(The above photos were taken at Friday’s critique. Having a critique for the kids was Lydia’s idea (Lydia is in the yellow sweater), and it has proven to be the greatest tool in teaching the kids what makes a good photograph. At every critique, there are two photos picked as the best for that day, and then at the end of the week the winners from each day receive a framed 8×10 photo to display for all the world to see. In the bottom photo, Lydia and Andrew view all the photographs from Friday’s class in order to narrow them down to the two best).
Photo classes have started!!! Its been quite hectic the past two weeks as I’ve floundered my way through the beginning stages of learning how to teach photography in a foreign language, of which I know only a little. The first day was off the charts crazy. I had no structure, and kids just kept coming up to me asking for a camera. If I had a free camera, I’d give it away to be used. If I didn’t have a camera I asked them to wait until someone came back with one, and then they could take some pictures. My first day was pretty lame I have to admit. With the all planning I had done, there was only a little bit that actually worked, like the cameras which people donated. That is planning right. The cameras worked just fine. Well, what I mean is, I had grand hopes of examples of the day’s project and explanations of what composition was, how to make a correct exposure, etc. None of that happened, and I was beginning to get completely worn out sitting at my computer and only printing out photos. I wasn’t even getting the opportunity to discuss with the kids why their photos were good, or even having the time to sit down and for a bit of teaching. I was becoming discouraged. However, with the support of friends (or at this point I would call them family) here at New Hope, I was encouraged to try different things. I began to create time slots for the kids to choose when to sign up. Instead of four prints, the kids could choose two prints to pick out. Instead of my just giving them their photos at the end of each class, they had to come back at 5:30 pm to retrieve their photos at the mandatory critique. The critique is Lydia’s idea and has proved vital as a teaching instrument.
At 5:30, everyone who had class that day returns for a meeting. Everyone talks about their photos and learns what makes a good photo, and they learn with their own work as the example. Everyone talks about their two photos and others are able to comment only if it’s helpful to the person who is showing their work. After everyone has shown their photos, Lydia, me, and whatever other adult is sitting in on the critique that day, decide what two photographs are the best from all the photographs printed that day. On average, there have been about 12-15 kids who take the class each day (there are 5 different classes with up to four kids each class), and the ages range from Luis who is 4, to Axshel who is 19. At the critique, we judge based on rules of composition and which photos are the best. But a lot of times, the younger kids just like a picture because of their own reasons… “it’s my brother,” “it has the bible in it,” or ‘I like it.” We are fair to everyone by truly picking the best shots (which isn’t easy, there are a bunch that are good). It wouldn’t help the kids to show partiality to someone out of pity. If that was the case, no one would know how take a good photograph.
The last two weeks have been challenging, and they have been extremely wonderful as well. After sorting everything out, I am now able to accompany the kids outside and give a bit of guidance on how to shoot a better picture. I point out a couple of compositions here or there when I see them, but ultimately I want the kids to find what it is they really enjoy photographing. Whether it be people, places or things, it’s up to them; I’m just a guide. Each class, I find my way a bit more and get by with a lot of help and prayers from my friends, and each class the kids bring back better photographs.
These classes are the result of many prayers, many peoples donations, many weddings which I photographed in order to go to Peru to do this, many people’s encouragement, and so much more. I want to thank anyone who helped me get to Peru. I want to thank Lydia for her help every critique. I want to thank Andrew, JD, and Peter for guest starring as the third judge at the critiques. I want to thank you for reading this blog. I want to thank Dave and Debbie for all the love they have given all the kids since they opened the doors to New Hope 14 years ago. This is only the beginning. Thank you!
Maybe a large hole in the middle of a normal street in Pachacutec without any caution tape or cones around it can be a dangerous thing when you’re in a car. But, if you’re taking a photograph of it, it offers a perfect opportunity to create a great photograph of your local surroundings. The top photo shows Yenny using what she has learned about vertical compositions and applying it to her selected subject, the hole in the street. The bottom image is also a photo which Yenny took. Maybe a hole in the ground isn’t that interesting to look at, but the way she composed the photograph is. She used the size of the hole and put it at the bottom of the composition and used the trench leading up from the hole towards the corner house at the top of the photo to create a wonderful composition. Your eye first sees the hole, then follows the trench, and then stops at the house. The photo is well framed and there are no distracting items in the background (no distracting compositional items, but maybe the trash is a bit overwhelming). The fact that the hole is placed low in foreground shows good use of a wide angle lens.
