Groups
Many times as a photographer, it’s easy to fall into your own pattern of working. Lighting setups, posing, props, and subject matter can all become stale if they are repeated without variation. As photographers we need to find that balance of exploring and utilizing what we know and where our strengths lie and the opposing force of cannibalizing and rehashing what’s worked in the past.
For me, and for many other photographers, the answer to that comes from photography groups. Whether live and in-person, or virtual and online, photography groups give us the exposure to other shooters, and with it the exposure to other experiences, aesthetics, techniques, and concepts.
Some groups I’ve been involved in include:
- The Tucson Photography Meetup
I helped found this group a year or so ago. It’s a great bunch of local photographers, mostly amateur and semi-pro, with an ever-changing roster, and a wonderful core group. Though I’ve stepped down as group leader, and have had to scale back my involvement, the group has continued strongly. Monthly meetings consist of photo challenges, short seminars, networking opportunities, news and kudos, and more. If you’re in Tucson and enjoy photography, this is a good option for you. - Flickr Groups
There are groups on Flickr for virtually any photographic interest. I’m currently involved with the Strobist Flickr group, a Lightsource Flickr group, and two food photography Flickr groups (though I’ve never actually done any formal food photography). The great thing about Flickr is the variety of groups available to join. If you’re into macro insect photography, fashion photography, automotive, sports, Lomo, or practically any other area of specialty, you’ll find a group or two to join. - iStockphoto
Though iStock doesn’t technically have groups to join, there are several opportunities within the realm of iStockery to experience the benefits of groups. There are monthly photo challenges, there are informal challenges among Creative Network members, and most importantly, there are iStockalypses and minilypses. These get-togethers usually happen over a weekend, and within a calendar year the odds are good of there being one within striking distance of your home. This year, for instance, I went to a minilypse in southern Utah, and there’ll be another one in Bullhead City, AZ later in the year. The minilypses are awesome for meeting other iStockers (as well as the odd inspector or admin), for sharing ideas, for working together with other photographers for problem solving, and more. - Informal Group Shoots
From time to time, I’ll set up a stock photography shoot, and invite some other photographer friends to join me. We can split the costs associated with the shoot, we can assist each other (it’s always nice to have a “voice-activated reflector stand”) and we can help each other think of ways to use lights, to pose subjects, and more.
Many photographers find working with a group to be uncomfortable, limiting, or distracting, but if you view groups as a way to cross-pollinate ideas and to learn and share, they can represent a great opportunity to grow as a photographer.