
I have often thought about joining the clubs but have such a busy life as it is, one more thing could only complicate things plus I live in Aurora so your club would be a little out of my way.
yea the get-to-gethers are hit or miss. I was part of the last one and there were only 5 of us. don't get me wrong, I met some great people but did hope for a bigger turn out.
Who knows,,,,, maybe I will show up with a great big 8X10 positive sheet of film and freak all them digi's in the club out!

have fun shootin'!
 
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toro_mike

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Hello Douglas,
Yeah, we do all lead really busy lives these days. That's the major reason I am getting out and hanging with the ECC crew. It's only once a month with sporadic shooting outtings here and there.

They are digital, true, but the vast majority are retirement age and many shot film in the past, hence my obtaining a box of darkroom gear. We'll see how they handle my first submission to their competition next month. I am still stuck between two schools of thought here: 1. emphasize the grain big time and make it obvious who shot it (and hope they can appreciate good grain) or 2. make it hard for them to recognize my film print with the finest grain possible (maybe shoot 4x5).

We'll see, I'll update this thread with what I come up with.

Mike
 

markrewald

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Mark - From Aurora - I haven't been to an Englwood meeting in probably 5 or 6 years. Sorry to hear they are a primary digital group now. Let me know when you guys get out to do some shooting I would love to do some work in downtown Littleton. Getting bored of downtown Denver anyway. =)
 
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toro_mike

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Indeed. Such a shame, but I'll show my stuff and see. That's all I can do as a film shooter.

We'll let you know. We need to firm up something anyway... Perhaps I'll create a new thread in this Denver Forum and see who else we can shake out.
 
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toro_mike

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I'm going to start a new thread on this - I'll call it the Littleton Shoot to see if we can't garner up a bit more interest.
 
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toro_mike

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toro_mike said:
Indeed. Such a shame, but I'll show my stuff and see. That's all I can do as a film shooter...
Click to expand...

Just a quick (oh, maybe not!!) update regarding the ECC - I will not be renewing my membership. They have gone 100% digital, which I knew going into it, however, they are not remotely open (or friendly) to me being a film shooter.

This is my opinion only and I don't intend to badmouth this group. As a fan of analog, I'm sharing my observations with you all. Since this shows up on the first page of Google, I figured I'd better state that fact. If you are 100% digital and are a big fan of computer manipulation, you will get a lot more out of this group than I did (for the record, I am very experience in Photoshop and digital graphics design - it's a big part of my career).

* On day 1, new members were asked to introduce themselves. I became an instant outcast by stating I was a primarily B&W film shooter with a wet darkroom. Folks actually avoided talking to me... and, as those on here who know me can attest (I would hope), I am a very friendly and open person. I did not present myself as a film snob at all - I'm not, in fact, I do both film and digital and I stated this fact.

* A month didn't seem to go by when somebody wasn't complaining about how horrid it was during the film era. The key message - digital is the best thing ever to happen to photography. Yes, film is "harder" I guess, but it is not horrid.

* They won't bring in pros anymore to give talks/slideshows/presentations, but will instead focus on providing digital seminars (primarily Photoshop, Lightroom, and Silver Efex - or whatever software program or plug-in is hot that week).

* Finally, the format of the competitions. It is a silent affair, where the judge speaks only and after judging, most folks grab their stuff and leave. There is very, very little discussion on the good and bad points of the photographs and therefore, very little growth for me as a photographer, which was my primary goal.

Overall, it wasn't a wasted membership. I did come out with a heap of darkroom gear (for free) on two separate occasions. However, I came out very depressed that I couldn't find any kinship in a hobby that I love with this group. Be it digital or analog, there is still a lot of common ground. There may have been other factors at work, but I definitely did not feel welcomed nor did I gain anything photographically or personally.

Mike
 

mathomas

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Very odd that a photography/camera club would care what technology you use to produce a photograph. I'm not even sure what "gone 100% digital" could mean. You guys show up with prints, right? Not CD-ROMs or CF cards. Very, very odd. I'll vouch for your friendliness, so it can't be that.

