Worldwide Photo Walk is the world’s biggest annual photography event organized by photographer and photoshop expert, Scott Kelby. The idea is to have a group of photographers in every city to shoot an interesting area of their choice, and then socialize afterwards in a restaurant. The uniqueness of this event is that it happens simultaneously everywhere in the world at a particular date – this year, it happened on Saturday July 24, 2010. In effect, we take a picture of the “whole” world in the same instant. The Kelby group makes the event sweeter by giving away prize to the “best” photo chosen by Scott Kelby.
Maybe my photos are not so good, that’s why I deleted them from my Flickr account. I can’t remember so I am now replacing photos taken with LCA+ & film which I just have developed a month ago (9 years later) – update 2019 September
Pre-registration is required to be eligible in the contest but registration is free! There were total of 1111 registered groups and over 33,000 registrants. But in reality, I think there may be more participants than those who registered. Since this is more of a social gathering, people who do not make it to the registration were also invited to walk with the group.
The event is on its 3rd year and the group gets bigger every year. Last year, I walked with the group in Tondo lead by FPPF’s Tristan Yap. This year, I lead my own group in Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.
The month of July is the beginning of monsoon season in the Philippines. While the news reported low level of water in Angat Dam, rain had been falling incessantly in Metro Manila the past weeks. The afternoon before the walk, buckets of rain threatened me to cancel our walk. But I emailed the walkers that the walk will push through – rain or shine – and suggested they be prepared with sunscreen and raincoats.
There is indeed a photo god!
July 24, 2010 at 7am, my friend Beth and I arrived at the Quezon Memorial Monument greeted by blue sky and sunshine. There were already a small group of photographers by the foot of the monument. We did our small introductions and shortly went ahead to take advantage of the shining sun. By 7:30am, our friend Denise arrived and the 3 of us started our photo walk. By 9am, I saw more photographers shooting around the Elliptical Circle
Living in Quezon City for almost 20 years, I’ve never been to Quezon Memorial Circle for its shady reputation as drugs and prostitution joint. But I’ve heard about the clean-up made by the mayor and decided it is a good place to have the photo walk.
Quezon Memorial Circle is a national park in Quezon City built in memory of former commonwealth president, Manuel L. Quezon, the popular landmark being the 66 meters tall monument of 3 vertical pylons. At the foot of the pylons is a 2-storey Quezon Memorial Shrine and Museum that houses some artifacts and a mausoleum for the remains of President Quezon.
Taking photos around the monument is a refreshing change from last year’s Tondo walk). Here our subjects were happy children, runners, people playing sports, ballroom dancing folks, beautiful flowers and smiling security guards.
By 10:30am, the group converged at Serye restaurant to have late breakfast and exchanged stories. It was a perfect laid back place with very good siphon coffee! I was happy to count over 20 people and see them became friends because of this walk.
It was noon time when we bid goodbye to the group as we have another event to catch. 5 minutes after we got into the car, the ocean fell from the sky!
That white flower is GORGEOUS!
What a cool event! I had never heard of this before. Sounds like a great way to meet photographers and capture sights you normally wouldn’t.
Nice photos on the photowalk Lil! Your photography has improved immensely. Let me know when your next photowalk is. Hopefully, if I’m in Manila..will join.
Thanks, Kat. This event is held every years. For sure there are groups in Davao. Or why not organize one for your city. Cheers
Wow Aw! Need I say more??? Kudos to you!!! For organizing the successful walk & all the photos are very very very nice! This I say from the bottom of my heart & not because we are cuzins. hehehe….and last but not the least, congrats for your article at the Zest inflight magazine. Can I have a copy of the mag if you have by chance an extra copy for my personal keeps? Keep up the good work & I’m very very proud of you!!! *clap* *clap* *clap* :-)
Oie, ats. Thanks for your support and biased compliment. Haha. I’ll try to get another copy of the zest inflight magazine! =)
Hi Lilliane!
As far as I can remember, I had been to the Quezon Memorial Circle for only three times – one night when I went ballroom dancing and twice when i had lunch there.
Never did I realize that there would be a fourth time when for three solid hours, I would comb every square inch of the Circle with a backpack of lenses and a camera strapped to my neck. Yes, there I was last Saturday morning, one among the 50 or so members of a photowalk and taking pictures at the same time as about 30,000 people from all over the world.
As our group gathered at the Serye Restaurant afterwards, it suddenly dawned on me that I had just experienced one of the most fun-filled half-days in my life. I never thought that my very first photowalk would be this memorable.
Thank you Wanderlass, for organizing the event so successfully.
awwww, that was nice of you to say so, Roger. I had a blast and was happy to organize the walk. It indeed was an overwhelming experience specially when you browse through other people’s photo. It’s like taking photo of the whole world at an instant, well, sort of, after all, all photo will have record of being taken on July 24, 2010.
Thank u for taking part in the walk, til next time. :)
Nice pics Lilliane! :)
Haven’t seen you being active on the MatadorU community lately?
Thank you, Abhi. I’ve been a bit busy with work that I’ve not been checking out MatadorU. I hope to catch up very soon. :)