Have you ever found yourself in a conversation with a bunch of folks who were all part of a unique group? When the conversation drifts to that common connection, that’s when you find yourself more and more lost. Acronyms start flying about, abbreviations, and all kinds of unique (to that group) phrases. Want to have some fun?? Try drifting to a bunch of military folks, or commercial pilots. The language rapidly evolves into something unique. They may be all English words, but it won’t take long for you to be completely lost.
We need to remember this feeling when discussing our photography world with friends who are not part of “the club.” Things like “f/stop,” “ISO” and such areas like “depth of field” are pure and simple to us, but to the rookie (or non photographer) out there. These quick phrases can be confusing. One of the main reasons for our CCB is to bring newbies “into the fold,” and help them understand not only the jargon, but the underlying concepts and theories that the shortcut phrases mean. In addition to the basics like exposure triangle, we all need to make sure the folks in our conversations (and those lurking around the periphery) are not missing out on the meaning of the topic. We often take steps to present collective programs (like John Buck’s portrait workshop, or Chuck’s tips on travel photography), but in the everyday life of discussions with fellow photographers, we all need to make sure we are discussing at the understanding level of all those with us. Helping out the newbies is not just the job of club program managers… it is all of our jobs whenever we find ourselves discussing the ins and outs of our chosen passion. Make sure those around us are “getting it,” and keep an eye out for the “blank stares” of anyone who may be “not getting it” and are just not admitting it. Back up and make sure they are in the loop. After all… that’s what the CCB (and we the members) are all about.