Photographers especially Aspiring photographers usually asks,”What do you mean by going on a Photo Walk? Where is the Photo Walk?”
Here we will let you know all about Photo Walk and what we usually do in Photo walks.
Photo Walking Tours
Photo Walk and Photography Exhibition for the Practical Session of Photography College
Creative Hut Institute Photography takes Photo Walk as the part of Course to explore the places of Kerala and India. As part of our Professional Photography Course curriculum, we divide our Practical session for Photography into two forms namely photo walk and photography tour.
Our article on Photography Tours is the backbone of a Photography Life you can read about our photography tours.
We exhibit the output of Photo Walk and Photo Tour, in different places of India. Our motto is that Exhibit, Don’t Showcase!
We conduct photography Street exhibitions at Bus Stop, Busy streets, Railway stations, Events, galleries, etc.
Our aim is to promote photography in the villages and streets of India as well as encourage the upcoming unknown photographers from India. We help the people to explore the beauty of Kerala Culture and Photograph them to exhibit in the World.
I. What is Photo Walk?
II. In which places are the students taken for Photo Walk every Year?
III. Which is the best place to explore photography in Kerala?
IV. Which all are the Places covered in Photo Walk by Photography College Creative Hut?
V. What is the Importance of Photo Walk?
VI. How many Photo Walks in a Year?
VII. Is Photo Walk compulsory for students?
VIII. What is the difference between Photo Walk and Photography Practical Session?
I. What is Photo Walk?
Photo Walk is a Group of Camera enthusiasts who come together in a group to walk around with a camera with the main purpose of capturing images of subjects that interest them. Interestingly, the photo walk is lead under the guidance of experienced and skilled person Photo Mentor.
II. In which places are the students taken for Photo Walk every Year?
Once the students from all over India reach to our Photography college for pursuing the course, we provide them with the list of places and events that happens in a Year. Accordingly, the schedule is prepared for various photo walks.
1. Athachamyam, Kottayam
2. Kodungalloor Bharani, Kodungalloor
3. Boat Race, Kottayam
4. Pulikali, Thrissur
5. Kidangoor Subramanya Temple, Kottayam
6. Pakal Pooram, Kottayam
7. Kummattikali, Thrissur
8. Erumeli Petta Thullal, Kottayam
9. Kathakali, Kottayam
10. Theyyam, Kannur, Kasargod
11. Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple, Kottayam
12. Padyani, Pathanamthitta
13. Kumarakom, Kottayam
14. Vagamon, Idukki
15. Munnar, Idukki
16. Fort Kochi, Cochin
Photo Walk to Athachamyam at Kottayam
It is a unique experience when the location is Athachamyam. Since, a wide number of regions and communities are involved in these celebrations. The state unites to honor these great occasions together where the entire place is covered in lights.
There are huge processions and immense displays on the street with crowds to immerse in the pomp and splendor. People from different parts of the world come to witness this event. It occurs usually in the period of the Onam festival. We conduct Photo Walk to Atachamaym at Kottayam every year.
Photo Walk to Kodungalloor Bharani
Our college conducts photo walks to cover the event Kodungalloor Bharani. It is the most famous annual festival at the Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple situated at Kodungalloor. It is more commonly known as the Kodungalloor Bharani. It takes place during the Malayalam month of Meenam and the English calendar of March-April. Thousands of devotees get together in the Sree Kurumba Kavu Kodungalloor temple to sing, cheer the Goddess Kali. Legend speaks of her triumph in the battle against Darikan that left her powerful until her soldiers gathered around her and sang to uplift her mood.
The devotees gather and sing the Theri Pattu in respect of the Goddess. They do this to seek salvation for their sins. Wrapped in yards of vermillion fabric often discolored red with blood. Both men and women, dash around the temple and slash their heads with their swords, announcing their communion with the Mother Goddess. This is one of the best events to cover photography.
Photo Walk to Boat Race, Kottayam
Vallam Kali, the boat race is considered as the traditional culture in Kerala, India. And during the harvest festival Onam, Vellam Kali has a greater importance. Moreover, boat races are also held in different places of Kerala.
