I recently upgraded my camera to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3. I was using the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3S which I found was an excellent camera. I took many beautiful pictures on that camera.
I’ve been wanted to buy Izzy a digital camera for quite some time. For Christmas of 2006 we purchased her one of those cheap digital cameras for children. Do not waste your money on these. They are very frustrating. Even if your child managed to take a decent picture it would still be crap. I’ll be having Steven write up an article on what to look for when purchasing a digital camera but I fear I’m straying from this topic. I’ve been trying to convince Steven that we needed to get a better camera for Izzy.
She has been showing interest in photography. I imagine that is because Steven and I are always taking pictures and all of our day trips as a family involves taking pictures. We decided to give her my older Lumix while I used the new Lumix. Under direct supervision of course.
We started our lessons at home. Trying to teach her how to take pictures was interesting as the Lumix doesn’t have a view finder. Trying to get Izzy to not put the camera up to her face to take a picture took the longest out of everything I’ve taught her. We started by sitting on the bed surrounded by her favorite stuffed animals who “posed” for her.
We worked on respect for the camera. Simple instructions for a young child work best as they don’t fully understand terms like respect. Do not touch the lens. Stay still while holding the camera. The camera stays with mommy when the “photo session” is over. For anyone wanting to purchase a camera for their children or let their child use their own camera please do not let the child keep the camera in their possession. This is a disaster waiting to happen. Cameras are not toys even though they are very fun.
We posed her stuffed animals and she practiced lining them up in the view finder. I had her sit on the bed and I sat behind her at first to help her steady the camera and guide her fingers into the appropriate positions. She quickly got the hang of this and no longer needed my support.
My advice to parents who are teaching their children photography is this. Use a digital camera instead of a 35mm film camera. Do not stop them from taking the pictures they want to take. With digital there is no wasting film. You might not understand why they want to take 100 pictures of the ground, grass, walls, blankets, pillows, etc but they find it interesting and they are developing confidence in themselves. The moment you tell them that they shouldn’t take a picture of something because it’s not important is the moment you stifle their creative growth.
Please note: there will be 100’s of bad pictures. Your child will still love them though and be proud of themselves as long as you let them. Praise your child’s attempts; show them a slide show of their photographs. They will want to take more and they will improve.
Criticize them too much at this early age and they will give up and think they are incapable.
I’ve been wanted to buy Izzy a digital camera for quite some time. For Christmas of 2006 we purchased her one of those cheap digital cameras for children. Do not waste your money on these. They are very frustrating. Even if your child managed to take a decent picture it would still be crap. I’ll be having Steven write up an article on what to look for when purchasing a digital camera but I fear I’m straying from this topic. I’ve been trying to convince Steven that we needed to get a better camera for Izzy.
She has been showing interest in photography. I imagine that is because Steven and I are always taking pictures and all of our day trips as a family involves taking pictures. We decided to give her my older Lumix while I used the new Lumix. Under direct supervision of course.
We started our lessons at home. Trying to teach her how to take pictures was interesting as the Lumix doesn’t have a view finder. Trying to get Izzy to not put the camera up to her face to take a picture took the longest out of everything I’ve taught her. We started by sitting on the bed surrounded by her favorite stuffed animals who “posed” for her.
We worked on respect for the camera. Simple instructions for a young child work best as they don’t fully understand terms like respect. Do not touch the lens. Stay still while holding the camera. The camera stays with mommy when the “photo session” is over. For anyone wanting to purchase a camera for their children or let their child use their own camera please do not let the child keep the camera in their possession. This is a disaster waiting to happen. Cameras are not toys even though they are very fun.
We posed her stuffed animals and she practiced lining them up in the view finder. I had her sit on the bed and I sat behind her at first to help her steady the camera and guide her fingers into the appropriate positions. She quickly got the hang of this and no longer needed my support.
My advice to parents who are teaching their children photography is this. Use a digital camera instead of a 35mm film camera. Do not stop them from taking the pictures they want to take. With digital there is no wasting film. You might not understand why they want to take 100 pictures of the ground, grass, walls, blankets, pillows, etc but they find it interesting and they are developing confidence in themselves. The moment you tell them that they shouldn’t take a picture of something because it’s not important is the moment you stifle their creative growth.
Please note: there will be 100’s of bad pictures. Your child will still love them though and be proud of themselves as long as you let them. Praise your child’s attempts; show them a slide show of their photographs. They will want to take more and they will improve.
Criticize them too much at this early age and they will give up and think they are incapable.
Remember: Smile, shoot, print and you will be happier for it.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3S 5MP Digital Camera can be purchased along with other photography items at Heather's Photography and More Store.
Photography t shirts and photographic gifts are available for purchase at Spencer Photos which is our online store.
More lessons with Izzy will be coming soon.
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