For 5 weeks in late February through March, I was able to donate my time to teach a photography class to four 5th-8th grade students from Sierra Ridge Middle School in Pollock Pines. I called it “BETA” as a self-deprecating way to take the pressure off- as it would be unfathomable to measure up to the run of fine teachers my kids have been fortunate enough to experience at Pinewood over the years.
You see, our school district has been working hard to keep the arts alive in our classrooms and I am enthusiastic to be a part of that endeavor. Last year I was asked by Kevin Monsma, the schools districts new “get it done” Superintendent to assist in getting a photography class started. I was thrilled, but also nervous as I had never taught this age group before. With the aid of one of my internet surfing deal finder buddies (thank Ross) the school district purchased 5 Nikon DSLR cameras with lenses. This enabled the students to both use and take home the camera for the duration of the class while also allowing me the luxury of only having to explain the settings on one version of one camera.
I’m finding that I really enjoy teaching- actually- it’s those moments where you see light bulbs go off that are the most enjoyable part. I learned a lot about what does and does not work for this age group. I even pulled out my old Nikon FM2 film camera to show them and they ooo’d and ahhh’d like it was an old relic from days gone by. The place where one inserts the film was particularly popular as it seemed much like a hidden compartment to fresh young eyes- a secret passageway to the unknown…
Much respect to all of those wonderful teachers out there who keep it fresh and interesting and fun for your classes! It was a challenge for me, but one I welcomed!
The class focused on introduction to camera settings, the relationship between f-stop, shutter speed and iso, and composition and seeing light. We only had 5 classes but they all seemed to learn a lot as shown by their work. Here are a few of their images….they did a fantastic job!
Photograph by Jake Narr (below)
Photograph by Jake Narr (below)
Photograph by Dustin Farley (below)
Photograph by Dustin Farley (below)
Photograph Series by Olivia Silva (below)
Photograph Series by Hayley Frame (below)
Photograph by Hayley Frame (below)
Photographs of my class while messing around with our cameras (below)
1 comment
This was fun for me to see the kids photo-art work. I am a retired teacher after 37 fantastic years. For 27 of those years I was my middle school yearbook advisor. Teaching photography was a big part of what we did. In those days it was shooting,
developing, and then into the photo lab to print. Once a year I would have a photo contest of the kids work.
Personally I have gone digital. Love close ups of objects you can recognize and also the “can you figure out this is? I have done all the photos up on the walls at Cold Springs Golf & Country Club.
I really like the images the kids came up with thanks to you and kids imagination.
Jim