Some interesting points made...the viewfinder thing is a real preference thing I think. Personally I like using a viewfinder because I think it makes me take more care in my composition. And bright sunlight is a nightmare with a screen...not that we seem to get much of that here in Yorkshire.
I also take the point about buying some film cameras - I think I’d get loads more cameras for the money. However, these kids are between 5-7yrs so the immediacy of digital is vital to their learning and holding their attention I think.
I will investigate the suggestions you’ve made and see where I get to.
Many thanks for your help.
Jonathan.
On 23/5/09 16:58, "mark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" <mark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
A couple of points. First when you say rare is the day the photographer is working in bright sunlight, it is apparent you don't live in the great state of Texas where sunsets are like no where else in the world. No I don't live in the west Texas deserts, but bright sunshine on many days would make that LCD viewfinder almost as useless as a saddle on a boar hog no matter how you looked at it. It is the overcast day that is rare here.
Further more if you are getting it for a teaching tool, you don't want that tool if there is any way possible to be weather dependent. You have found a way to hold a camera with the LCD that works for you, but the same technique you described works just as well with an eye level viewfinder.
Kids can tear up an anvil. They can often do it without trying to be destructive. Any camera that will find its way into the hands of a kid will be subject to the ultimate test. Keeping it cheap so they can be replaced is important. You aren't going to prevent damage no matter how hard a teacher tries to keep it to a minimum. Accept that now.
Now I agree a disposable might be cheap, but there is also little you can teach with them with no controls. The point is to learn. You want the most effective learning device possible within the budget.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Point & shoot cameras
From: David Dyer-Bennet <dd-b@xxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, May 22, 2009 11:30 pm
To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students
<photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
MichaelHughes7A@xxxxxxx wrote:
> In a message dated 22/05/2009 20:38:51 GMT Daylight Time,
> dd-b@xxxxxxxx writes:
>
> I doubt it has a viewfinder. But why would one want one?
>
> For cameras without image stabilisation the use of the viewfinder
> ensures that the camera is held firmly and in a controlled manner.
> Holding a camera ay arms length (or somewhat less) to see a screen
> makes the arms more likely to shake.
When weight isn't a serious issue, I can hold a camera considerably more
steadily out in a convenient position to see the screen than I can hold
it up to my eye. Holding a camera to the face is not a very stable
position, the face isn't shaped right to match the camera. (I've spent
40 years doing low-light photography with SLR cameras, I'm *really* good
at holding them steady; but I can hold a P&S out in "see the LCD"
position at LOWER shutter speeds and get sharp pictures.)
Certainly lots of people actually hold cameras, of every type, in not
very good ways, not very steady. But that's a question of ignorance,
not a matter of design of the cameras.
Here's how: grasp the two sides of the camera with your hands. Put the
strap around your neck. Pull your elbows in to your belly, and push the
camera out until the strap is tight around your neck. You've now got a
VERY stable shooting position (two triangular support structures meeting
at an angle).
>
> Screens can be affected by incident light.
Sure, there really is a bit of a disadvantage sometimes. In the rare
cases when the photographer is in the sun. I don't find it serious,
partly probably because my habit is to mostly look directly at the
subject (another advantage of using a back-of-camera LCD instead of a
viewfinder is that it's easier to maintain situational awareness, see
what's coming, etc.).
>
> That's my view (or prejudice)
I'll settle for view, or opinion. "Prejudice" would mean you hadn't
really considered it carefully, and you seem to have reasons that make
you prefer viewfinders for the work you do.
>
> PS in the case of use by primary school children viewfinder cameras
> might be less vulnerable to damage.
Or a P&S might be considerably less vulnerable than an SLR.
>
> PPS bought in wholesale quantities in the UK disposable film cameras
> can cost as little as £1.50. There might be a case for using them
> initially and then moving on to digital if there was sufficient
> enthusiasm for the photography project.
>
I can't imagine a way to make photography no-fun more thoroughly. But
then I 've never seen a disposable camera picture I liked; I got better
pictures with my Pixie 127 in 1962.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jonathan Turner
Photographer
e: pictures@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
t: 0113 217 1275
m:07796 470573
7 Scott Hall Walk, Leeds, LS7 3JQ
http://www.jonathan-turner.com
