Next meet up?
So, the St Patrick’s day meet up was a bust. So, I’d love to hear from you guys about where we should meet next? What areas would be good to explore? As someone who doesn’t know London very well, some suggestions would be great!
Also, what is the best way to keep you guys informed about meet ups? Is it easy enough to subscribe to our feed, or would you sign up for a newsletter to receive a reminder via email?
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March 17th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I think someone needs to post a list of possible venues, events, etc - say 3 months in advance so that people can comment or vote on meetings they are most likely able to make. I would volunteer to do this but I feel least qualified as I do not leave in London.
I am quite interested in going to see the Boat Race by the way, any of you interested?
http://www.theboatrace.org/
March 17th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I don’t have any answers as such but can share my thoughts on the best meetups I’ve been to.
The Europe Photobloggers meetup was awesome. Wandering about with Eric from Curiously Incongruous was awesome as he knows London like the back of his hand. We also met up with Eric just before then and wandered about the London Olympic site in Stratford.
Mr DicksDaily is also another gent who knows London inside out and I’ve wandered about with him a fair few times and we’ve always been to new and inspiring areas.
So maybe some meetups focussed on an area or place rather than an event would be good, ideally with someone who has local knowledge of that area but even having an idea of a route before the meetup would be great. I’m sure Neil (Mr Pic-A-Day) has a book of walks we could use and there’s a website called southbankwalks.com which looks promising.
March 17th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
@Paul - I definitely agree, but sadly I’m in the same boat. I don’t live in London and I don’t know the areas well enough to really make any good suggestions. The Boat Race looks good. There is a great walk along the river from Chiswick to Putney where you can see some of the boats in action. Putney bridge may be a good spot.
@Ben - Oh, yes definitely. Eric and Richard are THE guys for this. Perhaps I can email them and see what suggestions they have and if they may be keen on heading up a meet sometime. Neil does have those cards with various walks, maybe we can just randomly pick a few and go from there? Neil? I’ll check out that site as well - thanks!
March 18th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I didn’t even see the notice for this meetup, I have been slacking when it comes to PBing (and photo’ing in general). I did post a list of the cards that I have a while back, not sure if that still exists, if not, I’ll dig them out tonight & re-post it and people can have a think about the areas mentioned.
As for the boat race, it can get VERY busy along the riverbank, I spent several years visiting some friends on their converted fishing trawler which is moored at Chiswick Pier (you can hear his fog-horn every year as they go past!!) and the crowds are pretty deep around there. The pubs along the river bank would make a great place for candids as everyone gets into the spirit of the event.
Talking of the Thames, how about choosing a part of the Thames Path, we could do different bits of it for several meetups.
http://www.thames-path.org.uk/
http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/thamespath.htm
http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ThamesPath/
There are lots of pubs on the way (though very few Starbucks!!)
March 18th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
I like the idea of a Thames path meet up. Back to the idea of the boat race I am quite happy to venture into the crowds end perhaps stop by a pub with a bit of atmosphere, as you say Neil it may be a good place for some candids or otherwise. The link on my previous post lists some pubs on the route, any suggestions Neil?
The race starting at 5.15pm gives us plenty of scope if me meet at say 12pm.
March 18th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
What? Only a few Starbucks? It can’t be! Blasphemous!
Anyway, the Thames path walks sounds great to me. I’ve been in touch with Mr DicksDaily as well and he may have a great walk or two in mind as well. More on that as soon as I know more.
I am trying to get a few spots together so folks can vote on it and we can get a few future meet-ups organised well in advance.
I am still concerned about getting the word out to folks, but I’m not entirely sure what the best way is to tackle that aspect.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:22 am
As Ive never been to one, I feel a bit out of place commenting how to make the meetups more successful. But i thought Id share anyway..
From what Ive seen there is certainly a decline in interest for photoblogging - this could just be the seasonal ‘it’s too cold to stay outside for hours’ - so a meetup needs to add something a little more than spending time with like-minded photographers/’terrorists’ (call them what you will).
How about if we could get permission to parts of London which are not accessible to the general public? Im thinking abandoned tube stations, closed buildings that kind of thing - something you cant go and see on your own?
Just my 2p
March 19th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Heya Pete, thanks for the feedback. I think it’d be awesome to get permission to parts of London not accessible to the public. I’ll look into the tube stations, but do you guys have any suggestions for buildings or other areas? I’m happy to try my luck in getting us access, but I’m clueless about potential places. I’ll do some Googling, but let me know if you have any ideas.
Just a follow up that I also have word from Eric at Curiously Incongruous who is willing to help us with some walks/meet ups. I gotta say, I emailed both Richard and Eric on Monday I believe and I got an email from them both yesterday saying they were happy to help in whatever way. Such awesome guys!
March 19th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I’m itching to see everyone again, it’s been a long time.
I totally love the idea of access to places the general public can’t get to, especially tube stations and empty buildings.
My view is, it’s great to meet up with like-minded people and talk photography, have a beer etc. But for me, these sort of meet-ups for an event, I tend not to get as much photography done as it’s just too busy. I am more up for an area meet-up as opposed to an event.
Again, I’m not a Londoner, but it’s great to here the likes of Richard and Eric are up for being ‘guides’ again. There is so much more to London, we just need to know how to find it.
I am slack at checking this site for meet-ups and when I do, I’ve just missed one. I’d love to be on a mailing list for updates on meet ups.
On another slightly different note, I want to do a series of portraits of ‘photobloggers’, so I am keen to make more meet ups and hopefully some of you might be kind enough to let me take your portrait. If anyone is interested in this, perhaps smaller meet-ups are possible too, perhaps even a couple of hours on a weekday afternoon or something. I know now-a-days we have different working hours etc, so of that is possible for anyone, let me know.
