Photography Classes

In addition to capturing thoughtful and impressive photographs, children learn personal and professional skills. In photography class, students learn how to:

• communicate ideas visually and verbally
• document their neighborhood
• think creatively and critically

Photography classes are implemented by professional photographers or university student photographers. In the after school program, students participate in bi-weekly, hour-long photography workshops. During the summer camp, students participate in weekly photography workshops for 90 minutes.

Photography workshops include a discusiion portion and a hands-on component. Some artistic principles covered during the discussino portion include:

• Composition
• the Rule of Thirds
• Worm’s Eye view versus Bird’s Eye view
• Use of lines
• Use of light

Students are then given a theme to focus on while taking photos in the neighborhood. Some themes include:

• Community
• Family
• Latino Cultures
• Favorite places

Students are either given their own digital camera, or they share with another student. Sharing cameras builds team work and helps students to be more intentional about the pictures they take. The students head out into the neighborhood with their photography instructor and their Group Leader to take photos.