Ran into an interesting Group: the Aperture Project

From what I can tell from a brief look, they seem to be using photography - film & otherwise, to introduce children to the art, and teach history, art, & exploration of other topics via the lens. The guys I spoke with seemed mostly young or middle aged parents that love to help kids discover. 'Thought anyone near these parts might want to know they exist & might find interest or others in their circles who might be interested. A primary activity is a scavenger hunt, done w/ a camera.

http://www.apertureproject.org/

From their mission statement page:

Teach young people traditional and modern photography techniques; affording them the opportunity to express themselves creatively while exploring their lives through the lens of the camera and the printed word.

Encourage youth to explore their cultural and experiential similarities between themselves and other young people through the exchange of their art; focusing on personal expression and utilizing various mediums of communication.

Create an atmosphere in which our students can celebrate cultural differences and origins; widening their worldview, having their voices be heard and realizing their ideas and opinions matter.

Engage communities through public exhibitions, online galleries and publications using these media to raise awareness and funds for scholarships and vocational training opportunities.

I glanced through their site. But aside the wording "traditional techniques" at their mission and goals page I found no hint at analogue photography at all.

I expect that's right, Ag. It does get young people away from a phone cam.

I will never understand those who must lump film together with digital.
Of course, maybe it's they who don't understand us.

I doubt that children would really care much about the film or digital issue. It may or not be a worthwhile idea w/ this aperture thing, but you can get children a lot more involved using real time drawing, painting, sculpture and such. If it were me (and it won't be, because quite frankly I don't much like children anymore) I would work it where they became more involved in planting and growing foods, learning how certain actions pollute the earth, how to live in harmony w/ their neighbors, etc.

Our culture gives them very little on this, and I know from my wife's work w/ small children in schools that they often get very little positive exposure at home either. No amount of programs or schools can make up for a bad home environment. That is really where things go one way or the other.

momus said:

I doubt that children would really care much about the film or digital issue. It may or not be a worthwhile idea w/ this aperture thing, but you can get children a lot more involved using real time drawing, painting, sculpture and such. If it were me (and it won't be, because quite frankly I don't much like children anymore) I would work it where they became more involved in planting and growing foods, learning how certain actions pollute the earth, how to live in harmony w/ their neighbors, etc.

Our culture gives them very little on this, and I know from my wife's work w/ small children in schools that they often get very little positive exposure at home either. No amount of programs or schools can make up for a bad home environment. That is really where things go one way or the other.

Click to expand...

Hey............common sense has no place in modern society. Stop that right now. Citizens capable of critical thought are a danger to the status quo.

BTW I have a BS in Agriculture and currently farm to put food on the table.

'Gives me a big smile, Martin. Nice one.

Well, how many themes are going on in this seemingly uncomplicated observation, HiHo? First, the analog vs digital perpetual energy machine... I have been a ham radio operator since 1975 (a mere child, yeah). It was all analog then, it is practically all digital now, and i have not been on the air for about 10 years. The analog technique of morse code and proficiency in same has been basically obliterated from communications in the entire world. Today, there is no expectation that any radio operator would recognize SOS - as morse code has been written out of the International Telecommunication Union as an acceptable mode of communications. OK, we should all get past all that like we should get past the digital image capture techniques....

And on the subject of education, raising children, learning to manually create art - so much can and has been said on this subject, but @MartinCrabtree - whereas you refer to your BS in Agriculture, and whereas i went to College at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, and whereas my grandfather was a professor of special education at Indiana State University and the founder of the program for exceptional children there; as i was making college decisions, my grandfather gave me the "lecture" on school. Michael, there are three levels of higher education - BS, MS and PHD: Bull S***, More @#$%, and Piled High and Deep. He was making a point, and supposed learning does not produce outcomes, but rather the character of a person does. Being a mid-westerner especially, a tremendous amount of respect and thanks to the farmers of America, who are the most productive, energetic, inventive and driven bunch of folks i have ever known. It ain't easy and it ain't simple. UNL's Agricultural College is one of the best in the US. In reality, most state colleges are really good.