More people own deluxe cameras these days, making the fine art of photography about shutter speeds and f-stops, rather than simply pointing and shooting.

Dawson Creek residents have a whole month to brush up on their camera skills before the first annual Photo Walk takes place downtown on Oct. 1 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Amateur and professional photographers alike will learn from one another while taking pictures of what interests them, from people on the streets, to sides of buildings, to trees beginning to lose their leaves.

So far, 12 people have signed up on Facebook, but Kyle Thomas, an avid photographer from Fort St. John and the event’s co-organizer, said many more will likely join during September.

Dawson Creek’s Photo Walk coincides with the fourth annual Worldwide Photo Walk. Last year, there were 1,100 walks and 33,000 people involved.

So far this year, 779 Photo Walks have been registered with the organization with 12,700 people involved, in countries including the U.S., the Philippines, India and Mexico.

“It’s a good chance for photographers of all levels to get together to share what they know as they walk through Dawson Creek,” Thomas said.

He said the group will be starting downtown because it is the smallest area with the most attractions, such as the Mile 0 Post and the creek and walking path.

“There are a lot of different aspects that we can explore in a small area.”

Thomas said photographers can all learn something from the experience, no matter their level of expertise.

“Some people are really good at composition, or seeing a picture in their mind, whereas other people are good at the technicality of the camera.”

All you need is camera – old or new, film or digital, point and shoot or SLR. The main goal of the event is to simply get people talking about photography.

Thomas has been practising photography for three years. He said he spends a lot more time looking pictures, determining what is eye catching and looks good.

He has been doing natural portrait shots for the last three months. He enjoys catching people in moments when they don’t expect their photos to be taken.

“It captures what they’re feeling, the feeling of the moment,” he said.

“I like freezing that moment in time, and then sharing it.”

He said taking portrait photography requires a lot of skill due to setting up the lighting and other tasks, but he hasn’t got there yet.

The photographer also enjoys landscape photography. He often takes pictures of the rolling hills, deep-blue lakes, busy farms and mountain views in the Peace Region.

Choosing to shoot in black and white or colour depends on what the photographer is taking a photo of, Thomas said.

A landscape could be done in colour to show off bright blue water or lush green trees, whereas a portrait could be done in black and white so the subject, rather than the colour, is the focus.

“It’s all about the way you see things,” he said.