I was in a camera club for a few years a while back. It was anything but the camera geeks. Sure, there were a couple, but most of the club was organized around shooting, competitions, and critiique and presentations. One a month we would have technical presentation which usually centered on camera technique, and very little on camera technical details.
We would have things like scavanger hunts, where you would need to collect 24 separate things on one roll of 24 exposure film. You turn in the film, they process it, then we project them for a judged competition. There was the monthly competiton where there were three categories that you could enter slides in . Nature, Open, and the assigned monthly project. We would enter our winners in regional competitions, and those winners went national. We also entered international salons. I was lucky to get national a couple times, and one international. It was a lot of fun, and really challenged your creativity and technical skills. But you grew as a photographer real fast.
I though about re-joining the club again, but found that its changed drasticly. Its mostly retirees, and there are few advanced photographers. Mostly novice and some stragglers. Its unfortunate, because it was a great place to share your photos, much like we do here in our galleries.
I guess my point is that its worth a visit to see what your local clubs are all about. They may be all geeks, but then again....
