Introducing CameraClub: Where Photographers Connect

CameraClub is our online club for sharing photos. It lives inside your iPhotography account, it is free for every member (including anyone on our free course), and it works on your phone, tablet and computer.

I've wanted this for a long time. Our members have always shared their photos and chatted with each other, but it happened in lots of different places. CameraClub brings it all home, into one friendly space that we built just for you.

So in this post I'll walk you through what CameraClub is, what you can do in it, how it's different from the social sites you already use, and how to put it on your phone so it's always one tap away.

What is CameraClub?

CameraClub is a feed of photos and conversations from iPhotography members and tutors. You scroll it, post to it and chat in it, much like the social apps you know, but the big difference is who's in there with you.

Everyone in CameraClub is a member of iPhotography. They love photography, they're learning like you, and they're friendly. Our tutors are in there too, and you'll spot them by the Tutor tag that sits next to their name on every post and comment.

It sits inside your iPhotography account, so there's no password to remember. If you can log in to your courses, you can get into CameraClub.

What you can do in CameraClub

Here's what's waiting for you when you step inside.

Share your photos. Post one photo or a few at once, add a line about how you took it, and choose a topic such as Landscape or Wildlife. You can also post a video, ask a question or start a poll.

Get comments on each photo. When you post several photos together, each one gets its own likes and its own comments. So someone can tell you which of your three sunsets they like best, and why.

React and reply. Like a post or pick a reaction such as Love or Wow, and reply to comments to keep the conversation going.

Tag other members. Type @ and a name to bring someone into a conversation. They get a note to say you mentioned them.

Send private messages. Want a quiet word about a lens, a location or a tricky photo? Message another member directly.

Chat in the chat room. For a quick hello or a natter about the weekend's photos, there's a live chat room too.

Add friends. Add members whose photos you love, and the Friends only switch shows you just their posts.

Save posts for later. Found a tip you want to try at the weekend? Save it, and it waits for you in your Saved tab.

Earn points and climb the ranks. Every post earns you 20 points and every comment earns you 5, for your first ten of each a day. Your points add to your iPhotography rank, and the club shows who's moving up.

Keep an eye on the gallery. CameraClub shows the latest photos from the Member's Photo Gallery and the Weekend Challenge winners, so you never lose touch with either.

How is CameraClub different from Facebook?

Lots of you already share photos on Facebook, and that's fine. But CameraClub was built for photographers, and it shows.

There are no adverts. Nothing is trying to sell you a phone case between your friends' photos.

Posts appear newest first. There's no hidden system deciding what you see, so if a member posts a photo, it's there in the feed. The only extras are a single post our tutors can pin to the top, such as a welcome or a challenge, and the odd short lesson from us between members' posts.

Everyone shares the same interest. You won't be scrolling past holiday photos from a cousin's neighbour. Every post comes from someone who loves photography.

Our tutors are in the room. They post, they comment, and they answer questions, all marked with the Tutor tag.

It's private to members. Only people signed in to iPhotography can see what you post. Your photos aren't on show to the whole internet.

It's part of your learning. The same account holds your courses, your gallery photos and your points, so taking part in the club counts towards your rank.

You're in control of the noise. You choose which alerts you get, you can hide any post you'd rather not see, and if something isn't right, you can report it straight to the tutors.

"I like it. It's similar to FB but it's all in one place, you can find what you want, I'd see what I want, when I want it. And no ads."

Nicki Cameron, iPhotography member

A private space for PLUS+ members

CameraClub has two rooms. The Members room is open to everyone with an iPhotography account. The PLUS+ room is just for iPhotography PLUS+ members, so anything posted there stays between PLUS+ members and the tutors.

If you're a PLUS+ member, you can switch between the two rooms with the button at the top of the club.

How to get into CameraClub

If you already have an iPhotography account, it takes a few seconds.

1. Go to learn.iphotography.com/cameraclub/
2. Log in with your usual iPhotography email and password.
3. That's it. You're in, and you can start scrolling, posting and chatting.

Don't have an account yet? You can join for free. Sign up for our free photography course and your account opens the door to CameraClub too.

Put CameraClub on your phone or tablet

CameraClub works best when it's on your phone, ready whenever you are. You don't need to download anything from an app store. Instead, you save the club to your home screen, and it opens with its own icon, just like an app.

1. Open learn.iphotography.com/cameraclub/ on your phone or tablet and log in.
2. Look for the "Add CameraClub to your home screen" box, and tap Add it.
3. Follow the three short steps the club shows you. They're written for the exact phone and browser you're using, so you won't be hunting through menus.

If you're on a computer, the club shows you a code to scan with your phone's camera. Scan it and the club opens on your phone, ready to save.

Once it's on your home screen, CameraClub can tell you when someone comments on your photo, reacts to it, mentions you or sends you a message. Your phone or computer will ask if that's OK first. You can switch any of these off at any time from the bell in the club.

"Loving the app, so easy to view everything even during my lunch break"

Chrissie Read, iPhotography member

Why CameraClub is the place to be

Photography is more fun with company. A photo you're unsure about becomes a conversation. A tip from another member saves you a wasted morning. And a few kind words from someone who knows how hard that shot was can keep you going for weeks.

That's what CameraClub is for. It's the friendliest corner of the internet for people who love photography, and it's yours.

CameraClub questions

Is CameraClub free?

Yes. It's free for every iPhotography member, including anyone who has signed up for our free course.

Who can see my photos?

Only people signed in to iPhotography. Posts in the PLUS+ room can only be seen by PLUS+ members and tutors.

Do I need to download an app?

No. You save CameraClub to your phone's home screen from your web browser, and it opens with its own icon.

Can I turn the alerts off?

Yes. Tap the bell in the club and switch off any type of alert you don't want, or turn them all off on that device.

Is the Member's Photo Gallery still there?

Yes. The gallery hasn't gone anywhere, and CameraClub shows its newest photos so you can jump straight to them.

Final thoughts

I'd love to see you in there. Pop in, say hello, and share a photo you're proud of, even if you're not sure about it yet. We've all been there.

Come in and meet the club at learn.iphotography.com/cameraclub/

Stephen Walton, iPhotography