I spoke to a group of Girl Scouts this past weekend about photography, cameras and all that wonderful jazz. My boys came with me, clad in their green camera shirts with cameras in hand. BigBrother had his camera, one of our old “repurposed” point-and-shoot cameras. LittleBrother had our waterproof camera which isn’t his, but he likes it a lot. They snapped photos while I was talking.
What I didn’t realize was this: BigBrother was listening. Intently.
He really likes his camera. He has a good eye for someone who is only five (and-a-half, he’d have me say). But, oh, was he listening. On the way home, he asked, “Mommy, will you teach me the settings on my camera?” I’ve been having him shoot in auto as of yet, and mostly with the flash on to get rid of the blur that happens when you don’t hold the camera steady — since five (and-a-half) year olds don’t always hold very still. Especially if they have my genes. I told him we’d work on it soon.
He hasn’t relented. “Well, can I shoot in M? That’s manual, right? How about A? I forget what A means though. Can I shoot in Action mode? LittleBrother moves fast.” And so I told him to go ahead, but to remember that if he really needs to get a photo, he should probably switch to auto.
He demanded to take his camera to the 9/11 Memorial on Sunday. I said okay, knowing it would keep him busy while I was taking photos. He? Got some good shots.
BigBrother’s camera, unedited. Title: Flag Raising.
And the result of this photo:
Is this great capture:
BigBrother’s photo, unedited. Title: Mustaches.
He doesn’t just want to know how his camera works, of course. He wants to master the DSLR. Now. In fact, his Nina let him take a few shots with her camera during the Memorial, and I turned to catch him in action, two cameras on one small boy.
LittleBrother’s photography is… coming along. He’s apparently mastering the art of artistic self-photography.
LittleBrother’s photo, unedited. Title: Shoes.
I’m loving that they’re interested in photography. I’m loving the photos that they take, seeing the world through their eyes. It will be interesting to see if either ever picks up photography as a serious hobby or a career. Either way, I will continue to teach them what they want to know about their cameras and showcase their photos.
10 Responses to “Through Their Eyes”
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Awesome shots! Their photography is better than mine, and I have many years on both of them.
Shows you that it’s not always age that makes a difference. I love that you’re encouraging this side of them – I’ve always wished I had more pictures of when I was young.
Monika´s last [type] ..She’s wearing bows!
Lovely!
Love that shoe shot LB! My three sons will all have cameras, via their 3DSs come November. Plus I’m thinking about purchasing a Nikon DSLR and will let the almost 11 year – who has asked for a new camera and who has had his own Fisher Price camera for about four years – have one of my point and shoots. What concerns me is transferring and storing all of these photos on the computer. Thinking a separate computer may be needed for this purpose as I refuse to share my photo storage space. Fire Mom: Do you have any other ideas where to put their photographs?
Lisa´s last [type] .."L" is for Lisa and First Love
Twitter: firemom
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A) Buy an external hard drive. They have come WAY down in price over the years. I have a 2 TB external drive that I got for $99 in the around-the-holidays sales on Amazon last year. I adore it.
B) I upload all of BB’s best shots (non-carpet, non-side of bookshelf, etc) to my Flickr account in a set entitled “BB’s Photography.” It’s friends and family only, so the whole Internet can’t view at will unless I share. I do have a paid account ($24.99/year), but I’ve been a member for forever. I have over 35,000 photos backed up on flickr, which syncs with Snapfish so I can print at will.
So, I back up in both places. BB also has some of his photos on the “family” computer downstairs so he can look at them when he wants.
Very helpful. Thanks FireMom!
Lisa´s last [type] .."L" is for Lisa and First Love
Don’t tell my husband, but my 6 year old daughter listens and take better photographs than he does! I often hand her my DSLR to take pictures of me demonstrating something for the food blog.
She has her own camera, one of our old Canon powershots. I can’t believe how well that little camera has held up to her dropping and mishandling it. Asking her to take pictures is a great technique for holding her attention if I want to be taking photos myself.
Rachel (Hounds in the Kitchen)´s last [type] ..Feta Peppers {Recipe}
Twitter: FourAgainstTwo
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Thanks again for coming and talking to the girls!
mandy w´s last [type] ..Tech Week Is Not For The Weak
Twitter: texasebeth
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Charlie’s interest in photography waxes and wanes. We gave him our oldest point and shoot camera but it then proceeded to die about a week later. Nothing he did, it is over 10yrs old and has been used alot.
Maybe Santa will bring an inexpensive point and shoot this year.
Elizabeth´s last [type] ..Conversations with Charlie – Playing Pirates
Twitter: Mental_Clutter
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Loved all the pics ~ esp the double cameras & the shoes! Great post & wonderful way to inspire other Moms to let the tikes take some shots ;D
April´s last [type] ..Chores
Twitter: busymommaval
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The great thing is their pics are great to look at. BUT he gets really candid pics because everyone’s guard is down when the kid comes up to take pics. He will probably have a masterpiece down the road to sort through
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