Teaching Son to Photo

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texchappy

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My son was supposed to go to a camera camp today. Road construction meant that we couldn’t get him there. He’s disappointed. I told him I would teach him how to take pictures and take him someplace fun to take some (we live in a green and historic town so that part is easy).

What do you think would be good to get him to know? He’s 9 BTW.
 
Depends on the camera, I'd go with a auto camera just to show him how to frame (compose) and then start him on Exposure times etc.

Main thing is to not overwhelm and to be able to have some good images right away so there's a feel of achievement.
 
These are the cameras I have available:
Nikon D40
Canon S3
Nikon F2
Nikon FTn (actually got this for him when he’s interested enough).

I guess I mean how far into focal lengths, composing, f-stops, etc to go with him?
 
For a 9yr old the D40 sounds ideal.

As I said earlier, For now just focus on framing with a single length lens.

Let him be a kid and let him find subjects that he finds interesting.
 
I agree with Corto. He's going to need some instant gratification in order to stick with it. If you have a prime lens, the Nikon D40 would be ideal (teach him how to frame with his body, as opposed to using a zoom). Stick it in program mode. Once his curiosity is peaked, move him into the hard stuff (aperture, shutter speed, exposure, etc.) Plus his picture file size wouldn't be overwhelming to store.
 
Why should gratification be instant? Teaching kids the value of patience and the pleasure of anticipation is a reasonable goal too. My first camera, a Kodak 126 Instamatic, was plenty gratifying. The anticipation of waiting for the film to come back from the lab was all part of the fun. I did not need instant gratification in order to stick with it.

I'm not saying not to use digital, nor am I particularly recommending film. I'm just saying I don't think instant gratification is a valuable thing to teach, so I wouldn't make any decision with that as justification. Give the kid a choice of cameras, let him pick the one he likes, give him some basic instruction in how to use it (but don't go overboard, just enough to get him started), and let him have fun.
 
I grew up on film as well, But i see nothing wrong with a kid today using current tech.

If I had digital cameras when I was young I would have used them over film any day and all the time.

I shoot film these days because I love the results.

But if I could get those results right away you bet I would take them.

Thinking that a kid should somehow not have access to current tech is just plain silly.
 
Been teaching two of my grandkids since they were 3. Only how to take pictures, nothing technical. That comes later.

For me, teaching is the best part. Reward is seeing what they saw....seriously, so don't try to teach them too much. Discovery is important for both of you.

I did a book a couple of years ago. Gave some kids some inexpensive digital cameras and told them to shoot and that was it. It really is something to find out what they see as important and then some basics are in order. Give them some WOW! moments, too.

Beyond that, it is their own eye that should be cultivated, not my own. YMMV.

Good luck and keep us updated.:angel:
 
dave lackey said:
Been teaching two of my grandkids since they were 3. Only how to take pictures, nothing technical. That comes later.

For me, teaching is the best part. Reward is seeing what they saw....seriously, so don't try to teach them too much. Discovery is important for both of you.

I did a book a couple of years ago. Gave some kids some inexpensive digital cameras and told them to shoot and that was it. It really is something to find out what they see as important and then some basics are in order. Give them some WOW! moments, too.

Beyond that, it is their own eye that should be cultivated, not my own. YMMV.

Good luck and keep us updated.:angel:
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Could not agree more!

My daughter thought this was interesting enough ......

7442308918_12884f7dc6_c.jpg
 
Okay, I get it now 😀

Instant gratification is a wonderful "hook" to pull him in at first. Like strumming chords to folk songs before learning to read classical sheet music. He'll probably "Facebook" his stuff as soon as he can upload the SD card.

Keep it simple, concentrating on his handling the camera (holding it steady and straight and pointed at the right thing).

Program mode.
Iso 400 ? (will help with a faster shutter speed).
Let him pick a topic for a little "project" of maybe 10 pictures.
Do not be very ("photo-dad") critical of his first 1000 pictures.
Remember way back to when you started out.

AND . . . as Dave Lackey says . . . keep your eyes (and mind) open for what he sees that you don't !
 
texchappy said:
My son was supposed to go to a camera camp today. ..................
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Are you sure he was not going to "photography camp" and not "camera camp?" What is next "oil paint and brush camp?" I know there is some relationship in that you cannot do photography without a camera but that is about it. I do not mean to sound cynical but I know about our art school's summer photography camp. It has as little to do with cameras as possible. The kids build and use pinholes.

If you must focus on equipment, let me suggest a Holga. Few technical issues and you have a big enough negative to work with and can make contact prints. The other alternative is to work with him building and using a pinhole camera exposing printing paper.

My experience is that kids get fascinated about photography and the process so long as they don't have adults complicating the issue.
 
Wasn’t focusing on the equipment, just answering the question. Yes, photography camp is probably a better title for it. But then again, when has anything associated with the Army (and this was) named appropriately.

Thanks for all the input.
 
Bob Michaels said:
Are you sure he was not going to "photography camp" and not "camera camp?" What is next "oil paint and brush camp?" I know there is some relationship in that you cannot do photography without a camera but that is about it. I do not mean to sound cynical but I know about our art school's summer photography camp. It has as little to do with cameras as possible. The kids build and use pinholes.

If you must focus on equipment, let me suggest a Holga. Few technical issues and you have a big enough negative to work with and can make contact prints. The other alternative is to work with him building and using a pinhole camera exposing printing paper.

My experience is that kids get fascinated about photography and the process so long as they don't have adults complicating the issue.
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This has me thinking about what I have wanted to do for the last year...build a camera obscura in the back yard for the kids. I just need a big enough cardboard box!😛
 
when my daughter was 8 or 9, she had a Barbie 110 camera (remember those?) but wanted a camera "like dad's". I bought a minty Canonette on epay and put bright green leather on it - "flashy" was big with her at that age. But the really important part was lots of walks together with our RF's, taking a lot of the same pictures, talking about how we were taking our pictures.

The net effect was that she learned to SLOW DOWN and compose - and to think. 1-hour prints were quick enough turn around for feedback, but provided a little gap of time for anticipation. Eventually bought her a Canon Rebel digital; she's the photo geek at her high school, carrying it everywhere for yearbook photos.

She's almost 16 now, taking a B&W class at the local community college this summer, using my old Minolta SRT kit. LOVES it. Wants an enlarger and darkroom at home 😎

daveleo said:
AND . . . as Dave Lackey says . . . keep your eyes (and mind) open for what he sees that you don't !
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Yep. She kicks my butt. I would love to shoot as well as she does.
 
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