Is APUG alive in the Bay Area?

[AeroDan]

Hi Mark,

I moved from Connecticut to the Bay Area many years ago - my dated impression is that there is, indeed, a traditional photo scene here. I'll second vdonovan's recommendation for getting involved at Rayko. They have a great setup and are very approachable for lessons, shows, whatever... in terms of "meet ups" and general groups, I know what you mean about New England. People come together and are usually very active and loyal in social clubs... my experience (just one person's opinion) is that the flavor out here is very different. More transient, less committed to groups and focus is on the individual. It was a change of personality coming here ... hard to explain, but I will say that the high cost of living affects how many approach art. It's rather gear-centric, being a tech hub. The galleries here are incredibly aggressive in booking known talent, and those that aren't don't often survive. Rent is high. A wonderful place that fits the aggressive (yet high quality) category is modernbook in San Francisco. Check them out for sure.

Also, you should get to know Alan Bamberger at artbusiness.com - he covers all, and I mean all, of the local shows and openings. He has a great Facebook page as well.

In summary, I find it rather lonely here in terms of really connecting with others of similar styles and likes. However, that's a total generalization and a lot depends on your time and effort. APUG does not appear active here, and there aren't any traditional photo get togethers on meetup dot com either.

Good luck, and when you do arrive, try to remain positive about YOUR art... and go to Los Angeles often. I've found a scene down there happening, at least for showing work.

Best,
AD

 

[rorye]

AD, thanks for the modernbook suggestion. There's lots of great work to see at 49 Geary but I didn't know about that one.

 

[Zathras]

I should clarify, I'll come but only if its not an equipment circle jerk.

In other words, no RFF Gasbags?

 

[macandal]

In other words, no RFF Gasbags?

RFF?

 

[Zathras]

RFF?

rangefinderforumdotcom. A bunch of wankers that get together for "Beer & Gear" meetings, ie: an equipment circle jerk.

 

[macandal]

rangefinderforumdotcom. A bunch of wankers that get together for "Beer & Gear" meetings, ie: an equipment circle jerk.

Got it.

You mean I won't be able to show you guys that my 4x5 is bigger than all of yours?



Wow, didn't expect to have this many people interested in it. I guess I better start planning this thing.

And, no, I wouldn't want it to be a gearhead-type meeting. I was thinking more along the lines of learning more about photography. Particularly, learning more about 4x5, my main interest. Thanks all. Good to see that there is an interest for a group in San Francisco.

 

[BradS]

I'd be happy to simply meet for a coffee or some beers....no talk of gear or technique...maybe some discussion of places, trails and the like.

There is, in fact, a meetup group in the bay area. they're focused on Large Format outings. I can never remember the url though.

 

[karl]

http://www.meetup.com/SFBayAreaLFers

Come on out and join us one of these days. We do spend time talking about gear, in addition to shooting. We try to meet once a month, but that doesn't always happen.

 

[ac12]

I'm in San Mateo, mid SF peninsula.
I have been trying to restart myself in film for a while. I rebuilt my camera kits; 35mm, MF (6x6) and LF (4x5). I just need to get my butt out of the house and shoot. I'm also trying to build a darkroom, so I can print again. I got a 4x5 enlarger off CraigsList, I just need the darkroom so I can set it up.

A group shoot/get together would be nice to help move me along.

Can a complete LF novice join the LF group?
I need all the help I can get.

 

[tnabbott]

I am in San Francisco. I have moved from digital to film in 2008/2009. I shoot primarily 6x7, but occasionally 4x5. Recently, I attended a lighting workshop at the Candy Factory in Fremont - I was the only film shooter there. It was a great event and I learned a lot about lighting. Below is one of the shots I got on my trusty Pentax 645 with 67 165 lens via Pentax adapter. Incidentally, I developed it at home too, so I kept the entire process in my hands.

 

[Fast14riot]

I miss living in The City (and bay in general). Even though I'm born and raised out here in the Valley I do love SF.

If there are any of you who make it through Stockton or are close by, I would love to meet up for a walk and shoot or bike and shoot. I live right on the historic Miracle Mile, just one block from Gluskin's Camera. I shoot 35mm RF and SLR, but am looking to get into LF and developing at home.

Anyways, I just want someone to shoot with. My wife doesn't share the same passion for photography that I do.


-Xander

 

[angusparkengusparker]

Having an LF meetup in SF on Jan 21, 2015 if anyone is interested. Details here: http://meetu.ps/2FgZd8


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[Arklatexian]

There was a time when people met and shared ideas about photography here. We called it a camera club. There is still one here but it is all digital now. Now might be a good time to bring them back as there seems to be a need, and not just in the Bay Area.

 

[Michael P.]

Hello. Any film shooters in the Bay Area interested in a meet up in real life?

 

[macandal]

Hello. Any film shooters in the Bay Area interested in a meet up in real life?

Always interested in meeting photographers.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Me too

 

[Tom Taylor]

Me three.

Thomas

 

[rorye]

I missed the last meet up at the last moment, would love to try again.

 

[Tom Taylor]

Deader than a door nail in a Bodie outhouse.

Thomas

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

So let's do something. I live in Albany, work downtown Oakland but travel all around the bay most weeks. Start with a beer and chat?

 

[Tom Taylor]

So let's do something. I live in Albany, work downtown Oakland but travel all around the bay most weeks. Start with a beer and chat?

Sounds good to me Let's pick a date, time and place for either this coming week or the next. I'm pretty much open.

Thomas

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Sounds good to me Let's pick a date, time and place for either this coming week or the next. I'm pretty much open.

Thomas

Cool, my schedule next week has me in Oakland on Monday, Walnut Creek on Tuesday, San Jose near Blossom Hill Road on Weds, and then Oakland Thursday and Friday. Week after that I'm in LA Tues and Weds but Oakland M-TH-F. Best for me would be late afternoon say, 5 or 5:30 for an hour or so beer or coffee. Where is everyone else around the bay?

 

[Tom Taylor]

I like Oakland on Thursday or Friday but am open to the other dates and locations. I posted a link to this thread on the LF forum so maybe others will chime in here.

Thomas

 

[Tom Taylor]

Just a thought:

There will be a full lunar eclipse visible on the west coast beginning ~ 6:40PM pacific tomorrow. I'm planning to photograph it in B&W with a 400mm P67II. If you would like to meet-up for this event, reply here and send me a PM for location which will be chosen depending on the fog conditions at that time. I will have my 16x70 Fujinon binoculars mounted on a parallelogram mount for viewing along with a 10x50 pair.

https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/details.cgi?aid=4340

Thomas

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Just a thought:

There will be a full lunar eclipse visible on the west coast beginning ~ 6:40PM pacific tomorrow. I'm planning to photograph it in B&W with a 400mm P67II. If you would like to meet-up for this event, reply here and send me a PM for location which will be chosen depending on the fog conditions at that time. I will have my 16x70 Fujinon binoculars mounted on a parallelogram mount for viewing along with a 10x50 pair.

https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/details.cgi?aid=4340

Thomas

I can't do tonight. It's mid-autumn festival with my wife, family and her parents. We'll be watching for the moon from our rooftop though at around 7:30pm or so. Good luck on your shoot.