Anyone here a member of the LMRA Camera Club?

[evil4blue]

I was thinking about going to the meeting tomorrow, but I wanted some opinions about its worth?

I've talked to a couple members and they seem more gung-hoe about their competitions rather than learning technique and critique.

I think I'm going to go to the Fort Worth Camera Club meeting next week to contrast and compare.

[dab94]

Got a link? Or at least a definition for "LMRA" ?
:oops: Sorry, if that's a dumb question.

[evil4blue]

LMRA - Lockheed Martin Recreation Association


Kinda crappy website, but:
http://www.lmra.org/camera.html

I guess they have about 60 members and you don't have to work for Lockheed, but you get a discount if you do.

The one cool thing is that they have a communal Dark Room and Studio any of the members can use.

[dab94]

Not one I'd even heard of.
I think you'll find that lots of the camera clubs will be pretty gung ho about their competitions. Or at least that's my impression anyway.

If you go, be sure to give us a full report! :D

[evil4blue]

Well, I'm definately going, since a guy that my wife works with is a pretty active member and has been trying to get me to join for a while now. I promised him yesterday that I would go this week to check it out, and he seemed pretty happy about it. I had been busy with Grad school, but finally graduated last May, so I lost my excuse from not going to the meetings.

I just get a weird feeling about this club, deep down I think the only reason this guy wants me in the club is to kick my butt in these competitions.

They have some weird rules too, you HAVE to print your own prints, you can't get them professionally printed (This includes places like Wal-mart, Wolf, or Costco), but there is no limitation on Photoshop editing. So I can completely doctor a photo and that's okay, but if I don't print it on my crappy inkjet, I'm disqualified? Oh well, I promised myself to hold judgement until after I attend.

[dab94]

Strange indeed.......please come back and give us your impressions after the meeting!

[dbphotos]

I'd be interested in knowing how it goes as well. I'm a little concerned about the $60... is that just to attend the meeting or is that to join for the year?

[evil4blue]

Okay, here;s the lowdown...or at least what I know. $60 pays for the yearly membership (fortunately, I guess, fir me I only pay $20). That fee pays for any lectures and meetings; it also gives you access to the competitions and their studio. You pay extra for the use of the Dark Room, but that's to pay for chemicals.

The class fee is for the extra classes taught throughout the year. I believe they offer a few beginners classes, that sort of thing. Hope this helps.

[jerrykr]

I attended one meeting a year or two ago. The competition that evening was kind of interesting. Most everyone there was shooting film, and submissions had to be on 35mm color slides.

I didn't go back as I was not interested in dealing with film any more, plus I'm not generally the club meeting type.

I have since heard that things have changed, and a lot of the members have gone digital. This info is second hand, but from a good source.

-=- Jerry -=-
/*

[evil4blue]

Originally Posted by jerrykr

I attended one meeting a year or two ago. The competition that evening was kind of interesting. Most everyone there was shooting film, and submissions had to be on 35mm color slides.

I didn't go back as I was not interested in dealing with film any more, plus I'm not generally the club meeting type.

I have since heard that things have changed, and a lot of the members have gone digital. This info is second hand, but from a good source.

-=- Jerry -=-
/*

Well, I'm going tonight, and I'll let everyone know about my experience. I know one guy who attends regularly and he only shoot digital. They do still have film/slide competitions but everyother month they have a digital print competition.

[Detonate]

It sounds worth the fee just for the use of the equipment, reguardless of the meetings/contests....

My uncle is some big wig executive at Lockheed for over 30 years. I wonder if I'd get a discount. :P

[Jim Victory]

I don't do clubs and I don't find anything redeeming in them. Information gained by photographic forums are much more informative and it doesn't cost you a dime.

The social interaction with other photographers is the only element that is of worth and most of the time it involves a pissing contest rather than expressing your own thoughts and work.

What I propose is we create a forum club of local photogs. We can set a meeting each month in the field to get together and photograph whatever subject we choose. Then we can post our examples in the appropriate forum for discussion and constructive critique. This will not be a contest but an avenue to improve your skills and technique.

PM me if your interested and if the response is sufficient I will set up a post to address this after discussing the particulars with Abel.

[Abel]

its actually a very good idea jim... i know a member here on the forum was gona get something together very similar to what youre describing but for the Houston area... never really materialized though.

id be all for it...

[evil4blue]

Originally Posted by Detonate

It sounds worth the fee just for the use of the equipment, reguardless of the meetings/contests....

My uncle is some big wig executive at Lockheed for over 30 years. I wonder if I'd get a discount. :P

I believe that family members do get discounts. Talk to your uncle, he should know more.

[evil4blue]

Jim,

I tried to PM you, but don't know if it worked. Anyway, count me interested.