Tag Archive for: kids photography class

Pinhole Photography Class

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FBlog_Pinhole-AdPress Release:
Class dates have been set for Elise Breeding’s pinhole camera photography class.
“It’s something I’ve done with neices and nephews, and the uniqueness of these cameras just fascinates me!”, Elise says. “I want to share that with kids and families in the area and hopefully make this an annual event.”A Pinhole Camera is a fully functioning homemade camera in which the lens for the camera is created with a tiny prick on a piece of metal, creating a pinhole through which light reflects on the film inside the camera.  Elise has created cameras using a round oatmeal container and shoe boxes, but for this class has purchased kits in which students will use a roll of 35mm black and white film.
“Film is something lost on this generation.  It’s just an archaic piece of history for many of them! As a 3rd generation photographer, I grew up with a love for film and a love for processing and developing it.  My Bachelors degree in Photographic Arts even required that I know the ins and outs of a darkroom.” In this one day class students, will receive a quick lesson in how a camera works, and then take their own new pinhole cameras outside to practice using them.
The students in classes catered towards late middle school to high school age students will build the cameras themselves.  The younger students and family classes will have the cameras built and loaded for them.
The final result will also be a lesson in patience for some people.  We live in such an ‘instant gratification’ era.  After the class is complete the film will be sent off to be developed and prints will be processed.  Everyone will be contacted the following week to let them know when they can pick up their images and negatives.  The class will be held in Elise Breeding’s home in Piedmont. Parents are welcome to stay and enjoy the class with their students.  Class sizes will be small so each student can receive some one on one instruction.  And due to the nature of the pinhole camera, most exposures will be longer than your average click of camera button.  Which warrants the opportunity for creativity.

We are only accepting 4-6 students per class. Reserve your time soon.  Dates in July may be added depending on availability and demand.  If you would like to request more dates added to the summer program, contact Elise and let her know!

Why add more?

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IMG_3050IMG_3052I have been asked several times on recent sessions “Why do you need a flash? It’s so bright outside {sunny} today.”

Well, simply put, my job, by definition, requires the best light to capture the best image.
And sometimes to have the “best light” you have to create it.

The image on the left is a decent image.  She’s cute, has a great expression on her face.  No doubt a sellable image- her parents would like it.  However, by adding the flash I get a little more light back in her face, detail in her cheek bones, sparkle in her eyes, etc.  The next image is much more flattering of her.  I could achieve more light in her eyes by turning her towards the setting sun, but 1) the old rustic tractor wasn’t moveable and this was the angle we wanted; and 2) By looking into the sun she gives us squinty eyes.

A reflector serves the same purpose.  I often use a stand like this one to hold my reflector, although outdoors I may solicit the help of a parent too.  It’s windy on most days here in Oklahoma, so we need to be certain it doesn’t blow over into the image (or onto our model).

I love images like this that simply show light. With a prominent light source like the window behind him and his face turned away, and it should have been in all shadows. But the reflector that he was so fascinated with is doing its job and giving us detail on his face and a sparkle in his eyes. You can even see a basic “shadow line” where the window light stops on the back of his head up to his ears, and where the reflected light stops just behind his eyes. Isn’t light wonderful?!
FB_reflectorRoPhotography is recording light. Without light, I can’t do my job, thus finding ways to make the best light greatly benefits and fascinates me!