Toying With Cameras
We decided to get Little Miss 4 a camera for her recent birthday. We researched toy cameras, but were disappointed with the range available. We figured there was no point getting her a camera that produced poor quality images, even if it was pink and sparkly or “drop” friendly. The whole idea is to be able to capture photos after all. So, we instead decided to give our most recently shelved camera a new lease of life. We specially ordered in new batteries, purchased a funky pink case and lanyard, and of course a photo album and cute frame.
As expected, she is absolutely loving it. Here are some things she has been learning about while playing with her camera both indoors and out:
1. Keep the lanyard around your neck.
2. Smile, whether you’re in front or behind the camera.
3. Keep your fingers away from the lens.
4. Sometimes you need to try a different position to get the shot you want.
5. Things look different up close.
6. Creative shots take time and thought.
7. Keep your hands steady.
8. Little brothers don’t stay still for long!
Lovely – I am all for giving kids the real deal with some good guidelines and supervision. Teaches them respect and that they and what they do are valued (not junk). Love number 8 on your list (ditto in our family). Explains why his big sister and I have very few photos of my 3 yo son well unless you count all the ones that are blurred or of the back of his head or his arm as he exits stage left. His natural exuberance is largely to blame (what? sit still? Why? there is so much else to do/run/climb/throw/kick/see/smell/feel) but then theres the whole digital camera thing as he’s more keen to run around to the photographer side to see the image on the camera rather than sit still for a retake
Looking fwd to seeing more of your budding photographers work
What a great idea… Hmmm, I have an old camera somewhere.
Princess had already dropped my old camera, so we went down the kiddy camera root with her as a behavioural award, and she loves it.
The issues with it are the limited number of photos it takes (25 shots at its highest resolution, something I would not reduce as the images would just not be useable otherwise) and there is no screen at the back. Actually, this is a plus and minus, as it will train her to use the view finder when focussing her pictures, which I think will help her become a better photographer later.
In regards to the image/picture quality … I am one of a couple of people who use her pictures as their profile picture on facebook and other places (and the other person isn’t a proud relative!). They are very hit and miss, but mostly due to the photographer LOL
Looks like Miss 4 is certainly enjoying her camera, and finding lots of interesting things to photgraph!
.-= amandab´s last blog ..We Play – Guess What We Play? =-.
I think it’s a great idea! How will kids ever learn to be responsible adults if we don’t give them opportunities to practice?
I love seeing children behind the camera, they capture such a unique outlook on life and provide such insight into what it is that they value.
.-= Christie – Childhood 101´s last blog ..Kids Create: The Lure of ‘Don’t Touch’ =-.
Fabulous – fun and educational!
.-= maryanne´s last blog ..Review and Giveaway: CSN Stores =-.
We’ve got a couple of old cameras that my girls love to play with.
A friend is making a pinhole camera http://65.69.77.33/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21932 which I’m thinking would be great fun for my oldest to try.
My little miss 5 and I can certainly agree with point number 8!
We bought our daughter a digital camera when she was about 9 or 10. Like you we first looked at “toy” cameras but for the same money, ended up getting her a “proper” one which she is still using (she’s now 13). And boy is it ever getting a workout! This is the Facebook generation, she takes heaps of photos every day and uploads them. Back in my day (gee that makes me sound old!) we used to hide from the camera, not this lot, they love practising all their smiles, pouts, and poses and then posting them for all to see!!!! (Don’t worry we’ve made sure that the privacy settings are on …)
.-= Janet´s last blog ..Promoting your Writing =-.
You’re going to get some great shots!
I thought that when my (then) 3yo took her first set of photos with a digital camera — some of them were amazing! http://www.sparklingadventures.com/index.php?id=256
Miss 3 uses our digital camera to take photos indoors and out. She often spends ages wondering around taking photos of her surroundings and people. After each sessions we load them onto the computer for a look. It almost tells a story of what she was doing and her learning of the process – one with head missing, then feet missing then a whole person,
Our kids will grow up with amazing IT skills and take them for granted as an essential part of life. How exciting!!
I think it is a great idea! My son (5) at the time was showing interest in my camera, so i pulled out the old film camera. we brought new batteries and a film. He learnt that he had to think about the photos he wanted to take as he had limited film, and was so excited to see his final products when they were printed.
I would never have thought of giving a younger girl a camera…what a great idea…and today with digital photography they can see what they have captured…they do not have to be printed…like before!
Brilliant … I am all for giving children cameras from a very young age. Okay most shots will be … shall we say interesting … but occasionally you are going to see some real magic in those pictures, believe me!
Donna
.-= Sherry and Donna´s last blog ..still life – charcoal art =-.
Enjoyed your post and I am all about recycling and you saved on the pocketbook as well as the planet. Thanks,:)
.-= joyce:waddleeahchaa.com´s last blog ..Print this Quick =-.
fabby post! love the pics. I did a topic on cameras with the kids i look after and they loved it. some of the pictures they took really showed how they view life…. unfortunatly my own kids took it one step further and photographed each others bottoms and then burst in on me in the shower!!!!! ahhhhh!!!!
.-= Pippa´s last blog ..FINE DINING FOR CHICKENS- =-.
Yes! My girls love the camera. We are lucky enough to have a tripod as well, which makes it even better. It protects the camera a bit – they can’t drop it or bang it into anything – but it also lets them set shots up and hold them steady.
.-= Deb´s last blog ..5 Minute Frost Paintings =-.
We got my miss 4 a camera before we went on our o/s trip too and made a travel journal. It was so much fun,,she mostly took pics of her face and feet….she now uses our camera and takes pics of mumma and daddi together, practicing her directorial skills. Having a ball experimenting with camera for sure..