Spacing Ottawa photographer Justin Van Leeuwen has one of the busiest twitter accounts we know of; a constant stream of tips and encouragement for amateur and aspiring photographers pours from his tweetstream. Every couple of months the tweeting activity cranks up yet another notch, as he prepares to lead another of his well-known weekend photowalks.
That last part of July was particularly busy for Justin as he made ready to captain the Ottawa edition of a red-circle day in the photowalk calendar; the annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk, now in its third year. So, fresh from leading that successful walk last weekend, I took the opportunity to ask Justin about photowalking in Ottawa more generally.
1. How do you think we rate as a city for photowalks – are they more popular here than other places ?
I think Ottawa has a great arts community in general, though we’re a bit weak on the “professionally lead” photowalks that I see in the States (Salt Lake City Utah has an abnormal number of stock photographers it seems). But it’s really a matter of scale and distance. Ottawa has a lot of people spread out over a lot of space, a major city like Toronto or New York, just by virtue of density will have more of everything, including photowalks. Having said that, Ottawa’s amateur and working-amateur community is vibrant and sharing. I’ve only met a few full time “pros” willing to take time out of their day to talk to one of us lowly “doing it for the love” people though.
2.. Is there a common misconception about what a photowalk is?
I think some people think of it as a competition, and not even of art, but of “what I’ve got.” There’s a term I have for people who brag about gear all the time and that’s a “Photo Douchebag” (hashtag #phodo on twitter). I’m guilty of it, a lot of us are, but you don’t come out on one of these walks with 50 or so other people with everything you own & the Pelican case: you show up with a camera and, at most, two lenses. It’s about exploring and sharing, not bragging and showing off.
3. What’s the biggest surprise you have ever come across on a walk?
Attitudes. People are just so giving, loaning lenses (these things aren’t cheap) helping others get “the shot” sharing ideas of photographs, art, and even business. The amount we’re able to discuss and debate without feeling like the other person is competition is incredible. That’s what these walks are really about; on the Scott Kelby I barely took any photos at all It’s just an awesome way to get the F outside (instead of siting around in a stale room all night) and try and take some photos with some very like-minded individuals.
4. Where do people go to find out about photowalks in Ottawa?
@WTL on twitter leads one every Thursday night in the market (to my knowledge) and I try my best to also get one going every few months through twitter using the hashtag #ottawalk There’s a few Ottawa flickr groups too, and they go out for some drinks… I don’t know how well they walk after though!
5. When/where is the next one you are hosting or participating in?
We just finished the 3rd annual Scott Kelby, (Editor’s note – click image above to see photo pool from Scott Kelby event) and there won’t be another one of these OFFICIALLY until next year. I haven’t planned one yet – but I should probably get on that sometime between next summer and now. A nice fall walk in Gatineau park maybe? A walking photographic tour of Hintonburg? With two kids all I need is a babysitter!
Any other anecdotes about photowalks?
I encourage anyone who wants, to organize a photowalk; there’s not too much involved, just a love for the art and some good walking shoes. I find smaller groups a bit more conductive to actual creation of images, but as a social outing I still encourage people to walk first, and have food and drinks later. It’s amazing how much just a few different perspectives on the exact same subject will change, and show you just how interpretive photography can be.
Photo by Justin Van Leeuwen