with digital cameras coming down in price and eliminating the cost of film processing, photography has become more accessible for clubs. There are many ways to enjoy photographic activities and, surprisingly, you don't even need a camera for some!
PINHOLE CARTRIDGE CAMERAS
With cartridge film and some everyday craft resources you can make your own club camera to experiment with. Pinhole cameras are a great way for children to begin to understand the mechanics of photography.
You will need:
* Cartridge of 126 size film (for instance, Kodak Gold 200 Film for colour prints in 126 size)
* Black paper
* Thin black card
* Thick (rigid) black card
* Aluminium foil
* 2 strong rubber bands
* No.10 sewing needle
* Black masking/insulation tape
* A round coin
What to do:
1 Cut the thin card into a strip measuring 51/4 inches x 11/4 inches. Using a ruler, draw lines to divide the strip into four equal squares. Score lightly along the lines with a craft knife.
2 Fold the card into an open box shape, and tape the edges securely together with the black tape. This will be the back of the camera.
3 Cut a small piece of aluminium foil, 1 inch square. Place on a hard surface, then using just the tip of the needle make a very tiny hole right in the centre of the foil.
4 Cut a piece of thick card 11/2 inches x 23/4 inches. With a craft knife cut away a 1/2 inch square opening in the centre of the card.
5 Place the foil square over the square opening, centring the pinhole in the middle. Tape down on all four edges.
6 Cut a 1 inch square piece of black paper. Place it exactly over the foil, and tape down securely along the top edge only. This is the shutter. Use a small piece of tape to hold the bottom down. This will be left in position between exposures, and removed to take pictures. This is the front of the camera.
7 Take the card box shape and centre it behind the assembled front of the camera. Tape it together on all sides, ensuring no light can enter the camera box through cracks.
8 The camera film has a grooved recess in a square opening. Fit the back of the camera into the film cartridge. You will find it a tight fit - this is essential, so that light doesn't enter the camera.
9 Use the rubber bands, one at each end, to hold the camera and film firmly together.
10 Place the coin in the round opening on top of the cartridge. Turn it slowly anti-clockwise to wind the film on, watching the film indicator window. There are series of numbers on the film. When the third and fourth numbers in each series show in the window, the film is in position for taking a picture. You must wind on the film after each picture is taken.
Taking a picture: 1 Pictures must be taken outside in daylight. Decide on the picture that will be taken, then place the camera on a solid object of the right height - a table or a chair, for instance. You may need to tape it in place. Look over the top of the camera to line the picture up.
2 Remove the tape on the bottom of the shutter, and lift the shutter flap to take a picture. Then replace the shutter.
3 The exposure time is the period that you have the shutter open. For Kodak Gold 200 film, it's suggested that you leave it open for one and a half seconds in very bright sunshine, and seven seconds in cloudy to bright conditions. Working with a pinhole camera is not an exact science. It's suggested that you take three pictures of each scene, one at the recommended exposure time, one at double the exposure time, and one at half the exposure time. This will give three different effects.
4 You can get the film developed at a photo-lab as usual - simply detach the camera.
You can view pinhole pictures at a website gallery on www.findon.info and follow the photography links.
PHOTOGRAPHIC PAPER
You can also take simple pictures with photographic paper. Sun-Print Paper is a photographic paper that has been designed specifically for children's use. Children simply place objects of an interesting shape or texture, such as a leaf, a key or a shell on the paper, and leave it in strong sunlight.
The image is printed on the paper by the sunlight in minutes. It can then be developed instantly in tap water. Children can see an effective blue and white picture develop before their eyes. Sun-print paper is available from various suppliers, including Mindstretchers, telephone 07768 882537 or email enquiries@mindstretchers.co.uk.
In the Picture game
You will need:
* A camera
How to play:
1 Select a photographer - use a playworker until children get the hang of the game.
2 Children mill around the play space in a style chosen by the photographer, for example as if they've just won a football match, or as if they are looking for somebody.
3 The photographer calls out the name of a child at random, and trains their camera on them. They start to count down from ten out loud.
4 Everyone has just ten seconds to rush to the named child, arranging themselves in a pose before the picture is taken. Some children should crouch down, while others stand behind - the aim is to be in the picture!
5 As the photographer gets to zero, they take the photograph.
6 Children then mill around in a new style, until another name is called.
This time the countdown starts at eight seconds, and so on until children have just two seconds to get in the picture - needless to say, they won't all make it! This results in some fun photos that look great in a display with captions. If you have a digital camera, children will enjoy seeing the results instantaneously.
TOP TIPS
Whatever type of camera you have access to, these tips will help children to make the most of photo-opportunities when taking each other's pictures.
Encourage them to try:
* Holding the camera at the eye level of the subject - because eye contact is as engaging in photographs as it is in real life.
* Choosing a plain background - it won't detract from the subject, and it will ensure that no one appears to have objects growing out of their head!
* Using a flash outdoors - even in sunshine, as it brightens up people's faces and avoids shadows.
* Taking close-ups - filling the frame with the subject, by standing in close (but remaining at least one step away to avoid blurs, depending on the camera range).
SPECIAL EFFECTS
Professional photographer Jim Wileman has taken many fantastic photos at my club that have featured in Out of School, so he knows just how interested children are in the effects he achieves. His subjects can't wait to dash around the camera to see how they look. He suggests that playworkers and children use a digital camera to try out the following techniques: Silhouettes: Use a bright background (such as sky) and no flash to create a strong, bold image. This works best with simple, obvious shots.
Spinning or panning: Spinning the camera quickly downwards or panning it across while taking a picture creates a blur, which is a great way to create a feeling of motion or speed. Using a flash will still the image at the moment the flash fires. This can give some bizarre results. Fun effects can be achieved with faces.
Use the zoom facility: This can be done to drastically change the perspective of a picture. Try taking the same picture with a wide lens and a longer lens to fully appreciate the effect. This technique works well with easily recognisable objects.
ON SHOW
Remember that it is essential to have written permission from parents/carers before taking children's photographs. But once you have obtained it and taken some pictures, why not hold an exhibition, turning the club into a gallery temporarily?
You could invite parents and carers along, and perhaps a photographer from the local newspaper. As well as demonstrating their skill to the children, the photographer could even get some of your club exhibits featured in print.
Miranda Walker is a playwork trainer who owns Playtime out-of-school club in Cullompton, Devon
