I've been a bit busy lately...

[barbarian]

I haven't been dropping in as much lately. I teach science in a middle school, and the demographics have been changing from upper middle class Anglo to a more varied population. The principal has been concerned that some of the kids have no sense of community in the school, because many of them have no activities other than classwork.

So I volunteered to set up a camera club. Digital, because most of them have no camera but their smart phone or tablet. I have about 20 kids, with varying numbers coming to the meetings each week. Oh, and there are two teachers who want to learn.

So far, we did a quick tutorial, sort of copied from "How to take good pictures", a tutorial on how to use GIMP (has to be freeware) and a few sessions taken around the campus. I've got GIMP, and some other freeware stuff for them. Fortunately, I have a projector and a smart screen for my class computer, so they can follow me on tutorials for processing.

Had four meetings so far, and a few kids show some promise.

Have any of you been in a position anything like this, and if so, have you any advice? Actually, I'd listen to advice, even if you don't have experience.

Any ideas?

[Deleted]

Sounds like you are on the right track. Just about have to accept all types of digital "cameras." Otherwise I doubt there would be much interest. There is still at least one college in our area that requires student to use film cameras. It's a nice thought but silly and I suspect the class will soon be gone or will shift to digital.

W.

[daveh]

I'm not sure that I can really add anything that will help.

A good photograph is a good photograph no matter what is used to take it, and hopefully some will show a real talent and/or develop an interest. Some might even want a go using the old cameras and chemical systems.

Maybe you could set them to do a photo essay, (say, once a term or semester) and then have an exhibition of their work. You could even publish the work on here and we could start another "competition thread", or Perhaps you could set up a website to showcase their work.

[barbarian]

Thanks for the input. I plan to bring a few old ones around, and maybe take in an SX-70 with some Impossible film and let them see the magic there. Or maybe my old press camera. Problem with that is, there's no local place to get 120 film developed. Closest place is downtown Dallas.

I've got a Google site for them, but I wonder if we'd get much input if there was a "student work" area. I like the idea. We just had our 4th meeting, and it's still a bit early.

[philbirch]

I used to teach 2 classes at night school in the 70's beginner and advanced. Advanced was more like a club. The beginner class was much more fun, folk are less critical of each others work at this level.

I think that a site is good, and competitions are always a good idea. We had them occasionally and the students would judge each others photos to make a shortlist. An expert - the art teacher for example - made the final selection.

Do portrait and still life sessions. With the emphasis on framing, pose and lighting. Find photos on the internet to show the students what can be achieved with a simple camera. Explain about the rule of thirds and composition.

How about bringing a few old cameras and explaining what the settings are for. I did a session recently for the scouts and took photos using a b&w film and developed it later. The kids loved that.