On Saturday enthusiastic photographers of all ages explored and snapped photos of whatever caught their eye in the first Isle of Wight Worldwide Photo Walk.

46 photographers walked and snapped their way through history, culture, nature and lifestyle in and around Freshwater. It is the largest social photography event in the world and something the Isle of Wight has not participated in before.

The walk, lead by Isle of Wight Digital Imaging Group founder Professional Photographer and Teacher Gary Early, was free, and open to anyone who owns a camera be it phone, compact or DSLR.

Starting at Dimbola Museum and Galleries between 1pm – 4pm on Saturday 1st October 2011 the 46 strong group took in St Agnes Church, Farringford House the former home of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Afton Marsh and Freshwater Bay, before returning for tea at Dimbola Lodge and a complimentary look around the current exhibitions.

The Julia Margaret Cameron (JMC) Trust welcomed the initiative and were delighted that the first Isle of Wight Worldwide Photo walk was to take place at Dimbola Lodge.

Dimbola Administator John Holsburt said: “The Julia Margaret Cameron Trust is extremely thrilled to be part of this innovation which is core to our aims and objectives in supporting photography”

Walk Leader Gary Early said, “We were very pleased at the response from photographers with some travelling from the mainland to take part. It was a truly international mix Spanish, Norwegian and Island photographers joining together to make new friends, share photographic ideas and enjoy an afternoon in the unseasonal sunshine. We hope to see everyone next year and have a good feeling that we might well meet up with some of them much sooner”.

Those involved in the Photo Walk now have the option of submitting their images online to compete against photographers from around the world. One lucky Isle of Wight Photo Walker will receive a Light it, Shoot it, Retouch it book by Editor-in-chief for Photoshop User magazine and president of National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) Scott Kelby.

An additional local prize of a 1 year Joint Friendship of Dimbola including all its benefits, plus a meal for two in the Cameron Tearooms will be awarded to another winning photograph chosen at a later date by a representative of the JMC Trust.

The main winning image from the Isle of Wight Photo Walk will be chosen and entered into the worldwide competition later this month. There will be 10 finalists worldwide and one grand prize, with the overall winner receiving an iPad, printer, computer software and other many other prizes.

This year, the international event saw 1,117 walks with over 28,000 walkers, taking to streets, towns and villages across the world for the annual Worldwide Photo Walk weekend.

Gary Early added: I think it’s only fitting to close with a comment from one of our Spanish guests, Tony Madrid, “Hi everyone! Thank you all for the lovely day we spend at the Isle of Wight Photowalk”.

More details can be found by clicking on the links in bold text above.