Through the Lens: A Journey of Discovery with my Granddaughter, Emelia
Having fun with medium format photography and inspiring the next generation
In the vibrant tapestry of creativity, there's nothing quite like witnessing a young mind eagerly embrace new artistic adventures. Today, I'd like to regale you with a heartwarming tale of introducing my 5-year-old granddaughter, Emelia, to the enchanting world of art and photography. This is related to my artwork so bear with me!
Focusing on Fundamentals
Since she was almost three years old my granddaughter, Emelia, has been allowed in my studio and encouraged to play with anything she could find. This included the acrylics, watercolours and even the oil paints. Obviously, she is fully supervised and wears long gloves and an apron (her own artist’s apron).
I never wanted to be one of those grandparents who told children something was out of bounds or should not be used or touched. Expensive paints and canvas can be replaced and how many times have I used them and made mistakes? Giving Emelia this freedom to explore art has resulted in a child who, at the tender age of 5, has a good understanding of art and is developing into quite the artist herself. She is already well-versed in the dance of colour and form, yet, I believe in allowing her artistic journey to bloom organically, free from pressure or expectation. I simply let her explore on her own terms.
Of course, after a painting is finished it needs to be photographed and I have a lot of photographic equipment in my studio (I also studied photography many moons ago). Emelia has seen me photographing my work (and hers) and recently I have been experimenting with using a remarkably simple and cheap medium format camera that my dad gifted to me years ago. The camera looks nothing like anything Emelia has seen before and so, when the idea of exploring photography surfaced, I knew it had to be an experience guided by curiosity and joy. Besides, as you can see below, she looks like a natural with a large DSLR camera as she photographs her own work.
Digital SLR: Unlocking a New Perspective
Our journey began with a trusty companion: a digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. Emelia hadn’t used anything more than a mobile phone to take pictures (yes, at 5 years old they already know how to use a smartphone!). We were very blessed to be able to take Emelia on holiday to Pembrokeshire, Wales for a short holiday during which she visited the zoo (Folly Farm). I took the time to show Emelia how to use the DSLR camera and she picked it up very quickly. This marvel of modern technology offers a dynamic canvas for capturing moments in time and Emelia's eyes sparkled with wonder as she grasped the basics - the lower aperture numbers for dreamy, blurred backgrounds, and the larger ones for a sharp focus on every detail. Emelia took some amazing pictures of the animals in the zoo, and I think you’ll agree that it is difficult to tell whether she or I took the pictures. The following pictures were all taken by Emelia.
A Glimpse into Yesteryear: The Lubitel 166 Universal
Now, let's turn the clock back to a time when photography was a tactile and manual endeavour. Enter the Lubitel 166 Universal, a medium-format camera steeped in history. Emelia's fascination was palpable as she explored its intricacies, a true testament to the enduring charm of analogue technology.
Now, it must be said that the learning curve with an entirely manual medium-format camera is exceedingly steep. That said, Emelia seemed unphased by it and was more interested in what all the different levers did. I think the unusual concept of looking down into the camera and seeing an image upside down and back to front amused her.
Apertures and Artistry: A Delicate Dance
Obviously, getting to grips with a manual camera is not a simple task and I have to be honest and say that I helped her with the settings. However, it was Emelia that was using the camera, and not me. Understanding the effects of different apertures on an image is a journey in itself. With the Lubitel, Emelia discovered the artful interplay between light, focus, and depth, transforming each frame into a visual poem.
As the golden hour bathed our garden in soft, warm light, Emelia experimented with different apertures. With a wider aperture, she created a dreamy, ethereal effect, casting a gentle blur on the background while the flowers in the foreground stood in vivid focus. This delicate dance between aperture settings and subject matter allowed Emelia to infuse her photos with a unique artistic flair, as you can see below. Not bad for a 5-year old!
The Power of Blending Generations
Introducing a young child to both new and old technology is, I think, akin to offering them a passport to the past and a ticket to the future. It fosters an appreciation for the roots of innovation while honing a deep understanding of the tools we have at our disposal today. By seamlessly weaving together the past and the present, we can empower young minds to navigate a world rich with history and innovation. Emelia's eyes now sparkle not only with the joy of creation but also with a newfound appreciation for the diverse tapestry of artistic and photographic expression and she is learning why a picture looks the way it does. No automatic mobile phone camera can give her that!
As Emelia's artistic and photographic journey unfurls, I'm reminded that the canvas of creativity knows no bounds. It adapts, it evolves, and it celebrates every moment captured through the lens. I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Two of my grandchildren enjoy photography, they are older than Emilie, but Mum is a keen amateur.
Roy, this is just wonderful! I am so impressed.