After talking over the past week to a number of people about the photowalk and why they should come out I have realized that many people may be discouraged about coming out for the walk for any number of reasons.

Some make comments that they do not know the first thing about photography, others that they do not have the expensive gear that is needed in order to produce some meaningful images.  Before I hear these two “excuses” anymore I want to try and dispel these rumors right here, right now.

Let me start with the second point, that expensive gear is needed to produce meaningful images.  This is the farthest thing from the truth and I have already commented on it in a previous post so instead of repeating myself take a look the post Photography: Not About Expensive Gear if you are thinking that your camera is the most important factor in creating great imagery.

Now to the first point, that people do not know the first thing about photography.  This is the perfect reason to come out for a photowalk in my mind.  I’m not going to lie; I don’t know all that much about photography and I find it overwhelming to say the least, but this is exactly the reason why I wanted to start a photowalk in London, so I could learn more about photography and practice with others who enjoy this hobby/profession as well.

It is true that there are so many things to think about: white balance, ISO speed, aperture setting, shutter speed, shot composition etc.  Personally I struggle day after day when taking photographs to try and remember what each setting does, how they interact with one another and when to change one setting over the next, but the fact of the matter is that I am not going to learn (nor is anyone else) if I don’t take the time to learn about all of the settings and what they do.

I would be lying if I said you could learn everything over night, because from personal experience I don’t think you can, but if you learn one new thing every time you are out for a photowalk that is 12 new things learned per year and I think thats a step in the right direction.

With that said, what better place to learn about about photography than from others that enjoy it much like you.  There is no pressure, no tests, no instructors to tell you that you are doing something wrong, all the photowalk offers is a group of people that enjoy taking photos (some professionals, most are not) and helping one another to produce images that highlight London.

Even after only have been (and have held) one photowalk I feel like I know a little bit more than I did before and this is exactly one of the reasons I am going to go it again in a weeks time.