Joining a Photography Club as a Beginner | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: Before joining a photography club, two adults discuss beginner support, photo walks, feedback sessions, and whether the atmosphere suits one person..

EN → FR / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Joining a Photography Club as a Beginner to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Je pense à rejoindre un club de photographie, mais je manque d'expérience.

zhuh PAHNs ah ruh-ZHWAN-druh uhn KLUHB duh foh-toh-grah-FEE, meh zhuh MAHNK deks-pay-ree-AHNS. I am thinking about joining a photography club, but I feel inexperienced.
B

Cherche un club qui accueille les débutants et donne des conseils clairs.

SHERSH uhn KLUHB kee ah-KUH-yuh lay day-boo-TAHN ay DON day kohn-SAY KLAIR. Look for one that welcomes beginners and gives clear guidance.
A

Ce club propose des sorties photo et des séances de critique.

suh KLUHB proh-POHZ day SOOR-tee foh-TOH ay day SAY-ahns duh kree-TEEK. This club offers photo walks and feedback sessions.
B

C'est utile parce que tu peux apprendre la technique en pratiquant pour de vrai.

say oo-TEEL parskuh tyoo puh ah-PRAHN-druh lah tek-NEEK ahn prah-tee-KAHN poor duh VRAY. That is useful because you can learn technique through real practice.
A

J'ai peur que les autres aient tous des appareils photo perfectionnés.

zhay PUR kuh lay ZOH-truh ay TOOS day-zah-pah-RAY foh-TOH pair-fek-syoh-NAY. I worry that everyone else will have advanced cameras.
B

Un bon club se concentre sur la composition, pas seulement sur le matériel.

uhn BOHN KLUHB suh kohn-sahn-TRUH soor lah kohm-poh-zee-SYOHN, pah sayl-MAHN soor luh mah-tay-ree-EL. A good club focuses on composition, not just equipment.
A

Partager mes photos m'aidera peut-être à prendre confiance en moi.

par-tah-ZHAY may foh-TOH may-DAY-rah puh-TETR ah PRAHN-druh kohn-FYAHNs ahn MWAH. Maybe sharing photos will build my confidence.
B

Cela pourrait aussi t'aider à constituer un petit portfolio avec le temps.

suh-LAH poor-RAY oh-SEE tay-DAY ah kohn-stee-TWOO-AY uhn puh-TEE por-tfoh-LYOH ah-VEK luh TAHN. It could also help you start a small portfolio over time.
A

Je devrais peut-être assister à une réunion avant de décider si je veux adhérer au club.

zhuh duh-VRAY puh-TETR ah-see-STAY ah oon ray-oo-NYOHN ah-VAHN duh day-see-DAY see zhuh VUH ah-day-RAY oh KLUHB. Maybe I should visit a meeting before deciding whether to join.
B

Cela te permet de voir si l'ambiance te convient.

suh-LAH tuh pair-MAY duh VWAHR see lahm-BYAHNs tuh kohn-VYEN. That lets you see whether the atmosphere suits you.

