Teaching photography to children

[angsty_otaku]

I'm working at a summer camp for girls (grades 1-9), and I've just been informed that I'm in charge of the photography class here for the next two weeks (I have only 2 days to prepare and they JUST told me).

They have only film p&s cameras, so we're working with black and white film and teaching them about developing. The problem is, the girls aren't really allowed to do actual developing, so I need to figure out how to get and keep girls interested in film b&w photography for the next two weeks.

The class is for about an hour every other day, early in the morning.

I've already figured that I should start them out just figuring out their skill level and knowledge about the topic. I know I should give little lessons about the optics of cameras and film processing. I also know the last few days should be a scavenger hunt for them to make it exciting.

But I'm frazzled as to how to go about doing all this. Does anyone know how to make learning about optics and developing fun and exciting? Should I go into lighting? How do I make that exciting? What else should I cover that'll keep them interested and excited? Keep in mind these girls probably would rather be rock climbing and canoeing than sitting around listening to scientific speeches.

Any help would be amazing and I'd be incredibly grateful!!

Thanks!

[bsaber]

That's a challenge. I wouldn't know where to start. Since they're not allowed to do any of the actual developing, why not do in front of them? It won't be as "fun" for them but it'll give them a good idea.

[tstowe]

Give them the basics of composition. Then give them a project for each of the rules...One for lines, one for rule of thirds, etc. Storytelling with photography would be good too.

[bsaber]

Originally Posted by tstowe

Give them the basics of composition. Then give them a project for each of the rules...One for lines, one for rule of thirds, etc. Storytelling with photography would be good too.

That's a good idea.

[Bob_A]

For the darkroom you can even have them do some shadow images. Things like having them put their hand or leaves on a piece of unexposed paper, flick on the light for a few seconds and then develop it.

I learned how to develop my own negs and prints from a Kodak kit I got as a Christmas present when I was 10, so I'm curious why the older ones can't do the actual processing. It'd be pretty boring and unsatisfying just watching someone else do it, so I can feel your pain.

For an experiment in optics maybe make a pinhole camera. Or have them take just a lens pointed at a lightbulb and focus on a white sheet of paper to show how the image is upside down.

[angsty_otaku]

Wow, thanks a lot for all that advice, there are some great ideas here. They aren't allowed to do things with the chemicals themselves because the camp doesn't want to be liable if anything happens while they are using the chemicals.

[Socket7]

Stop bath burns are no fun, let me tell you, and get it in your eye. oh boy.

Maybe have them look through a lens without the camera on, then explain to them why the image is upside down is a good way to keep them interested in a lesson on how lenses work.

Thinking about it, it is entirely possible for the kids to pop their film open and load it into the developing container themselves, without them touching any chemicals. I'd definitely recommend doing that. Have them practice outside a dark bag, then when they get to their real film, have them do it in a dark bag. (make sure they don't cut a hole in the bag while cutting the film free of the reel!)

[bjordan]

Originally Posted by Socket7

Stop bath burns are no fun, let me tell you, and get it in your eye. oh boy.

Thinking about it, it is entirely possible for the kids to pop their film open and load it into the developing container themselves, without them touching any chemicals. I'd definitely recommend doing that. Have them practice outside a dark bag, then when they get to their real film, have them do it in a dark bag. (make sure they don't cut a hole in the bag while cutting the film free of the reel!)

Stop bath is not necessary for B&W negatives, and is sometimes discouraged because some say it can cause pinholes. But, cutting the leader and loading the developing spool in a bag or darkness is the hardest part! I'd at least get safety scissors for them if you're going to attempt that.

Are you sure about using B&W? If the girls can't develop themselves, I'd use color film and have it developed and printed at a lab. I expect you'll be printing there anyway.

[Bob_A]

Originally Posted by angsty_otaku

Wow, thanks a lot for all that advice, there are some great ideas here. They aren't allowed to do things with the chemicals themselves because the camp doesn't want to be liable if anything happens while they are using the chemicals.

Thought that may be the reason. It's too bad that we live in such a ridiculously litigious society these days.

[Bob_A]

Originally Posted by Socket7

Stop bath burns are no fun, let me tell you, and get it in your eye. oh boy.

Yup, it's just like if you get vinegar in your eye ... except vinegar has 2 1/2 times more acetic acid

[sjones]

Perhaps not applicable in your case, but one teacher that I read about had his students (primary level) make pinhole cameras to demonstrate the simpler aspects of photography (much like having someone produce music by simply placing the pointy end of a cone-shaped cup on a revolving vinyl album). Plus, the construction process keeps the kids busy, and not only do they partake in creating an image but the camera itself.

[canonnoob]

teach them the basics... composistion and such... one thing good for that is to get some 5x7 mat frames and give them to the kids then tell them to find something in the room or wherever you are to take a image...( make it fun and have them tell the other girls what they took a photo of) Have them explain the differeces in Lenses, about the two types of zoom - foot zoom and telephoto. just make it fun for them

[Jon Foster]

I teach photography in a Pre-K to 8th grade school system. We don't use film anymore because of the hassle with materials, chemical safety etc etc. We do everything with digital cameras and Photoshop now.

But, have you thought about having the students make pin hole cameras? Get a box of photo paper (if you have access to some stock), have them make the cameras using something basic like a oatmeal can and you should be all set for several hours/days of experimenting.

Taking pictures of smoke is always a hit with our students as well but I don't know how that would work in B&W. I guess, maybe a white or bright colored smoke shot on a dark gray or black background?

What kind of books do you have for the class? Any lighting? Even the cheap clamp on grow lamps can be fun for interesting lighting effects.

Also, with my classes, I spend the first day or two learning about the kids. Some kids can really excel with this stuff while others won't sit still long enough to find out their name. I honestly think shooting from the hip will be your best method of attack. Don't get me wrong, have a plan ready but you also need to be ready to change it without any notice.

Green screen photography is really popular with most of our students too but that won't help you much unless you can find images to show them and "talk" them through the process etc.

Jon.

[Bob_A]

I made this image when I was in high school. I hung a tiny flashlight from the ceiling with a long string then swung it in the dark over my camera laying on the floor and did a long time exposure.

[canonnoob]

^^Thats pretty cool...