Something for you all to consider!

[otooleg]

Guys several of the club members were talking following on from the Macro presentation and the still life practical night yesterday! I feel that when we do a presentation - such as the studio night or indeed the macro night, then the following week should be a practical "hands on" night. This would allow us all to look at how members use their equipment and would allow skills transfer between the more experienced members of the club. It allows questions to be asked with practical demonstration of what was experienced the week before?

All attendees from last night were full of praise of actually using the camera, which is after all what a club should be about.

I still feel we have too much emphasis on competitions and not actually learning from each other. I accept the need for competitions but one night a month maximum should be given over to competitions whether inter club or internal. This must be a democratic decision made over by the majority of the membership and I suggest be an agenda issue at the next AGM. We are moving forward but I would like the pace increased.

What do you think?

Regards

George

[Steve]

Hi Folks - Steve here!

George's ideas for "practical" nights following on from "demonstration" nights is a good one. I know that we have in the past lost members or potential members because there wasn't enough "using the camera" time on the syllabus. To be fair, that was when we were in the transitional stage between the club we used to be, with 7 or 8 members of similar interests and abilities, and the club we are now - many more members, with a wide range of skills and interests.
If we are to develop (sorry!) as a club and keep our members we must listen to them. I certainly picked up on Wednesday that what people want is to take pictures, and I'm already working on a follow up to Wednesday's session that will hopefully build on the skills that folk picked up then (if you want me to do that of course!). There was certainly a good deal of what George calls "skills transfer" going on - Grant for one told me that he learned a lot and was able to pass on some of his knowledge. Importantly, he also enjoyed the evening.
The Club Constitution says that the aims of the club are to further the knowledge and skills of members and to share the appreciation of photography, so we must strike a balance between these two stated aims.
With the number of members we now have (26 paid up and 2 potential "newbies" on Wednesday) the syllabus is going to have to cater for a wider range of needs, wants and abilities. I think we've got to be careful about the pace of change though.
Competitions? I'm not getting drawn into that discussion again - my views are well known!
The AGM could be a bit lively!

[Stuart R]

Hi

Good on you both - I could not have put it clearer myself!

Wednesday was a great night and that is the way it should. My only moan was I got the email about "practical night" too late otherwise I would have brought my gear.

Bring on the AGM

Cheers

Stuart

[Dougie]

The more practical the better. Swapping notes and advice to each other on improving user techniques and knowledge. Using your camera to it's maximum. 

[Linda]

I missed the practical night - and I missed having the experience - so more nights with a focus on the practical and how to use our cameras would be great, in my opinion.