Starting a School Photography Club

[AlexColeman]

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Organize it as a critique group, and have themed assignments each week or however often you plan on meeting.

 

[icassell]

Alex is this for H.S. or college (I note you're in Mesa)? If it is a college group, you might consider joining forces with the already-organized AZ Shutterbugs which is based in the East-Valley.

I would suggest having a photo competition at the opening of each meeting.

Ian

 

[AlexColeman]

HS. RMHS to be exact, they postponed the move to digital, so I am looking to start a club.

 

[Overread]

they are still holding out with film only?

hmm a few things that come to my mind:

1) critique groups, competition groups etc.... all good ideas, but I think they are thinking a bit too open for a school/college group. I think you are going to have to run at least once if not more to get an idea and a feel for what sort of people turn up, what kit they have and what interest level they have. No point in starting up a critique based group if you only get happy snappers.

2) On that note since its at highschool also expect DSLRs to be a minority in the group - its not bad, but its something that you have to bare in mind when organising events.

3) If your highschool has a photography department does it have a darkroom and can you get access to it for your club members - whilst you say there is a film based group locally its still a facility/feature of your group and film is still very valid

4) Have you any idea of numbers of people interested and numbers you are likly to get - ok its a tricky question along with the sort of people you might get, but planning ahead is important - it lets you work out what can work well in early meetings - and early meetings need to run well. Once everyone is friends and such and you have run a good few times things get easier - more relaxed - but in the early days you need a good plan.

5) a competition could be a good starting way in - a prize could be worth considering if you can lay your hands on something but its not essential.

6) fees - are you running a fee based group or a free entry group - its an important question a fee based one might have a small budget for prizes (or you could have small fee competitions - a few £/$ is all I am thinking here).

7) does your HS have access to things like a digital projection room - that could be a great place to hold meetings since it would allow display of others digital work - an early meeting could have a short part with a speaker giving advice on preparing images for a digital projector (bribe a teacher into it or do some latenight reading)

Good luck with the club!!

 

[AlexColeman]

Thanks overread, always value your input.

 

[AlexColeman]

Any other Tips?

 

[Overread]

I think if you need more advice you need to put up some more input for us to work with:

facilities, do you need teacher supervision/support, how many likley to show interest, level of competance, level of enthusiasm.
Also what are your objectives for the club save from getting photographers together?

 

[AlexColeman]

Probably a pretty large computer lab, and empty room.
My mom, a cert. teacher, is supervising, but I am running it.
I would say 10-20
All levels
Pretty enthusiastic.
I am looking for a way to do photography and interact w/o participating in the sub par art program.