Word by Word

Je 'Je' means I and is the subject of the sentence in 'Je pense à rejoindre'. It is placed before the verb when the speaker talks about themself.
pense In 'Je pense à rejoindre', 'pense' expresses thinking about an action. The reusable pattern is 'penser à' followed by a noun or an infinitive.
à In 'pense à rejoindre', 'à' links the verb penser to the action being considered. The pattern 'penser à' means to think about something or doing something.
rejoindre 'Rejoindre' means to join the photography club in this dialogue. It is an infinitive after 'penser à', as in 'penser à rejoindre'.
un 'Un' means a and introduces the singular masculine noun 'club' in 'un club'. It is used before a singular masculine noun when the club is not yet identified.
club 'Club' means club in 'un club de photographie'. Here it refers to an organized group for people interested in photography.
de In 'club de photographie', 'de' links the club to the activity or subject of photography. The pattern 'nom de nom' can identify the type or purpose of something.
photographie 'Photographie' means photography in 'club de photographie'. It names the subject connected with the club.
mais 'Mais' means but and introduces a contrast between wanting to join the club and feeling inexperienced. It commonly links two contrasting ideas.
manque In 'je manque d'expérience', 'manque' expresses that the speaker lacks experience. The reusable pattern is 'manquer de' followed by what is lacking.
d'expérience 'D'expérience' means of experience and completes 'manque d'expérience', meaning lacks experience. The form 'd'' is used before the vowel sound in 'expérience'.
Cherche 'Cherche' means look for and gives a direct recommendation in 'Cherche un club'. It is used at the beginning of a suggestion or instruction addressed to one person.
qui In 'un club qui accueille les débutants', 'qui' means that or which and links 'club' to the information that follows. The pattern is 'noun qui + verb'.
accueille 'Accueille' means welcomes in 'un club qui accueille les débutants'. The club is the subject of this action, and 'accueillir' can be used with the people or group being welcomed.
les 'Les' is the definite plural article in 'les débutants', referring to beginners as a group. It is placed before a plural noun.
débutants 'Débutants' means beginners in 'accueille les débutants'. It refers here to people who are new to photography or still have little experience.
et 'Et' means and and joins the two things the club does: 'accueille les débutants' and 'donne des conseils clairs'. It connects items or actions of equal importance.
donne In 'un club qui donne des conseils clairs', 'donne' means gives. The reusable expression is 'donner des conseils' for giving advice or tips.
des 'Des' introduces the plural noun 'conseils' in 'des conseils clairs'. It means some or unspecified plural advice or tips in this context.
conseils 'Conseils' means advice or tips in 'donne des conseils clairs'. The common expression 'donner des conseils' refers to offering useful guidance.
clairs 'Clairs' means clear and describes 'conseils' in 'des conseils clairs'. The adjective agrees with the plural noun and indicates that the guidance is easy to understand.
Ce 'Ce' means this in 'Ce club propose des sorties photo'. It identifies the singular masculine noun 'club' as the club already being discussed.
propose 'Propose' means offers in 'Ce club propose des sorties photo'. The pattern 'proposer' followed by a noun describes what an organization makes available.
sorties 'Sorties' means outings in 'des sorties photo'. Here it refers to organized photography outings or photo walks.
photo In 'sorties photo', 'photo' specifies the purpose of the outings: they are outings for taking photographs. It is used after 'sorties' to form this practical expression.
séances 'Séances' means sessions in 'des séances de critique'. It refers to scheduled periods devoted to a particular activity.
critique In 'séances de critique', 'critique' means critique or feedback about the photographs. The pattern 'séance de' identifies the activity carried out during a session.
C'est 'C'est' means it is or that is in 'C'est utile'. It introduces an evaluation of the photo walks and feedback sessions.
utile 'Utile' means useful in 'C'est utile'. It describes something as helpful, here referring to the club activities being discussed.
parce 'Parce' is part of 'parce que', which means because in 'parce que tu peux apprendre'. The complete expression introduces the reason for saying that something is useful.
que 'Que' completes the expression 'parce que' in 'parce que tu peux apprendre'. Together, 'parce que' introduces the clause explaining the reason.
tu 'Tu' means you and is the subject of 'tu peux apprendre'. It refers to one person addressed directly in the conversation.
peux 'Peux' means can in 'tu peux apprendre la technique'. The reusable pattern is 'pouvoir' followed by an infinitive to express ability or possibility.
apprendre 'Apprendre' means learn in 'tu peux apprendre la technique'. It is an infinitive after 'peux' and can be followed by the thing being learned.
la 'La' is the definite singular article before 'technique' in 'la technique'. It marks the specific feminine noun as the technique being discussed.
technique 'Technique' means technique in 'apprendre la technique'. Here it refers to the practical knowledge and methods used in photography.
en In 'en pratiquant', 'en' introduces the way something is done: by practicing. The reusable pattern is 'en' followed by an action form to express the means of achieving something.
pratiquant 'Pratiquant' means practicing in 'en pratiquant pour de vrai'. It explains that the technique is learned through actual practice rather than only discussion.
pour de vrai 'Pour de vrai' means for real in 'en pratiquant pour de vrai'. It emphasizes that the practice is genuine and practical.
J'ai 'J'ai' means I have in 'J'ai peur'. Together with 'peur', it forms an expression for saying that the speaker is afraid or worried.
peur In 'J'ai peur que les autres aient tous...', 'peur' expresses worry or fear. The reusable pattern is 'avoir peur que' followed by the situation that is feared.
autres In 'les autres', 'autres' means other people or others, referring to people besides the speaker. The expression 'les autres' can be followed by a verb describing what those people do or have.
aient 'Aient' means have in the clause 'que les autres aient tous des appareils photo perfectionnés'. It describes what the other people are feared to possess after 'J'ai peur que'.
tous 'Tous' means all and emphasizes that every one of the other people has the advanced cameras. In this sentence it appears after the verb, in 'aient tous'.
