A Wednesday Wander

[digartal]

For a year, every Wednesday, a group of eight friends - set off into the breathtaking landscapes of the Northern Rivers region in New South Wales Australia. Their cameras in hand or slung over their back and adventure in their hearts. Each of them had a distinct style, but it was their shared love for the unassuming beauty of the world around them was what bound them together. They were not just a group of wanderers, but more than that, they were explorers of the mundane, artists with a shared curiosity for the overlooked beauty of their local area.

It wasn’t about the perfect shot or specifically the latest trend; it was about the joy of discovering what others might walk past without noticing. The joy of locating new places or revisiting old places looking for that unique shot. Each week, they met at a different spot – weather permitting. Sometimes it was by the Richmond River, where the water in the river flowed into the ocean or one of the nearby Ballina beaches. Other times, they wandered through ancient rainforests outside Lismore, where the green of the trees was so thick it felt like stepping into another world. They also ventured through the coastal hills of Byron Bay, Iluka and the country charm of Grafton, the rocky outcrops and rolling fields creating the perfect contrast of nature’s chaos and calm. One of their favourite places was the beaches, on the outskirts of Ballina. There was an unspoken rhythm to their wanderings. They didn’t rush, didn’t have a schedule. The day unfolded slowly, one frame at a time.

Once on site, the group would wander in different directions, checking in with one another for the famed morning cuppa, sometimes showing a photo, they were proud of, sometimes solving the problems of the world or laughing at something ridiculous. Often the discussion was about a bird caught on the edge of a frame or a picture-perfect moment ruined by one of the wanderer’s in the image. Occasionally, after the famed cuppa, they’d gather for lunch at a pie or fish shop, for a well-earned and hearty lunch. They’d swap stories, discuss new techniques they’d tried, or share the odd frustrations of a shot that didn’t quite come out as planned.

They all saw the world through a unique lens and camera. All were digital aficionados, on the lookout for dramatic contrasts and bold, vivid colours, or soft pastels hues plus the odd stick here and there. Here is one of my images from each Wednesday Wander I attended in 2024.

Cheers

Mark

[Alex55]

Thanks for sharing, Mark.

Obviously you know what you're doing. 

Alex

[JRR]

Looks like a subject rich environment. Great opportunities and you used them well

The background explanation sounds as though the group was a one year "event", I would hope you all continue the Wednesday adventures

I'd love to see a collection of photos taken by the group on a visit to the same place. It is always fascinating to observe what different people see in the same environment

[digartal]

15 hours ago, JRR said:

Looks like a subject rich environment. Great opportunities and you used them well

The background explanation sounds as though the group was a one year "event", I would hope you all continue the Wednesday adventures

I'd love to see a collection of photos taken by the group on a visit to the same place. It is always fascinating to observe what different people see in the same environment

Hello

No we have been doing is since COVID 19 and the lockdowns. What statrted as 2 of us who lived close together, soon expanded to a larger group. Over the time some have gone and others have come and our present group of 8 has been stable for almost a year. We are all members of the local camera club I started back in 2010 so we have plans to continue in 2025. It is a very social group of photographers who look forward to the outing each week. With Christmas on a Wednesday and New Year the following week on a Wednesday, some members have had to increase their medication as we are not meeting for 3 weeks.

Thanks for commenting.

Mark

[digartal]

19 hours ago, Alex55 said:

Thanks for sharing, Mark.

Obviously you know what you're doing. 

Alex

What initially started as an encouragment for other members to create a n AV using a "Theme/Topic" has evolved. Some weeks we visit multiple place and I am sure the place names would mean nothing to most other people outside the area. I was looking to create a Style?Template that I could use for all members as I have volunteered to make one similar for each.

On saying that I could pick a month when all 8 members where there and ask for some images from each person to give adifferent perspective. We are all experienced photographers and seldom have the same images in any case.

Thanks for commenting.

Mark