Photowalk sparks their creativity and helps them to blend their intent to capture images with randomness, say three BYUH students
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From architectural buildings and nature to people, anything can be the subjects of photowalk, a group activity where photographers take photos while exploring a location, said BYUH students. “By doing photowalk, it helps with what type of photography you want to take on... like portrait, landscape, etc., leading you to be more creative and imaginative,” said Karlos Navida, a sophomore from the Philippines majoring in biology and health and human science.
Giovanni Boenari, a senior from Indonesia majoring in hospitality and tourism management, said he did not do photowalk until he came to Hawaii. “It was something new to me, but I think it’s fun to take pictures with other photographers as well,” he said. Boenari said photowalk sparks his creativity because of the randomness of the photos he took during those times. “By walking outside with other photographers, I get to see what they capture and how they do it,” he added.
Jared Bangal, information technology senior from the Philippines, said he used photowalk to spend more time with his family. “My initial thought was how can I take pictures regularly and spend time with my family as well?,” he said. Bangal said it sparks his creativity when he randomly takes photos without thinking about the composition at the beginning of his photowalk session.“I let inspiration [come to] me by walking around, observing details, and trying different angles helps me,” he added.
Navida said he started photowalk when he was on his mission in the Philippines. He said he used different types of cameras where he would capture landscapes. However, he said his main medium is a film camera. “I chose a film camera as my medium because it brings you in the moment. It makes the photo more intentional,” Navida said. He said by using film in his photowalk, it draws him more to the subject. “I am more of a random type of person, I love capturing colors and film helps me with my style,” he continued.
“I am more into taking random photos [too],” said Boenari. He said being intentional is already planned, but the concept of photowalk is more about randomness for him. “I will be taking pictures, and I don’t have to think much about it, like going to Chinatown and taking random pictures there,” he continued.
Through becoming both intentional and random in taking pictures, Bangal said he found his style in photography. “My previous shoots were more on drone shots, but right now, it’s more on film… because I feel like it suits me better,” he said. Bangal said he also used a film camera as one of his mediums to take photos nowadays.
Recently, Navida said he had a chance to go to New York, and during a photowalk, he took a particular photo of a building with an intricate pattern. By using a 60 year-old film camera, he said he captured tons of amazing portraits, places and landscapes that continuously sparks his creativity and leads him to get more inspiration for future photowalks. “It makes me feel unique,” he said.
“I would not say I feel inspired in an emotional way when doing photowalks,” said Bangal. He said there are moments during his photowalk sessions that boost his confidence because he captured one photo that makes the whole walk worth it. Although there are times he cannot get the photo he likes, he said he learned how to enjoy the process. “It helps me improve my patience and leads me to remember why I love doing photography in the first place,” Bangal added.
Boenari said there was one time during a photowalk where he felt inspired. “I was using my drone to take photos of mountains and the beach, and it looked so good,” he said. Because of this experience, he said he found his subject for his photos, which is landscape and nature.
“Photowalk helps photographers learn more about composition, colors and lighting,” Boenari said. Photowalk allows him to ask advice from fellow photographers as well, he added. Seeing other people take photos pushes people to try new styles and different perspectives, he shared. “Overtime, you grow as a photographer because you’re always learning something new,” Bangal continued.
Photowalk should be incorporated in every photographer’s routine, Navida said. “Sometimes, with photography especially as a business, you get burnout, and I feel like photowalk is a pause,” he said. He said it gives the photographer a freedom to capture a lot of things, where they can be creative and be inspired. Although Bangal enjoys his experience doing photowalk, he said not all people like photowalk. “It does not have to necessarily be incorporated in their routine,” he said. However, he encourages them to learn from fellow photographers too.
“Having a community is important to have a network, find clients and most especially if you need advice,” Boenari said. He emphasized that through photowalk, they create a sense of artistic community that leads to networking and learning especially for beginners. “With other photographers, you get to notice things differently because they have their own way of seeing the world beautifully,” Bangal added.
Navida recounts his encounter with film photographers who do photowalk, he said because in this type of community he feels more seen. “You get to meet people who have gone through the same struggle as you do,” Navida said.