{"id":5287,"date":"2025-12-03T18:05:03","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T18:05:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whisperingcat.co.uk\/wp\/?post_type=article&p=5287"},"modified":"2025-12-03T19:54:48","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T19:54:48","slug":"i-joined-my-local-u3a-photo-group","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/whisperingcat.co.uk\/wp\/article\/i-joined-my-local-u3a-photo-group","title":{"rendered":"I joined my local u3a photo group"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Fishing for photography companions…<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A big problem with photography as a hobby for some people is that it can be a lonely hobby (for others this is an asset!). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of us may make connections online through forums and sharing websites but it is more difficult to find people who share your interests locally and in person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, there are traditional camera clubs, but I’ve been a member of a few and they all seem to share one common issue (and people I’ve spoken to online say this is world-wide thing): they are mostly based around photography competitions. Doesn’t matter whether it’s struggles against fellow members of your own club or battles against rival clubs, it’s all about points, league tables, prizes and trophies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many camera club members seems to love the social element and the competition of all this, but for me photography is not a sport, I don’t do it to beat other photographers or to earn extra high scores from judges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I do it because it is an art form and one which in my small, modest way I can actually do, unlike painting, drawing, sculpting and, um, singing. It’s important to me because it’s self expression. I shoot pictures not because I think the judge will like it, or because some people on social media will give it a thumbs up, but just because I like exploring whatever visual creativity I possess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of this process is seeing how far you can take a particular project or theme and whether you are happy with the result. If someone else happens to like what I do, well of course that is nice and makes me happy, but not as happy as the simple feeling that I nailed the photo. What I don’t like about photo competitions isn’t so much the competitiveness, but the fact that they encourage you to try and second guess a judge’s taste and adjust your work to cater to that taste. This is taking you in the opposite direction to exploring your own self expression. It’s not that I don’t want to take advice or listen to contrary opinion, it’s more that I feel I have to follow my own instincts rather than seeking constant affirmation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you feel similarly, there are alternatives to traditional camera clubs. One I came across this year is the u3a organisation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what is the u3a?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From their own publicity: <\/p>\n\n\n\n