Young blood
Until recently getting our son Ben, aged 12, off his computer for a day out was a hassle.
A few months ago I tried a bribe, “I’ll let you use my Nikon.” His eyes lit up. “Really? I can carry it and use it and you won’t touch it?” With trepidation I agreed as long as the strap went round his neck and he didn’t run around with it.
That day we drove to Calke abbey and enjoyed a couple hours talking photography, something I hadn’t done with him before. I explained why a DSLR is more creative than a phone and composition is easier through a viewfinder. We talked about leading lines and natural framing, I also taught him to look for textures in everything. He listened to me, taking it all in; odd as he always seems to think he knows it all!
When we got home we set up a blog for his photos and he uploaded some pictures to it (see http://bit.ly/ benelson). Since then we’ve been out most weekends. Soon, he decided he needed a tripod for the lower shutter speeds he was using for a narrow aperture. A visit to the loft yielded a Benbo Trekker. Since that first weekend I’ve hardly been able to lay a finger on my camera. The local paper found out about his blog – and the fact he’s only 12 – and did a feature at: http://bit.ly/2vzcerq
Hopefully I’ve piqued his interest in photography. I might even be able to convince my wife to let me upgrade my Nikon, then give Ben the old one! Simon Elson
Photography is a great for getting out of the house, whatever your age. Well done to Ben on his blog and write-up in the local paper!