Photowalker: Denis O’Donovan
Where do I start?
I can remember taking photos with a Box Brownie type camera with its 120 film. I used to love watching the film numbers passing by the red window as you wound it on. Trying to centre people in the viewfinder by having to move it the wrong way was always a challenge, especially as I was only about 5 years old. I only recently sold that camera on E Bay to some guy in France – I should have kept it.
I bought my first SLR back around 1980 – a Yashica of some description. That didn’t last too long as I got caught up in the whole “must upgrade to the latest” gadget scene. So I splashed out and bought a Canon AE1 Program, complete with a telephoto lens of some sort. Boy was that a camera! I went on my first “Photowalk” with the Photographic Society of Ireland, a camera club based in Parnell Square, Dublin. It was to Glendalough and was called an “outing”. That was all a long time ago, back in the early 80′s. Life moved on, I got married and moved away from Dublin. Photography took a back seat and I eventually sold the camera and bought a gun – I’ve been shooting ever since. However the bug was always there. I’ve never not had a camera of some sorts and always tried to put a little bit of effort into taking snaps. The bug eventually reared it’s ugly head a couple of years ago and I splashed out on a Canon 40D. Amazing how strong brand loyalty is even after 30 years or so.
So why photowalks?
The whole idea of going to the same place with lots of other togs to take the same 
photos is brilliant. Getting out and about with like minded souls is good for the soul and you can happily snap away at the most mundane things without feeling foolish. That’s not something you would normally do on your own but there is comfort in numbers. Then within a week or so, you get to see everyone elses shots, all taken around the same time as your own but all so different. It is fantastic to see other peoples take on what you have shot. It’s always a pleasant surprise to see the variation on the same subject. It makes you wonder “why didn’t I see that”?
I’ve been to a few photowalks between here on Photowalk.ie and Boards.ie. I’m also a member of Navan Camera Club and have been on various outings with them too. I’ve met some fantastic people from all walks of life and made some new friends. I also renewed my friendship with the late Danny O’Brien through photography – he was, and still is, an inspiration to me. I do intend to try and get to every photowalk, no matter where it’s on (broken ankles permitting) and I suggest you try at least one – you’ll not be disappointed.
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You can check out more of Denis’s work on his blog, www.allseeing.me and on Pix.ie at http://pix.ie/pullandbang
Denis also Tweets at http://twitter.com/DenisODonovan
