How to teach aperture to high school journalism students
Nov 6, 2018 19:02:54 #
I'm a high school photojournalism teacher and love it. I've recently gotten some wonderful 2.8 lenses (I have 4, two 17-50mm, one 100mm and one 75-200mm). When a student gets his hands on one of these, they start to get aperture and the effect it has on their photos. Problem is I really need a classroom set of the 17-50 but I don't have the money for it. One of our district teachers wasted a butt load of money, without asking those who know more than she does, buying NINE 500mm f8 lenses. They go from f8-f16 and I can't think of a time and place we can use them. Any suggestions on how to sell them so I can buy more appropriate lenses.
Nov 6, 2018 19:10:04 #
WOW, I hate to think of a case like this, what did the principal, superintendent, BoE say? Would they approve funding for appropriate lenses? Is there a wealthy parent or resident in town? Can the sports department transfer them into their budget line?
Nov 6, 2018 19:13:45 #
Great idea. I have gotten donations for other things. I'm in a Title 1 (read very poor) school and I have to spend so much to help them. I have all Canons from T3 to T6i. Maybe some of you have some lenses you don't use because you've changed cameras that you'd like to donate. I'd appreciate any help and would happily give donation forms for income tax--it'll work better for business deduction than personal with the change in income tax this year. Contact me if you'd consider helping.
Nov 6, 2018 19:29:38 #
The EF 50 f/1.8 runs around $100 each. This doesn't solve your problem, but does give a target lens that too demonstrates a fast / wide aperture lens. See if KEH is a place to sell the unneeded lenses and shop for used versions of the nifty 50.
Nov 6, 2018 19:41:20 #
Nov 6, 2018 19:46:54 #
JudyBabb2 wrote:
I'm a high school photojournalism teacher and love... (show quote)
Photojournalism hmmm Those 500 mm would work for daytime sporting events or daylight arena events but otherwise they are what a wildlife/bird photographer would use, on bright sunny days. What brand,price and model? What mount are these lenses? Off hand the first things that pops to my mind with "500 mm f/8.0" is mirror lenses. If the district gives permission you could sell them here on the UHH, ebay or Craigs list. Trading them would lose a ton of money unless the dealer felt sorry or wanted to help the school.
The one year I taught basic photography and the 5 years I ran the photo club waiting for the building with the photo lab to be rebuilt except for a couple of old TLRs the students had to supply their own cameras. Film days, teaching photo with digital would be great, the students could experiment and try things until the cows came home. I taught all the basics, we did have a studio and lights. Students did the school teams, school newspaper and area events for extra credit.
Nov 6, 2018 20:00:40 #
JudyBabb2 wrote:
Go to a nature preserve and shoot Birds in Flight. Second thought have them returned to where the ditrict got it and use the money wiselyI'm a high school photojournalism teacher and love... (show quote)
Welcome to the forum
Nov 7, 2018 00:21:36 #
You might try teaching them via the analogy of plumbing. Aperture = a faucet. ISO = pipe diameter and water pressure. Shutter speed = turning the handle on/off. Or something to that effect.
Nov 7, 2018 00:41:02 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
The EF 50 f/1.8 runs around $100 each. This doesn't solve your problem, but does give a target lens that too demonstrates a fast / wide aperture lens. See if KEH is a place to sell the unneeded lenses and shop for used versions of the nifty 50.
Good idea.
The OP’s cameras are APS-C sensored.
I think the students would be better served with a 35 mm 1.8 or f/2 lens. (Or even as wide as a 24) When I was shooting for a daily, my most used lens was a 35mm f2. The 24 would be fairly close to that equivalent focal length. (38mm)
Yongnou makes an inexpensive 50mm 1.8 for Canon- $42. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1111454-REG/yongnuo_yn50mm_50mm_ef_for_1_8.html
They also have a 35mm f/2 for around $80.
Closer to a “normal” focal length. (58mm equivalent)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1158443-REG/yongnuo_yn35mm_f2_yn_35mm_f_2_lens.html
Nov 7, 2018 03:43:12 #
Pablo8
Loc: Nottingham UK.
[quote=robertjerl]Photojournalism hmmm Those 500 mm would work for daytime sporting events or daylight arena events but otherwise they are what a wildlife/bird photographer would use, on bright sunny days. What brand,price and model? What mount are these lenses? Off hand the first things that pops to my mind with "500 mm f/8.0" is mirror lenses.
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The op stated that the lenses were f/8 to f/16. What make Mirror lens would that be then?
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The op stated that the lenses were f/8 to f/16. What make Mirror lens would that be then?
Nov 7, 2018 05:26:55 #
Nov 7, 2018 06:30:18 #
Take a look at CameraSim.com . I used it to good effect teaching a group of youngsters who weren’t going to afford adjustable cameras anytime soon.
Nov 7, 2018 06:48:39 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
JudyBabb2 wrote:
I'm a high school photojournalism teacher and love... (show quote)
PUT um on Ebay. I am guessing you won't get much. Next time, you write a grant, that way you control the expenditures.
Nov 7, 2018 07:20:02 #
Post those 500mm lenses for sale on UH and use the money to buy more practical lenses for your students.
Nov 7, 2018 07:52:23 #
Hi Judy,
I'm former mathematics HS teacher of 39 years. Perhaps you can you use a laptop, tethered to the camera & projector to at least demonstrate aperture effect on images. It does not replace the one-on-one experience, but it's a start.
Good luck.
Mark
I'm former mathematics HS teacher of 39 years. Perhaps you can you use a laptop, tethered to the camera & projector to at least demonstrate aperture effect on images. It does not replace the one-on-one experience, but it's a start.
Good luck.
Mark
JudyBabb2 wrote:
I'm a high school photojournalism teacher and love... (show quote)
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