NEW MEMBER SAYING HELLO!

[Tom McQ]

Hi All,
I came to the club for the first time tonight and decided without any doubt that this is the Camera Club for me! As soon as I walked in, I could feel a real "buzz" about the place and was so pleased to see such a broad mix of ages and sexes. I'd previously tried out a camera club closer to home, but found it to be a little dull and uninspiring. You certainly couldn't say that about ADAPS!

Anyway, I figured it might be a good idea to start off by introducing myself and letting you know more about me, so here goes....

When I was a young man (about 30 yrs ago), I was quite passionate about photography and always carried a camera with me wherever I went. Back then it was a Pentax ME Super and I thought it was the dog's dangly bits. I used to think nothing about getting up at the crack of dawn and going out in freezing conditions to get a good shot. I'd hike all my gear around for miles and miles and rarely saw the world outside of the viewfinder. And then friends started asking me to do weddings, christenings, portraits, etc, and it all got very boring. So I packed it in. That was about 20yrs ago.

Now I'm nearly 50 (I'm described by my children as "mature" but they really mean "old git") and have more leisure-time than ever before, so I figured it would be a good time to get back into photography. So I went out and bought a Nikon D300 Outfit and started to play. I soon discovered that all those years of watching sub-standard TV had eroded my brain-cell count and I could no longer "see" photos. Years ago, I could find a good photo virtually anywhere, but now I struggle to find any!

That's when I decided to join a club, so that I could find some inspiration and guidance from people who've been doing it for years. I'm guessing that if I'm around other photographers and I'm going out with them, seeing what they do and joining in the fun, it won't be long before I start to see again. So if you're pretty local to Bolton and are going out one weekend on a little photography expedition, give me a shout and show me the ropes (please). I'm eager to learn and eager to get involved (well, as much as time permits).

As for me personally, I'm the Director of a local company here in Horwich, I love to ride motorbikes and restore old ones, I love to paint (watercolour and oils), I adore listening to music (Jazz, Blues, Classical, Rock, anything but pop), I love the movies, computers, databases, bit of electronics and other various odds and sods. So as you can see, I'm a hobby-holic! I also have a personal website which I like to play around with - http://www.mcqart.com - go have a nosey.

Well, that's about it. Next time you see me at the club, please come over and say hello because I have to admit I'm quite a shy person until I get to know someone, so see if you can drag a few words out of me.

Regards, Tom.

[John]

Fantastic, what a great way to introduce yourself Tom! Welcome aboard!

[Paul Jones]

I came to the club for the first time tonight and decided without any doubt that this is the Camera Club for me! As soon as I walked in, I could feel a real "buzz" about the place and was so pleased to see such a broad mix of ages and sexes. I'd previously tried out a camera club closer to home, but found it to be a little dull and uninspiring. You certainly couldn't say that about ADAPS!

Hi Tom

Thanks for coming to ADAPS. And what a glowing testimonial for our club! THANK-YOU!

I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it. We do like to make everyone feel welcome.

That's when I decided to join a club, so that I could find some inspiration and guidance from people who've been doing it for years. I'm guessing that if I'm around other photographers and I'm going out with them, seeing what they do and joining in the fun, it won't be long before I start to see again. So if you're pretty local to Bolton and are going out one weekend on a little photography expedition, give me a shout and show me the ropes (please). I'm eager to learn and eager to get involved

Then you've picked the right club.

I'm sure you'll have no trouble in finding people willing to help you learn the ropes. Don't be afraid to talk to people and ask lots of questions.

We often have field trips during the summer. See our past News pages for examples: http://www.adaps.org.uk/news.htm

Well, that's about it. Next time you see me at the club, please come over and say hello because I have to admit I'm quite a shy person until I get to know someone, so see if you can drag a few words out of me.

I'm sorry I didn't get chance to meet you tonight. We'll definitely have a chat next time.

I look after the club website, so when you join let me know if you want me to add a link to your site.

