Mid Somerset Camera Club – 50 Not Out
Maintaining a successful Camera Club in a world with so many other distractions and priorities can be a real challenge. It’s a challenge that Mid Somerset Camera Club has embraced, and in its 50th year the club continues to thrive.
The club started life as Street Camera Club in 1974, when workers from Clarks, the Somerset based boot and shoe manufacturers, came together so that they could purchase camera film in bulk. As it expanded its ambitions, the club changed its name to Mid Somerset Camera Club.
Recognising that it needs to respond to changing times, the club seeks to continually review its offering so as to remain relevant to local photo enthusiasts of all levels of experience.
“Through Covid, we ran virtual meetings” says John Law, the club’s Chairman, “we provided a useful lifeline to the outside world and our members appreciated the human contact and friendship we provided.”
Shortly after lock-down the club moved to its new home at the Victoria Sports and Social Club in Street. As well as providing a very satisfactory meeting space, the other sporting activities at the Victoria Club provide an avenue for sports and event photography. This has had the additional benefit of integrating the camera club into the wider fabric of the Victoria Club, which is itself a significant part of the local community.
With lockdown behind it, the club looked to refresh itself and provide a wide range of activities. Topics for presentations – from outside speakers and from club members - have included a talk and debate on the influence of Artificial Intelligence, a look at how the world of painting can be an inspiration for photographers, impressionist techniques, and mobile phone photography. These have been complemented by more traditional talks including sports photography, table top photography and wildlife – a genre where the club has a number of highly regarded specialists.
But it’s not all talk! - practical evenings on a variety of themes are a mainstay of the club, with follow-up evenings where members can show their results and learning points can be shared.
The club organises a number of field trips. Situated near the North Somerset coast, the cities of Bristol and Bath, and the unique habitat of the Somerset Levels, the club has taken full advantage of its varied surroundings. This has helped to extend the traditional season for club into the summer months.
In national terms the club is medium sized, with just under 50 members. “We feel that this size is large enough for us to run a wide-ranging weekly programme” says Adam Humphrey, the club’s Programme Secretary, “we aim to provide a learning experience and a social meeting place where like-minded photographers can come together. Our research has shown that the social side of club life is valued part of what it does.”
Whilst many members have gained photographic qualifications, the club recognises that not all members wish to go that route. Those that do are encouraged and their success is celebrated. For others there are plenty of opportunities to improve their skills and to showcase their achievements.
The club also operates a mentorship programme, where more experienced members buddy up with those looking develop their photography. New member Charlotte Cobb joined the club because she wanted to take her photography more seriously. “I didn’t have very much confidence with my skills” she says, “but having enquired about the mentoring programme I was determined to put in some hard work. Janet, my mentor, has helped me no end from the basics of understanding the exposure triangle to making my images competition ready. Janet has been very patient with me and I really enjoy every time we meet up and try something different. For anyone that is starting out, or wanting to gain further skills, I would highly recommend the mentoring programme.”
This flexible and wide-ranging approach seems to be a winning formula, and as the club embarks upon a programme of events to celebrate its 50 years, it looks to the future with optimism.