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!