Are you ready to take the 1st ever Photowalk Challenge here in Cologne? 

It will provoke your problem solving and photo skills with a rush of Escape Rooms, but you have the whole city as your playground.

We will be meeting outside Cologne HBF (Near the Domtreppen/Domstairs toward the Cologne Dom - Bahnhofsvorplatz 1, Cologne 50667). When we meet, we will have a short introduction (15 mins max) to each other and the other participants (if there are), give the rules and explain how the game works. I would like to hear about your experiences with photography and how comfortable are you using your camera. If you can manage or have problems using it. I will talk about basic photography 101 and why it is important. Then from there, we will start our Photowalk Challenge. 

It is a walking tour with photo challenges (Photowalk Challenge). It is a 90-minute game where you are given 3 Challenge Cards at every point and you need to do at least one of the given cards to go to the next checkpoint. The cards have various difficulties and scores. The scores determine your freebies/prizes after the completion of the game. It will be also used to rank against other players and post the leaderboard here every month/all-time ranking leaderboard.

Throughout the activity, we will see different spots around Cologne. I will give some tidbits, facts, and advice. You will venture into your skills, learn, & have some fun. Lastly, you will leave smiling with great photos to hang on your wall.

We will meet here somewhere on the stairs. Don't worry, I will send you more information a few days before your challenge appointment.

Possible PLAYGROUND AREAs

These possible spots can be one of the following checkpoints where you will do your challenges, depending on the time of day, how big the crowd on the area, weather, or the interest of the participants. I will highlight the best angles and picture-perfect spots.


  • Hohenzollern Bridge
  • Rheinboulevard
  • Fish Market
  • Innenstadt
  • Ehrenfeld
  • Rheinauhafen
  • Kranhaus
  • Volksfest Köln
  • Südstadt
  • or By Request

WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?

Of course, you need to bring a CAMERA. It can be DSLR, Polaroid, or your smartphone that you can immediately see the result. So to those analog/film camera fan out there, I am sorry, unless you have a way to develop your films and see the result, then you are welcome.

Also, the most important that you need to bring is yourself and a strong motivation to conquer this challenge. If you have some friends - that can help you or can compete with - then the more is merrier.

OPTIONAL things that you can Bring

  • Light Snacks & Bottled Water**
  • Tripod
  • Extra Memory Card
  • Extra Batteries/Portable Charger
  • Lighting Gear
  • Self Stick

** suggested to bring

I will provide the resources and some helpful tools that can help you solve your challenges like a tripod, flashlight, reflector, and many more. But you can use them with some limits.

NOTE

Make sure to wear comfortable clothing and footwear that you preferred according to the weather/situations. In case of inclement weather, the tour can be canceled or postponed. You will get a notification and instructions beforehand about the event. You are welcome to contact me for more info.

It is beginner-friendly activity. If you are new with photography, it is a fun way to learn it. If you want to focus more on sightseeing then please let me know in advance. But you can also request to make it advance for intermediate participants to focus more in the photo challenge.


For a maximum interactive experience, the challenge can only allot between 1-6 participants. They can be cooperating with each other or a duel type. For more participant, message me so we can talk about and arrange something amazing!

The minimum age of a participant can be 12 years old. Parental guidance must be observed always and responsible for your kids. We don't want to get kid missing.

It is a moderate level activity so expect to have a lot of walking and standing involved. We can make some breaks but it will reflect on your time allotment.


"The best camera is the one you have with you."

-Jay Maisel


Shoot with your smartphone and learn to use your professional/manual mode. Try to understand how photography works. It is really important to know how to use your device to maximize the result to make amazing images.

"YOU DON'T take a photographs,you make it."

-Ansel Adam

Try to master your DSLR, mirrorless, or toy cameras. It has more intricacy but it can create more complex imagery. Know each mode and function that can benefit your creative flow and capture the ideal image in your imagination. 

LEARN THE JARGON

Photography has its own language too. We will tackle this vernacular in the challenge and execute it. You will sound like a pro after successfully accomplishing it.

EDIT YOUR WORK

A photo straight from your camera is just the start of your creation. It is unfinished unless you edit and maximize by adding your style to it.

LEARN THE RULES

Photography is a technical art. A lot of rules to follow to make a solid composition. When you master those technical laws, then you know when to break it and make your own interpretation or approach.