Expectations (a Photowalk Follow-up)

You know when you have expectations, when you head out camera in hand certain you know what will catch your eye? And like an obliging, self-fulfilling prophecy, that’s where your eye settles. You see the bright red lanterns in Chinatown or the gang of men bent over a game board. But in allegiance to the walk, your legs carry you down windy paths and deserted back alleys, and soon your eyes relax and forget the mandate of expectation and remember only ‘to see’ and you do: you start to see what was previously invisible.

For the last fifteen minutes of my morning photowalk, I abandoned the stereotypes – as lovely and spectacular as they were – and found my eyes focused on locks and gates, on all the ‘bars in between us’ (to quote one of my favorite bands, ‘X’). I saw locks against vibrant life-affirming colors and locks protecting nothing at all. And that was how I wrapped up my Chinatown photowalk, willing to have it not be about Chinatown, only that it was because all the colors were so bold and unique.

Afterwards our groupgathered for Dim Sum and shared images. We peered onto the tiny LCD screens on our cameras, and a few insecurities rose to the surface as participants saw what others had shot and wondered how their own images stacked up. But it was worth confronting that inner voice, for the sharing was fun and enlightening: nothing like a geeky group of photographers sitting around talking equipment and goals and how we all ended up together that morning.

I did it again in the afternoon in my own hood. While I struggled to see Venice, California through fresh eyes, I enjoyed watching others discover my backyard. The best part came over margaritas and chips when a fellow photographer heard my lament of feeling a little stuck in my photographic progress and he asked, “Do you usually shoot alone?” When I nodded ‘yes,’ he said, “That’s the problem. You need to go out and shoot with others.” He looked over to his friend and added, “We often shoot together and share ideas and tips.” Point noted. And I think, ‘Shutter Sisters often functions as that daily joint photowalk, and I need to share more of my photos and process here.’

So, how did your photowalks go? Any surprises, discoveries? New friends made? Please upload your images to the Shutter Sisters Flickr group and tag them ‘photowallk’ and share your impressions in comments or in links to your own blog posts about the day.

Photos and words courtesy of Debbie Zeitman of deezeephotography who has been a fabulous resource for the Annual Scott Kelby Worldwide PhotoWalk. Thanks Debbie!

Comments

[kosenrufu mama]

my discoveries... http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/04/lunga-assenza-grande-liberazione.html

[jody]

Here are a few of my images.
I tried to take differant photo's then I saw others taking. I tried to find some unique images. It was an incredible day. Full of sun and crazy looking clouds. I really enjoyed my first photowalk =)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3735571565/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3732425471/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3733085924/

[Marcie]

What a wonderful series of unexpected imagesl
I always try to look for the unexpected when I'm out walking. Here's one that I posted awhile ago - an unexpected flower poking thru a stockade fence:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=810
And - here's a more recent one...of a couple of unexpected wildflowers in a field of ordinary greens:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=856

[Mandi]

I had a great time during the Hamburg version of the Photo Walk, exploring the harbor and the punk St. Pauli neighborhood. I blogged about all the details here:
http://noapathyallowed.com/2009/07/19/worldwide-photo-walk-hamburg/

And you can check out my album here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/namatovu/sets/72157621679660502/

Thanks so much for the heads up! I would have been very sad to miss out on this great opportunity!

[Sebrina]

What a fabulous day!!!!

[Puna]

My expectation on my walk in Washington DC, Chinatown, was to have fun and learn something. It was beyond my expectation!

http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2009/07/photogs-loose-in-dc/

Most of my photos are on my flickr photostream.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifesignatures/

I'm definitely doing it again next year!

[cdscott]

Here are my experiences. This first is a group of shots early in the walk. The second is a pair of shots I got when I veered off the "photo walk" path and ducked inside a beautiful old building.

http://courtneysablogger.blogspot.com/2009/07/group-photo.html

http://courtneysablogger.blogspot.com/2009/07/homage-to-courtneyp.html

[ToniM]

The weather was perfect for our photowalk in Omaha, NE. This was my first photowalk and I thank Shutter Sisters for bringing it to my attention.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/michel92/sets/72157621562963933/

[Kathy Winter]

I went on 2 photowalks in the same day (and my legs let me know how unhappy they were the next day, but it was so worth it!) I met so many great people. I completely agree that shooting with others is the way to go, and I need to do more of it. Here are 2 images from the downtown Tampa walk. I haven't selected anything from the Ybor City walk, yet.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathywinter/3736630782/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathywinter/3736630620/in/photostream/

