My love of photography started when I was just a kid. If you ask my family they will tell you that I always had a camera with me even when I was as young as eleven or twelve years old. All of my cameras as a kid were all incredibly cheap, used every incarnation of "film" and offered no manual controls. The lack of manual controls or any understanding of the laws of film and photography resulted in some comically endearing photos. Whether too dark, too light, blurry or with light leaks, the photos I took as a kid are wonderful reminders of how I saw things as a kid.
I remember this tiny plastic Kodak camera that made a loud "sproinggg!!" noise when I clicked the shutter, prompting my subjects to say, "what was thaaaat?" or "Is that a real camera?" My childhood friends still bring that camera up, remarking that my gear has significantly improved over the years. Then came the infamous "disk" camera which used this round wheel of film which I guess at the time seemed kind of cool but in hindsight seems rather goofy. I also had a number of Polaroid cameras, all picked up at yard sales, all with varying degrees of functioning. They were the most fun because I could see my photo in two minutes.
My need to document my surroundings got so annoying that I was dubbed "The Tourist" of my own family. I mention all of this because as a kid, I loved taking photos. Photography made me want to get out of the house and check out the world outside. Now with digital technology, it's easier than ever to have an excuse to get outside and learn with your own kids.
There are many advantages today when it comes to teaching your child photography. Most of us have point and shoot digital cameras, which allow you to see the results of your shot immediately, and most of us have home printers so making collages and prints is relatively easy. Not only can you get outside and enjoy your neighborhood or just really appreciate nature, but with digital photography you can now see the fruits of your labor immediately and even have it on framed and on the wall the same day. A far cry from the days when we had to wait a week to even see the prints.
Below is a great article that I found today: I hope you will use the author's very cool ideas to set up a "Photo Safari" with your kids soon! (for full article, please click link)
Encourage Your Budding Photographer, by Ellen Flaks
http://www.ivillage.com/encourage-your-budding-photographer/6-a-128979
Some Highlights from the article:
Materials for your photo adventure:
- Portable camera (digital) or:
- Child's
plastic camera *Annmarie's Note: You can buy digital cameras built for kids
- Polaroid
camera with film *Annmarie's Note: They don't make Polaroid cameras anymore, but if you go to www.adorama.com and search for "instant cameras" you'll see many affordable non-Polaroid brands.
- Photo
albums and/or frames
- Photo
mats and glue (optional for collages)
- Take
a nature hike with your child.
Take pictures of all the different flowers, animals and sights that
your see. Teach your child to hold the camera in such a way that
his/her fingers don't cover the lens.
- Take
a walk in the neighborhood,
perhaps while you are making a neighborhood map, and have your child
take pictures of interesting things you both see.
- Take
cameras with you to a family picnic.
Instruct your child to just take pictures of people.
- Take
your camera to a birthday or graduation party.
Let your child take pictures of a child opening presents or the
graduate in his/her gown, etc.
- When
the pictures have been developed put them in a photo album
or frame them Or, cut
up pictures and make collages".
:)
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Best Regards,
Annmarie Young
Annmarie Young Photography
www.Annmarieyoungphoto.com
