Mentoring a Budding Photographer

A budding photographer! (click to enlarge)

Last year, my 11-year old (at that time) granddaughter, Emilie, came to me and told me that as a part of her school's Beta Club activities, she needed to make and submit a photograph.  There was no specifics as far as subject matter but she knew the date her photo had to be submitted.  In short, we spent some time talking about which subject she may want to choose and then I set out to teach her a bit about photography culminating in her making and submitting her photograph.  You can read about it here as I posted the story last February.  Oh!  Did I happen to mention that her photograph won 1st place for all of Virginia?  

Skip to this year and last month she, again, told me that she had another photographic assignment for the Beta Club.  This time she said the subject was 'radiance.'  Again, we spent some time talking about what could be 'radiant' and discussed a variety of potential subjects.  She settled on creating 'radiant' sun stars from a setting sun.  We then had to pick a location to capture the setting sun.

Last Sunday, the day was crystal clear with a cobalt blue sky and temperature was around 40º F (4º C).  I told her I would pick her up about an hour and a half before sunset so we could drive to the location we had in mind along the eastern shoreline of the four-mile wide James River here in southeastern Virginia.  I wanted to arrive in plenty of time to give her an additional lesson in photography as well as scout for various compositions before the sun got too low in the sky.

When we arrived, I explained to her that in order to create 'sun stars' the little blades inside the lens had to be closed to only allow a little light to get through.  I used the term aperture blades but I'm sure she does not remember that.  But I digress.  Also, I explained to her the proper way to hold the camera and how to use her elbows in to her sides to brace the camera and lens.  I explained how the autofocus worked and most importantly, about composition—in this case, the Rule of Thirds.  I felt the Rule of Thirds was the easiest way for her to make a good image without going too deeply into 'breaking' the rules after we learn them.  One last thing—"keep your horizon straight," I told her!  lol.

I had previously decided I would let her use my Nikon Z8 with the 24-120mm f/4 lens attached.  Also, after explaining a bit more about the Exposure Triangle (I didn't want to confuse her with that terminology), I set the camera for f/20 (we weren't worried about a bit of image softening due to diffraction), aperture priority and Auto ISO.  I handed her the camera and told her "have at it" and sent her on her way.  

While she was picking her compositions, focal lengths and camera positions, I had my Nikon Zf with the 40mm, 28mm and 20mm lenses and set about making my own photographs.

At one point in time, I looked to see where she was and she was lying on her back on the beach, getting the camera low for a different perspective than at eye-level.  Cool!  I quickly and quietly walked over toward her and made a couple of images of her photographing.  Most adults I know wouldn't lie on a cold beach in the winter to achieve a different perspective.  She was really getting into it by the smile on her face and the many different compositions she eventually made.

A big smile! (click to enlarge)

To wrap up the story, we photographed until after the sun set.  We then stopped on the way back home to have dinner, talked about photography and later I dropped her off at her house.  

On Monday, I edited the images, not doing any more than if you sent your film to a drug store minilab to get your film developed and have auto corrected prints made.  I took them to her on a thumb drive and told her to pick out the one she liked best and I would have it printed and matted so she could submit it to the club.

All in all, I know I enjoyed myself immensely and she did as well.  I found this a very satisfying experience.

I guess the underlying theme of this and the other post from last year is that if we have the opportunity to mentor, teach or inspire others we should do so whenever we can to help spark an interest in photography and get the next generation of photographers involved in the craft—more involved than just using a mobile phone to photograph.  If we just sit back and let those interested in photography only use their mobile phones, well, it won’t bode well for the future of dedicated cameras, lenses and accessories.  The next generation will be robbed of the extraordinary pleasure of the craft of (dare I say it?) ‘real’ photography.

One last thing.  Here is one of the photographs Emilie made.  Not too bad for a 12-year-old budding photographer.  I will encourage her to continue and spend as much time as I can mentoring her as she seems to be the only one in my family that is interested in photography.  

(click to enlarge)

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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