[summer]

I am shy. painfully so sometimes...especially when it comes to something I care about so deeply. I chickened out on the photowalk.
I went solo, again. I know that it would be an amazing and quite different experience to shoot with someone else, I'm sure I would be challenged in such good ways. I hope someday I do it...maybe just even with one other to take baby steps towards admitting what a real living thing photography is in my life. I do find a certain solace and going solo though and always come back renewed in my desire to shoot...to always always shoot.
Here's my most recent walk produced :
http://outrightlight.blogspot.com/

[sharon]

I would like to see more walks like this, not just annually. It was great fun to meet new people and wonder what they saw and I didn't.

[Michelle Grace]

My daughter (age 6) and I enjoyed our city's photowalk. I shared about it on my blog today:
http://www.michellegraceblog.blogspot.com/

[jag]

This was my first group photowalk. I didn't know a soul going into it and almost cancelled at the last minute. But I leaned into my fear and just showed up. I'm glad I did it... I can't say enough about how much this Shutter Sisters community has helped me be brave when it comes to my photography. Merci!!

Here are a few of my faves:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/3740860087/in/set-72157621752235680/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/3741747532/in/set-72157621752235680/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/3740752753/in/set-72157621752235680/

Here's a mosaic of my Top 20. Can you help me choose TWO to submit? I can't decide!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/3741075075/in/set-72157621752235680/
xox

[Kim Adams]

I had a great time at the photo walk. I met a lot of great local photographers. I think my favorite part was sitting around afterward and talking with everyone. It was wonderful to hear everyone's stories.

Here are a couple of my favorite shots: http://kimberpic.blogspot.com/2009/07/photo-walk.html

[Sara]

I was terrified of going. There would be some professionals there and most of the cameras would be better than mine. At first it seemed that I was right because as people arrived early no one seemed too interested in talking with me. Luckily it turns out that they just weren't morning people either and we all started to warm up to each other as time went on. What a relief! I'm so glad I went, I'm so glad I stayed.

Thank you Shutter Sisters for pointing me towards this opportunity!

http://indigoamethyst.blogspot.com/2009/07/worldwide-photo-walk-photos.html

[Jessica]

I was hoping to go and get inspired/learn from better photographers, but honestly, I was disappointed by how unfriendly my group was. Maybe they don't like kids; I brought my 6-month-old. LOL

Anyway, here are some of my shots. I have a lot to learn. :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goaliej54/sets/72157621755260130/

[djbeat]

sigh - i missed the vancouver photo walk : ( but i do do my own photo walk almost everyday. i do appreciate & like idea of walking with other - signing up for photo walks in various neighbourhoods - hope i learn something...

on my walk today:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3744961156/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3744963790/in/photostream/

[Crystal]

I had a marvelous time on my first ever photo walk! My sister and I went together in celebration of her birthday. Thanks, Shutter Sisters, for pointing me in the right direction. We will definitely go again - and may even do some on our own in other local spots.

I blogged about it here:
http://crystalkrueger.blogspot.com/2009/07/world-wide-photo-walk-part-1.html
http://crystalkrueger.blogspot.com/2009/07/world-wide-photo-walk-part-2.html

And my Flickr stream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36958755@N02/



You can find the Edmonton groups at:

[Miss Jo]

A great montage of a morning walk....Love the all-locked-up imagery in contrast to the red Chinese lanterns that look ready to float away. Enjoyed your perspective !

[Kelley]

It's so great to see all the wonderful photos. I had signed up to do the PhotoWalk in my city but unfortunately sprained my ankle two weeks prior to the event. Thanks for posting your photos to everyone who went so I can experience it vicariously through you. I'm hoping next year I can make it!

[Suzanne]

who doesn't love being a tourist in their own town?

here are my shots from last saturday's photowalk ;)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzanne-marie/sets/72157621651113449/

[Jeanette]

I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and I learnt some new tricks too :) my photos are on my blog... http://www.jeanetteverster.com/2009/07/worldwide-photowalk-in-johannesburg-part-2/

[Martha]

Thanks for the reminder to sign up by Shutter Sisters!
I had a fabulous and fun time. I met up with one of my Flickr Shutter Sisters, which made it a total joy!
Here is a mosaic of my photos from the Seattle Fremont photowalk:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14756941@N08/3750481595/

[singapore event photographer]

Great pic..the old chinese house