Three BYU-Hawaii students share how photowalk sparks their creativity and helps them to blend their intent to capture with randomness.
From architectural buildings and nature to people, these are some of the things that can be the subjects of photowalk, BYUH students said. “By doing photowalk, it helps with what type of photography you want to take on, especially there are different types of photography like portrait, landscape, etc. leading you to be more creative and imaginative,” said Karlos Navida, a sophomore from the Philippines majoring in biology and health and human science.
Giovanni Boenari, a senior from Indonesia majoring in hospitality and tourism management, said he did not do photowalk until he came here to Hawaii. “It was something new to me but I think it's fun to take pictures with other photographers as well,” he said. Boenari said photowalk sparks his creativity because of the randomness of the photos he took during those times.
“By walking outside with other photographers, I get to see what they capture and how they do it,” Boenari added.
Jared Bangal, a senior from the Philippines majoring in information technology said he used photowalk to spend more time with his family. “My initial thought was how can I take pictures regularly and spend time with my family as well?,” he said. Bangal said it sparks his creativity when he randomly takes photos without thinking about the composition at the beginning of his photowalk session.
Navida said he started photowalk when he was on his mission in the Philippines. He said he used different types of cameras where he would capture landscapes. However, he said his main medium is a film camera. “The reason why I chose a film camera as my medium is because it brings you in the moment, it makes the photo more intentional,” Navida said. He said by using film in his photowalk, it draws him more to the subject.
“I am more of a random type of person, I love capturing colors and film helps me with my style,” navida continued.
photos from the photowalk
by Jared Bangal, Karlos Navida, and Giovanni Boenari
Know more about how self- taught photographers, Rosalind & Didier Pedron, learns about photography and letting inspiration take its course in taking photos.
“I am more into taking random photos [too],” said Boenari. He said being intentional is already planned. But for him, the concept of photowalk is more about randomness . “I will be taking pictures and I don’t have to think much about it, like going to Chinatown and taking random pictures there,” he continued.
Bangal said because of photowalk and throughbecoming both intentional and random in taking pictures, he found his style in photography. “My previous shoots were more on drone shots but right now, it’s more on film… because I feel like it suits me better,” he said. Bangal said he also used a film camera as one of his mediums to take photos nowadays.
Recently, Navida said he had a chance to go to New York and during a photowalk he took a particular photo of a building with an intricate pattern and it inspired him. By using a 60 year old film camera, he said he captured tons of amazing portraits, places and landscapes which continuously sparks his creativity and leads him to get more inspiration for his future photowalks. “It makes me feel unique,” he said.
“I would not say that I feel inspired in an emotional way when doing photowalks,” said Bangal. He said there are a lot of moments during his photowalk sessions that boost his confidence because he captured one photo that makes the whole walk worth it. He said although there are times he cannot get the photo he likes during a photowalk, he learned how to enjoy the process. “It helps me improve my patience and leads me to remember why I love doing photography in the first place,” Bangal added.
Boenari said there was one time during a photowalk where he felt inspired. “I was using my drone to take photos of mountains and the beach and it looked so good,” he said. Because of this experience, he said he found his subject for his photos which is landscape and nature.
“Photowalk helps photographers learn more about composition, colors and lighting,” Boenari said. He said because of photowalk it allows him to ask advice from fellow photographers as well. Bangal also said when you see other people take photos it pushes you to try new styles and different perspectives. “Overtime, you grow as a photographer because you’re always learning something new,” Bangal continued.
Navida said photowalk should be incorporated in every photographer's routine. “Sometimes, with photography especially as a business, you get burnout and I feel like photowalk is a pause,” he said. He said it gives the photographer a freedom to capture a lot of things, where they can be creative and inspire all they want. Although for Bangal and his experience in photowalk, he said not a lot of people like photowalk. “It does not have to necessarily be incorporated in their routine,” he said. However, he encourages them to at least try as they can learn from fellow photographers too.
Navida said photowalk should be incorporated in every photographer's routine. “Sometimes, with photography especially as a business, you get burnout and I feel like photowalk is a pause,” he said. He said it gives the photographer a freedom to capture a lot of things, where they can be creative and inspire all they want. Although for Bangal and his experience in photowalk, he said not a lot of people like photowalk. “It does not have to necessarily be incorporated in their routine,” he said. However, he encourages them to at least try as they can learn from fellow photographers too.
“With other photographers, you get to notice things differently because they have their own way of seeing the world beautifully,” Bangal added.