Worldwide Photo Walk 2010

As you might know, 24 July 2010 is Worldwide Photo Walk day!

Last year I lead the photo walk at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town but this year decided to keep it a little closer to home!  To that end, I will be leading a photo walk in Melville, Johannesburg.  For more info, or to sign up for the walk,  you can click here.

If you are not quite sure about this ‘photo walk thing’, here is a quick run down, as per the Worldwide Photo Walk site.

“So, what exactly is a photo walk?

You take yourself and a camera to a designated meeting place to meet up with other photographers, then venture out into an area and snap away! Walk around taking pictures for a couple of hours, then gather at a restaurant, bar, or other eatery/drinkery, and compare, share, discuss, and have a good time. Then, if you want, submit your favorite photos from the day to the leader of your photo walk to be put in the running for the GRAND PRIZE!

What are the benefits of going on a photo walk? If it’s an area that you’re already familiar with, being there with a group of creative people can help you see things in ways you hadn’t noticed before. Or if it’s an area you’re unfamiliar with, you can get to know the area with other people who may have lived there all their lives! But the best part is that you get to meet fellow photographers, make new friends, and have fun!

What do you need to bring? Yourself and a camera. Doesn’t matter what kind. If you want to come with a cell phone, go for it. If you want to show up with a top-of-the-line camera and an assortment of lenses and accessories, great. Just remember that it is a photo walk, so what you bring with you, you’ll be carrying the entire time. Personally, I would recommend bringing fairly minimal gear that’s versatile so you don’t have to change lenses every five minutes. Oh, and money for food and/or drink at the end of the photo walk. Wouldn’t want you to starve

We’re looking forward to a great day of fun, photography, and forming new friendships across the world. As of this posting we have over 370 walks (a number of which are already full), and over 5,300 participants signed up since the Photo Walk was announced!”

If you have never done a photo walk, here are some tips and things to keep in mind to help you prepare.

- This is not a training session or seminar, it’s a social event.  
While you may pick up some tips or tricks during the event, the main purpose of the event is to meet fellow photographers and have fun taking pictures.

- You might consider bringing just one lens since you’ll be walking around for a while. It’s up to you if you want to bring a lot of gear, but keep in mind that you’ll be carrying it the whole time.

- Bring your point and shoot!  Don’t worry if you don’t have a big fancy camera.

- If you do want to learn more about photography, you might consider letting people know before the walk begins that you’re a newbie and would like to tag along with a pro if they don’t mind.

- Bring sunscreen if you’re going to be out in the sun during your walk, as well as appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes.

- Check out the map on your Photo Walk page to familiarize yourself before the walk.

- The contest is open to anyone who registers for the photo walk, but you do not have to participate if you don’t want to.

- Each local walk winner will receive a free book from Scott Kelby, and the prizes for the overall winners are listed here.

All the images in this post were taken during last year’s photo walk.  Great fun and an amazing way to ‘share’ photography.

If you own a camera, any camera, and have nothing better to do on the morning of Saturday 24 July, why not join us?  Click on the logo below to sign up for more info!

Bye 4 now!

Gerry