By Dave Warner
There are many photographers in Little Falls and more than you might realize since every modern smartphone has a pretty good camera. Karin Boepple is the first one that comes to mind for me. She’s always walking and posts images almost every day. She sees many things that most of us miss because we’re either too busy, not paying attention, or not up when she is to capture those special moments.
Others, like myself, walk around all the time, taking pictures and telling everyone how beautiful Little Falls and the surrounding Mohawk Valley are, but they don’t stop to smell the roses and showcase that beauty. It’s one thing to cover an event; it’s another to just slow down, walk around, and look for something unique.
Want an example? Look at the images below. They were all taken in a 30-minute period, within 100 yards of my office. The displays at Ann Street Deli & Restaurant are always spectacular, but who captures them in a unique way and highlights them? A lot of us tend to focus on the river but look closer. Even as we get deep into fall, there are still flowers and interesting things to photograph that you don’t see whizzing by in a car.
So now’s the time to band together, get the best images we can, and learn a little bit in the meantime. I’ve had this idea for a while, but I talked to Kali Kat Schafer a couple of weeks ago about a story, and she reminded me of it.
But what exactly is a photo walk, and how will this work? It’s simply a group of people who want to get together and walk different specific routes, taking the best pictures that they can. Each person can help others take pictures during and after the walk, passing on their knowledge and experience. It’s an easy, non-threatening way to teach your friends or others interested in photography some of the things that you’ve learned.
It’s a way to see things from a different and new perspective, but just being out and looking around will improve your ‘ability to see,’ which is extremely important when taking pictures.
Each month, we start at a different location and walk a specific route. Afterward, we return to the office at 25 W Mill Street, where we download and look at the images, edit, critique, or even post them online for everyone to see.
You can bring anything from simple to complex gear. It’s totally up to you. Just the smartphone in your pocket? That’s good enough. Do you have a 35mm camera and want to bring a tripod? That’s fine, too. Do you want to shoot video instead of images? That’s highly encouraged as well.
Is it raining on the day of the photo walk? All the images below were shot on a rainy day, and in my mind, the colors are more vibrant. The water drops on leaves and flowers, as well as the falling rain, all add to the impact of the photographs.
Here are some final thoughts: Wear the appropriate clothes and shoes! You don’t want to have blisters or be too cold or wet. Make sure you sign up (the walks are free – so click here) now since we’re keeping this to about 14 people each time. We’ve got them scheduled for October, November, and December.
When you post images online as part of this group, use #LittleFallsPhotoWalk to let people see them. Ultimately, this is about having fun, reducing stress, and improving your mood. Think of it as a private retreat where creativity and relaxation meet.
