Wednesday 26 June 2013

6 Tips for teaching Children about Digital Photography

Children interpret the world they see through a lens in a different way. There is level of fascination, curiosity and purity in their imagination. For most adults what they see though the lens is more of a subject. They get into the technicalities while children have a different perspective. Digital Photography is one of the most creative mediums to develop and express the creativity of your child. Here are some terrific tips for teaching children the fine points of digital photography. 

Hold the camera Straight:

The first step to teach your child is how to hold a camera. The images that are not straight may look off at times, but it is essential to teach them to check the framing before they press the shutter. It will take them some time to learn. Give kids a quick lesson on holding the camera. Advise them to use their finger not simply the tip while pressing the shutter. This will reduce camera shake. Once they get the basics, there will be a remarkable improvement in their photos.  

Simplify:

Most grownups like to get into the intricacies of the subject and complicate or overthink things. Teaching children digital photography needs a different mindset. Simplify things to the extent that they can easily understand the concepts well. This will help them to grasp the concept easily.  

Start with the Basics:

Start with the universally accepted concept that is the Rule of thirds and Fill the Frame. Explain these concepts to them in a single session but again don’t forget to simplify the concepts. Start with the “Fill the Frame” concept. Tell them that the subject should fill the frame. Show them shots you’ve taken to help them understand what filling the frame literally means. Make them practice until they are able to master the concept of removing the distractions, then go ahead and explain to them how the other elements can also support the main subject. 

Maintain Ratio of Theory & Practice:

It is a tedious task to keep children focused on anything for a prolonged time. The theory and practice section should be divided into a 30:70 ratio. The theory should be only 30 percent theory using lots of pictures. The rest of the time should be devoted to practice. They can be asked to take pictures of objects around them. Encourage them to come back for feedback.   Re-shooting the same object will
give them invaluable experience.

Repeat: Don’t be hesitant to ask the kids to repeat shooting the same subject until they get it right. Also ask them to repeat the phrases you have taught them.  Explain the phrases time to time in different ways, so that the kids can easily remember them.

Motivation:

Generally kids are always motivated. They like exploring new things, but most of them lose interest if they feel they are not getting things right. It is essential to motivate their creativity. Tell them gently the areas they can improve on rather than pointing out all the mistakes.

2 comments: