BRATTLEBORO — Photographer Tom Singleton says he believes that the art of photography is about seeing the world in special ways.
“Through photographs you capture your vision to pass on. Photography doesn't just record a document but rather an experience. When that shutter snaps, sometimes it comes out great and sometimes not, but it is always an adventure,” he says.
For the third consecutive year, Singleton invites Windham County's photographers to join him on Saturday, Oct. 11, in downtown Brattleboro as part of Adobe Photoshop guru Scott Kelby's seventh annual Worldwide Photowalk.
For two hours, a cadre of photographers will complete a loop of downtown, starting at 9 a.m. at the parking lot on Flat Street next to Dunklee's machine shop. There, Singleton will set out his ground rules and encourage everyone to stay together.
“But as people usually are, the group often separates, only to join together later,” Singleton says.
And that “later” is 12:15 p.m. at Whetstone Brewery, near Hinsdale Bridge. Singleton says he invites participants to join him for lunch there and to share their stories of the day. And, of course, their digital photographs.
“All that's needed is a camera and a desire to take photos in Brattleboro,” he explains.
Each year the group takes a different route, and the idea is to discover new things. “I'm happy to help our town join in this global event,” Singleton says.
Worldwide Photowalk invites photographers from all walks of life and at all skill levels to gather to socialize, share, and inspire during this one-day event.
Kelby, president and CEO of KelbyOne, is cofounder and CEO of Kelby Media Group, the editor and publisher of Photoshop User magazine and Light It magazine, conference technical chair for the Photoshop World Conference & Expo, training director and instructor for KelbyOne Live Seminars, and author of a string of bestselling technology books.
He also is founder of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals, which publishes Photoshop User.
Kelby says he created the walk as a social photography event where photographers get together to walk around, shoot photos, and generally have fun.
He notes on www.kelbyone.com/photowalk that, to date, the event has prompted nearly 1,000 walks drawing an estimated 15,000 walkers.
In addition to enjoying a fine day of photography, participants can also submit their favorite picture to a Photowalk contest. The local winner nabs a one-year membership to KelbyOne, a community of creatives who enjoy unlimited access to hundreds of photography and design support videos.
The local winner also competes in a global photo contest. Kelby awards the top prize to the photographer of the best overall photo taken that day. He'll also hand out 10 finalist prizes.
“Basically, whatever you submit, it has to be taken during the official walk you participated in,” he explains.
Participating in the walk is free, but this year, as part of the “Walking with a Purpose” campaign, Worldwide Photowalk encourages all participants to donate $1 or more to the Springs of Hope Orphanage in Kenya.
Singleton said he decided to lead Brattleboro's chapter three years ago when he discovered no one was organizing the Worldwide Photowalk in southern Vermont.
Involved in photography for more than 40 years, Singleton is a member of the Vermont Center for Photography and the Brattleboro Camera Club, and has exhibited at various venues in Brattleboro, including Brooks Memorial Library, Mocha Joe's, and the Vermont Center for Photography.
“I love the walk because, working with a group, I find myself seeing things from a different people's eyes, which is an awesome experience,” Singleton says.
“While theoretically we are allowed 50 participants on a Photowalk, in past years we had around 15 or 20, which has been a good number for getting to know each other. Some people have joined me on every walk, and others are welcome newcomers. The ages have run from 7 to, well, my age.”
Singleton adds that he feels downtown Brattleboro is a great place for photography “with its mixture of old and new, the things refurbished, and stuff that needs to be refurbished. Here, you see the past and get a sense of the present. And something always happens on Photowalk that is unexpected and good.”