Photography as a Great Way to Meet Others?
Friday, June 13, 2008 @ 17:48
It's been said that photography is a great way to make friends, but is this true?
Actually it is. Photographers, whether they are amateurs, hobbyists or even professionals love to talk "shop" and show off their work. If you like taking pictures, no matter what your level of skill or expertise, join a photography club. If you do, you'll never lack for companionship again, because you'll be surrounded by people who share your interest in cameras and picture taking. This is especially true if you are relatively new to picture taking, as you will also have the added advantage of having all these new people to learn from. Photographers are generally a friendly crowd and they don't mind sharing their knowledge and expertise with anyone willing to listen and learn. By keeping your eyes and ears open, you'll fast-track your learning and pick up more tips and pointers than you could get in a library full of photography books.
Another way to meet new people is by participating in the social activities that most photo clubs sponsor. Take advantage of these opportunities by going to the meetings and other get-togethers. You will meet other like-minded people, some of them on your level and many others involved in the hobby far longer than you and you will be able to make arrangements to go out on shoots together. Maybe there's a street fair going on that weekend and a group of you will want to go out and take some photos. These get-togethers provide a great opportunity not just to learn, but also to share experiences with others. You pass a bit of your knowledge onto them and they share tips with you. It's a win-win situation all around.
Photography clubs will very often arrange trips, which will be led by the more experienced members in the group. Imagine a Caribbean cruise with several nature photographers along who can help participants get great shots in a variety of settings. These types of get-togethers are not only educational, but they can be a lot of fun too.
So, don't hide yourself away with your cameras. Get out and meet other photographers and share the fun that makes photography a great all-around hobby for people of all ages and backgrounds.
