Kid’s-Eye View: Photos from a Different Level
This entry was posted on Jun 28 2008
My children went through Montessori school, which is pretty much a free-form environment for kids to play with lots of educational materials in the form of books, music, art and other fun kid stuff. We were lucky enough to find and be admitted to Flowers Montessori (the best school in the city, in my opinion), which led to our kids getting a big head-start on the basics.
One afternoon while picking up my daughter, I noticed a lot of interesting black-and-white photos hanging on the walls. They looked so artfully done that I started to wonder about the photographer. Then I realized a common trait shared by all of them: the perspective was about thigh-high. Kids, I thought. What a brilliant idea.
Since that day, I have always let both girls take photos from the day they could hold a camera enough for me to trust them. There’s something about a photo taken by a child that evokes a feeling that no adult can capture. Kids take photos of things that the average person wouldn’t think of shooting. A television while it’s on, a toilet, a ceiling fan or the family pet while they’re eating. They bring a real-life quality to photos that professionals work to perfect over their entire careers.
Often, other parents will see my girls running around with my (shiny, expensive, breakable, fragile, non-kid-proof, please-don’t-drop-it) digital camera or camera phone and look at me like I’ve got three heads. However, they also have this look of amazement, at which point I tell them to give it a try with their little hellions kids. “You’ll be surprised,” I tell them.
“Yes,” they reply, with a forced grin. “You’re crazy.” (OK, they think that last part, I’m sure of it.)
The point of this is that kids revel in the light of an adult task, like handling a camera. Teach them to use the wrist/neck strap from the start and a few basic things, then let them go wandering. When they return, sit back and flip through the photos with them. It’s will probably be the most intense conversation you’ve gotten from your child in ages. Doing something like this will also provide your child with an abundance of creative, right-brain activity, which is unfortunately all but phased out of most public schools today.
I’ve decided to run with this on My GPS Camera Phone as a new post theme. There’s two good reasons: 1) read the above and 2) there’s no shortage of photos to post. Additionally, I ask everyone interested to submit your kid’s camera phone photos (or photos from any kid), and I’ll consider posting them.
Of course, you adults can submit camera phone photos as well. E-mail them to photos(at)mygpscameraphone.com and make sure to include the backstory, which will also be posted. You get a photo credit and a linkback to your site. How can you argue with that? Besides, if you don’t submit, I’ll just keep posting my kids’ pictures. 
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- Jun 30, 2008: Surf’s Up: Creativity links for July 1, 2008 « Creative Liberty
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Hey Pete- great post & heasder changes.
If one trusts their kids with an expensive gaming system, then why not cameras & cell phones? I certainly can’t replace the wii on a dime if it gets broken. Plus if they have a wii- they already know how to use a wrist strap. So no your not crazy- people just prioritize “their things” as more important in the “family material item hierarchy.” It’s usually run in order of importance: as mine, ours, and last the kids stuff… with “don’t touch my stuff” the heavily enforced rule! I am not a materialistic person. I believe it’s easier for a lot of people to break a child by yelling at them for spilled milk , then to get off their ass and get another gallon of milk, if you know what I mean.
My seventh grader had a photography project the end of the year and brought home his pictures mounted on poster board. I must admit they were really good. They also had some strange themes- he took a very flattering picture of myself (which I didn’t even remember his taking), and then some of the rest of the family. Followed by pictures of Ramen noodles, the cat under the bed, the seedlings we were working on it for the garden, our car that we don’t drive, and legos. It is interesting to see what’s important to one’s own kids. I for one didn’t know my son was a Momma’s boy who loves Ramen noodles… but it was cool to find out.
Nice idea.
Like the new logo(s). Did you get that idea from Jon?
What about canine camera phone pictures? Or feline camera phone photos? You know, I did a video once from a cat’s perspective.
dcrs last blog post..Photo Phriday: Mulberry Tree
I agree with you. My daughter has been using my cameras since she was three. People are shocked that I let her use my Nikon D80. She does an excellent job and I’m always encouraging her to capture what she wants.
Montessori is excellent the school my daughter will be attending has a similar concept.
Opal Tribble – Vegan Mommas last blog post..Vegan Cuisine: What’s for Breakfast? Vegetables, fresh from the garden
What a great post. I agree whole heartedly. As you know, my daughter uses any/all cameras we own. And she takes the best pictures in the house! I’m not sure how it started, but I’m glad it did.
I like that second shot on this post. I bet they had a lot of fun.
soapbox moms last blog post..A Rose By Any Other Name…