On 8 Nov 2004, at 18:04, Andy wrote:
This may prove to be a fun question. I was asked to present a 2 hour seminar to middle school kids(ages 13-14)...any topic(photography related) and I probably will have access to a computer lab. Any thoughts on what I might offer?
Dear Andy,
A seminar by implication is not a workshop so you won't have that much time and time really flies when you are teaching. I teach two three hour classes til 10.30pm every week and you hardly know you've been there, though pub closing sometimes make it seem longer!
Personally, for kids that age, I'd be showing them loads of wicked images from some of your shoots, especially if they include being in planes, fashion, fast cars or pop groups!! You might at a push narrow that down to 40 minutes. Quite frankly, as a seminar is supposed to be interactive for the second half, usually discussion, this will probably result in some boredom from at least half! I would have set up a mini studio beforehand, got each of them to use a digital camera (yours probably!) to photograph each other in a fashiony sort of 'awesome' way, download them to the school server and then get them to locate them and screw around with the colours according to a simple worksheet you will have prepared beforehand before sending to print. Some will remember you 'cool' photos and will want to become one of our surplus photographers in years to come, the others will become our lawyers and the rest will do drugs down the village like round here :-) Therefore, keep them excited, tall tales always work and inspire, let them play with VERY expensive gear - don''t forget to mention the Name of the camera cos kids LOVE labels, and especially how much it's cost. Thing is, I ain't joking, I've done this quite a few times and it always works!
If you can cadge a second visit, it would be great to work in conjunction with their art teachers and set a photo based mini project which they can work on in teams and then you as the professional get to walk in dressed in black (as all good photographers) and cast you eagle eye over their results with enthusiastic praise and encourage no competition. Just an idea?
Best wishes,
Glyn
Art Photo Wales www.artphotowales.com 0845 2262034
=============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