My only theory as to your being "shunned" is that many in the club probably started photography after the digital revolution. Perhaps film makes members feel a bit uneasy because they perceive it as something on which they can't hold up their end of the conversation. And, whether you're friendly or not, maybe they expect you to think you're a little "above" them, and that makes them uneasy. Heck, they might feel the same if I showed up with my M8 and a prime lens, rather than a DSLR+zoom. At the other end of the scale, I wonder how they treat people that show up with a 6mp Canon Elph?

OK, enough pop psychology. I guess they should change their name to the EDCC.

Their loss.
 
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toro_mike

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I agree with you Mike. They do have a digital entry class, which are emailed and projected, but the other two judging classes are color print and monochrome print.

I'm not sure what their reason is... the club has been around for over 50 years, and most (99% of the club are near retirement age or beyone) have been around during the 100% analog era. So, many were film photogs (I mean, artists!) in their past. It seems to be more of a digital snobbery, where they think using FILM is a step back, and THEY are superior. That is my impression anyway.
 
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toro_mike

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mathomas said:
Just struck me: Of course, if we wanted to have real fun, several of us could show up to a meeting with film cameras. Then you wouldn't be outnumbered .
Click to expand...

That'd be a hoot. Though I doubt it'd make much of an impression.

Mike
 

mathomas

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toro_mike said:
...


It seems to be more of a digital snobbery, where they think using FILM is a step back, and THEY are superior. That is my impression anyway.
Click to expand...

They must have shot 35mm back in the day, then, and must be shooting full-frame 35mm diagonal sensors today. I would say that good quality digital has at least "equalled" 35mm film (by some definitions of "equal"), but MF film is still better than sub-full-frame digital, I believe. And all of the "cool features" of today's camera probably have won them over (and I'm actually interested in, and use, those features myself -- I just don't feel like I require them to get photos taken).

I'm curious -- did they actually announce that only digital submissions would be welcome? Or is it more that the cool reception just kept getting cooler, and you could tell you'd never feel welcome?
 
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toro_mike

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Yes, in my opinion, it is definitely the techno-craze that has taken hold. It's always about that new software/camera and it's whiz-bang features.

I'm curious -- did they actually announce that only digital submissions would be welcome?
Click to expand...


No, they did not, in any way, state that only digital entries were acceptable. They accept both digital and analog (I mean, how could they really tell??). They have three basic classes for judging - Color Print, Monochrome Print and Digital Projected. So, I could have scanned my negatives and entered into Digital Projected if I had wanted.

Or is it more that the cool reception just kept getting cooler, and you could tell you'd never feel welcome?
Click to expand...

Yup, that about sums it up.

Mike
 

mrwestphal

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This is to bad that both of you feel this way, that is, shame on the ECC! I guess they have forgotten that (in my mind) photography is the capture of an image for historical purpose or what not no matter what the media used was??
Am I wrong in my thinking??
How are both of you guys? sorry I have been so damn busy, I have really missed going out shooting!
 
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toro_mike

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I agree completely Doug. I'm rather bummed about the whole situation (other than the darkroom gear). I was looking for camaraderie/friendship in photography, but instead found people who had issues with my methods. There may have been more, or less to it, but that's it in a nutshell.

However, the benefit of this has been that I found you guys and have enjoyed our outings thoroughly. So, it worked out in the end.

I know how you feel. I've been really busy as well, which is good - job security, I guess :confused:

Hopefully February will work better for you... We'll get you out sooner or later!

Mike
 

mathomas

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I'm good. I'm not a club guy, so it doesn't bum me out much really. To each their own. It's just too bad if the club has created an atmosphere where the equipment is more important than the resulting imagery, and folks that are interested in giving the club experience a run (like Mike) are given the cold shoulder.

Looks like Mike may have created a thread for the next APUG Denver shoot. Hopefully you can make it. Am going to check it out now...
 
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