Stop, Drop and Blog

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.