Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, attending a photo walk will inspire you to go out and take more pictures.
Photo walks are essentially walking tours intended for photographers. They’re not only perfect for meeting other camera enthusiasts, but also for honing your skills as a photographer, learning new ideas, and experiencing different places through your camera’s viewfinder.
Signing up for a photo walk is easier than you might think. Just search online, and you will find dozens of photo walk events near you. Social media sites such as Instagram, Facebook, Meetup.com, as well as various photography websites and forums have plenty of groups that organize photo walks regularly, or you can just always go on your own. If you’re thinking of going on a walk, these practical tips will help you get the most out of this exciting activity.
Learn as much as you can about your photo walk location
Before you go, find as much information as you can about the places, you’ll visit during the photo walk. Learn about the location’s history, the different activities in the area, the iconic spots you’ll encounter along the route, and any other interesting things you might want to capture in your photographs.
Bring only what you need
Photo walks can last a few hours, so it’s necessary to pack light and dress comfortably. Bring only the absolute essentials to keep the weight of your camera bag down. Resist the urge to bring unnecessary equipment. All you need is one camera and one lens. Remember that even Henri Cartier-Bresson, one of the best photographers who ever lived, produced some of his best images using only his trusty Leica camera and a 50mm lens.
Apart from bringing a camera and a lens, don’t forget to carry these other essentials:
Spare Batteries
Neutral Density and Polarizing Filters
Lens Cloth
Use one lens that best suits your needs
When you’re walking the streets with your camera, you have to be prepared to capture fleeting moments quickly. Changing lenses all the time means you could miss a lot of opportunities. Using only one lens during the photo walk will allow you to focus on taking photos, not fumbling with your camera and losing precious shots.
Zoom Lens If you want convenience and flexibility, then a zoom lens is well-suited for your needs. Having a zoom lens is like having several lenses in one package. It allows you to shoot wide shots as well as close-ups without having to switch lenses. However, most zoom lenses have narrower apertures than prime lenses (which means they do poorly in dim lighting) and can be inferior to prime lenses regarding image quality.
Prime Lens If you want to keep it simple and get close to the action, then the prime lens is for you. Prime lenses generally have wider apertures which let more light in and have better image quality. However, since prime lenses cannot be zoomed in, using them requires the photographer to physically move in closer to the subject to take a photo.
Shoot from different angles
Taking photos at eye level can become boring after a while. Change up your composition and experiment with odd angles as well. Shooting from a different point of view not only adds variety to your pictures, but it also changes the mood of your images. When you go on a photo walk, try framing your shots differently and see what kind of photos you get.
Capture anything that catches your eye
Attending a photo walk exposes you to breathtaking locations through a photographer’s point of view. You will be surprised how much a place changes when you look at it from behind the viewfinder. From a photographer’s frame of reference, immerse yourself in the environment and keep an eye out for anything that looks interesting.
Sometimes, the problem with being with a large group of photographers is that it can get crowded. Photo walks may add a social aspect to photography, but it is still mostly a solitary pursuit. Don’t hesitate to leave the group every once in a while, if you think you can take better pictures by yourself.
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