daplight Loc: Kansas

Thanks, first, to everyone responding. There are many great suggestions.

Maybe some of you misunderstood my hesitance. I am not a teacher, just someone who loves photography. And, no, I am not charging money. I would love to discuss, demonstrate, critique (constructively of course) photography to a young person. I guess I was trying make the distinction that they be genuinely interested. If they are, then I think I would get just as much back, rewards of teaching a young person about lessons I've learned in my studies, and, rekindling my love for photography in the process. Maybe I'm unrealistic, expecting kids to be a little more resourceful and making an effort themselves to pursue something they're interested in, instead of being enabled by parents.

One of the first lessons I would teach is for them to subscribe to UHH. This is a great forum, and I am continuing to learn myself.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Hold your ground. The parent made an inquiry. Figure a way to approach the kid and ask them of their interest. The kid's response will determine your next course of action. Cut the parent off early and insist that you are going to determine if the kid is a keeper or the parent is just fishing. Good luck.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Except for this part of "terms of use"

ALL PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 ARE DENIED ACCESS TO THIS WEBSITE. IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE, IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR YOU TO VISIT, READ, OR INTERACT WITH THIS WEBSITE OR ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

That is very clear, and very important.

You probably cannot help the kid at all in any direct way, but you may be able to help the parent that talked to you. Find a photography teacher. The emphasis is on "teacher" not on "photography". The teacher need not even be much of a photographer, though that would really be nice. But an active or retired school teacher, who has special training and experience working with teens of the same age is the important part. You are not that, but you might well be able to find someone who is!

daplight Loc: Kansas

Good catch, thank you and I should have known. I have a lot of books on photography, I'll just have to go through them and see if there is anything 'questionable' for young eyes.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Of course a nude female shoot might get a young teenage males interest in photography.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Yes, but Linda, if these kids don't hang out in the Nude Section, how will they learn about the Birds and the Bees?
Your not suggesting they learn that from their parents...., are you?!?! LoL. Hey, just kidding!!!!!!
SS

daplight Loc: Kansas

I resemble that remark: "You are not that…" How do you know?

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

You said so, explicitly. And everything else you said, in particular the questions you asked, confirmed it.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I do this a lot. KISS remains the golden rule.

Forget about the intricacies and complexities of photography. Forget about lecturing. Forget about homework, memorization etc.

Before you get started, ask if this is something they want and why (often it's because their friend has a camera, he/she thinks they look cool, and want to be cool too). This is in addition to smothering parents living vicariously through their children.

You ain't gonna discuss nuttin' with these kids if this is why they are getting into photography. And even if they aren't, discussion is not how they learn. Most learn by doing "stuff" and lots of empirical, not theoretical or logical learning.

To get started, you may want to tell them to go out and take the best picture they know how to, then bring it to you and THEN you will have something to discuss. If it isn't obvious, ask what they were thinking about when they took the picture, or better put "Why this picture and not another one?" You are not going to teach them anything other than how to be self-critical, and how to think about a shot rather than just mindlessly snap away at a subject. The second question is "Does your picture fulfill your intent?" in so many words. Put another way, "did it come out as you expected?" Which then begs the question "if you had the chance to do it over again, what would you differently?"

The learning experience handled this way will spike their curiosity and get them thinking critically about their stuff - which should be your goal with the newbies.

Remember, there is a good chance that little Johnny or Suzy was made aware of a "talent" by someone other than a photographer or artist, and the claim should be taken with a grain of salt.

Don't forget to let the parents know what the costs to teach their kid will be.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Yes, student centered, student-paced learning is always the best solution, especially with the creative side of things. It's not teaching as much as it is a partnering in the exploration of a new "thing."

jmatacola

Personally I would follow along the same lines of your own feelings, say " have johnny/suzy give me a call and tell me what they have questions about". You do have to take the reticent behavior of teenagers into the equation and be welcoming without seeming to be a pervert at the same time. My kids at that age would have an entire conversation using the words: "fine" "good" "I think so" etc.
reaching them when they are still discovering their self-esteem while guarding it is difficult.
good luck
j

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

I find it starts with letting them do something fun. Perhaps creating a time lapse of something (traffic at an intersection is always fun) and letting them play it back to their friends.

And certainly not a dissertation on the effects of light diffraction at high f-stop numbers, or something equally interesting. Those that truly are interested will find ways to ask lots of questions and you can judge what they might be ready for.

snfapm1983

If your teaching would pick one kid's head up from their iPhone and look at the world instead, it should be enough gratification. It's a different world due to smart phones but I think there's something missing in a lot of young lives. Learning to enjoy Photography may help!

Photocraig