Best regards

Paul

[Tom McQ]

Thanks John, Paul. I did, in fact, forget to mention just how much the website and forum influenced my decision to come visit the Camera Club. To me, an active online presence is extremely important and when I looked at the efforts of other club's websites, I was amazed at how little effort they put into the presentation of their club on the worldwide web.

Yours on the other hand, impressed me no end. It's a reflection of the level of your professionalism and club pride! And the all important forum is the icing on the cake - a means to keep in touch and share information 365 days a year. Well done all concerned.

[Paul Jones]

Thanks John, Paul. I did, in fact, forget to mention just how much the website and forum influenced my decision to come visit the Camera Club. To me, an active online presence is extremely important and when I looked at the efforts of other club's websites, I was amazed at how little effort they put into the presentation of their club on the worldwide web.

Yours on the other hand, impressed me no end.

Thanks Tom. It's always nice to get such positive feedback.

Like you, I'm amazed that several other clubs place such little importance on their websites and online presence. I can confidently say that the website is the number one way that most potential new members first learn about ADAPS and decide that they want to visit. Once visited, the majority then decide to join.

Best regards

Paul

[bert haddock]

Tom,
Welcome to the club, my daughters live at Horwich and I live in Bolton, I am also interested in motorcycles and have photographed the British Superbike series if you go to links on the adaps site look me up BERT HADDOCK.
Will send you a Email regards meeting you for a chat etc when I am in Horwich.

Bert.

[Mike]

Hello! Its always nice to see newbies coming to the club and the site. I don't often attend the club meetings but like to keep in touch via the website. There are lots of talented people to learn from and hopefully with give you the creative kick that you are looking for. Good luck with taking the hobby up again, the kit will deffo help.

Liked the description of the Hotel from Hell!

[bert haddock]

Tom,
Tried to send you a Email but it keeps getting blocked, if you want to chat about bikes and photography you can ring me on 01204 306471.
I won't be at the club for the next 3 meetings going on Holiday.
Regards,
Bert.

[Tom McQ]

Hi Bert, I'm surprised that email is being blocked - not sure how that can happen mate. Try again using tommcq@ntlworld.com

Hi Mike, Wow!! I forgot all about that Hotel story! Language is a bit "fruity" to say the least. Mind you, it's 100% true mate. What an experience!

[Tracey McGovern]

Hi Tom
Just wanted to say "Hello" and welcome to the club. I've been a member now for just over a year and am a beginner to photography. You have made a wise choice coming to ADAPS, like you, it was the website which enticed me along, especially the part that descibed itself as being a friendly club. It has certainly been that, I have made some good friends who have been more then willing to share their knowlege and advice which has proven invaluable. You only need to ask and the response you get is fantastic.

I've just had a little look at your website and read the Hotel From Hell story, honest to god I was in stitches, you tell the story so well, have you not throught about becoming a writer to add to all your other talented hobbies....!!!! It certainly brightened up my evening.

I'll look out for you at the next meeting to say "Hello".

Best Wishes
Tracey

[Tom McQ]

OMG Tracey - I'm so embarrassed about that! I never intended it to be read by people who know me My Mum rang me the other day to tell me she had just read it and was crying with laughter. She said "I didn't know you swore"

Ah well, glad you enjoyed it. Please rest assured that I won't talk like that on a Thursday night

[Andrew Shepherd]

Hi Tom

I only joined a couple of weeks ago and I'm so impressed by the group/ADAPS - it's fantastic and I'm looking forward to the year ahead. Just to reiterate Tom's comments, when I was looking for a club it was the website that sold it to me and you cannot under estimate its importance in attracting new members. (Wigan and Warrington have good sites too, but I wanted something more local.) So well done Paul!!

Andrew

[Peaton]

I’ll second that comment about the website, it’s certainly good.

Peter

PS hello BTW Andrew, and welcome to the club.

[Mike]

Indeed - well done Paul!

[Paul Jones]

Indeed - well done Paul!

Thanks. And well done to Mike and John for setting up such a good message forum!