As a part of our Photo Walk, we take our students to this event that occurs every year in Kottayam. The photography at boat race is a thrilling experience for all our Photography students. Indeed, for many of our students, it is the first of such type of experience. They cover boat race photography and experiment capturing fast-moving subjects.
Photo Walk to Pulikali, Thrissur
Pulikkali is a recreational folk art form of Kerala. It is performed on the occasion of Onam. On the fourth day of the Onam festival, artists paint their bodies like a tiger. They dance to the rhythm of traditional drumming instruments such as thakil, udukku, and chenda.
As part of the curriculum, we take our students for the photo walk to Thrissur in the festival of Pulikali.
Photo Walk to Kidangoor Subramanya Temple, Kottayam
The Kavadiyattom performances showcase a rich vibrancy of colors is one of the major attractions of this festival. Devotees lift kavadis richly decorated wooden arches with flowers and peacock feathers on their shoulders and perform Kavadiyattom. As a part of Art and Culture Photography, we take the students to the Kidangoor Temple.
Photo Walk to Pakal Pooram, Kottayam
The elephant is the most well loved and revered animal in Kerala. Any temple festival, cant think without elephants. Pakal Pooram held at the Land of Letters in Kottayam. The day began with the arrival of “cheru poorams’.
The Pakal Pooram ceremonies elephants presenting themselves on either side of the site of Thirunakkara Sreemahadevar Temple. Place is nearby our Photography college we takes all of our students for Photo Walk at this place.
Photo Walk to Kummattikali, Thrissur
Kummattikali or Kummatti Kali is held during the festival of Onam in Thrissur, Kerala. Its performers moves from house to house collecting small gifts and entertaining people. It is a very well known colorful mask-dance of Kerala.
They use heavily painted colourful wooden mask portraying faces of Krishna, Narada, Kiratha, Darika or hunters. This masks are prepared of saprophyte, jack fruit tree, Alstonia Scholaris, Hog Plum tree or Coral tree.
Dancers wear skirts woven out of grass and some wear full body with bunches of grass. Every year our Students get full of colorful and energetic photographs.
Photo Walk to Erumeli Petta Thullal, Kottayam
Pettathulal is a historic ritualistic dance held at Erumali, Kottayam, Kerala. Thousand of devotees dressed like tribes come there. Interestingly, their body and faces are coloured with various colors and charcoal. They also take weapons like arrow and mace made of wood.
The thullal also has various musical instruments played such as Chenda melam, nagaswaram, Pambamelam and mantras. This happens in the month of January every year. And hence, our students never miss to capture some superb portraits from there.
Photo Walk to Kathakali, Kottayam
When students comes for admission itself they ask where we get to capture the Kathakali. It is a traditional Dance form from India. Specifically, it is a story play and differentiated by colorful makeup, costumes and face mask worn by male dancer.
A Kathakali accompanied by dancers ,music, vocal performers, choreography and hand and facial gestures together to express ideas. Every year we takes the students to capture kathakali. Our all photo walks are part of our practical sessions.
Photo Walk to Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple, Kottayam
Photo Walk to Theyyam, Kannur, Karsargod
People believe Theyyam as a path to God. It is not only a popular ritual form of worship but also way to seek blessings in Kerala. He come into view with proper make-up and costumes.
There are different patterns of face-painting applied with contrast of colors. Generally, primary and secondary colors are been used for these purpose. For instance, patterns such as vairadelam, kottumpurikam, prakkezhuthu, kattaram, and kozhipuspam.
Photo Walk to Padyani, Pathanamthitta
Padayani is an traditional art form that blends music, dance, theatre, satire, facial masks, and paintings. The performers wear masks (kolam) made of lathes of the areca tree using one to hundreds. These masks are made up of purely natural colors such as the green of the lath itself (kamukin pacha), kari (carbon), manjalpodi, sindooram, etc.
Photo Walk to Kumarakom, Kottayam
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake at Kumarakom in Kottayam, Kerala. Hence, this sanctuary is also well known as Vembanad Bird Sanctuary. It is famous for having various species of migratory birds that comes the sanctuary. Apart from shooting in the sanctuary we also, enjoyed the boat ride in Vembanad Lake and along the Kavanar River.
