The Colour Walk at Old Spitalfields Market - 20th April 2023

This was my first visit to the monthly Colour Walk at Old Spitalfields Market. The walk is held every third Thursday each month. This Thursday promised sunshine until late afternoon.

I travelled as usual from Farnborough to Waterloo. After my walk down the Leake Street tunnel I headed back into Waterloo to meet my colleague before catching the Underground to Liverpool Street.

I walked back through The Sidings and much to my surprise was challenged by ‘security’ for taking a picture of an empty space down there.

Old Spitalfields Market

We were early for the walk. The market was very busy and we spent the next hour watching shoppers and having something to eat.

For lunch I had a delicious burrito from one of the busy food stalls inside the market.

Getting ready for the Colour Walk

By 1 pm the crowds had started to gather in the market. The walk was starting. I really did not know what to expect and I simply followed the lead of the other photographers and politely asked the folks if I could take a picture.

All are welcome whether dressed for the walk or just a photographer.

Soon there were five or six photographers asking for poses. Several of the ladies asked me who I was and welcomed me to the walk.

The bright sunshine did not help but with a little pleading we were out of the sunshine and more inside the market. One of the walls in the exit passageway soon became a simple studio. I did follow sometimes when shots were being taken out on the road. This was exciting as we all had to dodge traffic.

I started with my 85mm but after a few minutes I reverted to my standard 24-105mm zoom. I did notice that the photographers on the street outside were using 70-200mm lenses – my images out there definitely could do with more practice.