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| I uploaded this to the meetup group website. |
I tried to join a photography meetup group. Last sunday, the 17th of November, they meet for a hike in mission trails off of the Clairemont mesa blvd 15 exit. Its probably the hike that sold me.
But it was wierd and I felt uncomfortable and left early whatever that means. It was really hard to say when it was over because it started to linger like whoa. It turns out that photography nerds are a recluse uncomfortable bunch.
Click here to see a few more photos.
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| I basically laid on the ground to take this photo |
So I get there and everyone had just a TON of equipment. As someone that likes to take rigorous hikes, I just didn't think all that equipment was necessary. Don't get me wrong, these people had top o' the line gear. Just, how many tripods do you need? They also had the biggest, heaviest, pro gear they could have.
And thats cool....
But here is the thing, I felt like they were sizing me up by my sparse gear. I had my single lens attached to my single camera body without so much as a camera bag. I had a secret SD card stashed in my pocket just in case the party got crazy, but you can't argue that I didn't bare bones'd it.
I didn't make any new friends.
And It wasn't so much of a hike if you know what I mean. We walked a paved path for 20 minutes and then stopped to take photos. Then I felt like I couldn't really get anyone to talk to me so I went home.
Several things turned me off to the group. No one was curious about each other, not really open to starting a conversation with someone new. Also, no one took pictures on the hike up there. Then, when we got to spot, it felt like everyone only took pictures of the one thing... the setting sun. See, that wasn't the highlight for me. I thought the clouds and the beautiful rocks and mountains were the highlight.
There was SO much equipment on this hike that it felt like a product showcase. People had filters, bags, tripods and tripod bags and bags to hold their filters, bags, and tripods. It makes me think that I might have stopped myself short on my path down gear acquisition syndrome.
and I don't think it was age-ism either. Sure, I was the youngest person there by a generation, but I have been taking photos for just as long and knew all the lingo and conventions if not more. I can throw my money at hobbies just like any baby boomer retiree.
Then I thought about why photographers might want to get together in the first place. It certainly wasn't to talk, there wasn't a lot of chit chat or camaraderie here. It was a gear fashion show. People buy gear and their pictures improved by iotas at a time. Then, after a while, they wanted to hang out with other gear-heads just to justify their choices.
Were better photos taken? I'm not convinced.