Cheers.
Andy
info@andrewnewson.co.uk
March 19th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Paul / Neil - I’m up for the boat race too, sounds like fun.
Lor - Great news that Richard and Eric are up for getting some places to visit together, I hoped they would be up for helping and they are, great news.
Pete - I love the idea of finding bits of London that aren’t accessible to everyone, some of the old tube stations would be superb to see. It’s a pretty big City so there’s got to be quite a few places about. I went to London Open House a couple of years ago which gave a great insight into some fantastic buildings.
Andy - It’s been a long, long time. Great to hear from you. I completely agree with the location has to come above the Event, most of the celebrations etc we’ve been to are in and about the West End. The boat race is obviously an event but in a bit of London most people haven’t seen. I’m always up for a meetup in London but needs to be outside office hours as I don’t have much holiday to use this year but a wander about, but 5 onwards I can do!! I’d be up for a portrait at some point I can return the favour as I’m sure I’ve posted a shot of you on my blog at some point!
March 19th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Holy moly, there is some activity on this site! (nice job Lor!)
The mentioned suggestions so far are great. I agree that we should do a bit more area type meetups after our recent stint of events; those events are great to shoot, but not everyone’s cuppa.
The not-so-accessible places idea is great. That really is an incentive for people to come along as it gives them something completely different from their normal ‘habitat’. One location for this that just springs to mind is Highgate Cemetery; especially the Western Cemetery is beautiful and only accessible on tours (where they normally don’t allow you much time to take photos is my experience), so that could be a good candidate.
For those unused tube stations; the Flickr London Meetup group seems to be organizing something for that and I read that TfL charge rather steep at 60,- per person, per hour.
March 20th, 2008 at 11:44 am
@Andy - I think a mailing list as an additional option for folks is the way to go. I’ll try and get that implemented in the next week or so. I really am loathe to have my photo taken, but I do need a new photo of myself (especially for some of the social sites I am on) so, I’m all for the portrait thing.
@Tom - Haha. Yes, finally getting my act together. Only took me, what, 2 years?
I love the idea of the cemetery. I wonder if we could get something like that together. £60 per person, per hour for the unused tube stations? Wow. That’s really steep. Thanks for the heads-up though.
I’m going to pull together some notes from all the great comments and suggestions of places for future meets. Feel free to email me directly as well with any ideas, or if you have any connections for some cool places for us to go which are usually not accessible.
March 20th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
I think I’m another one that has been a bit quiet on the photoblogging front. I also prefer the area idea to events as I find event photographer a little restrictive and end up taking unimaginative shots.
Another suggestion when it gets a little warmer is an all night London shoot. I’m sure there are plenty of places that far more interesting at night.
March 21st, 2008 at 7:12 pm
@Andy - A night shoot would be a lot of fun. I’m sure folks will be keen on this. Any suggestions for some cool night spots?
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Hmmm, I’m liking this night shoot idea. What, like right through the night and then have breakfast! This sounds good.
I’m getting my tripod ready as we speak.
Perhaps also, myself and Neil have been talking about a collaborative model shoot, perhaps if anyone was interested we could do something like that in London. Doesn’t have to be studio based, but perhaps if anyone has any ideas for a cool location for this sort of thing, perhaps that we can use mains power and myself and Neil could bring our studio lights. Just an idea…
April 1st, 2008 at 4:35 pm
an idea for a day out…..it’s slightly not “central London”, but starting from Kew Bridge (good train service) you can progress through the old Brentford canal docks and along the Grand Junction Canal, or down through Isleworth to Richmond. Lots of good images to capture from water born to urban.
April 5th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Just thought Id see if this thread is still alive. For me there are four great ideas floating around here:
Cemetery tour - great
Grand junction Canal - great
Night shoot - really great
Model shoot - something Id love to try
What do we (I?) have to do to make them happen?
April 7th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
@Andy - The model shoot could be really fun. Would you be keen on organising something for everyone?
@Stuart - I used to live in that area and there are some great spots. Would you be keen to “lead the way” if we did this walk?
@Pete - Yep, those are all great ideas and I want to make them all happen. I’m going to get in touch with some folks and see if they will lead some of these walks.
Work is kicking my butt this week, but we need to get some meetups going. We have so many great ideas. If you have suggested a spot, or have a suggestion, and are interested in leading the meet up, please do email me. That way we have someone who knows the area to take us around and really we just need to pick a date and time.
I’ll aim to have more news on meetups by the end of the week for everyone.
April 8th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Hi, I’ve not been on a meetup yet, but my M6 is imminently due back from repair from Germany and so I’d love to come along on the next one
April 8th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
@Lorissa, yeah I woud be happy to help sort something like that out if there was interest.
@Paul, on first meetups, we like to swap cameras around, if I could use your M6 and you can use my Holga, how does that sound?
Let’s get something sorted, I think the weather is about to get better.
April 8th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
@Andy, I’ve actually been dying to shoot a roll on a Holga so you’re on…
April 9th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
I’ve been thinking about running a studio day at my workplace (as long as my bosses agree) in Egham, Surrey one weekend, where I can set up a backdrop and a couple of lights and I can demonstrate a few lighting setups and we can experiment a bit. I would need to find a model (or two) who would be willing to sit still for a while, while we all stare at him/her to see the effects of different lighting. Then we could all have a go at shooting some portraits etc.
Anyone interested?
April 10th, 2008 at 5:55 am
@Neil Sounds good to me. Selfishly its only about 20 minutes from me…
I always say if you dont ask you dont get, so why not sound out your bosses today? How is this (potential) venue for everyone else?
April 10th, 2008 at 7:05 am
I’d be very interested Neil.
April 12th, 2008 at 10:18 am
@Neil - I’d be really interested in this too Neil.