What do you think when you hear the word photowalk?
Does it sound like it means a chaperoned walk through a pretty place in a small orderly group?
Well, clearly to some people it does.
It doesn’t to me.
To me it means going somewhere with other people who love photography to take photos without being asked to do something else or being hurried along. It means to make the best of a strange place and to FIND the beauty. It means to get sore feet and find a spot in your camera bag to put a bottle of water because you know you’re going to get thirsty and there’ll be no time for coffee breaks and heaven forbid you actually find a loo. It means to get out of your comfort zone and to learn from people that you wouldn’t ordinarily get the opportunity to be with. And a whole lot more, but I’m sure you’re getting tired of this list by now.
The aim of this tirade is the following…
I’ve been sending information about the Worldwide photowalk to fellow photographers that I think would be interested in the event. I’ve got quite a few people that have added themselves to the JHB list, and even got some guys in Cape Town and Durban to join those local walks too (via a tweet on Twitter).
Then, I thought… hmm… let me send it to the camera club’s chairlady and get her to send it to the rest of the club. It would be a great opportunity for people to get out there in the city and to get shots for the monthly meets. She did forward it, but not before sending me a mail telling me how she went last year and it was, in her words, “awful”.
I’m sorry, but how awful could it have been? It was in Sandton early on a Saturday morning. Hardly anyone around. What an amazing opportunity to get photos of the lines and angles etc in the city! The only thing I can think of why it would have been awful was because of disorganisation. But please, there’s 50 photographers! How organised can you be? Who cared about that? Just take photos!! That’s what the aim is!
Then I reply, after I think about it carefully, saying that I’m hoping it’ll be good this year. To which she responds “I hope so too, but I won’t be there!!!!!” Note how many exclamation marks! I wasn’t asking her to go! Silly woman.
Anyhoo, I think she needs to get a life. Not all photo outings are about prettiness and organisation.
OK rant over. This camera club is irritating me again.
LOL, guess I won’t be inviting any of them to our next inpromptu photo outings to arb places in Jo’burg hey?
Comments
Allan Kent
A couple of months ago myself and some people from work did a photowalk in Bo-Kaap one morning before work. The only time we saw each other was when we arrived, and when we met up again at the cars to go back to the office. We each found different places and the places we did have in common we all had different takes on it.
Jim Sefton
Some people, eh?!
You hit the nail on the head with your view on a photowalk. It is 100% what you make of it. If you go out with the intention of finding new things to photograph, learning from others and most of all having a laugh then that is what you will do. If you go out expecting people to entertain you then you will be disappointed. You only get out what you put in.
I went on a photowalk by myself in Sandton last year. I was waiting for my gf who worked in Sandton and took the opportunity to get well and truly lost with my camera in tow. Ok, that wasn’t the wisest move (as she told me later… several times!) but I had a good time anyway. The only thing missing from a photography point of view was other photographers to learn from.
I am in the UK at the moment and we have Flickr meets quite often over here. I have not yet had chance to go on one but one of my friends has, and every time he gets back from one he has learned so much.
It really does sound like this woman is a stick-in-the-mud, I just hope she doesn’t drag the organisation down to her level.
Nice post!
Jim
thegypsymama
I am loving following your blog and tweets – it’s like having eyes and ears in Jo’ies! Goodness but I miss that city and that country. But how is it that the only two people I have heard use the phrase “anyhoo” are a small town girl in rural Michigan and a South African photographer in Jo’burg? Ain’t life quirky!
Janet B
I agree! And look at the lovely photographs you took before you got involved – just taking where you went! I think this club needs some fresh blood and new ideas – before she pulls them all down with her!
NatzG
It’s not the first time camera club has dragged you down…(hint, hint).
Like I said in my email, my local photowalk is full already. Hoping they start another local one. If not, I will drive to DC or Wilmington. Can’t wait!
Marcelle
I need to find something like this here, sounds like a brilliant idea to me…
Heather @ Domestic Extraordinaire
I am with you on the photo walks. I love just to get out and explore with my camera, isn’t that the point?
angel
I didn’t even think what it may be like… I just thought it would be an awesome opportunity to meet other photographers and learn something new!
She does sound a tad negative…