Back in the game: I have been without a camera for about 2 years. I used the Canon Rebel before, but my new (to me) camera is the Nikon d5100. I have played with it some, but I plan on...

holifield4

I have been without a camera for about 2 years. I used the Canon Rebel before, but my new (to me) camera is the Nikon d5100. I have played with it some, but I plan on this camera being what I use to teach my yearbook staff the more intricate parts of photography. However, I’m slightly rusty myself, so this summer I will be using my camera a LOT!! Do you have any recommendations on teaching teens the ins and outs of dSLR, considering they’ve only used their cellphone cameras up until now?

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

One major area they need to learn is exposure. This chart was made by another UHHer, it should help.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Just have them take images, photograph everything. Or give them specific assignments on basic subject matter. Show them how to focus and let the leave their cameras in <gasp> Program mode. When everybody is comfortable, introduce A & S modes. Find the more advanced students and show them Manual mode.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Create some modules that are camera independent like the parts (block diagram) of any dslr, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure, focal length, dynamic range, histograms, subject movement, camera shake, light, AF, metering, raw and jpg files, ... , . Then bring in how that particular camera relates to the items and how their smart phone cameras relate. The technical side need to be complete, but short, very broad, but not too deep. Once there, it's time to introduce the creative side like quality of light, composition including the rule of thirds, perspective, good pictures need to tell a story, evoke emotion, ..., PP . You can get a lot of useful information from https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/ .

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Welcome to the forum.

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Strodav wrote:

Create some modules that are camera independent li... (show quote)

I can't agree more with this recommendation of the Cambridge site. It's FREE and can be recalled immediately for reference on your computer or phone.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

holifield4 wrote:

I have been without a camera for about 2 years. I used the Canon Rebel before, but my new (to me) camera is the Nikon d5100. I have played with it some, but I plan on this camera being what I use to teach my yearbook staff the more intricate parts of photography. However, I’m slightly rusty myself, so this summer I will be using my camera a LOT!! Do you have any recommendations on teaching teens the ins and outs of dSLR, considering they’ve only used their cellphone cameras up until now?

Do they need to know how to use a DSLR to take pictures for their yearbook? Have they expressed an interest in knowing about DSLR's? How many cameras do you have? Who gets to use the camera(s)? I think you might be in for an interesting ride.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

PHRubin wrote:

One major area they need to learn is exposure.

And composition

ngrea Loc: Sandy Spring, Maryland

Strodav wrote:

Create some modules that are camera independent li... (show quote)

I’d reverse it. Let them start with creative side and when they wish the results were better introduce the technical side. People hear the answer better if they ask the question first.

leftj Loc: Texas

holifield4 wrote:

I have been without a camera for about 2 years. I used the Canon Rebel before, but my new (to me) camera is the Nikon d5100. I have played with it some, but I plan on this camera being what I use to teach my yearbook staff the more intricate parts of photography. However, I’m slightly rusty myself, so this summer I will be using my camera a LOT!! Do you have any recommendations on teaching teens the ins and outs of dSLR, considering they’ve only used their cellphone cameras up until now?

Good luck converting them from their cellphones to dedicated cameras. It won't happen. Besides, cellphones will work fine for yearbook pictures.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

leftj wrote:

.....
Besides, cellphones will work fine for yearbook pictures.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

The exposure triangle (how aperture and shutter speed determine the amount of captured light and how the ISO value determines the signal amplification).

How depth of field is affected by aperture, distance to focus point and focal length (amount of zoom).

The effect of shutter speed on freezing movement and avoiding camera shake.

The effect of ISO on noise and dynamic range.

That takes care of most of the technical stuff. Then you can concentrate on the important stuff like choice of subject, composition (including leading lines, framing etc), lighting (quality and direction) and so on.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

ngrea wrote:

I’d reverse it. Let them start with creative side and when they wish the results were better introduce the technical side. People hear the answer better if they ask the question first.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

ngrea wrote:

I’d reverse it. Let them start with creative side and when they wish the results were better introduce the technical side. People hear the answer better if they ask the question first.

holifield4

You can’t get good quality action shots of a football game with a cellphone camera. They come out grainy and not very good. They have had a point and shoot camera in the past that they’ve been using, but it’s not a very good one to get good pictures either.