teaching my first photography class. wish me luck!!!
Mar 12, 2012 08:07:35 #
What a great idea. Looking forward to your updates on this interesting project.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Mar 12, 2012 08:22:13 #
photeach
Loc: beautiful Kansas
One reason I like teaching photo so much is it's so easy to show the link between altering your thinking and creating something new and far more meaningful.
I realized that when I took an eye-level shot of my toddler for the first time. I thought to myself: "I am never going to shoot this kid from adult-level again." And, I have shots I still love to look at 15 years later.
I tell my students to shoot, think a little differently, and shoot again. It makes a world of difference.
It helped with my depression issues, too. Good luck!
I realized that when I took an eye-level shot of my toddler for the first time. I thought to myself: "I am never going to shoot this kid from adult-level again." And, I have shots I still love to look at 15 years later.
I tell my students to shoot, think a little differently, and shoot again. It makes a world of difference.
It helped with my depression issues, too. Good luck!
Mar 12, 2012 08:46:44 #
[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]
Best of luck to you!!
Best of luck to you!!
Mar 12, 2012 08:47:54 #
Great way to tithe and help yourself.All I have seen of you is a man with a big heart!Glad I won't be your student...you'd see a lot of broken glass pictures.LOL,just kidding and enjoy your class.
Mar 12, 2012 08:55:14 #
I have a friend who does art therapy programs in the Boston Ma area for troubled teens. If you want, I can put you in contact with her and maybe she can give you tips & hints as you go forward.
Mar 12, 2012 09:28:28 #
Mar 12, 2012 09:37:50 #
Wishing you the very best.Think you've had some good suggestions here. Do agree with the advice to make alot
of notes as to how you want to present something. Also i
think composition will maybe be easier for them than
creativity unless you give them a few examples of more than
one way to do something...that would make it fun for them.
We will all be cheering you on
of notes as to how you want to present something. Also i
think composition will maybe be easier for them than
creativity unless you give them a few examples of more than
one way to do something...that would make it fun for them.
We will all be cheering you on
Mar 12, 2012 09:51:31 #
rambler
Loc: Masssachusetts
A friend of mine who is an artist has for many years worked with children and adults using "art therapy".
Recently, I saw an interesting idea for a self-portrait. All I saw was the bare feet and hands of a person obviously sitting on the floor, ie. no face shown. On the floor surrounding her (she identified herself in the post) were several objects, pictures, and 'whatever' she thought said something about herself.
You could have them make a collage of who they are by cutting photos out of magazines as a start, with the goal being to make one (a poster) of their own photographs.
I definitely think you are on to something and you will make it work. Have fun!
Another thought: For the participants who may say. "I can't find anything", you might want to include something more specific. I notice you are in Florida. You could have them look for something found on a beach, or something you can pick up on the beach to photograph, something man made or something natural. Have them look for a word on a sign. (Maybe, "No Trespassing" will show up!) Have them look for a car, a truck, a motorcycle or bike that they think would best represent who they are or something about them. Tell them it might just be some part of a vehicle, rather than the whole vehicle, or part of an object, not the whole that might be important, too. Have them photograph shadows of something. Have them photograph a favorite color, but the color has to be on a door. Have them photograph a favorite color, but in three different shades of that color. Have them look for three different sizes of tires (later ask them if the tires can be used to symbolize life).
Anyway, you get my drift. Sometimes specific assignments can help.
Recently, I saw an interesting idea for a self-portrait. All I saw was the bare feet and hands of a person obviously sitting on the floor, ie. no face shown. On the floor surrounding her (she identified herself in the post) were several objects, pictures, and 'whatever' she thought said something about herself.
You could have them make a collage of who they are by cutting photos out of magazines as a start, with the goal being to make one (a poster) of their own photographs.
I definitely think you are on to something and you will make it work. Have fun!
Another thought: For the participants who may say. "I can't find anything", you might want to include something more specific. I notice you are in Florida. You could have them look for something found on a beach, or something you can pick up on the beach to photograph, something man made or something natural. Have them look for a word on a sign. (Maybe, "No Trespassing" will show up!) Have them look for a car, a truck, a motorcycle or bike that they think would best represent who they are or something about them. Tell them it might just be some part of a vehicle, rather than the whole vehicle, or part of an object, not the whole that might be important, too. Have them photograph shadows of something. Have them photograph a favorite color, but the color has to be on a door. Have them photograph a favorite color, but in three different shades of that color. Have them look for three different sizes of tires (later ask them if the tires can be used to symbolize life).
Anyway, you get my drift. Sometimes specific assignments can help.
Mar 12, 2012 10:40:03 #
tstor
Loc: Florida
I've taught a bunch of photography classes - not an expert, but do have the experience and more years at photography than I care to mention.
