Ideas for a photography summer camp - for teens!

Question

Hello

Thanks for taking time out to read this question.

I am currently helping out at a photography summer camp and the teenagers aren't giving much of a response.

The ideas I have so far:

A day in the life of a teenager

They have been given an exercise were they have to think for example photograph 'beauty' 'something that makes one think about art, that isn't art'

If anyone has a suggestions as to make this more interesting and get the moody teenagers more involved.

Thanks in advance to all sensible questions.

=)

Answer 1

How about giving them a 'dream' photography project, where they have to photograph a number of images to symbolise a dream or nightmare?

Or letting them take pictures of the surrounding area that they would change and then take a picture of something they would change it to and send it to the council.

Answer 2

Teenage boys love computers

teach the kids how to use some photo editing software after they have taken their photographs.

Answer 3

Rather than giving them a specific such as beauty just allow them to carry their camera's everywhere and allow them to decide what is interesting,I mean don't restrict them to one subject,beauty is subjective but when you say to a teen to go photo beauty they assume you mean your definition of what beauty is,and after all your the old guy (even if that's a couple of years) what do you know lol, give them guidelines like carry your camera all day and photograph anything that catches your eye,it can be an old man,a dog in the street,a gas station,anything for one full day from sun up to sun set you will be very surprised at the results,if they think its their choice they will get into it more,oh ya and for gods sake don't call it a name like a day in the life or sunup to sunset just allow them their heads,trust them and they will surprise you.

Good Luck.

p.s If you have black and white film, much better coz teens are used to color,on their fones and digi cams,and they love b/w when they see it developed.

Answer 4

A digital scavenger hunt is great fun.

Also assignments like up, down, close, far. etc. I used to let them work in a team of two for inspiration

Answer 5

Let them shoot whatever they want but here is what their shots nust inlcude:

1. selective focus

2. hyperfocal distance

3. rule of thirds

4. silhoutte

5. Big object and small object in the frame

6. Subj in a natural framing device

7. contrasting colors

8,. and one final one A B& W using Ansel Adams Zone System.  

Answer 6

Your idea is excellent.

I have also sth to suggest, even though it 's not very ingenious:You can start a competition campers will take part in. This competition will be about taking photos of their everyday life -for instance, when they have fun with friends.

I saw advertisements of some competitions like this on TV and was vey enthousiastic about taking part in them.

A teenager

Answer 7

daily life, funny stuff, something of their choice.

Answer 8

Scavenger hunts are always fun.  A lot of it will depend on where you are geographically, but being summer some of these could be fun:

- Capture someone mid-dive into a swimming pool

- Ice or snow

- Something on a barbecue grill

- Candid of someone who just looks hot

- Running water

And some more generic ones

- A colorful or unusual fire hydrant

- A picture of an empty playground

- Something completely out of place (e.g. a teacup on a horse fence)

- A car made before you were born (okay, for teens that might not be too tough)

- A gravestone that's barely legible

- A working windmill

- Bokeh

You can give points for each find.