Fujifilm + Luminar Photo Walk, Auditorium Shores – Austin, Texas
Fujifilm and Luminar, a photo editing software created by Skylum, hosted a photowalk on a Sunday during SXSW. Although the event had nothing to do with SXSW, Fujifilm, and Luminar probably capitalized on the influx of visitors to Austin and the general excitement around the big Austin event.
I arrived downtown late afternoon, skipped the SXSW venues, and shot street photographs and architecture before heading to the photowalk. We met at Auditorium Shores, a park by the river across from downtown. This location is a favorite for taking pictures of the increasingly impressive downtown skyline.
The photowalk instructions were minimal, just a time and a general location. I incorrectly assumed that it was a gathering that would concentrate on downtown urban landscapes. I was completely wrong and ill-prepared. They had models, and they were actually walking during the photowalk. I had the wrong lens and even carried a boat anchor of a tripod all set to shoot skylines. I had to do my best with a 24mm f2.8 prime, the only lens I brought.
On the plus side, it was the first big photowalk that I’ve been on in ages. Over a decade ago, these were common, but they seem to have dropped in popularity. I also met several Austin photographer friends.
I didn’t shoot much from this location. I like to shoot close in my portraits, and a wide-angle lens would force me to block the shot for others. I took a few snapshots from afar that weren’t very exciting but documented my participation.
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4 thoughts on “I Misjudged and was Ill-Prepared for a Photowalk”
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atmtx photo blog 
I have been on two Fujifilm photowalks in San Francisco, the most recent being a Fuji+Luminar collaboration. Both lots of fun. I wish more camera companies did this. BTW, I came upon your website because of Kirk Tuck’s recommendation. I like Austin and visit occasionally. Only certain times of year, however. (I seem to remember that the title of a Stevie Ray Vaughn album was, “Couldn’t Stand the Weather.”) BTW, what has become of Rainy St. is a shame. What will become of your roads, water supply and other infrastructure as Austin grows beyond reason, I fear will also be a shame.
Hi Gary, welcome and thanks for your comment. The photowalks are fun and I hope they become more popular again in Austin.
Yes, Austin’s unrelenting growth might have large negative consequences in the future. Infrastructure can be built but we are in big trouble if we run out of water. The highland lakes, our reservoir, is running lower than I like right now.