26.7.10

Worldwide Photowalk

On Saturday I took part in the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk.  It was a bit of a last minute decision  (I registered at 10pm on Friday night).  I umm'ed and ahh'ed about the whole thing and nearly backed out but I'm really glad that I ended up going.  I learnt some new tricks, met some photo-people who live around Berlin and the best part was that I managed to navigate the whole day almost completely in German.  Woo-hoo!  I've hit a bit of a rut in the whole learning German department.  It's hard and lately I've been feeling like I'm going backwards and not forwards.  This isn't really helped by the fact that a woman at work has decided that 6 months is long enough for me to have become fluent in the language and she will now communicate 'at me' in German spoken incredibly fast and with a healthy Berlin mumble.  Charming right?  But I digress.  On the photowalk I discovered that I can speak German as long as people take the time to listen, help, prompt, smile and encourage.  And I got to take some photos too.  Wins all round.

The Photowalk was hosted by Scott Kelby and sponsored by Photoshop and Adobe - they're a prizes for the best photos, which looking at last years selections I have absolutely no chance of winning, but is was a great feeling to be participating in something so big.  If you're interested you can check out last years winners here.  
While we were on our walk we were luckily enough to stumble across the Youth Olympic Games torch being carried through Berlin.  Not sure where the next stop is, but the Youth Olympics is being held in the second two weeks of August in Singapore and it will be the first Youth games ever.

9 comments:

Em said...

That sounds like so much fun! I've always wanted to do something like that. And I'm pretty sure I could never learn German...

Diana Mieczan said...

That is something I would love to try...Sounds really fun and your photos are so pretty:) Kisses,sweetie and have a wonderful Monday:)

Ashley Sisk said...

These are great shots - I'm with you about my shots having no chance in hell of winning. I don't know what I would have done if I had to speak German...I guess I would have been mute. Thanks for sharing!

michael said...

It looks like you have a very successful photo walk. I especially like the first two images.

tara on the wander said...

I love the first shot especially -- perfect for a photo walk (or sit?). Sounds like you had much better luck than I did on my first photo walk (awhile back) -- your success makes me want to try another sometime.

Evelyn said...

Clare - your photos are fantastic! I love them - and I am inspired! Thanks for sharing - I will try to take better pictures.

Stephanie said...

That's funny - when I first went to Berlin a few years ago after only two years of learning German, none of the people there would speak German with me. They'd hear my halting German and instantly switch to English. I'm glad they're helping you rather than just speaking English with you! They do speak really quickly in Berlin...

Allana said...

What a fantastic competition, your photos are beautiful! You are doing a fantastic job learning a new language and being able to communicate in it, go you!!
ps. Did you still want to participate in Pay-it-forward? If so please email me @ a_beamishparker@yahoo.com.au so I can get your parcel out to you xx

Colleen said...

I'm so excited to see all the photo walk pictures! I had intended to go to one near me, but life got in the way (in a good way.)

Your pictures turned out wonderfully. What luck to have run across the olympic flame. I'm impressed that you did it all in German. :)