We’ve been looking forward to our partnership walk with local photographer Tom Dauben and the day finally came around on Thursday the 18th of September. The walk attracted a range of local photography enthusiasts, ranging from smart phone camera users to those with digital photography setups. Helen Bruce, DPA Comms Officer, joined the walk as backstop and brought along her phone for some welcome close-up photography practice. We were delighted to also be joined by DPA Trustee Gian Ellis and local guide Emma Cunis.
Tom began by handing out small cardboard frames, explaining that we would start with a warm up activity to engage our senses and help us get into a receptive mindset for photography. He challenged everyone to find a subject, such as a tree, and then find five different ways to compose an image featuring it. The cardboard frames were a really useful way to quickly flick through compositions, changing angle, height and distance.
Once everyone had warmed up, we crossed Meldon Dam and walked to the viewing spot which looks out over the water of the reservoir. It was a real Dartmoor day, with light drizzle and low cloud over the hills, which provided an atmospheric backdrop for photography. Tom provided a photo capture bingo sheet, including suggestions of ‘something left behind’, ‘movement of water’ and ‘industrial remains’ which challenged everyone to photograph outside their usual subject preferences.
From the viewing spot, the walk took a loop down into the old quarry, past Meldon Viaduct, and then back up to the reservoir carpark. A gentle pace was maintained throughout, giving all attendees plenty of opportunity to have one on one discussions with Tom, share the photos they had taken, and ask any questions that came up about technique. Tom’s attitude was extremely positive and inclusive. He explained that there were lots of rules and guidelines about photography that could offer some structure, but he made it equally clear that it was fine to ignore all of these and just have fun and enjoy the process.
Photography isn’t always about capturing images for public consumption. From discussions during our walk, it became clear that many people enjoyed taking photos as a mindfulness activity, to document days out and as a way to give purpose to a walk. Taking photos is an excellent way to quieten thoughts and focus on really looking at a landscape, from the huge open vistas of water and hills, down to the tiny fractal patterns of lichens growing on stones.
Following the walk, Tom Dauben said, ‘Thanks so much for coming out on the photography walk. It was lovely to spend some time with everyone, and to share my passion for photography. Thanks to the DPA for having me as one of their walks for the year.
To help reinforce some of the concepts we talked about I’ve put together a brief guide with some pointers on improving photography. You can download a free copy of this on my website.’
We are really pleased to have had the chance to partner with fascinating groups and individuals this summer, in order to offer our range of partnership walks. These have supplemented our usual DPA walks and workdays. We run weekly events throughout the year and a full list of all upcoming walks and workdays can be found on our website.
Images: Tom Dauben & Helen Bruce