Fun with photography.

Photography can be both an art form and a way to document the world around us. The mechanics of photography are simple, yet the rewards are immediate and far reaching. Students who are guided into the arena of photography at an early age can gain a sense of self-worth, community awareness and increased artistic vision.

For the past three years, I have presented a photography program for third grade students at Stanley School in my hometown of Swampscott, Massachusetts. Working closely with classroom teachers, I have introduced photography to up to sixty students each school year. My presentation is based on a project initiated by Eastman Kodak Company called "Using Cameras in the Curriculum." The program is designed to introduce students to photography as both an art form and as a way to document their community or the environment.

The project provides teaching materials, including lesson plans and a set of "Picture Pointers" that give the basics of how to take a successful photograph. In addition, each student is given a single-use Kodak FunTime 35 camera, loaded with Kodak Gold color negative film.

My first meeting with the students usually takes place in an auditorium, where I give them an overview of photography. I bring along some of my antique camera collection, which includes a huge 8 x 10" view camera mounted on a wooden tripod and a tiny model just a couple of inches long. I also pass around some examples of tin type photographs taken around the turn of the century.

How to Take a Picture

When we get into the mechanics of how to take a picture, I tell the students about holding the camera steady, keeping the sun behind them, taking both horizontal and vertical shots, and getting in close to the subject. I explain that they will each be asked to explore the community of Swampscott and to photograph subjects that show what the town is really like. The teachers and I also come up with a list of possible subjects, such as monuments, buildings, beaches, and community service and government workers.

Once the students receive their cameras, they have a week to take pictures. Students can be seen all over the town, often with their parents, pointing their cameras at the sights and inhabitants of Swampscott. After the cameras are turned in, students are taken on a field trip to my photo lab, where I demonstrate how film is developed and prints are enlarged.

The photographs are delivered back to the students at the school, at which time I come into the classrooms for a critique. I discuss the photographs with each student, answer any questions and help choose the best photograph for enlargement. My personal technique is to let the students do the talking and take my cues from them. I ask them what they think went wrong if there is a problem with a particular photograph, and they usually have the answer. They know if their finger moved in front of the lens, or if they took a shot directly into the sun.

Exhibiting the Work

The level of proficiency is often astounding. The students come up with unique variations on what could be run-of-the-mill subjects, such as close-ups of architectural details on an old building or a special quality of light shining on a back porch.

One of the most exciting parts of the program is the culminating exhibition. The best photograph from each student is enlarged to an 8 x 10" size for framing and hung with the others for a special evening reception at the school for students, parents and friends. This year the exhibition was also shown at the Swampscott Town Hall.

The program is linked with other parts of the school curriculum. Social Studies classes delve into the historical areas of town the students photograph. In journalism classes, students write articles about the project and illustrate them with the photographs.

Parents tell me that the program gives their children a sense of independence and control.

"My son liked choosing what he wanted to photograph. He also enjoyed sharing his pictures with other children and discussing everyone's work. I think they really gained an appreciation of what makes a good photograph," said one parent.

Knowledge for Life

People are touched by imaging throughout their lives. Most households in the county have at least one camera. If students in the program do nothing more than photograph family and friends or take vacation shots, they will have enough grounding to do it well. A few might move on and work on school newspapers or yearbooks, and some may eventually become professional photographers. But, no matter what the outcome, I believe our program gives students an instant comfort level in the photographic medium at a very early age. It gives them a hands-on approach to experiencing and visualizing different aspects of their own community.

Alan Samiljan is a businessman and teaches the "Cameras in the Curriculum" project at Stanley School in Swampscott, Massachusetts.