Is your child a photographer like you? The basic concepts of aperture and shutter speed might be too complex for your child, but it is never too early to help the young photographer a few important but easy-to-learn tricks.
When you see your child picking up a toy camera and imitating your actions, then it is probably time to give that child a real camera that can take actual pictures. The child’s camera need not be as expensive as your own, but it should be able to help your child learn about digital photography.
Lessons about photography for the absolute beginner, such as your child, need not include details about shutter speed and aperture. These concepts can come later, when the child becomes serious and plans to join young photographer competitions. For now, tips in beginner photography for children should give encouragement and should show that digital photography is fun and satisfying. Here are some suggestions:
- Use different viewpoints - Let your child take pictures of an object from different perspectives. Show your child to take pictures from above, below, front, and behind. Show also what would happen if the camera is brought up close or very away from the object.
- Hold the camera steady - The best pictures have sharp images. Therefore, the first thing that your child should learn is how to properly hold the camera so that it will remain steady. Emphasize that using two hands is better than one hand. Tell your child to inhale first, hold his/her breath, take the shot, and then exhale. Compare the pictures that were taken with a steady camera to those that were not.
- Hold the camera straight - Some pictures are intentionally taken crooked to have a dramatic effect but before your child experiments with techniques, he/she should first learn to shoot straight. Show your child to watch for lines, such as the horizon, the window and the wall, and use these as references to keep the images straight.
- Look out for the background - Many photographers focus too much on the subject that the background is ignored. Unfortunately, when the pictures are printed, the background interferes. For example, a little branch of the tree in the background looks like it was coming out of a person's ear. The earlier your child learns about keeping the background clean, the sooner will your child take great pictures.
- Shooting off-center -The rule of the thirds, when explained using lines, may not be easy to understand. But to help your child take great pictures, the simplest way to put it is to shoot off-center. Show how neater it is to have the bird nearer to one side than being right at the center of the picture.
These photography tips are easy to learn but will last for a lifetime. Should your child take digital photography seriously, you have given an important legacy.