Classroom Candids

briandelionbriandelion Registered Users Posts: 512 Major grins
edited November 16, 2010 in Street and Documentary
Hi everyone. This is my first time in the neighborhood. I'm usually posting in the people forum but thought I'd try here with these candid shots taken of students in a comic book illustration class in one of the schools where I teach. These are intended for the school brochure. Taken with existing light- no flash. Comments and critique welcome.

1.
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2.
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3.
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4.
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5.
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"Photography is not about the thing photographed.
It is about how that thing looks photographed." Garry Winogrand

Avatar credit: photograph by Duane Michals- picture of me, 'Smash Palace' album

Comments

  • RichardRichard Administrators, Vanilla Admin Posts: 19,961 moderator
    edited November 16, 2010
    These are very good for their intended use. I especially like the first and the last. thumb.gif
    My Pics
  • Bend The LightBend The Light Registered Users Posts: 1,887 Major grins
    edited November 16, 2010
    As a classroom teacher myself (nothing as cool as comic books, I teach maths!), I see number 4 as the best. Not "staged" as much, but the kids are obviously working, but obviously enjoying it, and obviously enjoying being together. Coupled with a lovely PP...it's an excellent shot.
    If only the kid hadn't have popped their head up at the bottom! Maybe that could be "removed". :)

    Number 5 is good, too.

    Just a quick question: how do you get around the legalities of posting the kids' images on the net? Have they signed waivers? I couldn't do that here. I took a lot of shots of school bands but only have permission to put them on school website or brochures, etc. Not for personal stuff.

    Cheers
  • briandelionbriandelion Registered Users Posts: 512 Major grins
    edited November 16, 2010
    Richard wrote: »
    These are very good for their intended use. I especially like the first and the last. thumb.gif

    Thanks, Richard. You actually picked two that were chosen by the school. I always liked the first. This little guy always had everyone laughing, including myself!
    "Photography is not about the thing photographed.
    It is about how that thing looks photographed." Garry Winogrand

    Avatar credit: photograph by Duane Michals- picture of me, 'Smash Palace' album
  • briandelionbriandelion Registered Users Posts: 512 Major grins
    edited November 16, 2010
    Bend The Light wrote: »
    As a classroom teacher myself (nothing as cool as comic books, I teach maths!), I see number 4 as the best.
    Cheers

    Thanks for your comments. It's funny, I started thinking the same thing after posting. Maybe there were too many where the kids are looking at the camera. I think this started happening due to 1.) no off camera flash and 2.) existing light conditions resulting in slow shutter speeds. When they look up at me at least their heads are still. When they're interacting, their heads are bobbing all over the place!rolleyes1.gif

    As for your other question: it's never been an issue with the school or parents. I'm kind of an in house non-paid photographer (along with other instructors) and parents are thrilled to see the pictures in the seasonal brochures. Parents and students even sometimes ask for a print out.
    "Photography is not about the thing photographed.
    It is about how that thing looks photographed." Garry Winogrand

    Avatar credit: photograph by Duane Michals- picture of me, 'Smash Palace' album
  • Bend The LightBend The Light Registered Users Posts: 1,887 Major grins
    edited November 16, 2010
    Cheers.

    It's not usually the parents who object...it's the system! One shot of the audience with a kid that hasn't signed consent, and we can't use the photo. Ludicrous, really.
    I even got some very strange looks from another teacher when I was taking test shots...I've been at the school 6.5 years...you think they'd know me by now!

    I like the natural "kids enjoying themselves" poses...makes the classroom look good, and the teacher! :)
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