Teaching Kids about Photography- Help!

[utsuri]

Ok, here's the quick short version: my husband has volunteered me to help out with his camp kids this summer in teaching them about photography and getting them to take pictures of nature. Sounds way cool since I like kids and love photography. Since I won't be making any money on this (I get to volunteer my efforts while he gets to be paid by the city- totally not cool honey!) this isn't going in the 'How to Make Money with Photography' section, unless the moderators wish it there.

The catch: I've only really been studying photography for 5 months. And while I've been saving up for a DSLR, I don't currently have one. According to hubby, that may change soon, but we'll see. I still won't be a pro or entirely comfortable with a new camera in a month.

Now while the 10-year old's may not care, I don't even really know where to start. I'm going there for a couple of days out of a week, I think and hope, but they may want me for the entire Nature Photography week. (If that's the case, they're paying me somehow.) I was only told about this yesterday and have been over-stressing since then. I love photography, I love learning, I love kids, and I love teaching. In fact, I love training all the new guys at work. But I really, really know and understand my job. I understand, in theory, proper exposure. I get composition, more or less. Lenses I haven't a clue about, (I'm reading about those currently.) but I can't imagine a 10-year old caring too much about lenses. (My group is the 9-12 year old bracket.)

So I'm worried. I hate not having a lot of time to plan this out. His boss would like a rough curriculum in about a week or less, if possible. I have till the end of July to fine-tune and figure stuff out, but what do I teach a 10-year old about photography? Show him pictures of Ansel Adams? And just a few kids would be alright; I could see what they like and go from there. But I think it's more like 30-40 kids. What do 10-year olds these days even like?

I know I'm worrying, but I would love some input on what to do. Go over the fine details of f-stops, ISO and aperture settings? Or just help them get the focus right and a decent composition? Or both? Neither? Maybe something else? This is supposed to be related to nature; it's a day camp called 'Wilderness Nature Camp.' There is even a field trip involved somewhere. But parents are paying for their kids to be there and I want it to be a worthwhile experience. I would like to impart to the kids, who are probably taking this particular camp because they like taking pictures too, how much I love taking pictures. Maybe even that it is a continuous learning process. I've just never done anything quite like this before.

So now, any advice, books to read, plans to help me hatch? Maybe if you live near to where I do, I can pay you (or the city can) to show the kids what a better photographer than myself can do. Thanks so much. Seriously. I slept awfully last night worrying and thinking about this.

[docxnoel]

Hi Utsuri while reading at your posts, you are thinking too much on how you are going to teach kids a decent photography and you forget the thoughts of enjoying while learning.

I outline this things for you for a little bit help (hope so).

1. Your target audience is about 9-12 years old, what gear you are expecting that they have in the camping, so I assumed that almost of them have point and shoot, and they are using a fully automatic settings, so there is no need to elaborate further for ISO, shutter speed and aperture, because even you teach that, for sure they will not get it and understand.

2. So how do you started? first, let them play with their camera, look for a specific subject to shoot like trees grasses or anything that you can found to be agood subject, instruct them to shoot for that subject and after shooting let them choose a picture that they think is the best.

3. Now, it's your turn...demonstrate them how will you take pictures of that subject in which they realize that your shoot is much pleasing and beautiful than them, so it's time to teach about composition and framing.

4. Let them reshoot.

5. Another good activity is to make them in partner, having a portait session with the background of campsite or the natures, so they can enjoy and have souvenirs. but of course, suggest them what can they do, (ex. shoot your partner while climbing the tree, shoot other groups while putting up the tent)

6. Let technical terminology translate to more laymans and child friendly words to avoid confusing.

I hope it will help a little and probably i gave you some sort of ideas where to started.

[Jim Bryant]

Damn, I feel your pain......kind of like the blind leading those who can't see type of circumstances. First off, I'd get a baseball bat and beat your husband. Secondly, learn as much as you can. Kids ask questions and you most certainly don't want to look stupid. Why, the kids will either praise you or bad mouth you, which that will certainly travel throughout the coconut telegraph and you could loose respect and future clients.

docxnoel has posted good advice.

Good luck!

[candidrachel]

I think most 10-12 year olds would like to have proper focus for those times when they go out on a school trip and take photos of their mates. At least if you show them how to achieve less blurred shots the better.

I also think getting too technical will go over their heads and quash their desire to take pretty pics. Having said that showing them all the wonderful, snazzy, stuff on photoshop is a must! Most 10 year olds spend the majority of the time on-line and getting their friends to look super cool is just well.... cool!

