walking solo

Once a year an activity like Scott Kelby’s WorldWide PhotoWalk creates an opportunity to gather photographers and encourage them to go out and shoot. This year is no different from the past 2 years that I’ve led this same event. There were first timers and veterans as well, and the order of the day was to give them a very memorable experience.

One of the advantages of a group photo walk is security. Another is the boost in confidence it gives each individual in overcoming their shyness in approaching strangers and asking to take their photos. Of course, it cannot be avoided that there is a chance of everybody going after the same subject, similar to the group of boys running after the same ball, but the real intention of this activity is to have fun.

The task of looking after the group limits the number of photo opportunities, so having a safe open space in the route is essential. It allows for a chance to run across a scene that would fit into the frame.

Saturday ended well with a short group discussion. Everybody seemed happy, and hopefully another photo walk will be organized in the near future.

Ever since I started this blog, I mostly did solo photo walks except maybe once or twice when I had a companion join me. It’s not that I avoid company, but it is more about how differently I may view the scene. I can spend an hour or more sitting and chatting with locals which could tire a shooting buddy, or I might move on to another location at any time if I can’t find a connection, and which a shooting buddy might find photogenic. Having coffee together at the end of the shoot, however, will always be very welcome.

The important thing I keep in mind always is to make friends wherever I go, and show goodwill to everyone I meet.

This is the second stop on this Sunday’s solo walk – a small community by the bayou at Palo, Leyte.

This place, I’m sure, would have been great in the morning light.

And I can imagine how it would look on a full moon with lights coming from the open windows.

Tags: b/w, bayou, fujifilm, leyte, palo, photo, photography, photowalk, Scott Kelby, tacloban, tanauan, x-pro1

42 thoughts on “walking solo”

m05322450078 on June 18, 2014 at 6:00 pm said:

Reblogged this on Şehir karot,Bu Şehrin Karotcuları, 0537 920 40 25.

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ms. diplomacy on November 23, 2013 at 8:49 pm said:

great photos!

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depostalesurbanas on November 7, 2013 at 8:56 pm said:

amazing photos!

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Indira on October 28, 2013 at 2:03 am said:

Great photographs.

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lucass81 on October 17, 2013 at 4:14 pm said:

Really nice pictures. I like them.

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- Orlando Uy on October 21, 2013 at 11:48 am said:
  
  thanks
  
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bobmielke on October 16, 2013 at 6:26 am said:

Are you doing ok Orlando after the disaster? I’ve been worried about you.

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- Orlando Uy on October 16, 2013 at 9:10 am said:
  
  We’re safe, Bob. Thanks for the concern. We’re on the eastern side of the archipelago and the epicenter was at the central part. The damages have been extensive, though, but thankfully we’ve been spared.
  
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  - bobmielke on October 16, 2013 at 9:13 am said:
    
    Good news! I bumped into a man who lived and worked in the Philippines for years. I was eating breakfast this morning and talked with him about the reported disaster. He hadn’t heard the news and was shocked and concerned. I’m really happy you’re ok.
  - Orlando Uy on October 16, 2013 at 9:26 am said:
    
    Aftershocks are still being experienced, but less frequently now. We had a big one last August 2012, also a 7.2 magnitude. We’re on a fault line, I guess.
guychandler on October 12, 2013 at 2:03 am said:

I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! Should you accept, please follow the link provided. Thank you and well done 🙂 (http://sargassogyre.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/versatile-blogger-award/)

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Jose on October 9, 2013 at 12:23 pm said:

Absolutely brilliant! I’ll come back for a better look later on.

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- Orlando Uy on October 11, 2013 at 9:14 am said:
  
  thanks!
  
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Photographs by Peter Knight on October 7, 2013 at 5:12 pm said:

HI Orlando; this is one of my favourite of your posts..Great pictures..

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- Orlando Uy on October 11, 2013 at 9:14 am said:
  
  thank you, Peter.
  
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alixdebeer on October 7, 2013 at 5:06 pm said:

Looks nice to gather this experience! Great shots BTW!
Lovely work!
alixxx
http://alixdebeer.com

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klaasp on October 7, 2013 at 4:16 pm said:

Love the first picture. Great series.

