Grahamstown Instagramers (Igers) unite! Igers Grahamstown – a beautiful, intimate exhibition of pictures taken and shared using the popular photo service – is on at Homeground Coffee Roasters during Fest.
Grahamstown Instagramers (Igers) unite! Igers Grahamstown – a beautiful, intimate exhibition of pictures taken and shared using the popular photo service – is on at Homeground Coffee Roasters during Fest.
Through her love of evolving technology, teacher-by-day Claire Brear introduced the idea of an Instagram exhibition and 'Instawalk' tour through Grahamstown.
More than 200 of the best pictures taken in and around Grahamstown by 30 Grahamstown Igers are for sale at R100 each at Homeground Coffee Roasters. Proceeds go to the photographers, who pay to be exhibited.
Instawalks are guided tours on which guests can take their cell phones and learn the basics of taking and publishing successful Instagram pictures, leaving with their own unique perspective on the city.
The first Instawalk took place on 29 June (read about how it went in Grocott's Mail on Friday 5 July). The second and last walk will happen on 6 July. If you want to take part on Saturday, meet up at Homeground Coffee Roasters on Somerset Street at 3.30pm!
Brear, who runs a teaching resource centre in Grahamstown, pulled this off with the help of local businesses and Igers, most of which she met on instagram.
Brear has a great interest in the global digital community and mobile photography.
“I think the global digital community is an exciting place to be. I have learned so much from people I’ve never met face to face, yet feel so vitally connected with," Brear told Grocott's Mail.
"Of course, it’s always best when the people you’ve met online show up in real life and become friends,” Brear said.
Originally from the South Coast in KwaZulu-Natal, Brear got to know Grahamstown during her time as a Music and English major at Rhodes University.
Passionate about mobile photography and anything creative, Brear sees Grahamstown as a great place for local creatives to share their interests.
"I would like to see a growing community of local creatives who connect through a shared interest in mobile photography and make cool stuff happen," she said. "With our incredible creative heritage and close-knit community, Grahamstown is the ideal place to make this a reality."
Popular Grahamstown photographer Judith Doubell was also involved in the exhibition, curating it and lending her keen professional eye.
Obsessed with cameras and photography from a young age, Doubell turned her hobby into a successful career and a full time business called Judith Doubell Photography.
Raised in Pietermaritzburg, Doubell remembers herself as always being a creative child.
“As a very young little girl I had several imaginary friends which was endlessly entertaining for my parents," she said.
"I also use to walk around with my grandmother’s broken camera and take photos."
Referring to herself as a “photographer, creative creature and lover of pretty things” Doubell uses her personality and style of photography to market herself and her business as well as uncover beautiful stories.
“It thrills me to uncover the unique story in each project that I photograph. Every person has a story to tell and every life is an adventure. It is my desire to capture these moments”, she adds.
Aside from her own business Doubell also works with Grahamstown Instagramers and played a role in organizing its first Instagram exhibition.
Check out Instagramers Grahamstown on Facebook for more details!
