posted Sunday, 14 December 2008, 12:45 (+0800), by Martin
Michelle at Bathers Beach in Fremantle
Here are the results.
Q. How long have you been taking photos?
10yo: Err...I don't know...from when I was about six or seven.
8yo: About two and a half years or something, when I was about six.
Q. How did you learn how to take photos?
10yo: My dad told me how to, and I just tried.
8yo: Dad taught me. He taught me how to hold the camera still, how to focus, and how to press the button.
Q. How complex was the first camera that you used?
10yo: I just needed to get used to it, and then it was pretty easy. Then other similar cameras are pretty easy to use.
8yo: It was pretty simple.
Q. What type of things have you taken photos of?
10yo: Sunrises, sunsets, landscapes, insects, plants, animals, and lots of fascinating things.
8yo: People, plants and animals.
Q. What's your favourite photographic topic?
10yo: I think my favourite is macro photos of insects.
8yo: Probably people, because you can pose them, and that's fun.
Q. You've used a point-and-shoot camera, and also a DSLR. Which camera do you prefer using?
10yo: DSLR? What's that? Oh, that.
The DSLR (whatever it means...), because I think it's more advanced, and I'm allowed to use better lenses on it.
8yo: I quite like the smaller point and shoot cameras, because they are easier to hold, instead of the big heavy DSLR. However, I liked using the DSLR, because you can put different lenses on it.
Q. What's so good about being able to use different lenses on a DSLR?
10yo: Because different lenses are good for different things.
8yo: Because you can take photos of different things. You can take photos of bugs with the macro lens.
Q. You don't find a DSLR too big and heavy for you to use?
10yo: Nah, I'm strong enough.
8yo: It is quite heavy, and my hands are tiny compared to my dad's.
Q. If you had to pick your favourite photo out of all the photos you've taken, which one would it be?
10yo: Umm...do I have to choose one?
Probably my favourite is the photo of the darter.
darter
photo by Ashley, when aged 9
South Perth, Western Australia
Olympus C-770 UltraZoom @63mm, 1/250 sec, f/3.7, ISO125
Olympus C-770 UltraZoom @63mm, 1/250 sec, f/3.7, ISO125
8yo: Probably the photo of Hamburger and T-bone. I was actually trying to take a photo of Hamburger, and T-bone budged in.
Hamburger and T-bone
photo by Michelle, when aged 6
Forrestdale, Western Australia
Olympus C-770 UltraZoom @16mm, 1/500 sec, f/4, ISO64
Olympus C-770 UltraZoom @16mm, 1/500 sec, f/4, ISO64
Q. What suggestions can you give to other children who are about to get into photography?
10yo: Don't expect to get good photos for a start. For example, don't expect to get the best photos for a start.
8yo: Start in the back yard, because there aren't fancy things that are hard to take photos of, things don't move as much. Practice quite often, like once a week or something.
Q. What's the best way to learn how to take good photos?
10yo: Start with a simple topic, like taking photos in your garden, and then get a bit more advanced, like taking photos of sunsets. And then you can get even more advanced taking macro photos.
8yo: Practice, practice, practice, and you'll get better photos.
Q. Has it helped that your father is interested in photography?
10yo: Yes. And he's rather good at taking photos.
It also means that there's a good variety of cameras that I can use, and good lenses for different things.
It also means that because my dad is interested, we can go on photography outings.
8yo: Yes, because he tells me what's good and what's not, and helps me boost the colours (or whatever you call it) on the computer.
Q. What would you love to take photos of?
10yo: Underwater, like fish and interesting sea plants.
Doing underwater photography would be a whole different thing - the lighting is a whole lot different.
8yo: I would like to go into space, and take photos of planets, because you might find an alien and become famous.
Q. What's a good age to start with photography?
10yo: I don't know - the age that I started probably.
8yo: About five or six, because then when you're about 9, you can get really good photos. Then when you're an adult, you can become a photographer as your job, but I want to become a teacher.
Q. Do you think your younger brother (aged five) is old enough to start using a camera?
10yo: Yeah...as long as he doesn't decide to wreck the cameras.
8yo: Yeah, just give him simple ideas to take photos of, instead of bugs or something.
Q. Have you thought about becoming a professional photographer when you are older?
10yo: Maybe, but I've got a whole heap of other things that I want to do.
I might just stick to photography as a hobby.
8yo: No, I want to become a teacher. When I'm a teacher, if we have a class excursion or something, I can take photos.
Q. Is photography a good family hobby?
10yo: Yes. Because then you've got someone to compete against.
When we go out together on a photoshoot, my dad can advise what is worth taking photos of and what's not worth taking photos of.
8yo: Yes, because Dad can take us places, otherwise I would have to just take photos at home, and that would be boring after a while.
Both Ashley and Michelle have been publishing some of their photos on their own websites:
Interviewing children is a great idea Martin! :)
The candid comments are fantastic, thanks for sharing that. You asked some good questions to open up the possibilities for some great responses. My favourite is probably the answer from your 8 year old, about what she'd like to take pictures of: "I would like to go into space, and take photos of planets, because you might find an alien and become famous." It's also evident from this interview that you've been able to use your hobby as a great way to spend constructive time with your children.
Thumbs up for a great post!