Page 8 - Cape-Camera-Jan-Feb-2023

January 2023 Cape Camera

• Establish an art photography group. Possibly have a meet- • Training sessions on post processing for lightroom and Pho-
ing 3 to 4 times a year where members bring their art pho- toshop, etc.
tography and discuss how the end product was achieved. • A speaker can be invited to teach what he told us at work-
• To go back to providing workshops and perhaps groups of shops (practical).
members interested in specific genres of photography. • Self-education is important but learning in groups is far
Members helping more effective and builds relationships so working in groups
is important.
• Contribute to the running of the club by joining council or • Create a knowledge base of members’ knowledge and pho-
doing some functions for council. tography know-how (most stays in people’s head and not
• Members must stop relying on council to do “everything”. shared).
• Have more people on the committee to help and spread the • Stop expecting others to be responsible for your photo-
workload on CTPS guys at the top. graphic experience and learning.
• Get IT experts to step up and assist in the running of club • More hands-on workshops
competitions and website, etc. • Stop expecting someone else to do and improve – start with
• Involve members more in the Society’s activities. yourself.
• Get new blood on Council and get more members to be in- • Have more “learning” evenings, to “educate” us on a variety
volved – even if they only help occasionally on certain “pro- of subjects.
jects”. • More live tutorials, especially focus stacking, night photog-
• More involvement by general members in the activities of raphy, etc. I really enjoyed Kim’s tutorial on post processing
the Society e.g. Outings, exhibitions, ideas for speakers, pro- of Mike’s “Knysna Bridge” image; more of this type of discus-
viding Cape Camera articles, etc. sion (Include gear advice and, when possible ORMS price of
• Contribute more to the club functioning and you will get equipment / advice on best model to buy etc).
more out of being a member. • Monthly E&D evenings – not regular at the moment.
• Members must contribute more to getting the ongoing • Training sessions within the club on various techniques and
work done. software.
• Relieve the workload of council members (e.g. Lesley / An- • Develop cell phone photography thru E&D and competi-
dre) by splitting work between many people willing to per- tions.
form single tasks. • Instruction or workshops for newer photographers.
• Compile a database of member skills to see who can assist. • To offer courses on post production computer processes –
• Encourage new people to work on council. New blood! the use of lightroom photoshop eg. which could be paid
Beginners for by the participants. It feels that something was lost over
• Specific focus on E&D for new members COVID as these were occasionally offered beforehand.
• Introduction workshops to lightroom, photoshop Other suggestions
• Introduction to studio portraits – using speedlights. • Encourage members to participate in National Congress
• Helping beginners getting off “auto” settings. • Do more Mini Congresses (2 per year?) – can solve many
• Training in photo basics (composition, ISO, f-stop, shutter other E&D topics
speed) • Compliment: Society’s investments and finances are well
• “On boarding” of new members – introduction to PSSA, handled
competitions, club and salon, etc (including welcome doc). • Stop being unconfident! - the club is doing very well. Some
• Devise a photogtaphic learning programme for beginners. things need to be improved (next question) but I can’t think
• Lessons/instruction for beginners. On an outing we go off of anything CTPS should not do that it is currently doing.
and do “our own thing”. I need more guidance with the ba- • Be enthusiastic
sics of working in Manual mode (tend to revert to Auto). We • Decrease the competitive nature of the club. Photography
get lots of excellent links on the Facebook page. Mentorship is an art form and very subjective.
for beginner photographers. Buddy-system with someone • Communication to members: Get members to read and re-
interested in same genres. spond to communication.
• Assist members find a photo-buddy.
• Assist new members to become active? Some are intimi- Salons
dated. • Encourage members to enter salons
• Can improve member onboarding. • Assist members with Salon entries.
• Our welcome of new members and visitors needs to be • Schedule training sessions for salon entry and rules.
more personal. Conclusion
E&D The brainstorming session was successful in generating valu-
• Training sessions for various topics for various levels of ex- able ideas and engaging the members in the club's improve-
pertise. ment process
• Studio work with lighting and models and help with crea- Council will prioritise and implement suggestions/ideas that do
tive lighting. not require futher eloboration. The ideas that need more flesh-
• More gear related presentations / discussions. ing out and clarity will be circulated to members who can then
• Advice on gear lenses, tripods, etc. indicate where they are willing to assist. They will then be as-
• Do not get expensive judges and speakers from overseas signed to task teams to come up with solutions, create action
who don’t know our conditions. plans with specific steps and timelines.
• More hands-on educational opportunities for new and
more advanced photographers.

8 Cape Town Photographic Society