Kids Using Cameras

by Lauri Griffin | More from this Blogger

18 Jan 2007 04:16 PM

Sometimes I wish I could see the world through my childrens' eyes. And mainly for that reason, I encourage them all to take pictures with our cameras.

About ten years ago my oldest son wanted a camera that took four shots per frame. This is a neat invention. For a 24 exposure roll of film, you get 96 shots. I loved that camera because I didn't feel like I had to limit him so much. I didn't have to tell him, "don't take a picture of that", or "save your film for something important".

Consequently, he took a lot of shots of things I never would have approved, and I got to see what the world looked like to a four year old. We got lots of shots of relatives, but not the usual "face on" shots. Instead, we got shots from 2 and ½ feet off the ground, looking upward toward these very tall grownups. We got close-ups of many tree ornaments and rocks in the yard that he considered special.

That camera is no longer on the market, but it was much like this one. And of course, now you can buy digital cameras that aren't too expensive. Some are even made for children. The great thing about digitals is that all those extra shots don't cost you anything. You don't have to limit the shots at all!

Although I mainly turn the kids lose with the cameras, I do give them some instruction. No one, including the dog, likes to have a flash go off inches from their face. I show them how to put the camera around their neck or wrist to lessen the chance of dropped cameras. I also show them how to hold the camera steady, so the shots aren't blurred. But other than that, I love to sit back and see what they consider photo worthy.

They love to see their pictures on the computer. And I love to see their world.

Capture the Moment Fun With Photography

Learn more about Lauri Griffin

Lauri lives in Colorado with her husband and three sons. Amidst all the laundry and packing of lunches, she tries to keep parenting fun.

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Michelle Vandepas (579) 18 Jan 2007 07:23 PM

Our daughter got one of those disposible cameras for Christmas. At only three, we thought for sure there wouldn't be any good shots, out of 24, she got about 10 good ones. we were very pleased - and so was she!

Jeff Bogle (1022) 18 Jan 2007 08:04 PM

Laura, what a great topic - I with I had thought of it first! My girl loves to use (both for real when we have batteries to spare and pretend) our old digital camera (1mp Kodak that came free with our old Dell PC). She lines up her bears and dolls and instructs them to "stay still", "say cheese", and to smile and snaps away. She absolutely loves taking pictures. and you are right, how cool it is to see the world through their view. We as parents forget a lot, at least I do, how completely different the POV is from down there.

Lauri Griffin (2703) 19 Jan 2007 02:58 PM

Michelle, disposables are great too. I'm glad your daughter had fun with the camera.

And Jeff, it is a nice reminder of that different POV. That's so cute that your daughter tells her animals to say cheese!

Musings (107) 09 Feb 2007 05:53 PM

Ahhhhh this brings back memories! When I was a little girl, my grandparents took me on a trip to Hawaii. I was given my own camera as a gift for the trip. I came home with three rolls of film my Mom couldn't wait to have developed. Imagine her dismay when she picked up three stacks of pictures showing nothing but clouds out the window of the airplane. :D

Lauri Griffin (2703) 12 Feb 2007 07:24 PM

Musings, that's hysterical. I can see an excited child doing just that though.