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Mörkrum on October 7, 2013 at 2:41 pm said:

PhotoWalks are a great idea! I really like shooting alone, but when it comes to people photography, I’d prefer not to be alone 🙂

Awesome photos!

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bobmielke on October 7, 2013 at 10:27 am said:

I have been on one Scott Kelby PhotoWalk a few years ago. It was held in downtown Portland, Oregon near my home in the suburbs. I was not impressed but then I tend to be a loner for some of the same reasons you found. I like the spontaneity of solo shooting without being distracted my a bunch of photographers interested in each other’s gear. I can take photographs for the day within 10 feet of where I’m standing. The day I went on my PhotoWalk my favorite photo was of a cornflower growing from a crack in a sidewalk. I don’t plan on any more PhotoWalks as I go on them daily by myself. I took an out of state couple on a personal tour of our zoo today. That’s my idea of a cool PhotoWalk.

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dalo2013 on October 7, 2013 at 8:23 am said:

Great set of photographs, so much life and enjoyment in each shot… Thought about the Kelby Photowalk a couple weeks ago, and while I have yet to be able to participate, love the concept. Perfect parallel with you and your wonderful blog.

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- Orlando Uy on October 7, 2013 at 5:20 pm said:
  
  Thank you. Yes, this photo walk is a great concept and allows for like-minded photographers to meet and have fun. In fact, some of the participants have already expressed their desire to have another one soon.
  
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  - dalo2013 on October 7, 2013 at 5:41 pm said:
    
    Let me know when…I’d like to join, albeit from afar 🙂
  - Orlando Uy on October 11, 2013 at 9:15 am said:
    
    or organize one in your place.
  - dalo2013 on October 19, 2013 at 10:11 am said:
    
    That is a great idea…especially if I am in China, as it would be neat to see what the group shoots.
leila on October 7, 2013 at 4:59 am said:

beautiful! sometimes a solo photo walks end up to an everlasting friendship! love them all, esp. the last two frames. Thank you.

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- Orlando Uy on October 7, 2013 at 4:44 pm said:
  
  that is something that has already happened, and it’s always something to look forward to.
  
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cboisnardphotographies on October 7, 2013 at 4:56 am said:

Not walking but following with the same pleasure every week !

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- Orlando Uy on October 7, 2013 at 4:42 pm said:
  
  thank you and I’d be happy to treat you to a cup of coffee if you happen to visit 🙂
  
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vartzbed on October 7, 2013 at 3:42 am said:

Very nice Photos! Thanks for showing! 🙂

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- Orlando Uy on October 7, 2013 at 4:39 pm said:
  
  thanks!
  
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bermaxo on October 7, 2013 at 2:51 am said:

Muy interesante lo que comentas a mi tambien me gusta salir a disparar y luego veremos lo que sale -saludos

________________________________

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- Orlando Uy on October 7, 2013 at 4:38 pm said:
  
  sometimes there’s a pleasant surprise, and other times there is none… i think this is what makes photo walks interesting
  
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Newfoundland Traveller on October 7, 2013 at 2:24 am said:

Awesome photos! Love seeing children at play!

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- Orlando Uy on October 7, 2013 at 4:09 pm said:
  
  and they love being photographed as well 🙂
  
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  - Newfoundland Traveller on October 7, 2013 at 9:15 pm said:
    
    I agree.
Arnaud on October 7, 2013 at 2:13 am said:

so nice !

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themofman on October 7, 2013 at 1:09 am said:

Your work always inspires and motivates me.

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- Orlando Uy on October 7, 2013 at 4:08 pm said:
  
  thank you very much for the kind words.
  
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Renchick on October 7, 2013 at 1:03 am said:

Really lovely, touching and full of life 🙂

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- Orlando Uy on October 7, 2013 at 4:02 pm said:
  
  thanks
  
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emilwittstock on October 7, 2013 at 12:59 am said:

Great photos 😀

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- Orlando Uy on October 7, 2013 at 4:02 pm said:
  
  thank you.
  
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