Nature and wildlife photographer Sheen Watkins shares her experiences of working together with other photographers.
She has found many upsides of teaming up with like-minded colleagues. While some people believe the competition in this business is so tough that it’s risky to share your knowledge with another photographer, she is explaining the advantages of working in a group.
Share Gear – Try Before You Buy
By borrowing, exchanging and testing lenses, filters and other items while shooting with other photographers, I’ve made better, cost-effective decisions on purchasing gear.
Borrowing lenses and filters in particular, can give you nothing but good reason to go and try out a new style of photography outside of your comfort zone!
Learn and Try Something New or From A Different Perspective
Cameras, lenses, post processing software, accessories change almost as frequently as the weather. There’s always a tip, technique, idea that’s exchanged in general conversation with other photographers.
Up until fairly recently, most of my photography has been nature – birds, flowers, landscapes, wildlife, etc. Rarely do I photograph people, architecture or street photography.
Additionally, I had not expanded my post processing into the color creative categories. As a result of participating in the camera club’s monthly competitions, I started participating in photography subject and post processing assignments.
This level of digging has improved my overall photography creativity and post-processing skills in my core photographic interests.
Chat About What You Know and Didn’t Know
There is so much to learn and to remember. A friend and I were discussing our post processing techniques with a small group. I am a Lightroom and Photoshop user, he swears by Bridge and Photoshop. We both have similar plug-ins. The irony is that we both applied our processing workflow steps similarly using our respective tools.
Where to Find a Partner…You Don’t Need to Drag Someone By Their Neck
Workshops
Workshops quickly come to mind when considering shooting with other photographers. Workshops bring photographers together for a period of time and promote concentrated learning, networking, collaboration and making new friendships. They can vary widely from being local, short sessions to an extended destination vacation.
Camera Clubs
Camera/photography clubs are a great way to meet other photographers. Today I’m a member of two completely different types of photography clubs. One club offers judged monthly competitions and is affiliated with a larger network of camera clubs.
Nature Walks
Check out the happenings your local city, state and metroparks. The nearby Nature Conservancy may offer docent-led nature walks that traverse interesting trails, foliage and wildlife. The participants are mostly hikers and nature enthusiasts but the information shared provides good insight to what you’re photographing.
Hot Spots
I would be remiss not mentioning major events and times of the year where photographers congregate. A personal favorite is The Biggest Week in American Birding in Oregon, Ohio bringing thousands of people from around the country and from the globe to see migratory birds that stop at Magee Marsh on their way to their breeding location.
Read the full article over at Light Stalking.
Source: Light Stalking