[Photography]

utsuri - I did found a topic and it is on here a blog and you can go there to read it....

13 Lessons to Teach Your Child About Digital Photography

Read more: 13 Lessons to Teach Your Child About Digital Photography

Hope you will understand that blog and hope i did find it for you.... Have fun...

[troutwhisperer]

Utsuri,

You might have a look at this link. I happened upon this when my teacher-son asked me if I new of any information. Have not used this but it looks like there might be some usable information. Some of the information in the document pertains to PS but there is some strictly beginning photography lessons included. There may also be other stuff on this site.

The document link:

http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpag...mera%20RGB.pdf

The site link:

Free Digital Camera Lesson Guide Book

Hope you can find some useful "stuff"

[mosgood]

Hi Utsuri,

I think it's great you want to help these young kids learn about photography. However, I don't think it's necessary to use a dSLR to do it. One, a dSLR is pretty big for young hands (even the smaller ones) & they're complicated to operate. Two: How would you be able to provide each kid with their own dSLR or give them enough time before passing it to another child? As well as keeping track of who took which shot? Plus, you'd be pretty sad if one of the kids accidentally dropped it, right? I usually take a dSLR where ever I go, but in this case, I'd most likely leave it at home where it's safe & out of harms way.

The P&S cameras that are available have several settings for different subjects, & I feel would be more than complicated enough for a child to use. Two: I would use the scene for shooting nature, or the icon for a person to teach portraiture, the flower for close-ups, etc. I'm sure there will be enough stuff to keep them thinking & trying new settings on a P&S. Three: Maybe even put together a page with some of the terminology along with descriptions of the scene modes (written in simple enough terms for a young child to understand). A handout would be a great item for each child to take home from camp as well as pictures each child personally shot.

Best of luck!

[utsuri]

Thank you guys so much! You've helped me calm down and get a good idea of what to do.

docxnoel: This is a wonderful outline. Oh my gosh, you are awesome.
Jim: I enjoy following your stuff and greatly value your opinion. I've got a lot of books from the library just to do that. I also hate looking foolish, but I do know how to say "Ya know, I really don't know the answer to that question. Let me try to get back to you."
CandidRachel: Not having a 10-year old or knowing one, thanks for the tip. However, we won't be near any computers and the kids aren't even allowed to bring cell phones. I know there are programs already on most computers so I figured if they had questions for that, they'd ask me and I could give them a general idea.
Troutwhisperer: Awesome link. I haven't looked at the rest of the site, but will get there. I'm glad I have some time to get a better knowledge base.
Mosgood: I was going to take my P&S although there are pictures from previous camps showing the 12-years olds with what look like DSLR's, although they might just be the compact digicams I keep reading about. I know my little guy pretty well and how to get through the menus; I guess I was just over thinking and worrying about things on a maybe high-school versus middle-school level.

Really, thank you, thank you, thank you. This page is being bookmarked for reference while I work on the curriculum and see what else is going to happen. My plan for them at the end of camp is possibly to have a picture each on took on the camp wall and something they can each take home, depending on the budget I'm allowed.

[Jim Bryant]

Good luck and have fun...........that's what it's all about!

[Indigo November]

Try not to focus much (if at all) on the technical stuff.
It bores them to death and you will have a bunch of kids who are goofing off and not paying attention.

Teach them to examine the frame before pressing the shutter release. Have them make sure there are no trees growing out of people's heads, or unwanted litter in the shot.

Help them to understand what a pleasing composition is and how to achieve it. This can be done by comparing your shots to theirs of the same subject (as mentioned by docxnoel).

Teach them how to achieve sharp focus in places where it is required. Tell them that it is important in shots of people, that the eyes are in focus (and explain why).

Teach them to look at their subject from all angles (high, low, walk around the back side, etc.).

Teach them the importance of filling the frame.

Mention the rule of thirds but, be sure to tell them that it is meant to be bent and broken. Show them examples of photos that are benefited by breaking the "rule" (centered subject).

Teach them a bit about natural lighting and when is the best time to shoot. Golden hour is good, direct sunlight is not favorable, look for shaded areas and overcast day, that sort of thing.

That's all I can think of for now.
Most of all, don't be too serious and absolutely do not be nervous. If you don't let them have fun, they'll hate you. If you are not confident, they'll take advantage of you.

Best of luck! Let us know how it goes!