Photo Class- for highschoolers- advise needed

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Archive 2012 · Photo Class- for highschoolers- advise needed

fingerlessfred
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p.1 #1 · Photo Class- for highschoolers- advise needed

Hi All:
I currently teach Photoshop at my HS. In my advanced section I want to add a photography unit, using d-slrs. So... thinking about buying several/a few Nikon D40's and using online content for the lessons/tutorials. This public education- budgets... yeah disaster.

I would prefer to use Nikon, just a comfort thing with me; D40 is older, but still good enough and not too costly. D60 I think will be too expensive.

Basic outline of the Unit: Basic photo principals. Workflow of a particular type of photograghy. Doing photo projects using specific workflows. Photoshop will be used for the post processing.

I dont need Pshop content- I got that covered, but mainly how to's, lessons about exposure/aperture/focal points/composition... stuff like that.

My questions are...
1. D40- for (used) price- a good camera for the kids? Where would I best spend the funds?
2. Best place for (free) curriculumn content... besides my own brain.
3. What else can I do, or what am I missing?
4. Anyone know a teacher doing this in high school setting?

Thanks in advance for the time.

Mar 19, 2012 at 05:11 PM

Wobble
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p.1 #2 · Photo Class- for highschoolers- advise needed

1. Buy used here of FM. Pick a used set of bodies, your choice of brand, and some decent, yet inexpensive glass. For Canon you could start with a 5D Classic(or 20D, 30D, 40D, etc.) and a 50mm f/1.8 plastic fantastic and let them zoom with their feet or a 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6, an inexpensive diamond in the rough.

2. Have each student spend $25.99 and buy "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. Once they have read the book, he opens up a free library of video streams to them. Use the free simulator at:
http://camerasim.com/camera-simulator/

3. Teach them to use the camera in MANUAL mode setting apeture, shutter speed, and ISO to get a creatively correct exposure with the depth of field desired. Then move into the use of hand held off camera flash.

4. Woodward Academy in College Park, Ga teaches photography.

Mar 20, 2012 at 01:10 AM

redcrown
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p.1 #3 · Photo Class- for highschoolers- advise needed

Beat the bushes and put out the call for used camera donations. Remind prospects about charitable tax deductions. There are a lot of old, used DSLRs out there gathering dust with owners who don't want the hassle of ebay or craigs list.

I donated a Canon 20D to a local school. Mpex.com would pay about $100. Ebay said it was worth about $250. Nonsense, I said. Mine's mint, worth about $450. At my Fed+State marginal rate, I effectively I sold the camera to the IRS for $160.

Free up funds for things you can't beg, borrow, or steal.

Mar 20, 2012 at 03:44 AM

fingerlessfred
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p.1 #4 · Photo Class- for highschoolers- advise needed

Thanks for the feedback. I will definitely check it out.

Mar 20, 2012 at 04:23 AM

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