They helped judge our photo competition and we test drove their treasure maps but Sunday was our first time on a Shoot Experience. An amazing 60 teams turned out for Shoot Spitalfields, a photo treasure hunt as part of Photomonth.
The Shoot team provided a bunch of clues: 5 to locations and 3 open to interpretation, then sent us off into Spitalfields having been psyched up with a showcase of some of the most creative winning shots from previous shoots. NB. Whoever shot that toy car streaking flame behind it for the clue 'back to the future' we want you on our team next time.
Team Londonistas solved the 5 local clues with relative ease, mapping out a plan of attack with a mini A-Z and some invaluable local knowledge. More taxing was the prospect of getting creative at each location and scoring a quality photograph that riffed on the place as well as the theme of 'communicate'. With a bag full of potential props and one eye out for the antics of rival teams the challenge compelled a fresh look at this patch of East London on a sunny, change of seasons Sunday.
Four hours, some falafel and several rain showers later we returned to Toynbee Studios to hand in our memory card and take the weight off, eager to find out how the other teams fared. The crowd cheered for the funniest, most original and striking pictures as a slideshow sailed through every shot taken. Then Shoot's Brett and Hannah picked a winner for each clue, plus funniest photo, best team shot and overall winning image of the day. Incredibly, the very first photo we created, in Whitechapel Gallery, was picked as best for that clue, gifting Shoot Experience badges and certificates for the team (we really wanted the clap on/off lamps but there's always next time).
Many thanks to Shoot Experience for such a fun day. You'll be able to browse all the Shoot Spitalfields pictures online soon and an exhibition of Shoot Spitalfields photos opens on Thursday 15th October 6-9pm at Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane E1 - all welcome - and runs until Wednesday 4th November.
Think you can do better? The new season starts with Shoot Portobello in March 2010. Photomonth events and exhibitions continue until the end of November.