sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

my shrink saw my portfolio, and knew how much photography meant to me and how therapuetic it is. He asked me to create and lead a therapy group called photographic expression therapy or PEXT. The idea is that people who have trouble expressing their feelings may be more comfortable letting a photo do the talking. feeling happy take a shot of a flower, angry a smashed bottle etc. the focus will be on composition, with some basic foundation skills, depending on the expierence of the group as well as level of disability of the members. they bought 5 digital p[oint and shoots, trying to talk them into one tripod. we will go out one meeting and shoot, and at the second meeting show the photos on monitors and discuss them. since the MHA hasnt done this before, im creating this as i go along. no sylabus to fall back on. any words of advice, encouragement, positive vibes, sugestions greatefully accepted. what will happen down the road is after a substanial body of work by the students is created a local photo gallery will help display and sell the work to raise funds for the rec center the association runs. I also plan on creating a blog and posting shots by the students after the group gets going. wish me lucj. i havent taught anything in over 20 years and that was a class on oc pepper spray for security officers. :roll: :thumbup: :shock:

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Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Good Luck with your new challenge.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

What a great idea! I'm sure you will do wonderfully, but I have not words of advice but I think it's a wonderful idea.

micro Loc: Texas

Sounds really interesting, and hopefully very productive.
If I was more creative I'd include a photo depicting my emotion of being impressed.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

it and being the church photographer is how I give back. since financialy is an impossibility, i tithe my time. in addition for me it works. when i have a camera in hand i feel normal and even powerfull, abile to leap black clouds of despair, look its a bird its a plane no its NIKONMAN. nikonman born on the doomed planet nikon is in reality mild mannered sinatraman. unfortunately i don't work at the daily planet, nor am married to lois lane. * heavy sigh*

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

Great idea, sinatraman! I'm sure you'll do a fine job, and I hope you'll give us progress reports from time to time. Hat's off to you!

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

[quote=sinatraman]my shrink saw my portfolio, and knew how much photography meant to me and how therapuetic it is. He asked me to create and lead a therapy group called photographic expression therapy or PEXT. The idea is that people who have trouble expressing their feelings may be more comfortable letting a photo do the talking. feeling happy take a shot of a flower, angry a smashed bottle etc. the focus will be on composition, with some basic foundation skills, depending on the expierence of the group as well as level of disability of the members. they bought 5 digital p[oint and shoots, trying to talk them into one tripod. we will go out one meeting and shoot, and at the second meeting show the photos on monitors and discuss them. since the MHA hasnt done this before, im creating this as i go along. no sylabus to fall back on. any words of advice, encouragement, positive vibes, sugestions greatefully accepted. what will happen down the road is after a substanial body of work by the students is created a local photo gallery will help display and sell the work to raise funds for the rec center the association runs. I also plan on creating a blog and posting shots by the students after the group gets going. wish me lucj. i havent taught anything in over 20 years and that was a class on oc pepper spray for security officers. :roll: :thumbup: :shock:[/quote]

I am touched by your openness - surely one sign of health and i am impressed by your shrink's openness and insight.

Yes, I have given this sort of thing some thought and have stumbled upon a few others so i may have some resources of benefit.

thank you for sharing and doing this.

pm me if you wish to go further.

BigDaveMT Loc: Plentywood, MT

As someone who just finished his first teaching gig (an adult ed class with 3 students including my 82 year old father who's afraid of everything digital), have fun, just go into each class with plenty of notes on what you want to accomplish. You might only get through half of them, but then you have next week's class ready to go until the class sidetracks you again. LOL

I love the idea of giving of talent rather than cash. I was taught that an early age. It's so easy for some to just write a check, but often times giving of yourself is the better donation for all involved, especially yourself.

photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

Good for you .. I think it's a fabulous idea.
If I could give one piece of advice (for what it's worth)
Positive reinforcement. Even if they take a horrible photo, just the fact that they put themselves out there and tried is a good thing. Positive reinforcement will make them want to try again. I wish you good luck and I hope it helps everybody involved.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

thanks for the kind words. i just reread my posts and realized i didn't say it statrs tuesday the 13th. 1st rule is have fun, snd rule is there are no rules, i am more interested in why they chose the subject, rather then does it meet the rule of thirds, is the photo sharp down to the sub atomic particles. etc. if you look at my subject matter youll notice im marching to the sound of a different motor drive anyway. third rule is if you like your photo, if you get an emotional response to it then it is perfect. i will also be available after group for those who do want to learn the fundamentals and all that yucky technical stuff about photography. can't tell im not a photography as a science kinda guy.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Great idea, great rules. The best of luck to you!

MrMike606 Loc: Soutwest Asia

Hello Sinatraman,
Congatulations on your new teaching endeavor. From the information given, one suggestion is to be patient. Very patient, you will probably repeat yourself more times than you can keep track of in a day. Encourage the "FUN" factor, and enjoy the teaching the class. One thing to having a successful class is if the instructor is having "FUN", then 9 out of 10 times, the students will have "FUN" too. Good Luck and let us know how it went, and if you need help, just ask, we can help.

Respectfully,
MrMike606

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

Go for it ! Make sure you let us know each nights result... Sounds like its going to be very interesting...

dane004 Loc: WYOMING

Go you will be great have fun with it

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

Adding another voice to the choir - sounds really great - wish you good skill (with ggod skill, you'll make your own luck)