posted Monday, 08 December 2008, 21:50 (+0800), by Martin
With technology continually advancing, digital cameras are becoming cheaper,
with manufacturers packing more powerful electronics into smaller
and cheaper cameras.
I think it's fair to say that most households in western society
would own one or more digital cameras.
Digital photography is great for children, because the ongoing costs are very low, compared to the costs of buying and processing film. When using a digital camera, children also get instant feedback, as they're able to see the photo they've just take on the LCD screen on the back of the camera.
I introduced my children to photography at a fairly young age, and in this post, I want to share some ideas and suggestions for getting your children into photography.
Update (14 December 2008): I have also written about my children's thoughts on photography.
Digital photography is great for children, because the ongoing costs are very low, compared to the costs of buying and processing film. When using a digital camera, children also get instant feedback, as they're able to see the photo they've just take on the LCD screen on the back of the camera.
Point Peron, Rockingham, Western Australia
I introduced my children to photography at a fairly young age, and in this post, I want to share some ideas and suggestions for getting your children into photography.
- Start Cheap - It Doesn't Have To Be Expensive
If you want to provide your child or children with their own camera, rather than buying a brand new camera, you're better off buying a decent second-hand digital camera. It will cost you less, and you'll typically get a camera with more features, even though it may be a couple of years old.
Some time ago, I bought a second-hand Canon PowerShot G5 on eBay for AUD$185. The G5 is a 5 megapixel high-end point-and-shoot camera, released in late 2003, with a retail price of over AUD$1000. Even though it's a 4 1/2 year old camera, it has more functionality than my children will want or need, including the ability to shoot RAW, full manual mode, etc.
Avoid cameras designed specifically for children, as the optics are typically low quality, and the cameras have limited functionality.
- Holding the Camera
Show them how to hold the camera with two hands, and instruct them how to gently depress the shutter button without moving the camera, as many children will jerk the camera when they stab the shutter button, thus resulting in blurred photos due to the camera movement.
Teach them to always use the camera's neck / wrist strap, as it'll help prevent the camera from being dropped.
- Set An Example - Camera Care
Show your children how to handle cameras, always use the neck / wrist strap, keep fingers away from the lens, and treat the camera and accessories with care.
Teach them to always replace the lens cap (if the camera has one), and to keep dust and moisture away from the camera.
- Give Children Freedom To Explore
Don't worry about composition or any other "rules" of photography, but give them the freedom to explore their world with the camera.
- Start Simple With Auto Mode
Keep the camera switched to auto mode, so they don't need to worry about adjusting any camera settings.
Once they have some more experience, introduce them to other basic modes, such as portrait/landscape/sports mode, if the camera supports it.
Don't start with trying to teach them how to use manual mode, or what the impact of changing the aperture or shutter speed does. Leave those details for later, else it'll be too confusing and overwhelming for them.
Midgegooroo National Park, Roleystone, Western Australia
- Provide Feedback
Periodically sit down with your children to review the photos they've taken, and help them decide which photos to keep, and which ones to delete. Provide feedback on the photos, and offer suggestions on improving composition, suggesting alternative viewpoints, etc.
- Stimulating Ideas
If your children run out of ideas, and don't know what to photograph, give them a theme, such as a colour or a specific subject to shoot.
You can also help encourage creativity by getting them to shoot from different angles, such as getting down low and shooting up, or getting up high and shooting down, as well as exploring other angles.
- Use The Photos Your Children Take
Be sure to use the photos taken by your children, rather than just letting them languish on the memory card, or on your computer's hard drive.
If you have a suitable printer, print some of them out, or get them printed at your local photo lab, and put some on your fridge, or hang them up elsewhere.
They can use the photos to make bookmarks for themselves and friends and family, or the photos can also be used to make cards. Scrapbooking is also a great way to allow the children to use their own photos.
If going away on a holiday, get your children to take photos during the holiday, so they can create a journal with the photos.
Serpentine Falls, Serpentine, Western Australia
- Photography Outings
Taking your children somewhere in the evening, or on a weekend is a great way to stimulate their photographic interest, as it can provide a range of interesting and new photo opportunities.
Some of the places I've taken my children include:- some of the many beaches nearby
- anywhere in the bush
- geological formations, such as waterfalls
- local dams
- the city
- local parks
- somewhere for a sunrise or sunset
- Explore Local Surroundings Too
You don't have to go out to find interesting things to photograph. Even your backyard can be a treasure-trove of interesting things to for a budding photographer, particularly for macro photography.
Update (14 December 2008): I have also written about my children's thoughts on photography.
I very much like this idea Martin. Keeps the children entertained while encouraging their creativety, and allowing them to explore the world from a different angle. I think I'll be buying my baby sister a cam :)