What is Ghoul For You...

Ghoulish tho it may be, I love cemeteries. Always have, always will.
My love for them started at an early age when I would hear whispers of this mythical place being bandied about at family gathering, but in such delicate and hushed tones that you would have thought that the very mentioning of the name out loud would bring the wrath of the great God's themselves.
What was in this place? Why did people go there? Why did we put our people there? More importantly, why did we leave them there?
As I got older some of these questions got answered, and some just gave me new questions.
You never forget your first funeral. Mine was, of course, for some woman I didn't even know, being as young as I was. It was back in Jamaica, in the country, not far from my Grandmother's house. I remember the rain, the somber mood of everybody here, and in particular, I remember the absence of beauty.
Why did we put our loved ones in such an ugly place, and leave them there no less?! If we really cared about them shouldn't we put them somewhere more aesthetically pleasing to the eye?! I'm sure that if they had the strength they would crawl up out of their graves and walk themselves to a more pleasing plot, never bothering to give us a final look on their way there.
After seeing this muddy well of a hole I wouldn't blame them.
It was only later on in life that I fond out that cemeteries can be some of the most beautiful places to visit imaginable. My first foray into the world of the dead aside, I've learned that burying people can be very expensive but when they can afford it people tend to take great and loving care of their dearly departed. They display such emblems at their grave sites as large angels, tiny cherubs, scrolls, Jesus Christ, in his many manifestations, and crosses a plenty.

Recently, I got the opportunity to pay a return visit to the Mount Royal/Cote Des Neiges Cemetery by way of an outing with my photo group, The United Photographer's of Montreal. As was usual for me I was running late, so I had to wander around by myself and hopefully meet up with my group later on that day.
Five minutes in and I was immediately immersed in my comfort zone. Lost amongst the marble and stone I was helpless to find my way out of the mazes of ancient Mausoleums and garish shrines. Everywhere I looked, either up or down, I was spotted by some monument to a loved one or other that was eying me with as equal an intensity as I them.

I wondered if it was my imagination that I thought they looked angry with me.
Did they not want me there? Did they think me an intrusion into their final peaceful lives? Were they wondering if, even now, could they not avoid the bothersome noises of the living?
While in the midst of my shooting a grand ode to someone's father, as my own response to these questions, I quietly said an apology and gently tiptoed my way to the next grave.
But, not before I got the shot, of course.
I was deeply in my element. I ventured farther in the cemetery, or as far as my almost spent battery would allow, shooting many of the same scenes over and over again from just about every angle. But for an almost empty second battery I never got bored and I never had a reason to stop.
I also never did get to meet up with my group.

United We Stand

Earlier this year I joined a photography group called The United Photographer's Of Montreal. I came across them on the meetup.com website and haven't regretted it since. One of the things that drew me to them was that they were very active. From the very beginning they have always had an activity on their calendar for the members to take part in. Such as a photography workshop for beginners which, as my own skills with my camera were somewhat waning at the time, I was only too happy to join. We've also been to the Botanical Gardens for the Butterfly exhibit, and Jean Talon Market, an outing I am sad to say that I didn't get to take part in because of scheduling differences.
Photography groups are a great way to meet new people and to keep in touch with your craft, I would highly recommend them to anyone. But, if you should want to join a photography group or club there are a few things that I would suggest that you do first.
Number one: Research
Find a group that you like and is well suited to you. If you're not interested in going out on a lot of outings but would rather sit around and discuss the topic of photography then find a group that is less excursion orientated. But, if you do want to take part in outings where you can practice your photography skills then, that is the group you should be looking for.
Number Two: Look for variety
If you don't see any diversity in the types of discussions or the kinds of outings that the group displays on their sites then maybe that is not the group for you. Having said that, if the monotony of the group does not sway you from joining them then by all means write to the head of the group and ask them if they have any new topics or excursions on their upcoming schedule.
Number Three: Check the usual and unusual hideouts
When looking for a group check out your local camera shop. They may have some fliers laying on the counters for some local clubs. Listen to word of mouth. And if that doesn't work then give Meetup.com or other websites like it a try. You could also search Kajiji, or Craig's list for a local group, even to go so far as to post an ad yourself stating that you are looking to join a local photo group.
If all else fails, take the initiative and start a group or club of your own.
If you are having trouble getting in touch with your inner photographer, or just reaching the depths of your creativity, then taking part in a photo group or club could be just what you need to get you shooting again.