This photo was taken by my 3 year old son, Connor.  It was taken a few days ago, and it was the first time I’d let him use my camera.  He was using my Canon 50D with a 50mm lens attached.  It was a fluke shot, because most of the others he took at the same time were not usable; there were plenty photos taken of the bricks and the sky.  But how amazing is this shot?!

I spend so much time taking photos, that I suppose it’s only natural for the kids to want to mimic what I do.  And I have no qualms letting them use my equipment as long as I’m in close proximity.

Simple instructions

I started letting my 6 year old son use my camera quite a while ago, and he was using whatever lens I had on the camera at the time.  I’ve found though, that simpler is better.  If he wants to use the camera, I put the 50mm lens on it, set the ISO correctly and off he goes.  I don’t really watch what he’s doing because I know that he’ll look after it.  I do help him with technique though, if he lets me.  The biggest thing I’ve had to teach him though is patience… patience to wait until the camera focuses on what he wants it to focus on.

For now, that’s enough.  He watches how I take photos and does the same.  By giving him a simple fixed lens, I’m teaching him to use his feet to zoom.  He knows to get a nice photo of the puppies he needs to get to their level… just like I do.  And look at the results… I haven’t altered them at all.

Keep the art to see progress

I’ve kept all the photos in his own folder, in date order, on my external hard drive.  It’s amazing to see how his photographic art has improved month by month.

I’d love to get him his own camera now, so that he can use it when he wants to… and he doesn’t have to wait for me to finish with my camera before he can get a chance.  But in the meantime, my camera will do.

If you have examples of photos that your kids have taken, add a link to them in the comments below.  I’d love to see them.