LIAP #11: CREATING A PHOTOWALK GROUP

 


Chot Street led the FJM Street Photowalk


Raja Indera Putra leads the Scott Kelby Photowalk in Chow Kit/ Kg Baru Areas


Putrajaya Photowalk led by Adib Noh

24.05.2021

PUTRAJAYA PHOTOWALK: A Journey of Photography, Friendship, and Project Management

On 7th August 2012, I created a Facebook group called Putrajaya Photowalk. Why? It was my way of bringing together friends who shared a passion for photography. I wanted a simple and effective online platform to encourage sharing of ideas, knowledge, and experience—and more importantly, to make it easier to plan and organise our photowalks through better communication, interaction, and collaboration.


Starting the Putrajaya Photowalk group was itself a project. Every photowalk we organise is a project. Managing the group and keeping the online activities alive, on the other hand, is an ongoing operation. It takes time, effort, and dedication—but I do it because I love photography, and I love the community that grows around it.

The benefits are many. Through these photowalks, I’ve not only improved my photography, but also deepened my understanding of project management. It may not be the same as my RM33 million bridge construction project, but it is just as meaningful in a different way. This is a social project—one that brings joy, friendship, and a sense of belonging.

As of today, we have 342 members. We are active online, often sharing photos weekly based on specific themes. Every two or three months, I organise a physical group photowalk. We meet, walk, and shoot together. The most recent outing before this write-up was on 10 April 2021 in Kuala Lumpur.


Every Photowalk Is a Project

Life is full of projects—big and small, short-term or long-term, profitable or purely for enjoyment. We often don’t recognise them as such because we’re so used to doing them instinctively. But each photowalk follows a clear project format:

   •   What, when, and how the walk will happen is planned in advance.

   •   The plan is shared via our Facebook group, complete with date, time, route, and duration.

   •   Communication is key. Plans may change, and participants may cancel last minute. I always ensure everyone has my contact number—just in case.

During the planning stage, the route is carefully selected with safety, comfort, and photo opportunities in mind. I once joined a photowalk organised by Raja Indera Putera where each participant was given a printed and online route map. It was a great idea—but I must admit, I’ve been too lazy to prepare something similar. No wonder more than 50 photographers join his walks, while mine usually attract a more intimate group of around 10!

On photowalk day, we gather early. The Walk Leader—usually me—gives a short briefing on the do’s and don’ts, route highlights, photo spots, and expected timelines. We typically start at 8:30am and wrap up by 11:00am, before the heat becomes too much and the thirst from all the walking and talking sets in.


The Best Moments Happen After the Walk

After the walk, we usually head to a nearby restaurant. Over meals, conversations continue—about what we saw, what we captured, the techniques we used, or the photos we wished we had taken. These discussions often spill over into our online group chat or WhatsApp. I cherish these conversations deeply, because they’re where I learn the most—from real people, with real experiences—more than I could from YouTube or podcasts.

Beyond Photography: A Walk for the Body, Mind, and Soul

Photowalks offer more than just photography. They rejuvenate the body and mind. Walking, observing, learning, and laughing with like-minded friends—it’s therapy in motion. Some days, I may not capture the perfect shot I envisioned. But the joy of walking with friends who share the same passion? That alone makes it all worth it.

Putrajaya Photowalk is more than a hobby group—it’s a living, evolving community project that brings people together, one step and one photo at a time.

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