Photowalking

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Wikimedians at Wikipedia Photowalk in Chittagong Wikipedians at Wikipedia Photowalk, Chittagong (05).jpg
Wikimedians at Wikipedia Photowalk in Chittagong
A group of photo-walkers in Dhaka, Bangladesh taking photographs for Wikimedia Commons. Photowalk 31 12 10 081.JPG
A group of photo-walkers in Dhaka, Bangladesh taking photographs for Wikimedia Commons.

Photowalking is a communal activity of camera enthusiasts who gather in a group to walk around with a camera for the main purpose of taking pictures of things that interest them. The word is sometimes used incorrectly in the marketing title of a photography class or workshop. Although the term implies the single activity of taking pictures while walking, the more modern use of the term specifically relates to a communal activity of camera enthusiasts.

Contents

The activity is typically organized by camera clubs,[ citation needed ] ad hoc gatherings from online forums such as Facebook or Twitter, or sponsored by commercial organizations or photographers such as the Scott Kelby's yearly Worldwide Photowalk, and the now-canceled yearly 500px Global Photowalk.[ citation needed ]

Photowalks vs street photography

Photowalking is sometimes compared to street photography, a type of documentary photography activity. However, although a person participating in a photowalk may practice street photography, they are not limited to that scope; they may also practice Macro photography, Architectural photography, Nature photography, etc. Also, street photography is typically an activity practiced as an individual photographer rather than in a group.

History

The activity of walking and photographing with a group of other photographers dates back more than 100 years. An early example of photography clubs is The Camera Club of New York, established in 1884. The Eastman Kodak Company of New York launched the Brownie camera in 1900. The camera sold for $1 and put photography in the hands of the average consumer. [1] As photography became part of people's daily lives, photography clubs such as societies and associations, proliferated around the world to support this emerging technology. [2]

Adding to the confusion is that "photo walk" and "photowalk" are used interchangeably. Scott Kelby, one of the most well-known photowalking event leaders, has used both forms of the word since 2007. [3]

Social and cultural implications

Because it is so tightly coupled with the social aspect of group photography, photowalking can have benefits other than just exercise and photography practice. For example, in some situations, there is safety in numbers and the photography experience can be more enjoyable in a group.

Without tight controls and good organization, events can get out of control and in some cases involve the police. [4]

Many photowalk organizations also participate in charities. Since 2008, Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photo Walk has sponsored the Springs Of Hope Orphanage in Kenya. Other organizations donate money to the locations or museums they visit.

Related Research Articles

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Photography is the art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. It is employed in many fields of science, manufacturing, and business, as well as its more direct uses for art, film and video production, recreational purposes, hobby, and mass communication.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kodak</span> American photographic and film company

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Kodak Brownie

The Brownie was a series of cameras made by Eastman Kodak. Released in 1900, it introduced the snapshot to the masses. It was a basic cardboard box camera with a simple convex-concave lens that took 2 1/4-inch square pictures on No. 117 roll film. It was conceived and marketed for sales of Kodak roll films. Because of its simple controls and initial price of $1 along with the low price of Kodak roll film and processing, the Brownie camera surpassed its marketing goal.

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Analog photography Non-digital photography that uses film or chemical emulsions

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References

  1. "Kodak Heritage Milestones". Archived from the original on 2016-03-17. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  2. Bucky, Karen. "LibGuides: Photography: researching its history, processes, and photographers: Photography societies & associations". libguides.clarkart.edu. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
  3. "Worldwide PhotoWalk Archives - Scott Kelby's Photoshop Insider". scottkelby.com. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
  4. "Photo Walk Broken Up by Police After Being Mistaken for a Rave". petapixel.com. Retrieved 2021-03-10.