appareils In 'appareils photo', 'appareils' means devices and refers specifically to cameras. The expression combines the general noun with 'photo' to identify the type of device.
perfectionnés 'Perfectionnés' means advanced or sophisticated in 'appareils photo perfectionnés'. It describes the cameras as having advanced features or capabilities.
bon 'Bon' means good in 'Un bon club'. It gives a positive evaluation of the club and comes before the noun here.
se In 'se concentre sur', 'se' is part of the expression 'se concentrer sur', meaning to focus on. It is used with the verb when the subject focuses its attention on something.
concentre 'Concentre' means focuses in 'se concentre sur la composition'. The reusable pattern is 'se concentrer sur' followed by the subject of attention.
sur In 'se concentre sur la composition', 'sur' introduces what receives the club's focus. The pattern 'se concentrer sur' means to focus on something.
composition 'Composition' means composition in 'la composition'. In the photography context, it refers to how elements are arranged in an image.
pas In 'pas seulement sur le matériel', 'pas' helps express not just or not only. Together with 'seulement', it rejects the idea that equipment is the sole focus.
seulement 'Seulement' means only or just in 'pas seulement'. The expression 'pas seulement' means not only or not just and limits what is being denied.
le 'Le' is the definite singular article before 'matériel' in 'le matériel'. It introduces the equipment as the general subject being discussed.
matériel 'Matériel' means equipment or gear in 'le matériel'. Here it refers to photography equipment, especially in contrast with composition.
Partager 'Partager' means to share in 'Partager mes photos'. The infinitive is used as the subject of the sentence, so the whole action of sharing is what may build confidence.
mes 'Mes' means my and comes before the plural noun 'photos' in 'mes photos'. It shows that the photos belong to or were taken by the speaker.
photos 'Photos' means photos in 'Partager mes photos'. It is the object of 'partager' and refers to the speaker's photographic work.
m'aidera 'M'aidera' means will help me in 'm'aidera peut-être à prendre confiance en moi'. The form expresses a possible future effect of sharing the photos, with 'm'' meaning me.
peut-être 'Peut-être' means maybe or perhaps in 'm'aidera peut-être'. It softens the prediction and shows that the speaker is not certain about the result.
prendre In 'prendre confiance en moi', 'prendre' contributes to the expression meaning to gain or build confidence. The reusable expression is 'prendre confiance' when someone gradually becomes more confident.
confiance 'Confiance' means confidence in 'prendre confiance en moi'. The expression 'prendre confiance en' describes developing confidence in oneself or another person.
moi In 'confiance en moi', 'moi' means me or myself and identifies whose confidence is involved. The phrase 'en moi' points to the speaker as the person gaining confidence.
Cela 'Cela' means that or it in 'Cela pourrait aussi t'aider'. It refers back to the idea of sharing photos and makes that previous idea the subject of the next sentence.
pourrait 'Pourrait' means could or might in 'Cela pourrait aussi t'aider'. It presents the help as a possible result rather than a certainty.
aussi 'Aussi' means also or too in 'pourrait aussi t'aider'. It adds this possible benefit to the confidence benefit already mentioned.
t'aider 'T'aider' means help you in 't'aider à constituer un petit portfolio'. It is an infinitive after 'pourrait', with 't'' referring to the person being addressed.
constituer 'Constituer' means build or put together in 'constituer un petit portfolio'. It describes gradually creating a collection of photographic work.
petit 'Petit' means small in 'un petit portfolio'. It describes the portfolio as limited in size, probably because it is only being started.
portfolio 'Portfolio' means portfolio in 'un petit portfolio'. Here it is a collection of the learner's photographs that can grow over time.
avec In 'avec le temps', 'avec' contributes to the expression meaning over time or as time passes. This expression describes a gradual development.
temps In 'avec le temps', 'temps' means time. Together with 'avec', the phrase describes something that develops gradually as time passes.
devrais 'Devrais' means should in 'Je devrais peut-être assister'. It presents attending the meeting as a sensible action the speaker is considering.
assister In 'assister à une réunion', 'assister' means attend, not help. The reusable pattern is 'assister à' followed by an event or meeting.
une 'Une' means a and introduces the singular feminine noun 'réunion' in 'une réunion'. It is used when the meeting has not been identified more specifically.
réunion 'Réunion' means meeting in 'assister à une réunion'. It refers to one gathering of the photography club.
avant In 'avant de décider', 'avant' means before and places the decision after the meeting in time. The pattern is 'avant de' followed by an infinitive.
décider 'Décider' means decide in 'avant de décider si je veux adhérer au club'. It is an infinitive after 'avant de' and is followed by the choice being considered.
si In 'décider si je veux adhérer au club', 'si' means whether and introduces the question the speaker must decide. The reusable pattern is 'décider si' followed by a clause.
veux 'Veux' means want in 'si je veux adhérer au club'. The pattern is 'vouloir' followed by an infinitive to express what someone wants to do.
adhérer In 'adhérer au club', 'adhérer' means join or become a member. The reusable pattern is 'adhérer à' followed by an organization or group.
au In 'adhérer au club', 'au' means to the and is the contracted form of 'à le'. It is used here because 'adhérer' is followed by the specific masculine noun 'club'.
te In 'te permet de voir', 'te' means to you and identifies the person who is allowed to see. The reusable pattern is 'permettre à quelqu'un de' followed by an infinitive.
permet 'Permet' means allows or lets in 'Cela te permet de voir'. The pattern 'permettre à quelqu'un de faire quelque chose' describes giving someone the opportunity to do something.
voir In 'te permet de voir si l'ambiance te convient', 'voir' means see and also conveys finding out by observing. It is an infinitive after 'permet de'.
l'ambiance 'L'ambiance' means the atmosphere in 'si l'ambiance te convient'. It refers to the general feeling or social environment of the club meeting.
convient In 'l'ambiance te convient', 'convient' means suits or is suitable for you. The pattern 'convenir à quelqu'un' expresses that something matches that person's preferences or needs.

