Frank, David, Christine, Larry, Stan - thank you. I really appreciate everyone's comments & ideas. All of them have been thoughtful and thought-provoking. Obviously, there are many different directions this could go in, and if I'm lucky, I'll have the opportunity to try out a few.
I'm shooting for March for the first class, so I have some time to sort out my lesson plans... I'll keep you posted, and maybe when it's all said & done, I'll share a post on the good, the bad & the ugly of the whole endeavor. :) Best, -c On Sun, Jan 15, 2012 at 10:58 AM, David Parsons <[email protected]> wrote: > I understand what you are saying, but I never implied that they should > take 400 shots and cherry pick the best. IMO, film should be a more > advanced class. Many people here cut their teeth on film, but at this > point, digital is going to make learning easier and faster. > > Think of how many more people take picture (and do it well) with the > accessibility of digital. > > We should also consider the scope of Chris' classes. It's not a > photography school, it's an idea for a kids program. I think there > are some great ideas, but she'll pick what works best for her and her > students. > > On Sun, Jan 15, 2012 at 10:48 AM, [email protected] > <[email protected]> wrote: >> I don't want to make a huge deal about this despite appearances to the >> contrary, but I think there may be some value in learning to shoot in a >> manner other than "take 400 images and hope that one or two turn out." If >> they have a disposable film camera with 12 or 24 shots they will be forced >> to try to get it right in fewer shots: to take it nice and slow, compose and >> frame, to not waste shots. Plus, I think there's great value in levelling >> the playing field so no one thinks that another student has an advantage due >> to arriving with a Leica X1. >> >> Hey, I'm not saying that this film thing has to be done to the exclusion of >> digital. It would be only one exercise among many. Hell, there is something >> to be said for the instant feedback of chimping, seeing an obvious fault and >> being able to immediately reshoot. >> >> Christine is obviously a very capable teacher and I know that she will be >> more than able to teach her students valuable lessons with both film and >> digital cameras. >> >> So on to other things: I've often thought it might be fun to incorporate >> some great photographs into such lessons. Maybe not each class, perhaps only >> for the first class, show the students a photographic masterpiece, initiate >> discussion: Do they like it? How does it make them feel? What makes it >> different from other photos they've seen? Can they learn anything from it >> that they can use in some of their own photos? >> >> Tell them a bit about the photographer and the circumstances surrounding the >> photo. Tell them how they can find other great photos to admire and be >> inspired by. >> >> It may be that some kids haven't seen many photos other than in the news, on >> Facebook or family snaps. To know that there are genres of photos out there >> that they haven't been aware of could only be a good thing, right? >> >> Anyway, Christine, it's your class and whatever elements you use whether >> from this discussion or from all other sources, I know your students will >> learn a great deal from you. They'll be lucky to have you as their teacher. >> >> Cheers, >> frank >> >> --- Original Message --- >> >> From: David Parsons <[email protected]> >> Sent: January 15, 2012 1/15/12 >> To: "Pentax-Discuss Mail List" <[email protected]> >> Subject: Re: OT: Photography for Kids? >> >> If the parents are willing to put their kids into a photo class, they >> can give them a camera to use while attending the class. >> >> How many families don't have a P&S camera that their kids can use for >> a class (that would be able to afford and show the interest of putting >> them in a class)? >> >> They will be better suited to learn rules of composition that will >> help them take better pictures, than to use any specific camera. >> >> I wouldn't even bother with film. They are going to want to share the >> pictures on FB anyway, why make it difficult for them? >> >> Chris, if there is one thing that would be great for everyone to know, >> Focus and Recompose. I can't tell you how many vacation shots that I >> have where the background is in sharp focus and we are just out of >> focus because the person framed with the landmark in the background >> and the camera picked that for focus. Maybe that isn't as bad with >> face detection nowadays though. >> >> On Sun, Jan 15, 2012 at 1:38 AM, Christine Aguila <[email protected]> >> wrote: >>> Actually, I'm