The 3rd Annual Worldwide Photowalk is scheduled for July 24th. Are you signed up, yet? Get on it – some walks have already filled up! Here is the official webpage. There is a video and lots of information on how to find a photowalk near you. Last year, there were over 900 cities participating and 30,000 photographers roaming those cities for a fun time with their cameras. What? You’ve never heard of this? Dude, you gotta get out more….
Photowalks have been happening for years, but they got more organized in the last few years as advances in the digital camera made photography much easier for everyone. One of those who helped popularize the movement is Jeff Revell, one of us Northern Virginia boys. Mark and I have had the pleasure of attending many walks organized by Jeff. You can find out more about him and read his blog here. Scott Kelby went along with Jeff, a few years back, and started up this Worldwide Photowalk thing, and it has grown larger every year. Of course, as with everything Scott, there is the NAPP connection. And, to add a touch of charity, t-shirt sales (optional) help support the Springs of Hope Orphanage, in Kenya. You need to be in on this one.
Photowalks are free and open to anyone, with any camera. Beginners and seasoned pros will be there. I’ve seen 1950s press cameras, 35mm film SLRs, point-and-shoots, camera phones, and modern digital SLRs. You’ll spend a couple of hours and 1-2 miles of walking with other photographers (each walk is limited to 50). Everyone shoots whatever they find interesting. Usually, the ending point is a restaurant where we all meet and look at photos that our walk group took.
As we’ve discussed in previous discussions of our personal photowalks, the goal is to get out and shoot things that you might not otherwise go after. This is an excellent time to photograph things that challenge you. If you need some help, you’ll have 50 friends there for advice. You can shoot great shots that everyone likes, or be happy with your vision of something different.
So, sign up today, and mark your calendar. You’ll have a great time; make some new photo connections; and create some new photographs. How can you go wrong?
