Opinion: How old is a good age to get a child started in photography?

9 years 5 months ago #407374 by EOS Man
My sister and I are having a little back and forth "discussion" :whistle:  about how old is a good time to start a child in photography.  Her little boy is turning 6 next month and I want to get him a kiddy camera.  She is staying that he is too young.  I think not, I think he would love this.  "Kids don't care about taking photos till they are in their teens"- my sister.  Now just to clarify, my sister is not a photographer and only takes photos with her iPhone.  


When are you starting the kids off with photography?  

5D Mark II | 50mm f/1.4 EX | 24-70mm f/2.8L | 70-200mm f/2.8L | 430EX
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9 years 5 months ago #407387 by effron
Expose them to it, and they'll let you know. My oldest "confiscated" my Nikkormat ftn when he was about seven and at almost thirty now still shoots, although digital. (He actually "went" digital before me). I wouldn't push, just let it happen....;)

Why so serious?
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9 years 5 months ago #407392 by Vincent
Well that is dependent on the child.  I know some kids that are very precocious at a mere age of 5 and 7, yet other kids who are 11 and 12 who REALLY act as a child.   

Nikon D700 | 14-24mm f/2.8G ED | 24-70mm f/2.8G ED | 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II | (2) SB-900
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9 years 5 months ago #407400 by icepics
Depends on the child and the stage of development they're in, their skills and maturity. I worked as an EI Specialist with birth to 3, by the time they're at the age ready to start preschool and into pretend play they may pretend to take pictures just like they pretend to talk on the phone - depends on what they see at home. I've used disposibles, not that they're framing shots or anything! but they know cause and effect (push a button and something happens); they understand push a button and take a picture, smile for the camera when someone takes your picture, etc.

I'd think early elementary school maybe would be OK, but I wouldn't expect they'd necessarily stay with it. They could find it fun for awhile and then lose interest and go on to something else. If you try it I wouldn't spend a lot on a camera and do it just for fun. Once the kid's older if he/she's still interested then you could go with something better in a camera (and even then maybe go with used). 

Sharon
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9 years 5 months ago #407403 by jkenney57
My daughter is now 12.  She started about 3 years ago.  She does pretty well but I can't force her.  If I tell her to bring her camera she will say she doesn't want to.  If I bring mine and say nothing she will bring hers along with us.  When she leave the camera home with uses her iPhone. Currently she uses my hand me down Nikon D70s.  She has a pretty good eye and shows promise.  I can tell you, don't force it.  I started her by me showing her my camera and letting her take a picture or two.  They I just waited for the curiosity to kick in.


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9 years 5 months ago #407426 by garyrhook
Depends upon the child, but one thing is clear:

your sister is arrogant and ignorant. Suggest she put the damn phone down and join the real world.


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9 years 5 months ago #407462 by Zeberk
If the child has interest in photography, should age even matter?  


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9 years 5 months ago #407531 by ThatNikonGuy

Zeberk wrote: If the child has interest in photography, should age even matter?  



:agree:     my thoughts exactly


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9 years 5 months ago #407543 by Randy Shaw
Agree, take them out and see if they enjoy it


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9 years 5 months ago #407592 by JD Imagery
Can the child hold a camera and enjoys taking photos?  Then they are ready IMO.


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9 years 5 months ago #407606 by Colorado Mike
I tell you one thing, I wish my parents got me started when I was a kid! 


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9 years 5 months ago #407631 by Joves

ThatNikonGuy wrote:

Zeberk wrote: If the child has interest in photography, should age even matter?  



:agree:     my thoughts exactly

+2
My grandpa gave me my first camera when I was 9, and that was because I showed interest in it. If I had not shown interest in it he would have never given me one. If your nephew shows interest then it is time, if they do not have much more than an idle curiosity about it, then do not get them one. You will be able to tell which is the case. My grandfather knew because I was always wanting to look through the view fonder when he was shooting.


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9 years 5 months ago #407736 by Kayce

Zeberk wrote: If the child has interest in photography, should age even matter?  


+3  my thoughts as well 


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9 years 5 months ago #408262 by EOS Man
I forgot I had posted this.  Thanks for all the answers, I'm going to share this with my sister.  :thumbsup:

5D Mark II | 50mm f/1.4 EX | 24-70mm f/2.8L | 70-200mm f/2.8L | 430EX
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9 years 5 months ago #408333 by Trisha.M
If they like photography, let them at it!  That's my thoughts, pretty easy.  


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