Some of you more experienced photo trekkers and walkers may already have a plan in mind, but for those of you new to the concept of a Photo Walks, consider making a list of what you need to bring with you.
This walk will not be difficult. Historic New Castle is a fairly compact area, but still with plenty of photo opportunities. No hills, no steps, probably little or no crowds. The only thing that may cause an issue is if it rains. But, this still is a rain-or-shine kind of event.
So, be sure to wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. As I write this in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, the forecast for Saturday is "Mostly Sunny" with a high of 94 ... sounds pretty warm, so you may need be concerned about the effects of heat and humidity . However, be sure to take the proper precautions against excessive exposure to sun, and bring water.
What about photo gear? This, of course, is a highly personal matter.
Those of you who have experience with photo trips and events know exactly what you need to take. For you who are new to this, let me just give you one piece of advice for now -- don't load yourselves down with photo gear. Keep things simple so you can stay focused (pun intended) on the task at-hand.
I've written about this before to you. In the last few years, I have changed how I approach a new photo trip. I used to carry large bags filled with a wide assortment of cameras, lenses and gadgets. Lately, I've been taking one camera and one or two lenses on trips. This frees me up considerably, and it allows me to focus on that one piece of equipment and squeeze out the best I can with it. It slows me down, makes me think, helps approach my photography more methodically, and makes me exercise my "photographic eye."
Sometimes, I like to just use a special kind of camera for an event. During one recent trip to Europe, I decided to leave my fancy-schmancy gear at home and take an old, simple Leica film camera. That was a lot of fun, and the simplicity just made my photography on that trip so much fun -- and the results were spectacular. Another time, I traveled to Italy with one D-SLR and only one special lens called a"Lensbaby." [see www.lensbaby.com for info on this special gadget].
But, as I have already mentioned, it doesn't have to be just equipment. It could be a particular technique or subject matter that you want to concentrate on. For example, you might want to shoot strictly for black-and-white (even though you will do the conversion on the computer later on). Or you might want to concentrate on people photography, candids, nature, angles, architecture, and so forth. Some folks visiting Historic New Castle like to concentrate on certain details commonly found in colonial towns, such as the ornate door-knockers or window shutters.
Sandro Cuccia
Leader, Historic New Castle Photo Walk
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