Nurture vs. Nature?

[ICU]

So I just drove my youngest to school and during the morning conversation, I mentioned I was picking up some film today. She then mentioned my newest arrival (Canonet QL17). I explained it was a rangefinder and how it focused. "Like the Ben Franklin glasses in National Treasure?" was her responce. Then it was all about how cute the Canonet is and how it would fit in her little hands, blah, blah, blah. I think she maybe planning to "borrow" this camera (she and her sister already have "borrowed" my Nikon FGs and Pentax K1000). You'd think that they'd stop commenting on how many cameras have (not that many really), since they use them, too.

So do you think I 've created a monster? She loves photography; she has a great eye and steady hands. Her pics are way and above mine. Her grandparents gave her film as Christmas presents year. But she was the first one in our family to buy a digi-cam. She did the research, saved birthday money and allowance, etc and bought on her own. At the time the only other camera in our house was a Minolta P&S. She did this all when she was only 9 years old (she is 12 now).

Anyone else have family take up your hobby/sickness?

Mary

 

[FrankS]

Not yet but I'm hoping. My daughter is artistic and skilled at drawing/painting as is her grandfather. (the guy in my avatar) My son is more mechanically inclined and he may may hook on to the technical aspects of photography.

 

[VinceC]

My 8-soon-to-be-9-year-old very much wants a camera. She and her 6-going-on-7-year-old sister both play with my classic cameras. The cameras really are solidly built, and the girls like to copy me, because I shoot a roll or two of film each week, mostly photographing them. They no longer ask to look at the nonexistant lcd screen, but they haven't quite mastered the concept of film. In the past, my 8-year-old has done better shooting digital, because she wants to take so many pictures that she burns through a roll of film in literally minutes.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=45084

 

[BudGreen]

For a while my sons (6 and 8) were taking turns with an old SLR of mine. I gave them each some black & white film and we developed it together. They got digital point & shoot cameras for Christmas, and now the 6 year old is never without it. But the 8 year old is annoyed by the lack of manual control of the aperture and shutter speed. It sounds like another expensive hobby in the making.

 

[Ossifan]

My 6 year old LOVES my M6 and is fascinated by photography (he sometimes helps out in the darkroom). I've given him my Lomo and he has taken some very good shots and I love to see the world through HIS eyes. Over the holidays I picked up a Zorki 4 for him for a good price, but I think he needs to be a little older to use it so I'll keep it for him (NO I won't use it!). Sometimes he gets frustrated that he can't "look at the back and see the picture" but I love that he's interested in my hobby and hope it continues.

 

[mich8261]

if you want to see what kids can do with cameras, I highly recommend Born Into Brothels, a great documentary. I don't have children, but if I did, I would want to encourage them to have fun with photography. What better way than with a great little camera like the Yashica GSN or Canonet or some other cool find at the flea market.

Cheers,

 

[VinceC]

Almost 20 years ago, I spent a school year teaching photography one hour a week to half a dozen 5th and 6th graders (ages about 10 and 11) in a talented-and-gifted program. We used manual SLRs, 50mm lenses and Tri-X film (one of them didn't have a family camera, so I loaned her a Nikkomat). They did a truly remarkable job. I can still remember many of their images, as well as their excitement in learning to "see."

 

[dazedgonebye]

My 10 year old is a special needs kid, with a range of emotional/physical disabilities.
He has a great time with the point and shoot digital I got him. I'm planning on upgrading him next month for his 11th birthday.