Now I am a member of Deutscher Verband für Fotografie e.V., DVF

I just joined Deutscher Verband fuer Fotografie (DVF). This is a German organisation of amateur photographers. I believe this is again a small yet important step on my way transforming my passion „Photography“ into a successful hobby. I am optimistic about this.

My prime motivation to sign up with them is, that this association is heavily involved with photography competitions. Photographers competition are very interesting for me. Currently my photos still have a whole lot weak points, but I believe over time that I can reach a level of creativity and quality, which allows me to participate in contests. So far I have no experience with such contests at all, but my hope is that this will change as a member of DVF.

At the very moment I have no clue whether or not the association also supports nude- and beauty photography. But I believe that these topics have their place in DVFs portfolio just as let’s say landscape photography.

The tip to join DVF came from my friend Henrik Reimann, the operator of Artlight Studios. As I trust Henrik, I just signed up with DVF without prior research. The yearly membership fee is extremely fair, as it already includes the subscription fee for the photography magazine PHOTOGRAPHIE. I already received my first issue of this magazine by mail. My first impression was quite positive. For me a number of articles in there are very interesting and informative. So far I only every now and then I bought a magazine on photography at the airport. So now I am looking forward to receive a magazine delivered to my home every couple of weeks. Great! I think the subscription to PHOTOGRAPHIE alone is worth the membership fee of DVF. But I strongly believe that this association has much more to offer for photographers like me.

My membership has been confirmed to me by a very nice welcome letter. This year the association is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary. It is the goal of DVF to support photography as such.

In order to achieve this the association supports exhibitions and competitions. Furthermore it organises seminars and workshops. It is not clear to me yet if and how DVF supports artists to participate in art exhibitions, but I believe it will be of help somehow. Another interesting point is that DVF is a member of the umbrella organization Fédération Internationale de l`Art Photographique (FIAP). DVF sees itself as the ambassador of German amateur photography at FIAP.

Under specified conditions FIAP arwards artistic titles like AFIAP Artiste FIAP (Artist of FIAP), EFIAP Excellence FIAP (Excellence of FIAP) and MFIAP Maître FIAP (Master of FIAP).

OK, with my nude photos I am very very far away from being awarded with any of these. However my hope is that I am at least on a good path to success.