‘Seeing Dalton for the first time’ Photographers participate in worldwide photowalk

Published 12:03 am Sunday, October 8, 2017

Renay Winston of Marietta often passes by the Dalton exits during his interstate travels and said he’s always been curious what the downtown area was like. On Saturday, Winston, a photographer, got a chance to find out during Scott Kelby’s 10th annual Worldwide Photowalk.

“On the first Saturday of October each year, photographers and enthusiasts around the world get out their cameras and meet up at a designated location in their town to walk around and take photographs, socialize, make new friends, win prizes and be a part of a great cause during Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk,” the walk’s website states.

The local walk was sponsored by the Carpet Capital Camera Club and included a two-hour tour through downtown Dalton.

“It’s more of a curiosity thing the reason I chose Dalton,” Winston said. “There is something here. Organizers don’t usually put together walks that are not interesting.”

Dalton was the first of three walks for Winston on Saturday. He planned to participate in walks in Roswell and Atlanta to get the skyline at night.

“I’ve been to Budapest, (Hungary), Germany and Australia, but found sometimes the best photography is right in your back yard,” he said.

About 10 photographers participated in the walk that started at the Dalton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. The group also photographed the city’s “Peacocks On Parade,” Wink Theatre, the old train car named Crescent City and other objects that grabbed their attention.

“The purpose of this walk is to get together with other photographers, experience camaraderie and have fun,” said Robert Burns, Carpet Capital Camera Club president and tour leader.

This was the fifth walk for Paige Sims of Canton. She brought her husband and three children along to experience Dalton.

“I like going to places outside of where I live,” Sims said. She’s participated in walks in Adairsville and Marietta.

A self-proclaimed “hobbyist photographer” for the past 15 years, Sims said photography helps her see things in different ways.

“I like capturing everyday objects we would normally take for granted and get them from a different perspective,” she said.

Marilyn Helms, a member of the local camera club, said it’s impressive that other photographers came to Dalton.

“They are seeing Dalton for the first time, so maybe it will help our economic impact and they will return,” Helms said.

Helms said camera club members get together once a quarter to do photography competitions, plan for future events or just to observe things they normally wouldn’t see.

“This walk is another way to practice getting better, seeing thing differently and bouncing ideas off other photographers,” she said. “It’s a great benefit for us to be here together.”