Grammar Points

se concentrer sur + nom

Les débutants se concentrent sur la composition.

lay day-boo-TAHN suh kohn-sahn-TRUH soor lah kohm-poh-zee-SYOHN.

Beginners focus on composition.

Se concentrer is pronominal, so it uses a reflexive pronoun: je me concentre, ils se concentrent.

assister à + nom

Les débutants assistent à une séance de critique.

lay day-boo-TAHN ah-see-ST ah oon SAY-ahns duh kree-TEEK.

Beginners attend a feedback session.

Assister à means “to attend”; it is followed by à, unlike English “attend,” which has no preposition.

French Vocabulary

accueillir verb
ah-KUH-yeer to welcome accueille
apprendre verb
ah-PRAHN-druh to learn
clair adj
KLAIR clear clairs
conseil noun
kohn-SAY advice conseils
débutant noun
day-boo-TAHN beginner débutants
manquer d'expérience phrase
mahn-KAY deks-pay-ree-AHNS to lack experience; to be inexperienced manque d'expérience
photographie noun
foh-toh-grah-FEE photography
pratiquer verb
prah-tee-KAY to practise pratiquant
rejoindre verb
ruh-ZHWAN-druh to join
séance de critique phrase
SAY-ahns duh kree-TEEK feedback session séances de critique
sortie photo phrase
SOOR-tee foh-TOH photo walk sorties photo
technique noun
tek-NEEK technique

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

advice

Show Answerconseils

photography

Show Answerphotographie

to welcome

Show Answeraccueille

clear

Show Answerclairs