4. Taking Pictures

Note: A school will need to write to parents explaining a project like this and how the photos taken at home will be used. Permission should be sought from parents particularly if photos are to be displayed in any public context.

We chose disposable cameras because the children were taking them home. It meant that they could have one camera between two children and that all the pictures could be taken and processed between weekly sessions. In other contexts a digital camera may have more advantages.

They had disposable cameras, they took pictures then had to wait a week to see them. If they had used a digital camera they could take pictures, look at them and if they didn't like them delete them and take more. (Helen McDonnell)

The children need to be introduced to the basic operations of using a simple camera, such as holding it still and squeezing gently when taking a photo and not putting fingers in front of the lens. There is a debate as to whether to introduce composing skills before children start to take photographs or whether to allow them to develop their own eye through the process of taking pictures.

It might have been better early on to do some work with them to give them practise with composing. (Helen McDonnell)

Perhaps there could have been a little bit more on how to use the camera effectively, however, some of the shots they have taken you might not have got it you had taught them compositional skills first. Sometimes breaking the rules can lead to a better photograph. (David Ogle)

My project wasn't to teach them how to make 'good' photographs or to teach them about concepts behind photography, It was about ideas of image-making, about commemorating something in their lives. It wasn't a class to teach them how to compose a photograph, the aspects of pointing and shooting the cameras were very much left up to them. I think it gave the work a sense of immediacy and sincerity that was very authentic, versus, going out and staying 'now take a picture of the beautiful landscape'. This was about their lives, a real slice of their lives and I think this is how the images look. (Laurie Long)