A photo exhibition, 10 years of PhotoWalk Nepal, is set to begin at the Nepal Art Council in Babarmahal on Wednesday. The four-day exhibition will commemorate the decade of the collective’s establishment.

PhotoWalk Nepal, which was established in May 2007, is a pioneering initiative that seeks to bring together amateur photographers and photography enthusiasts, who go on a weekly PhotoWalk to different parts of Kathmandu Valley to hone their photography skills, while also providing amateurs with a support group. Free of cost and working as an open forum where enthusiasts pitch questions to more experienced photographers, Photowalkers range from 10-40 members depending on where the group is travelling to.

Speaking to the Post, Om Yadav, the organiser of PhotoWalk Nepal, spoke of how the initiative has stayed relevant for a decade. “Today there are various workshops and masterclasses that aim to teach amateurs about the basics of photography,” he said, “But photography is more than just learning about using your equipment and the technicalities.

“At its core, photography is about developing your own unique perspective and that is what PhotoWalk tries to help its members hone. When you go take pictures with a group, there are many people taking pictures of the same objects at the same time. In this way, you learn about how differently other people perceive things, and this in turn helps you develop your own vision.”

According to Yadav, apart from a two-part exhibit—one from their initiative’s travels around the country and the other titled Kathmandupan that explores the essence of the Valley—the exhibit will also include a photo booth and a food stall serving Mithila food. The first day of the exhibit will also see an award ceremony, where photographers will be awarded in three categories: Living Nature and Wildlife, People and Portrait, and Travel and Landscape. The photographs will be adjudicated by photographer Jagdish Tiwari.

Ten years of PhotoWalk Nepal will remain open until Saturday.