not keen on the disposable camera idea--though I do >>> appreciate the idea, but let the kids get the real thing in their >>> hands--even if it's just a point and shoot. They can handle it. Cheers, >>> Christine >>> >>> >>> >>> On Jan 14, 2012, at 10:08 PM, [email protected] wrote: >>> >>>> I like your disposable camera idea, John. It would be a lot cheaper than >>>> the Holga and would achieve the same result with the advantage of built-in >>>> flash. >>>> >>>> The only advantage of the Holga would be that they get to keep them, but >>>> in this digital age, realistically, how many would get used once they get >>>> them home? Film, processing and prints would be a huge expense for most >>>> youngsters. Much easier grab a p&s. >>>> >>>> Cheers, >>>> frank >>>> >>>> --- Original Message --- >>>> >>>> From: John Sessoms <[email protected]> >>>> Sent: January 14, 2012 1/14/12 >>>> To: [email protected] >>>> Subject: RE: OT: Photography for Kids? >>>> >>>> From: Christine Nielsen >>>> >>>>> Hello all... >>>>> >>>>> ...and Happy New Year! >>>>> >>>>> Well, 2012 has gotten off to a busy start, and I haven't had much time >>>>> to cruise the list lately... I hope Santa was good to everyone! >>>>> >>>>> One of the things I've been doing is teaching some classes, sort of a >>>>> "Photography for Moms"/Beyond "Auto" kind of thing, and it's been >>>>> going pretty well. I've been asked several times if I do kids' >>>>> classes... and I think I'm going to put something together in that >>>>> vein. >>>>> >>>>> So... I'm doing some research & thinking about how that might work. >>>>> And soliciting input from anyone who might have it... >>>>> >>>>> Thus far, this is what I'm assuming: >>>>> >>>>> - Kids aged 9 & up... maybe even a 9-12 group, and a 13 & up? >>>>> - Mostly p & s cameras, esp with younger kids >>>>> - Composition getting greater emphasis than ins & out of exposure - >>>>> we'll deal in Auto modes >>>>> - Teaching practical applications... finding "good" light, how to >>>>> photograph your friends, your pet, sports, landscapes, your vacation, >>>>> macro, etc... >>>>> - Keep it fun... a photo scavenger hunt? a website they can post >>>>> pics/contribute to? "A day in the life", or other photo projects..? >>>>> - Maybe 4 - 6 classes, 90 mins each >>>>> >>>>> What do you think? Anyone out there ever done this sort of thing, or >>>>> have any good resources to share? I'd be most grateful... >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -c >>>> >>>> 90 minutes is too long; 20 minutes would probably work better with kids, >>>> certainly with teenagers. Heck, I know adults who can't pay attention >>>> for 30 minutes. >>>> >>>> I'm a big believer in starting kids out with one of those disposable >>>> film cameras and turning 'em loose. >>>> >>>> When they come back, THEN start going over the basics of composition, >>>> exposure & such. Get the kids involved early by having them find the >>>> compositional elements in their own photos & encourage a little self >>>> analysis - "How could I have made this better?" When they can relate >>>> abstract concepts to their own photos, they just seem grasp them a >>>> little more firmly. >>>> >>>> HINT 1: Use the flash indoors. That's what it's there for. >>>> HINT 2: The built in flash works really good for back-lit portraits. >>>> >>>> Then give 'em another disposable camera and turn 'em loose again to >>>> apply what they've learned. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >>>> [email protected] >>>> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >>>> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >>>> follow the directions. >>>> -- >>>> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >>>> [email protected] >>>> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >>>> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >>>> follow the directions. >>>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >>> [email protected] >>> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >>> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >>> follow the directions. >> >> >> >> -- >> David Parsons Photography >> http://www.davidparsonsphoto.com >> >> Aloha Photographer Photoblog >> http://alohaphotog.blogspot.co >> -- >> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> [email protected] >> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >> follow the directions. > > > > -- > David Parsons Photography > http://www.davidparsonsphoto.com > > Aloha Photographer Photoblog > http://alohaphotog.blogspot.com/ > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > [email protected] > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