Photo Walk to Vagamon
Vagamon, a hill station in Kerala is indeed one of the must visit places for tourists. The students had an interesting experience in Vagamon with its charm, very beautiful and spectacular views, twisting roads, pine forests, flowers, orchids and hilly landscapes.
Vagamon with the three remarkable hills Thangal, Murugan and Kurisumala hills represents the three main religions in Kerala. Namely Hindu, Muslim, and Christian represents the cultural harmony. It also has facilities for mountaineering, rock climbing, paragliding and trekking. Key tourist centers such as Thekkady, Peermade and Kulamavu can be directly reached from Vagamon.
Photo Walk to Fort Kochi
The most famous attraction of Fort Kochi in Kerala is Chinese Fishing Nets. These nets are used in a unique method for fishing. These are fixed on bamboo and teak poles. And are held horizontally with a large mechanism. It is then pulled down into the sea. The other ends of the nets are weighed by large stones tied to ropes.
Our students has always the opportunity to capture the best of the location almost every year.
Photo Walk to Alappuzha
Alleppey, often known as “Alappuzha,” is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, located on the Laccadive Sea. The Indian city of Alappuzha has become a popular tourist destination because to its boat races, beaches, marine goods, and coir industry. Must-see tourist destinations in the area include Kuttanad, the Alappuzha backwaters, and Alappuzha beach. The distance between the Creative Hut Photography Institute and Alappuza is just 65 kilometres.
III. Which is the best place to explore photography in Kerala?
Here are the best places to explore for Photography in Kerala. Every places are near to Creative Hut Institute of Photography. Our Photography colleges can visit regularly this places.
Best Places for Landscape Photography in Kerala
1 – Athirappilly Waterfalls
2 – Munnar Tea Gardens
3 – Muzhappilangad Beach
4 – Poovar Beach
5 – Wayanad Ghat
6 – Kovalam Beach
7 – Sithar Kundu View Point at Nelliyampathy:
8 – Malampuzha Reservoir, Palakkad, Kerala
9 – Fort Kochi, Kochi
10 -Vagamon, Iduki
11 -Elaveezha Poonchira, Kottayam
12 -Illikkal Kallu, Kottayam
13 – Nadukani Hills, Kottayam
14 -Kottathavalam, Kottayam
15 – Aruvikuzhy waterfalls, Kottayam
Best Places for Wildlife (Animals, Birds, Insects) Photography in Kerala
1 – Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
2 – Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary
3 – Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
4 – Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
5 – Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
6 – Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
7 – Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
8 – Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
9 – Thattekad Wildlife Sanctuary
10 – Kumarakom Birds Sanctuary
Best Places for Art and Culture Photography in Kerala
1. Athachamyam, Kottayam
2. Kodungalloor Bharani, Kodungalloor
3. Boat Race, Kottayam
4. Pulikali, Thrissur
5. Pakal Pooram, Kottayam
6. Kummattikali, Thrissur
7. Erumeli Petta Thullal, Kottayam
8. Kathakali, Kottayam
9. Theyyam,Kannur, Karsargod
10. Padyani, Pathanamthitta
Best Places for Architecture Photography in Kerala
1. Bekal Fort, Bekal
2. Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Kochi
3. St. Andrew’s Basilica Arthunkal, Alappuzha
4. Mattancherry Palace, Kochi
5. Varikkassery Mana, Ottapalam
6. St. Antony’s Pilgrim Church,Chengalam, Kottayam
7. Bolgatty Palace, Kochi
8. Thalassery Fort, Kannur
9. Shakthan Thampuran Palace, Thrissur
IV. Which all are the Places covered in Photo Walk by Photography College ?
Since 2007, Creative Hut is conducting Photo Walks for students. Presently we conduct Photo walks in Kerala. Outside Kerala we consider as Photography Tours.
