Association of Photographers AoP

I’ve been thinking about joining a photography organisation (even though I don’t like being institutionalised!). The Association of Photographers is on the list with its 1,800 members. Need to do some research about how I can benefit if I join them. They say: ‘The AOP brings professional photographers together, protecting their rights and promoting photography. We campaign for all photographers and our awards promote the best in photography. We also provide information services, education programmes, exhibitions and publications to support these activities. As image-makers respond to globalisation, the AOP is building an effective network of communications with photographers from around the world”.

I’ve always found professional photographers keep their distance from one another! I have a few pro photographer friend sand the rest are territorial, worried about losing work to others I expect. A recent exhibition they are about to show is the winner of a BJP, British Journal of Photography, competition winner. Dull images of men wielding guns. I guess the AoP is just cashing in on the hire of the gallery. OK, so I didn’t win but I only entered the competition in the hope that it might be spotted by the right person! That was worth gambling the £20 entry fee. You can have different reasons for entering certain competitions especially when you know you have no chance of winning. I’m certainly interested in the “effective network of communications with photographers from around the world”.

At the moment it costs £290 plus 17.5% vat. The price of a dedicated flashgun or a strobe unit, or an A4 wacom graphics tablet… that’s the balance. Let’s see if i can collar a member that’s benefited from the membership!

~ by bip mistry on December 3, 2007.