Photography Basics

  Today, the group was really excited to finally receive their cameras.  Without a market for disposable cameras here they are nearly impossible to find and extremely expensive, but a friend who came to visit was kind enough to lug down 15 cameras for us to use (thank you Camille!).  Our five photographers were introduced to some very basic photography tips in this session.  We spent the majority of our time looking at examples and practicing the following basic pieces of advice.

1.  Light: Try to keep the sun to your back or to the side.
2. Be creative:  Try different angles and points of view.  You can take pictures close up, far away, up above, or closer to the ground. 
3. Rule of Thirds: Position the subject away from the center. 
4. Be ready: Remember to wind the camera foward!
5. Variety: Try to mix things up, instead of taking pictures of the exact same thing.

Here are some of their shots.

Photo by Erik

Photo by Norma

Photo by Veronica

To get used to the process of responding to a specific question, the students also spent some time taking pictures in response to a photo prompt.  Since our meetings are located at the Guarderia (nursery / after-school daycare center), where kids spend much of their time outside of school, the question was:  "What are some things you appreciate or like about the Guarderia?" 

After taking pictures, the kids journaled about their pictures, describing what the photo is of and why it is important to them.  Here is some of their work!

(Photo by Erik)

"This is a photograph of a kid in the day care center that is studying because it's important to prepare yourself and to learn to read and write; it also shows that it's important to study.  This photo is important to me because I want my community to be different and that there be people who can read and write, and that we will all have a better future.  And I like this because since we're little / toddlers, we are learning something important for our life."

"Es una fotografia de un niño en la guarderia que esta estudiando porque es importante preparse y saber leer y escribir tambien de muestra que el estudio es muy importante. Esta foto es importante a mi porque yo quiero mi comunidada sea diferente que haya personas que sepan leer y escribir y que todos tengamos un mejor futuro y me gusta esta para que desde pequenos aprendamos algo importante en nuestra vida."

(Photo by Lety)

"This photo is of a craft of a friend at the Guarderia, that has her favorite color and that she likes a lot.  This picture is important to me because this friend did hard work and also I like it because the color is pretty and the craft is pretty.  Also, it catches my attention and is important in the Guarderia."
  
"Esta fotografia es una manualidad de una compañera de la guarderia que distinga un color favorito y le gusta mucho.  La compañeria de la guarderia a hecho un trabajo muy duro tambian me gusta porque es un bonita color y la manualidad es muy bonita ademas me llama la atención y es muy importante en la Guarderia." 

We ended out session with the distribution of our cameras, and the description of the the photo prompt.  Stay tuned! This upcoming week students will finally be taking cameras home and will be responding to this prompt:  What are the most important things in your life? Cuáles son las cosas más importantes para ti en tu vida?

If you are interested in donating, simply click on the "Donate" button on the left-hand side of the blog.  Donate over $25 and you'll receive a copy of a picture of your choice at the finish of the project! 

The Meaning Behind

This week was our first official photovoice session, and we took some time to discuss the meaning behind our project.  We delved into the fact that this goes beyond just taking pictures, by asking these questions: What are the unique aspects of what we are doing?  What are the reasons for it?  Why might it be important?  We discussed the significance of their photos and the following aspects of this project.  

1) Our perspective. (Compartir tu punto de vista)

 This project is an opportunity to share our perspective as experts of our own lives.  

2) Tell a story. (Para contar una histora) 

We can use photos to tell entire stories, to see things we may not otherwise, and to visually travel somewhere new. 

3) Pictures have power. (Imagenes tienen poder)

Our photos can affect emotions. They can teach and they can explain, at times, what words cannot.  

4) Awareness (Conciencia: Para pararse y reflexionar)

Taking pictures can offer the opportunity to stop, to slow down, to notice and reflect on the things around us in our lives.

  
Afterwards we looked at various pictures that demonstrated some of these things.  Famous photographs from historical events, powerful pictures of captured moments, and diverse pictures of daily life in different parts of the world.  We discussed how these pictures made us react differently.  There were some that reminded us of things, others that made us feel curious, or sad, and some that made us laugh.  To close out our session today, participants took turns with a digital camera to get used to handling a camera.  This opportunity was "sin reglas" (without rules) - simply meaning that how and what they decided to take pictures of was completely their decision.  Here are some of their first shots of this week.  

(Photo by Lety)

(Photo by Norma)

(Photo by Norma)

Learning to make Pizza. (Photo by Alejandro)

Embroidery of traditional dress (Photo by Eric)

Cement water bucket for the chickens.  (Photo by Eric)

Tortilla making for almuerzo. (Photo by Veronica)

Corn drying on the roof, to later be ground into flour for tortillas. (Photo by Veronica)

Photovoice faciliator. :) (Photo by Veronica)

If you are interested in donating, simply click on the "Donate" button on the left-hand side of the blog.  Donate over $25 and you'll receive a copy of a picture of your choice at the finish of the project! 

Foto de Voz / Photo Voice

At times, everyone has barriers to clearly communicating what they really see or think.  It could be from a language barrier or from the lack of an outlet to share.  Sometimes we're simply afraid to hear our own voice, afraid we might say the wrong thing, or perhaps don't have an audience to listen.  

This project will provide cameras to five youth living in Llanos del Pinal to photograph their perspective, responding to a weekly photo prompt, or question in which they will respond; first with photos, next with discussion, and lastly with writing. Through discussion and storytelling, participants will provide insight on their photos, identifying needs and positive qualities of their community.  Youth will conclude this project by disseminating work at local venues, coffee shops and presenting to various stakeholders.  

In our first introduction of this project, we talked about how we may feel too shy or not feel respected enough to be listened to.  Maybe because of our age, how much money our family makes, where we live, the language we speak, or our gender.  For many reasons, the perspective of a person can be belittled or disregarded, even when they have valuable information.  Being listened to and acknowledged can be a privilege denied to many.  In Llanols del Pinal, a rural area outside of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala - youth, particularly youth of indigenous descent have many of these barriers which stand in the way of having their voices heard and perspectives seen.  Although only a fifteen minute bus ride away, there is a large gap between this rural community and the more populated city.  Youth, including many involved in this project, often face family and financial pressure to drop out of school early to help work.  High illiteracy rates, local language differences and discrimination against indigenous communities limit access to the media outlets which shape policies, programs, and public opinion. 

While this project is very low-cost, we are still seeking for funds to cover cameras and printing costs.  If you are interested in donating, simply click on the "Donate" button on the left-hand side of the blog.  Donate over $25 and you'll receive a copy of a picture of your choice at the finish of the project! 

Alejandro

More to come, but here is introduction of our group.

Norma

Veronica

Eric

Lety