Photo Walk to Ahmedabad Heritage Walk
One of the best spot for photo walk was Ahmedabad Heritage Place. Our Ahmedabad Photo Walk was starts from Swaminarayan Mandir, Kalupur to Jumms Masjid. We conducted 100 Photo Walks in last ten years. It was excellent place for street , Architecture and Portrait Photography. Some of the place is excellent for Black and White Photography.
Photo Walk to Little Rann of Kutch, Dasada
The Rann of Kutch located in the Thar Desert in Gujarat consists of the large Salt marshes. Kutch is the district in Gujarat whereas Rann means the Salt marsh. One side of Rann of Kutch is covered by desert while on the other side there is a sea. It is known for bird watching and is the only place in India where wild ass can be found. Students and faculties of Creative Hut had a visit to this place to capture those beauties.
Photo Walk to Udaipur, Rajasthan
Udaipur city known as “Kashmir of Rajasthan” is referred in many other ways. Especially, it is known as “the city of lakes”, while it is also called “Venice of the East”. The other names are “the city of Dawn” as well as “most Romantic City of India”.
The Photo Walk to Udaipur, Rajasthan in 2012 journey through road was even better to view. Capturing some amazing sites in Udaipur including the Sun Set Point, indeed made this photo walking tour to all of us a memorable one.
Photo Walk to Dhari, Gujarat
Dhari, is situated on the banks of the river Shetrunji in Gujarat. Journey to Dhari in 2012, kept students engaged to capture images of Dam, river and the natural surroundings found there.
Photo Walk to Pavagadh, Gujarat
Pavagadh hill station in Gujarat is a historical and religious destination. Pavagadh means “one fourth hills” as well as also known as called the “hill of hundred pools”and forms the Champaner-Pavagadh Archeolgical Park.
Photo Walk to Pavagadh, Gujarat in 2012, was a different experience. At the top of the hill is the temple of Goddess Kali “Kali Mata ka Mandir.” The monuments are situated at the foot of and around the Pavagadh hill.
Photo Walk to Champaner, Baroda, Gujarat
The name Champaner was derived from Champa. Champaner is also called as “city of thousand wells”. It is is located in Panchmahal district in Gujarat, India. Champaner and Pavagadh together make Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park that has eleven different types of buildings. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo Walk to Champaner, Baroda, Gujarat was held in 2012.
V. What is the Importance of Photo Walk?
Photo Walk is very important for Photography. Get the chance to explore place and to involve with like-minded people. In fact, it is where you might make new friends too. Photographers also get the chance to watch other fellow photographers and analyse how they capture images and frame the photos etc.
We experienced that when students were sent alone for photography to different locations, they would hardly get some interesting subjects and frames. And even some come with no special frames. But then, when we take them to the same place as the part of Photo Walk, in the same place they start to see many subject. Observation and way of frame changes the photographers way of approach towards photography.
VI. How many Photo Walks in a Year?
There is not limit for Photo Walk for Students. Our Photography College does not have any limitations. As many possible photo walking tours are conducted during each batch.
VII. Is Photo Walk compulsory for students?
Every Photo Walks are compulsory here. In fact, as part of curriculum, faculty guide you better while teaching. Our Photography students are from different states. Hence, for them it is great opportunity to explore Kerala.
Faculties divide the Photo Walks into six categories. Such as, Macro Photography, Architecture Photography, Nature and Landscape Photography, Wildlife Photography, Birds Photography and Art and Culture Photography. We always divide the students in two ways to explore it like individually and Faculty guided.
VIII. What is the difference between Photo Walk and Photography Practical Session?
Photo Walks are when a group of people goes for exploring the place and Capture the images. Whereas, Photography Practical sessions are normally done during the class hours under the guidance of a Faculty. To point out, Photography Practical Session and Photography Assignments are not the same.
Photography Assignments are the understanding of photography theories. Usually, the theory that took place in class are put together through assignments. That understanding are assigned by someone like faculties or mentor. Photography assignments are done by individual or group of students as the instruction of Faculty. Mostly Photography assignments are done after the class and submitted as instructed by Faculty.
Photo Walks may or may not be the part Photo Assignments. These are not compulsory based on the theme. But particularly Photography assignments are assigned by particular theme or subject.
