Hey Guys! So I'm going to be teaching a group of children how to snap good pictures with their everyday personal cameras. I need some advice on how to start them out slowly while also teaching them the importance of light, angle, contrasts, etc. I also want it to be fun, memorable and educational. Any pointers? :)
What is the age group? First time out? Keep it fun! And don't make rules. Give them suggestions and tips and see what comes of it. It might be easier for them to learn after they have seen what they've captured.
i'm pretty sure the available age group range is from 1-12th grade...but i'm going to find out who has signed up soon. hopefully that will give me a hint of what to do. and i was planning on taking them to the park and having them find things to shoot as well as put up a drop cloth for a photoshoot and have props...all that great stuff :)
I did a mini photo course with some 6-9 year olds as part of their friday 'clubs' (I was a montessori teacher)
The best thing we did was to look at the world differently eg I gave them a spot in the grounds and they had to see how much they could see from there. After the obligatory tree, building, grass discussion they started to see more interesting things by looking up close and far away,things like shadows, sparkles, lines and forms. We had some quiet "looking time" as well where we weren't speaking. We didnt actually take photos until later when they then had some ideas of what to take.
It was very exciting and interactive because we were outside and they were really 'looking' after a while rather than just seeing 'things'
I am so pleased that you have asked this question Emily. I have been asked to go and talk about photography to a school group of 8 and 9 year olds next week and was going to ask for some similar advice. There are some great ideas on here. What I am going to do with them will be pretty weather dependent . If it's good we will be out taking photos and I love the idea of a treasure hunt and all of Monika's ideas. If not it will be classroom based.
A couple of things that I was going to do was to get them to critique photos - what's good, what's bad about certain shots and to spot the differences between different kinds of shot - portraits, landscape, still life, movement, different lighting, different DoF's etc
Since these will probably be very basic cameras, I would stay away from technicalities and focus on composition. Perhaps a bit about avoiding harsh light for portraits, how light has bounced around a lot in the shade, to pay attention to background...sometimes a little shift by the photographer can eliminate a distraction in the background, etc. That the subject doesn't have to "smile at the camera" - candid shots are more interesting! Have photos for them to look at to see what you are talking about. I used to do a little class like this for the woman's group at church :-) Natural frames. I would avoid using the term rule of thirds right off, because this age group is already getting some math anxiety (especially when it comes to FRACTIONS!) and you don't want to lose them! LOL But maybe show them some pictures with subject centered, and subject not centered and have them discuss it. Once they've discussed it for a bit and have a feeling about it, you could introduce the term as an aside, and those that are interested will pick up on it. That's all I can think of at the moment. :-)
This is so apt for me as I am hoping to start a photography club here at my school in September. I am mulling it over right now - and have just shown my art group the 365 project - one boy, especially, was captivated!
i have a little hunt set up for my daughter for our trip tomorrow, she is almost 4 she is pretty good at getting photos...so yea i like the idea of hunts, just give them small tips and ideas at the time..and dont over wound them with rules
I spotted this here the other day, a great lesson to do. I'm starting a year 9 class in September, so all of the above ideas are of great interest to me too. I am going to let the boys take 10 or so pictures to start with, that they keep. Then re-visit them towards the end of the year so they can see the improvements themselves too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM7CcUrUD2g
this is timely.....as i just lent my p&s to my little 5 yr old "niece" for an event. getting the camera back at the end of a long event, here is what i wish i would have told her: do not eat and/or drink while you are holding the camera, always have the strap attached around your wrist, do NOT touch the lens! - - simple things, but important! lol
I ran a photo course with a group of 11 yo's at my daughter's school some time and gave them a SLR each to use (borrows from many parents). All film as it was many years ago. I developed their films and then made my garage into a darkroom and got them to print their favourites (all B & W). Then had a well respected photographer come and talk to them and critique their photos. To finish up I sourced a bunch of throwaway waterproof cameras (and the processing) and let them loose at the swimming hole. Great fun. Good luck with yours. Digital would be much easier though
The only thing they need to learn is how to frame. If they come out at the end of the class without cutting someones head off consider it a bonus. I have my grandchildren as pupils and we have a lot of fun...but believe me framing and holding the camera still is a really good start.
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A flower. A friend. Bare feet. Water. Looking down. Looking up.
Teach them how to see the world through the lens and capture that experience.
The best thing we did was to look at the world differently eg I gave them a spot in the grounds and they had to see how much they could see from there. After the obligatory tree, building, grass discussion they started to see more interesting things by looking up close and far away,things like shadows, sparkles, lines and forms. We had some quiet "looking time" as well where we weren't speaking. We didnt actually take photos until later when they then had some ideas of what to take.
It was very exciting and interactive because we were outside and they were really 'looking' after a while rather than just seeing 'things'
What ISO is.
What Aperture does.
What Shutter Speed does.
Have them do practice shots while experimenting with each of the settings.
Of course some kids might not be able to adjust these settings. Maybe you need to stick to things like portrait mode, action mode and so forth.
A couple of things that I was going to do was to get them to critique photos - what's good, what's bad about certain shots and to spot the differences between different kinds of shot - portraits, landscape, still life, movement, different lighting, different DoF's etc
let us know how you get on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM7CcUrUD2g