Starting with 35mm!

Jim Fitzgerald · Nov 19, 2006

I have a good friend who's 11 yr. old son has expressed an interest in photography. Traditional photography! I am going to give him my old Canon AE-1 system and help him get started. I would love some suggested reading materials that I can provide for this fine young man. Hands on will be the best learning device. Have you found an inspirational book to get someone started?

Dan Fromm · Nov 19, 2006

Well, A. A. Blaker's book Field Photography isn't as inspirational as some but it gives better explanations of the basics than any of the other photography primers I've read. And because it was published in 1976 its about gear rather similar to the AE-1. Out of print, available through on-line used book search services like, to name a few, abebooks.com, addall.com, amazon.com. There are others too.

Karl K · Nov 19, 2006

When I taught 35mm photography at the local adult school, I used George Shaub's book as the basic text. It is easy to read, fairly complete, and right on target for a bright 11 year-old with an AE-1.

Here's the link:http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=606&catID=61

Derek Lofgreen · Nov 19, 2006

Don't bore him with a book. He's 11, for crying out loud. Just give him the camera to shoot and a lot of film to burn. That's how most 11 year olds will learn. I have two very bright boys that love to shoot, but give them a book about it and they look at you like your from another planet. I just tell them to keep the needle in the middle and 80% of the shots work.

D.

Jim Fitzgerald · Nov 20, 2006

Thanks for all of the help. Getting your hands on a camera is a great feeling. Using is the best way to learn. We have all learned from our mistakes. Then we start reading to add to the confusion. Thanks everyone.

Christopher Walrath · Nov 20, 2006

Small and easy booklet. Kodak guide to taking great pictures will get any 35mm enthusiast started.

snegron · Nov 20, 2006

Teach him the sunny F11 rule and let his imagination soar...

copake_ham · Nov 21, 2006

snegron said:
Teach him the sunny F11 rule and let his imagination soar...

Damn! I always thought it was Sunny/16!

Know wonder I've been underexposed all these years! :rolleyes:

Earl Dunbar · Nov 21, 2006

Derek Lofgreen said:
Don't bore him with a book. He's 11, for crying out loud. Just give him the camera to shoot and a lot of film to burn. That's how most 11 year olds will learn. I have two very bright boys that love to shoot, but give them a book about it and they look at you like your from another planet. I just tell them to keep the needle in the middle and 80% of the shots work.

D.

Whoa! When my son was 11, he devoured any book about whatever subject interested him. They ain't all created the same, you know!

George: Sunny/11 in NYC, Sunny/22 in Tucson. Maybe you were averaging?

elekm · Nov 22, 2006

The one thing you might want to do is to check the integrity of the foam seals, if they haven't been replaced.

If it's the original foam seals, it's highly likely that they need to be replaced. Be careful to not let any of that STUFF get into the shutter.

As far as books, depends on the kid. Some kids love to read. Others, not so much.

I believe John Hedgecoe has a nice variety of titles that should appeal to most photographers.

Bromo33333 · Nov 22, 2006

Jim Fitzgerald said:
I have a good friend who's 11 yr. old son has expressed an interest in photography. Traditional photography! I am going to give him my old Canon AE-1 system and help him get started. I would love some suggested reading materials that I can provide for this fine young man. Hands on will be the best learning device. Have you found an inspirational book to get someone started?

Kodak has an old classic called "How to take Good Pictures" that is a great simple book.

But mostly, getting the kid out and having him take lots of photographs is the best way!

BlueWind · Nov 26, 2006

Hello
Together with a book may I suggest this on-line camera simulator
http://www.photonhead.com/simcam/
very vivid examples of combinations of speed & aperture, camera shake artifacts vs out-of-focus shots, etc
Great (not only) for beginners
Regards
Joao

eli griggs · Nov 27, 2006

I suggest the first edition of "The Photographer's Handbook". A beginning photographer can spend countless hours roaming through its' pages.

Cheers

petebown · Dec 5, 2006

The Photography Bible by Daniel Lezano.

I recently bought this book for my 11 year old daughter. I'm very impressed with it. It covers both traditional and digital photography. Its not too heavy reading and has loads of colour pictures throughout.

papisa · Dec 7, 2006

Greetings Jim, i dialed up the site that BlueWind suggested, it is an excellant page for a beginner like me and even for a 11 year old to understand, it is easy to understand and read because it shows you the differences of how the camera works.
Remember one thing Jim, it is like taking a young boy or girl fishing for the first, make it fun for them, not boring because they will lose interest right away. Good luck.
Mike.

wheelygirl · Dec 19, 2006

Hey, Jim!
As much as I love reading, I have so much more actual fun by just going out there in "the wild blue yonder" taking 'pitchers'. And I'm 48 years old!!!! Just get the boy out and about.

negativeattitude · Jan 22, 2007

Of the dozens of photography books I have aquired over the years, I find one of the best to be Ray Koken's "Better Pictures Through Good Composition". I bought my first copy directly from Mr. Koken in the late sixties for $1.00. They are now available from Swanland's Camera, 527 F Street, Eureka, CA. 95501. Tel. 707-442-4522 for $4.95 each. This little 40 or so page booklet is easily read and understood by young folks. I bought a few of these for our photography club and recently.

Starting with 35mm!

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