Digital photography uses cameras containing electronic photo-detector arrays to produce images that are focused by a lens, as opposed to an exposure on photographic film. The captured images are digitalized and stored as a computer file. Then there are further used for digital processing, digital printing, electronic publication, or just viewing.
You can teach a child about photography and their creativity and curiously will soar. Teach children about digital photography is not the same as teaching an adult. Adults usually have an idea of what a good photo is supposed to look like. As a result, it sets the bar too high for the children. On the other hand, children are expressive and curious by nature. They don’t have rules in mind about creativity. Teaching kids about digital photography is more about flourishing creativity.
Tips For Teaching Kids About Digital Photography
1. Grip
Holding a camera is not just about comfortably holding the camera. A good grip will help to reduce the camera shake. Also, it allows easy access to the rest of the camera controls. Teach children to wrap their lower three fingers around the camera grip while the index finger is on the shutter and the thumb on the back.
With larger cameras, the left hand must go under the lens to help support the weight. For a firm grip, the neck strap or wrist strap can prevent the camera from accidentally dropping.
2. Creativity
In today’s rigid academic curriculum, kids are often even noted on their drawings and artwork. Take a different approach with kid’s photography. You should let the child know that photography is all about creativity and showing others that how they see themselves. Hence, creativity should be encouraged even if the rules have to be broken.
You should be teaching your kid about what you like about the photo instead of dislikes. You can corporate what-ifs while teaching them digital photography. For example, to teach your kid, you can ask them to lie on their stomach to take a photo of a flower instead of standing on it. Also, what if the flower is on the side of the image instead of the center? Help them to see the possibilities.
3. Practice
Along the same lines, digital photography means that while practicing, little is wasted. You can encourage your kids by giving them another shot to try that you or they did not like the first time. Cameras that are not expensive and too complicated can be given to the kids without supervision. It increases their confidence in learning digital photography.
Hand your kids a camera that will help them to practice at any time. They can easily take them to places that inspire them throughout the day.
4. Exploration
Photographers of all ages learn by experimenting. With digital photography, there is little consequence while trying something new. Kids who learn by experience, remember information and learning better than verbal instruction alone. With digital cameras, there is no film to lose, but you can delete an image. Hence, you can encourage your kids to take photos from more angles than just taking one shot.
A great exercise that encourages kids to explore with the camera is to hand them an object. Now ask them to take photos of that object from different angles. If they get stuck, you can help them with other options. You can adjust the camera settings or move the object to a new location to change its perspective.
5. Perspective
Photography is a way of seeing. The young photographers show others that how they view the world. You can offer perspective tips while teaching kids about digital photography. It will help them to take photos at eye level.
Encourage them to pull while lying on the floor or tiptoes. Suggest that they try to photograph the subject from another side.
6. Subject
The subject is one of the most basic and essential photographic pieces. Kids understand that a photo must be having a person or object. You can teach your kids that how to capture an object or person in the image and what are the important aspects of a perfect photo.
You can introduce the term subject that will help them to take photos of the same object with different perspectives and angles.
7. Detail
Attention to detail is a good thing as a photographer. Encourage your kids to slow down before taking the photo. Ask them if there are random distracting objects in the photo that can be removed from the frame. Teach your kids about the background distractions that can impact the photo.
Make suggestions on how to find distracting objects that can be missed with zoom and perspective adjustment. For example, a telephone pole shoots out from the subject’s head. A great exercise for teaching your kids is to try the opposite. Ask them to take photos of their stuffed animal wearing funny hats.
8. Rule of Thirds
A simple principle of photography that can be taught to the kids for digital photography. the rule of thirds is a composition guide that divides an image into thirds both vertically and horizontally. As a result, it has nice pieces and four grid lines. According to the rule, by placing the key elements along the line of the grid, you will have better compositions.
To follow the rule, use the gridlines to place the essential elements of the composition. For example, the stem of the flower should be along the right or left vertical grid line. While photographing a sunset, place the horizon line along the top or bottom horizontal lines of the grid.
If the kid is not able to understand the position of an object using the grid, you can teach them to decenter the object.
9. Zoom
Changing the angle is not the only way to adjust the perspective. First, you have to teach your kid to use the camera zoom. It will help them to zoom in or out on the objects. Then make sure that the kids know they can zoom in without a tripod as well. To change perspective, teach your kids to move closer or away from the subject.
You can teach your kids to use zoom that can be used to explore macro photography. A fun macro photography exercise is having photos of the close-up of objects. Also, make sure to show your kids how to activate macro mode on the camera.
Digital Photography – Help Kids Learn Different Perspectives
Teaching kids about digital photography can be different from teaching an adult. The perspective of kids is all about creativity. They look at different objects from different angles or perspectives. If they have a different point of view then it is best to teach them digital photography. Digital photography does not require changing film, it is all about digital storage.
Taking multiple photos of one object with different angles will help them to learn new things. A kid learns more from practice rather than verbal instructions. If you are having a less expensive and less complicated camera, then you can hand it to them. Firstly, it will boost their confidence, and secondly, they can take it anywhere they want to. Hence, they might come up with better photos than expected.