jkidda

One thing I have learned from being married to a kindergarten teacher for 26 years, when someone is just starting down a learning path the most important thing is not the subject matter but the love of learning the subject. I have dabbled in photography for years (started off with a Nikon F body and a Vivitar 85 to 205 lens)but I have never had the proficiency that I see in other true photographers. I bill myself as an amateur amateur photographer. One day I hope to reach the level of full amateur. However, I was asked to provide a photography course to a group of young girl scouts because they were working on a badge and had some "interest" in photography.

In putting together a program, I realized that kids today don't typically develop an interest in photography from a DSLR or even a point and shoot camera. That comes later as they become more interested and serious about the hobby. They start with a cell phone. They don't have a lot of need to know about ISO, FoF, fStop, shutter speed, etc., because they have very little, if any control over those things. I explain to them that photography is one of those rare activities that truly marries the right brain with the left: the creative with the scientific. We start with the creative.

We talk about lighting and the differences it makes. We discuss lines and how they can impact a photo. We look at composition and rule o thirds and perspective. We discuss how a picture is "worth a thousand words" and what they want to convey when they take a picture. Then I send them out on a photo scavenger hunt to take pictures of things that demonstrate horizontal lines, things that demonstrate vertical line, things that show light and dark contrast, pictures of a group. Always I emphasize when they leave to "be creative"

Some of them capture really interesting pictures, some don't. They all come back excited about the pictures they have taken. Some will go on to become accomplished photographers. All of them will gain an appreciation of what goes in to getting a good photograph.

My suggestion, install a love in them for photographs. They'll reach their own level of competence after that.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I don't think that's the best way to introduce photography, unless the goal is to have the student lose interest early on.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Just be a mentor to the young person. You don't have to be a licensed teacher. Just share your photography with them. I would have to had someone who was interested in teaching me some things about taking a photo. when I was young. You will know very quickly if they are really interested.

whitewolfowner

Never cut a kid short; you may have a good student there. If they don't show interest, then just stop mentoring them.

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

We had a camera club in high school, which I belonged to. About a dozen or so of use. One of my classmates went on to be a professional photographer. So yes, the idea of starting a camera club for school teens is a great idea.
Bud

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

You are very close in your assessment. I am mentoring someone right now, but she are not as devoted to the learning as she was when she first approached me. It is part of a class endeavor, but I think she is realizing I am not going to do the work for her.

We will see. mentored for one two years ago and had much the same results, but I always give someone the benefit of the doubt. I would have loved to have had me as a mentor for wildlife photography, but then again outdoor exploration has been a passion for me for as long as I can remember.

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

Put in a different light - a teacher needs to help a student discover those things. Teaching in the traditional sense implies delivery and receipt. Partnering with a student to help him/her discover things - about the world that they see and about themselves, and how to approach learning about unfamiliar or complex subjects - well, that is what results in a great outcome. Learning creative things is more about the journey and exploration than it is about nuts and bolts and memorizing composition/lighting/post processing etc.

This quote has been my guiding light, in my own professional development, as it has been in my teaching:

"Consulting the rules of composition before taking a photograph, is like consulting the laws of gravity before going for a walk." - Edward Weston

Creatives tend to approach things creatively, and from a completely different perspective - an initial use of a syllabus can feel "confining" to a creative mind. Creatives don't believe in rules, and what they do is all about self expression. The rule of thirds or the exposure triangle has no meaning or context for a beginner, but getting an image that reflects their vision does. It is far easier to help a student learn about the former by focusing on the latter, and exploring the "why" of the picture. The nuts and bolts can then be presented if the image did not "work" and the student has identified something in the image that can be improved upon to make it closer to their ideal.

My approach is somewhat unconventional, but after teaching/mentoring 1000s of students and pros through the years, it has been largely successful. Remember, creatives are right brain dominant, and experience things very differently from those that are more "logical" in their approach.

