A few days ago, photographer Seema Suresh, along with a few friends, went on a photo walk to Andhakaranazhi in Alappuzha. Their intention was to capture the locals collecting shells from the waves and depict their relationship with the sea. They put their camera bags on the shore and started clicking photos of the women who were on the beach to collect shells. ‘Are you from a TV channel?’ one of them asked the team. Seema says that it was the beginning of a rapport.
“They kept on asking questions out of curiosity and finally, introduced themselves to us. Over the time, they unveiled their stories before us. They talked about their job, explained the difficulties involved in it, and giggled seeing their photos in our cameras,” recalls Seema.
That makes photo walk, an emerging trend, alluring. “We get to know about different kinds of people through photo walk,” says Seema. “A photographer always has to communicate with laymen. Once you befriend them, they will become subjects of your photos, thus providing you with excellent shots,” adds Seema, who occasionally goes for nature photo walks with groups. “It is an effort to make the participants understand the significance of nature in their lives. Also, photo walks help us rejuvenate our mind and upgrade our photography skills. We visit Kadamakudy frequently,” she says.
According to Ullas G. Kalappura, a research scholar- turned-photographer, who leads photo walks in Kochi, this is a good method to interact with like-minded people. He had walked around Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and Chokramudi in Idukki as part of photo walks organised by Redraw Life. “We go in small groups,” says Ullas. “Our Fort Kochi trip began from the Jew Street and concluded at the Vasco da Gama Square."
Seema Suresh interacting with locals in Andhakaranazhi
How does the team work? “Prior to each expedition, I visit the location so that the team will not miss any spot during the journey. On the given day, we meet at the starting point. I will brief them about the place and its nature. Then, I will explain the type of photography suitable for the place and give them tips to do that effectively,” says Ullas.
Members of Trivandrum Photographers Forum at Sasthampara
“There will be people from different walks of life. Sometimes, we ask them to send their best clicks to us on WhatsApp after the journey. We will give them feedback,” adds Ullas who is on his way to Wayanad with another team. Syed Shiyaz Mirza, the founder of Trivandrum Photographers Forum, believes that photo walk is a good medium to expose the lesser-known destinations. A 90-member team led by him had been to Sasthampara, a remote place in Thiruvananthapuram in May.
Redraw Life team in Chokramudi
“It is a place that has got great potentials to emerge as a tourism spot. However, it was less noticed by the travel buffs. After our trip, we created a Wikipedia page of the place and shared photos on social media. That was a trigger. Now, we hear that tourists have started dropping in there,” says Syed.
Their trip was flagged off by Dr Neethu Sona IIS, Deputy director, Press Information Bureau, at Manaveeyam Veedhi. “Our journey kicked off at 3 pm. Sasthampara is an amazing place. One could watch clouds very close from the peak point. It also offers a panoramic view of Thiruvananthapuram,” he adds. Theirs was a socially committed programme. The team cleaned one pond there, which was filled with plastic wastes.
“We collected and disposed off the waste. That sent out a message that it is our responsibility to safeguard nature. We also ate tapioca and chutney served on leaf plates at the location, which was truly a refreshing experience,” Syed remembers. Indu Krishna, a traveller, believes photo walk makes us good observers. “Each photo walk is a lesson. You learn about people and their lifestyle through your camera. My frequent destinations in Kochi are Fort Kochi, Vypin and Puthu Vypin. I go there and take random photos,” she says.
