Teaching 4H kids the Art of Photography
Oct 25, 2011 20:36:45 #
Hello all my name is Sarah and I am the 4H photography leader for our local club. I need all the help I can get. If you have any suggestions on tip, tricks, or ideas on good photography info I can share with them I would love it...Thanks again :thumbup:
Oct 25, 2011 20:54:35 #
Well Sarah,there is almost to much to think about in your request, but I'm sure you will be inundated with reply's. I have a nephew in school for photography, and he says good photography is the art of getting people to see what you see and feel what you feel.
Oct 25, 2011 21:15:20 #
Oct 25, 2011 21:16:06 #
My biggest tip for anybody is to "fill the frame". Zoom in or walk closer to your subject.
Oct 25, 2011 21:55:42 #
I live in Dakota County in Minnesota. At the county fair I am amazed at the quality of the photos from the 4H kids. Maybe check with other chapters to see what they do. Welcome and lots of luck.
Oct 25, 2011 22:03:25 #
Oct 25, 2011 22:03:59 #
Just going to take them to a local big park and turn them loose and see what they come up with...lol
Oct 25, 2011 22:09:44 #
Before you turn them loose, get a book or two at the library that show famous photos, or a famous photographer's work, then talk about the elements of each photo. Or you could find some on-line galleries to look at.
Show them things they can look for, instead of just looking for something to point the camera at.
Show them things they can look for, instead of just looking for something to point the camera at.
Oct 25, 2011 22:25:58 #
I took a course with a fine arts teacher several years ago. Without actually tellng us much she gave us an assignments once a month. At first we did not "get it" but I now realize she was teaching us what makes for interesting image..line, texture , color, light , negative space, etc. It was the best course I have ever taken on photography because it focused on what makes a great image..not all the technical stuff..which they will learn as they shoot.I think if you also look at some great images from the masters they will begin to understand photography as an art form. Not sure if this helps..but kids are so much freer then adults..they will soar..and surprise you with their creativity.
Oct 25, 2011 22:38:24 #
Any of Bryan Peterson's books would be great to use with a 4-H group. I have been working through Learning to see Creatively and Understanding Exposure. I have actually been thinking about using them with a 4-H group.
Oct 26, 2011 05:30:50 #
photodaddy
Loc: Missouri
Sarah, I would have the kids get a camera and give them a different subject to shoot each week. One week, may be animals, if you live near a zoo go on a safari and shoot zoo animals. They never seem to mind having their picture taken. Next week trees etc sky's the limit. Another week is street photography. Just shoot scenes of streets, buildings, people etc. Have fun.
Oct 26, 2011 08:46:27 #
dixiemegapixel
Loc: Salemburg, NC
Hey Sarah! "Digital Photography For Kids" is an e-book by Peter Thiselton-Dyer. It is a great product. I think I paid something like $19.99 for this one and two others (a cheat sheet and one about digital video.
They are printable PDFs; easy to read, very informative, and well organized. I use them to supplement photography instruction to senior citizens.
They are printable PDFs; easy to read, very informative, and well organized. I use them to supplement photography instruction to senior citizens.
Oct 26, 2011 10:10:57 #
I do a lot of work with 4-H photography. There are a lot of excellent beginning videos that can be used. Just google for them. Most 4-H county, state or whatever the local in charge is have a set of guidelines and tips to use with clubs. Ask if your local headquarters has anything like that. Also, use beginning photography books that can be purchased at bookstores to get tips and then take photos which you can show to the group that demonstrate the skills needed.
I do a lot of judging in 4-H photography and the biggest mistakes I see are cluttered backgrounds and mom telling them to "center" the subject. Also, they fail to leave room in front of an animal to move. Thus the centering thing.DK
I do a lot of judging in 4-H photography and the biggest mistakes I see are cluttered backgrounds and mom telling them to "center" the subject. Also, they fail to leave room in front of an animal to move. Thus the centering thing.DK
Oct 26, 2011 11:43:46 #
liv2paddle wrote:
I took a course with a fine arts teacher several years ago. Without actually tellng us much she gave us an assignments once a month. At first we did not "get it" but I now realize she was teaching us what makes for interesting image..line, texture , color, light , negative space, etc.-but kids are so much freer then adults..they will soar..and surprise you with their creativity.
all the above+++COMPOSITION/focus/and things THEY find beautiful and want to have memory of...
best of luck..--joe
Oct 26, 2011 12:35:29 #
Take them to the park and show them how to click the shutter then turn them loose.
After looking at all the shots you can start to explain some of what they need to know.
That way you won't stifle any creative ideas they may have.
You will have a great time I know.
After looking at all the shots you can start to explain some of what they need to know.
That way you won't stifle any creative ideas they may have.
You will have a great time I know.
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