1. Since they are using point and shoot cameras, stick with the KISS priciple. No need to get into alot of technical details that will just bog things down at this stage. Also, with point and shoot, for most work, there is not a need for a tripod - although, I agree, they are almost always a good idea. Just with inexperienced photographers and P&S cameras, probably not an issue.
2. Take some example images to show and illustrate poor and great composition, use of color, perspective, etc. - anything that will help them increase their ratio of "keepers" and give them a better chance at a "bell ringer".
3. Be yourself when you address them.
4. Give them feedback, if this is an ongoing class, but be kind, something encouraging, something that can be improved, something encouraging - this is the best way to present a critique.
5. Have fun, and realize that you will be helping some of these people.
6. Try to anticipate questions and problems they will encounter, and be be prepared with answers and solutions.
1. Since they are using point and shoot cameras, stick with the KISS priciple. No need to get into alot of technical details that will just bog things down at this stage. Also, with point and shoot, for most work, there is not a need for a tripod - although, I agree, they are almost always a good idea. Just with inexperienced photographers and P&S cameras, probably not an issue.
2. Take some example images to show and illustrate poor and great composition, use of color, perspective, etc. - anything that will help them increase their ratio of "keepers" and give them a better chance at a "bell ringer".
3. Be yourself when you address them.
4. Give them feedback, if this is an ongoing class, but be kind, something encouraging, something that can be improved, something encouraging - this is the best way to present a critique.
5. Have fun, and realize that you will be helping some of these people.
6. Try to anticipate questions and problems they will encounter, and be be prepared with answers and solutions.
Mar 12, 2012 11:05:06 #
sinatraman: You have support here already for your project. Doing good in this world will bring its own reward, and you may influence others in a positive direction. Keep us informed.
Consider using information and instruction found on the Internet. If you have access to a printer, then you could print short articles on the basics of photography for your students to use as a reference.
In addition, various video clips exist on the Internet teaching how to do photography. Use the video clips as a teaching aid. So you do not need to re-invent the wheel.
In general, this veteran Web site offers a variety of sound photography information.
http://photo.net/
Check out the Learning tab for photography instruction.
This Web site may help your students gain an early functional understanding of aperture, ISO, and shutter speed:
http://www.cameraporn.net/2007/12/24/aperture-iso-and-shutter-speed-the-good-kind-of-threesome/
This interesting Web site teaches the operational aspects of a DSLR without a camera:
The SLR Camera Simulator: http://camerasim.com/camera-simulator.html
You have your heart and mind in your teaching project. Your students will sense your dedication to photography. Your efforts will inspire your students.
I wish you the best in your endeavor.
Consider using information and instruction found on the Internet. If you have access to a printer, then you could print short articles on the basics of photography for your students to use as a reference.
In addition, various video clips exist on the Internet teaching how to do photography. Use the video clips as a teaching aid. So you do not need to re-invent the wheel.
In general, this veteran Web site offers a variety of sound photography information.
http://photo.net/
Check out the Learning tab for photography instruction.
This Web site may help your students gain an early functional understanding of aperture, ISO, and shutter speed:
http://www.cameraporn.net/2007/12/24/aperture-iso-and-shutter-speed-the-good-kind-of-threesome/
This interesting Web site teaches the operational aspects of a DSLR without a camera:
The SLR Camera Simulator: http://camerasim.com/camera-simulator.html
You have your heart and mind in your teaching project. Your students will sense your dedication to photography. Your efforts will inspire your students.
I wish you the best in your endeavor.
Mar 12, 2012 11:25:25 #
[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]
And if anyone doesn't like the photos, pepper spray 'em! (lol) Best wishes on your project - cool idea.
And if anyone doesn't like the photos, pepper spray 'em! (lol) Best wishes on your project - cool idea.
Mar 12, 2012 11:28:06 #
This is an incredible opportunity for you and for them. What a great idea. Only advice is go with the flow. If something isn't working look at the face of the person you are helping and change the method of teaching. It is hard to explain but you are a very caring person, go with your gut. Use your heart to get the point across to someone. You will do well. This will be so gratifying for you. You're doing a good thing.
Please keep us posted. I'll keep this on my watch list.
Please keep us posted. I'll keep this on my watch list.
Mar 12, 2012 11:43:24 #
I like your idea. What a good way to get the emotions out on the table and to talk about them. I wish you and your students all the best.
Mar 12, 2012 12:03:36 #
I wish you the best in your new endeavor. It sounds like a wonderful idea.
I've been teaching adult ed classes and seminars at clubs and conferences for 3 years and I can assure you that you will also learn from your students! I never thought I'd be a "teacher" but it's so much fun! I've met some wonderful folks and am happy that I can help them utilize Elements in their work.
Enjoy!
I've been teaching adult ed classes and seminars at clubs and conferences for 3 years and I can assure you that you will also learn from your students! I never thought I'd be a "teacher" but it's so much fun! I've met some wonderful folks and am happy that I can help them utilize Elements in their work.
Enjoy!
Mar 12, 2012 13:33:10 #
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