Encouraging the next generation

[Mudman]

Recently I was at a family get together, and my cousin's daughter came over to show me some of the photographs she's been taking with her ipod. They were great! She had some wonderful macro shots of frogs and turtles from the swamp near the house, shots of her brothers and sister and flowers. Very well composed and thought through. Impressive for a 14 year old with an ipod!

So I've gotten her an early birthday present, an Olympus XZ-1. I was looking through specs and images from various small cameras, and this one looked like a great option. f1.8-2.5 28mm-112mm equivalent zoom, image stabilization, full manual control if wanted, raw files, etc. Should be showing up next week. Her mom is fully on board. I hope it helps encourage her to keep developing her eye and passion for photography. I figured a compact would make more sense than a full on DSLR, since I didn't know if she would want to lug one around. The olympus can fit in a big pocket or bag with ease. The mirrorless options were a bit out of the price range I could spend at the moment for the gift.

Anyone else do similar things for friends or family?

 

[AlexBG]

Buy her a printer as well. I personally think that ensuring people still print photos is the most important thing. Everything is so instant now a days.

When we get friends over, who all have kids I always get one to take photos whether it be film or digital. The kids like the bronica the best because when they move left it goes right so makes it fun.

 

[robert blu]

Buy her a printer as well. I personally think that ensuring people still print photos is the most important thing. Everything is so instant now a days.

Yes, 100 % agree. A print is forever, almost. Maybe discovered in a few years in a cardboard shoebox will be a surprise for her. The way we were 🙂
robert

 

[photomoof]

Compared to an iPod maybe, but compared to an iPhone 6+? I would prefer the iPhone, the software is just so superior, IQ about the same.

IMO, you really can't replace an iPhone with a low level digital.

There has to be a compelling reason for a teen to carry a camera, possibly why film has had such a resurgence of interest among young shooters.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

We helped our daughter with DSLR, while she was into clips making.
She sold it emideatelly after loosing interest.
Later I helped young person in town to get into film photography and printing.
Gave him SLR kit few weeks ago.

 

[Oscuro]

The printer is the key....(iPhones are fine)

The printer is the key....(iPhones are fine)

An associate's revenue line consists of artisanal greeting cards using photos, many shot on iPhone/iPod/the like.

They are all printed on a Canon Selphy CP910

All it does is 4x6" photos. Rather well. Significantly better quality and a lower per-print cost than the Fuji equivalent.

I think the thing cost 100 bucks.

I know a newsie (or two) who sells a lot of work that is shot on a cellphone camera.

He has a Canon CP910 in his car running off an inverter. Instant proof.

The print is it.

Get them a printer. WiFi if possible.

 

[photomoof]

Get them a printer. WiFi if possible.

If a printer will not interface with phones and tablets, teens will probably never use it.

WiFi is an absolute must.

 

[jarski]

Not sure if printing is a must for next generation. But smartphone connection definitely is 😀

 

[Oscuro]

If you have vision you can produce excellent work, from journalism to art, with a smartphone.

The Canon CP910 is WiFi and you can transmit your photo to it directly from the phone - no LAN required.

 

[Mudman]

Compared to an iPod maybe, but compared to an iPhone 6+? I would prefer the iPhone, the software is just so superior, IQ about the same.

IMO, you really can't replace an iPhone with a low level digital.

There has to be a compelling reason for a teen to carry a camera, possibly why film has had such a resurgence of interest among young shooters.

I wouldn't call the xz-1 a low level p&s. It's got a good zoom with a fast lens, raw file and manual override modes, etc. I saw it as something she would enjoy using over a handme down 5 year old ipod (not iphone). Perhaps I'm wrong. You all seemed to have missed the point of the thread though; what have you done to encourage the next generation in learning and enjoying the craft of photography?

I have an iphone. I'd take a camera with actual controls over it any day. Perhaps I'm the outlier...

 

[photomoof]

I have an iphone. I'd take a camera with actual controls over it any day. Perhaps I'm the outlier...

Sorry to be so negative, I just retired from the teen wars at university.

 

[Mudman]

No problem. She already has the interest and the creativity. As one of four to a single working mother, a camera wouldn't otherwise be in the cards for quite some time. I can't wait to see what she'll do with a proper camera.

 

[RichL]

In addition to a printer, get a good basic photo editing program. There's nothing like being able to make changes to a photograph to keep keep the skill and imagination growing.

 

[JP Owens]

I'm not sure of the value of encouraging the next generation to "serious" photography. It seems to me that the iPhone is the ultimate tool when the process is so much more interesting than the outcome. Perhaps that has always been so with most photographers, though.

 

[Oscuro]

In addition to a printer, get a good basic photo editing program. There's nothing like being able to make changes to a photograph to keep keep the skill and imagination growing.

Snapseed. Works under android as well as the iOS biome. Seamless and stellar post. Free.

After you've done your edit, Blogger is the app (again, works in both eco systems) to use for online content management if you are a Blogspot client. Free.

Even if they use a camera separate from the phone, they can use a wifi SD card (Eyefi is the current best) to transfer the files directly to the phone.

 

[Mudman]

Well she loves the camera so far! She was super excited to get it today. A few hours later and I saw her out and about shooting away. I think she's going to have a lot of fun with it. Also gave her a basic how to book on photography.

 

[jsrockit]

I would only help someone who actually wanted the help and wanted to go beyond the iPhone. It's a nice thing to do for someone, but only if they appreciate it.

 

[kshapero]

Yes it is important to help the younger generations. I have usually 3 or 4 Nikkormats or Nikon Fm's with 50 mm lenses on them, in the closet. I lend them out or even give them away in the case of my grandson who is 12. I think learning the basics is super important.
Aperture, shutter speed, ISO and focus. I also recommend the book by Brian Peterson called Understanding Exposure. I have made a few very good photographers over the years with this method. BTW Pentax k1000 also works fine.