SPR photography walking tour and photo competition, 12 May 2022

This innovative SPR event proved that with the technology now available on mobile phones, anyone can be a creative photographer and turn this activity into an intriguing pastime. For most, the one missing ingredient for reaching this level is an understanding of some basic photographic principles – but an introduction was kindly provided by three keen photographers from Remit Consulting: Andrew Waller, Kai Allen and Charles Woollam.  At the start of the evening, Andrew highlighted a few key concepts, such as thinking of the area of a photograph as a grid and where the main subject of the shot should appear in this framework, which is not necessarily at the centre.

The group of a dozen or so SPR members then made their way to the start of the walk, close to the London Eye.  On the route, which followed the Thames Path along the southern bank of the river, participants were encouraged to compose photos for a competition that Remit also organised for the event, with entries to fall under three headings: symmetry, bridges and ‘strangers in the night’.  The third, somewhat cryptic category was left open to interpretation.  Members were encouraged to quiz the experts on any aspects of the photographic process as they headed out along the river.

The event turned out to be a highly absorbing and relaxing way to spend a late spring evening, which went from drizzly to glorious sunshine over a couple of hours and offered a range of lighting conditions.  Walking at ‘a photographer’s pace’, as Remit’s helpful notes put it, gave the opportunity to see familiar sights in new ways and to develop a deeper visual perspective than that of the average tourist.  It also offered the possibility of easy conversation in a traffic-free environment, not easy to achieve in a city that is now coming back to life.  The event ended with drinks on the walkway outside the Anchor pub close to the Tate Modern gallery.

Remit have invited each of those present to enter three photos taken on the evening into the competition, which they will then judge, with a selection soon to be published on the SPR website – together, of course, with the winners’ names.  Watch this space for the results!

Tim Horsey