When I first began taking photography seriously, sometime around 2008-2009, I considered joining the Roswell Photographic Society (RPS) in Roswell, Georgia. For years I had noticed their galleries displayed at the Roswell Visual Arts Center and wanted to join, but the quality of images was well beyond my capabilities. I had mentioned to my wife a number of times, that I wanted to join, but I didn't feel I was ready! For Father's Day, my daughter Carrie gave me the $25 with a note that indicated it was for membership to the Roswell Photographic Society (RPS). With some trepidation, I joined! The rest as they say is history.
At my first meeting I sat in the corner of the last row, avoiding interaction with everyone. I was pleasantly surprised when a few of the photographers came over and introduced themselves. They could not have been more welcoming! One of them asked what kind of photography I did. I put my head down and and said sports, thinking it was the lowest form of photography given all the landscape, architecture and portraits hanging in the hallway outside the meeting room. I was shocked at the response, as they were impressed with the ability of sports photographers to capture fast moving objects, at key moments and often in bad lighting. Right away I realized I had a skill not everyone in the room had, with the exception of one gentleman who shot for NASCAR and Sports Illustrated in the past. He was equally welcoming and encouraging.
Over the next few years, I attended most of the monthly meetings, listening to speakers, attending photo walks and workshops and just being engrained in the club. I not only learned the technical aspects of photography, but a lot about composition, light and lighting for studio photography, post production editing, printing, I even took a matting and framing workshop.
Just about everyone at RPS was more than generous sharing their knowledge, including me in activities, and providing me opportunities to have my photos placed in galleries, I even won a few awards! I learned to much, that just a few years later, I started speaking at camera clubs all around Atlanta. I have spoken at the Roswell Photographic Society, Southeastern Photographic Society, Cherokee Camera Club, Paulding Photography Club, Sweetwater Camera Club, (what is now) the Booth Photography Guild and at a photography class at Roswell High School.
The bottom line is, if you want to improve your knowledge or photography join a camera club or at least attend a meeting a two and let me know what you think!
At my first meeting I sat in the corner of the last row, avoiding interaction with everyone. I was pleasantly surprised when a few of the photographers came over and introduced themselves. They could not have been more welcoming! One of them asked what kind of photography I did. I put my head down and and said sports, thinking it was the lowest form of photography given all the landscape, architecture and portraits hanging in the hallway outside the meeting room. I was shocked at the response, as they were impressed with the ability of sports photographers to capture fast moving objects, at key moments and often in bad lighting. Right away I realized I had a skill not everyone in the room had, with the exception of one gentleman who shot for NASCAR and Sports Illustrated in the past. He was equally welcoming and encouraging.
Over the next few years, I attended most of the monthly meetings, listening to speakers, attending photo walks and workshops and just being engrained in the club. I not only learned the technical aspects of photography, but a lot about composition, light and lighting for studio photography, post production editing, printing, I even took a matting and framing workshop.
Just about everyone at RPS was more than generous sharing their knowledge, including me in activities, and providing me opportunities to have my photos placed in galleries, I even won a few awards! I learned to much, that just a few years later, I started speaking at camera clubs all around Atlanta. I have spoken at the Roswell Photographic Society, Southeastern Photographic Society, Cherokee Camera Club, Paulding Photography Club, Sweetwater Camera Club, (what is now) the Booth Photography Guild and at a photography class at Roswell High School.
The bottom line is, if you want to improve your knowledge or photography join a camera club or at least attend a meeting a two and let me know what you think!
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