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

As one who spent nearly 10 tears as a teachers aide at a vocational school, I can state without a doubt that an education, raining, or degree does NOT make a teacher,
That is not to say that someone with a "knack" for working with young people won't benefit from some training. Some of the worst teachers I have seen had the most years experience, training and degrees / certifications

whitewolfowner

A truer statement could not have been said. Teaching is an art and is not learned in a classroom, but a gift given to them by God. The true test of a talented teacher is to give them a lesson to teach; if they keep the students attention and stimulate them to have an interest in a subject, then they are a teacher; if not, they best move on. Problem is that is not how we define our teachers; they are defined a BS degree and not much else. A true teacher can even spark an interest in math to students in one class lesson; I know, I have done it myself.

Just Trying To Focus Loc: Jackson County, Michigan

Perhaps the parent read this clever quote I came across the other day: Teach a teenager photography, and they will never have enough money to buy drugs! :)

DrPhrogg Loc: NJ

Ask them what they like, what kind of pictures interest them. There is no point in trying to teach them something they don't want to learn. Go through pictures of travel, art, people, wildlife; there are plenty on line. Have them show you pictures they took that they like but wish were better, then give an assignment to make a better picture. Single assignment. When you have discussed that one and they are happy, move on. Make suggestions, like macro, still life, but not flowers. Colored glass bottles, and play with light; same picture but different lighting. Sports picture, getting a single player that tells a story. But if it isn't something they are interested in, they will not pay attention, and they will not retain it.

BebuLamar

If they have interest they would know a lot about photography already without anyone teaching them. There are vast amount of information on the internet that they can learn from. For example if you are say into airplanes you would probably know all the specs about your favorite airplane. You would know about the functions of all their control surfaces. You know about the types of powerplant they have in them. All those without even ever come near to the real planes.
So if they are interested they would know well enough to ask you questions about things they don't understand just by reading. So the teaching would of the Q&A type I would think.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

Maybe the kid was afraid to ask, or yes, maybe they are trying to either point him to photography or point him away from something else.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I just noticed that this post was brought back to life. It is probably no longer of specific interest to the original poster, but as a retired engineer and teacher, I feel that it is an important topic. And it is important to us personally, because it can drive whether there continues to be a viable market for photographic equipment and therefore whether we as photographers continue to have access to this equipment. More important, it can help decide how our next generation grows up.

As a teacher, my approach would be a little different. As pointed out in the discussion, there are risks in being alone with a minor. And there is a risk that the interest may just not develop. Most kids (and most young adults) these days tend to be very one-dimensional. Most have no constructive interests, primarily because most have not been exposed to anyone with specific interests. So I try to work to do whatever I can to spark a new interest.

So my suggestion would be to offer to go for a walk with the kid and one or both parents. Take a camera. Find interesting subjects. Set up and capture some images, talking in general terms about what you are doing. Keep going. Let the kid take some pictures. Don't ask or expect anything complex. No detailed jibberish. Not even any 'rule of thirds' yet. Just discuss some subjects and take some pictures. Now go home. Look at the images on the monitor. Discuss them. "What do you like about them?" "What could be better?"

Open the simplest post processing software package on your computer. Remember the "What could be better?" question. Open that image and make it better. Print it and give it to the student. End of lesson one.

Ask the student in front of the parent(s) if any of this was interesting and if he would like to learn more about it. Take this answer alongside what you have observed. If there is interest, you can think about the best way to move forward. A little at a time. It's not important what you know. It's important what the student can learn.

At the end of this session several things will have happened:
1. You will have introduced the student to something new (or something familiar, but on a new level).
2. The student will have gotten to know you and established that you have some interest.
3. The parent(s) will have gotten to know you and to assess the level to which they can entrust their kid to you.
4. You will have had an enriching and satisfying experience.

It can be fun for both of you.

Larry

Photocraig

Some thoughts from one who started with a box camera when Eisenhower was first elected.
1. ASK don't tell.
2. Answer than re-confirm. Exposure? It's whether the picture is too light or too dark. Then from an elementary book ask 'em to show you what they think is too dark or too light. Or expos the same scene under/over right there and SHOW what it is. Then, suggest that the choice of lighter or darker than average is easy to make and part of the creative process.
3. Use a phone with an adjustable app exclusively. The kid will think he'll look like a Geek (one of us) with a DSLR or even Bridge. Photo+ is enough o an iphone.
4. Review the images on a computer or tablet and do some editing/processing. Print at least One per session.
5. MAKE IT FUN!
6. Enjoy the wonderful difference in youthful vision vs. our narrowed over time view of things.