As the photographer stood with his hands steadied on the cameras’ shutter release, he answered the age old question: ” Son , what are you doing?”

Yep, this was a 5 year old boy stating the obvious. Thanks for sharing that story Tony.
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(is the above book and camera only $.01??)

I’ve been moving lots of boxes lately and have found some of my first images and negatives. No, didn’t start at 5 but 8. And I think kids are starting even earlier than that.

There is a fresh perspective on life at that height…I mean age. A pure exploration of the world around them.

There are many schools, that have found that putting a camera in a young persons hands helps them visualize their reality and perhaps reveal at the very least, the things that matter to them. Cathartic at the very least.

One of the best examples of this was the Academy Award winning film Born Into Brothels, and the continuing work of the Venice Arts Council. Let us know if there is a similar organization or program in your neck of the woods.
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But perhaps withn your own circle of friends and family, it’s time to give a child a camera. It’s never too early to explore the visual language.

It can be a disposable digital, or film, or a more substantial unit, but give it a shot. You may be jump starting the next hot artist. Or giving a kid another way to communicate.

Cheers!
Damon Webster