Kev Pugh
Well-Known Member
OK, Now I have set up a blog for WAY workshops but I have a few things to check out before I can start posting, but today I attended the opening of a new youth centre in Worcester and I was running a photography workshop for the young people. Now these events are normally quite chaotic and there is little structure to groups, mostly, large numbers of people will mill around looking at the new build and want to see what is on offer for the youngsters.
Today was no exception, so, I decided that as there would be local councillors and other Digs there officially opening the centre it might be a good idea to have an official youth photographer in attendance so that's what I did. I enlisted a youngster to take on the role.
Now some of you may find this hard to believe but there are young people out there who have never used a camera other than their phone that is, well this young girl was one of those that hadn't, she doesn't own one, not even a cheap compact so this was a big thing for her. Not only was she doing it for the first time but she was 'official' and would be photographing the cutting of the ribbon.
After a short briefing, 2 minutes on what to look through, what to press and how to hold it she was off with me behind acting as assistant, "Oi make room please we need to get through to the mayor, thank you"
For ease I had set the D80 to auto ISO, Dynamic Focus, and set to P mode, also normal jpeg as I knew that it would be easier for a quick download later of what would probably be a lot of shots.
After a short while her confidence grew and she was beginning to explore shooting angles and wanting to catch movement and not just stale old people with moody gold round their necks and wearing suits from M&S, that is one thing youngsters don't do well. Anyway, I digress, This is just one of nearly 300 shot she took in a little under 3 hours.
Bearing in mind this was her first attempt I reckon she came away with something, an experience she had never had before, an opportunity she had never been given before and fun. believe me she enjoyed playing photographer today, and for a 15 year old to stand side by side with the newspaper photographer, its a big thing believe me.
So there we have it.
Yea I get a buzz out of it, I enjoy seeing these kids get an opportunity, and this is one of the things WAY does.
Thanks for reading.
Kev
Today was no exception, so, I decided that as there would be local councillors and other Digs there officially opening the centre it might be a good idea to have an official youth photographer in attendance so that's what I did. I enlisted a youngster to take on the role.
Now some of you may find this hard to believe but there are young people out there who have never used a camera other than their phone that is, well this young girl was one of those that hadn't, she doesn't own one, not even a cheap compact so this was a big thing for her. Not only was she doing it for the first time but she was 'official' and would be photographing the cutting of the ribbon.
After a short briefing, 2 minutes on what to look through, what to press and how to hold it she was off with me behind acting as assistant, "Oi make room please we need to get through to the mayor, thank you"
For ease I had set the D80 to auto ISO, Dynamic Focus, and set to P mode, also normal jpeg as I knew that it would be easier for a quick download later of what would probably be a lot of shots.
After a short while her confidence grew and she was beginning to explore shooting angles and wanting to catch movement and not just stale old people with moody gold round their necks and wearing suits from M&S, that is one thing youngsters don't do well. Anyway, I digress, This is just one of nearly 300 shot she took in a little under 3 hours.
Bearing in mind this was her first attempt I reckon she came away with something, an experience she had never had before, an opportunity she had never been given before and fun. believe me she enjoyed playing photographer today, and for a 15 year old to stand side by side with the newspaper photographer, its a big thing believe me.
So there we have it.
Yea I get a buzz out of it, I enjoy seeing these kids get an opportunity, and this is one of the things WAY does.
Thanks for reading.
Kev
