Young photographers

[Josh Bear]

Dear All,

As many of you will know, being the only Shutter bug in the family leads to lots of "those" looks i.e "Come on, put that flipping camera away" looks. In an attempt to get more of my family on my side I have provided (Found) cameras for my children Abbi (9)(She is sat next to me and insists I write she is nearly 10) and Fynn (6). Abbi has a kodak point and shoot and fynn an old canon ixus 700 I found at the bottom of a draw.

Whilst we are out I answer any questions but leave the choice of picture to them. I wanted them to use their imagination rather than just receive direction from me. The results were very interesting and Fynn actually saw a shot that I missed. Slightly embarrassing to say the least

I have told them all about this website and they are very excited to be posting their first pictures. In all cases I have only straightened and sharpened, the rest of the changes were requested by them e.g. Dad can you make it black and white? Dad can you get rid of all that grass at the front it is boring. etc.

the 3 of us hope you enjoy them. Comments welcomed.

So here you go Abbi first










and now pictures from Fynn

[Stephen]

Re: Young photographers

Great stuff Josh, this seems like a really good thing to do with the kids to encourage their creative and compositional skills. I can already see Fynn has picked up some influences from you, and Abbi seems to have a good sense of colour. I think they have done really well and I hope you continue to encourage them.

[Josh Bear]

Re: Young photographers

thanks. Both are loving the chance to take pictures although they are quite competitive. Fynn has grasped lead in lines instantly, much to his sisters annoyance.

Abbi is like me and takes her time finding out how things work. Anyway whether they take photography up as a hobby or not, as you said Stephen, it gets them using their imagination rather than sat in front of the TV all day.

Best regards

Josh

[Guest]

Re: Young photographers

Great stuff Josh, I love to hear of kids being encouraged to do something creative which stimulate them into doing some thinking about the job in hand instead of moping around constantly saying " I'm bored". That young Flynn seems to have caught on to the idea of 'lead in' to a picture.

[Ian]

Re: Young photographers

Julia and I have been discussing the idea of producing a dedicated area to help and encourage kids' photography for literally years, but there are some challenges for us, especially in this modern age of issue of protecting children... are we on to a hiding for nothing or do you think a DPNow Kids section could really work?

Ian

[ekkl]

Re: Young photographers

Great stuff by Fynn and I think Abbies first pic looks clever, looks b&w with colour thrown in, good capture.

My two also now have their own cameras. My 9yr old has a new Canon A1100Is which is handy as she likes the look of my slr and lenses, I will buy her a 400D I think for xmas and see how she gets on with it.

My other daughter aged 6 has my old Ixus 400 which is still a fantastic camera although she has not shown that much interest in it!!

Ian, I think a kids section would be good. As for protection I think kids shouldn't be allowed their own log-on but will have to use their parents log-in for posts. That is the only way I can think of this kind of thing working as the parents would have to know what is being posted and would see replies etc and emails will go to them (the parent).

My eldest took this a few years ago.......

[Josh Bear]

Re: Young photographers

Hi all

thanks for the comments. I am away from home again this week. Currently sat in a hotel room in lucerne. Can't sleep. Anyway I will show Abbi and fynn all your comments on friday.

Re a kids zone. I think it is a great idea. As regards protection. Parents have to take the responsibility. IMHO.

Best regards

josh