Actually now that you’ve posted this, I’ll say that there is probably an entire thread waiting to be made about rocket photography and videography. I’ve seen composite maps made by kids flying the original single-frame 110 film Astrocam, it’s quite something actually.
I’d still encourage checking out a NAR Section or Tripoli prefecture. The attitudes you get depend on where you go and what kind of attitude you bring with you. The jury is out on which matters more. Admittedly, hobby rocketry does seem to be developing a “grumpy old guy with cash to burn” problem.
Even if you don’t learn anything immediately applicable to your own flying, you’ll get to see a lot of rockets and a lot of flights at a club launch. And if the hosting club is rude, you can always go elsewhere or just fly from the field you already have. It took me a long time to just let things roll off my back. It’s a skill to learn like any other, and it’s still a challenge.
I’ve gotten some considerable interest in my work even while flying 13mm Mini motors. Heck, there are even some modelers who have achieved staging with Quest MicroMaxx motors equivalent to 1/8th of an A. I also know of at least two flyers here on this forum who set up HPR-style dual deployment in a C-powered rocket. Sometimes something is cool because it was done with something small.
As far as securing a good launch site, this is perhaps the most common issue faced by the solo model rocketeer. You are not alone in this regard. Without a club or organization to back you up, a lot of times this means getting involved in local government and sweet-talking the neighbors. Getting NAR/Tripoli insurance coverage and making friends on the city council can be immensely helpful.
If you’ve got a site that just allows you to set up and fly without a bunch of wrangling and fuss, and it looks like you do, count yourself among the lucky ones. Can’t fly ‘em indoors!
