I am new to posting on this forum, but I can honestly tell you that I fell like I am around friends. Thank you- sincerely.
I am a high school biology teacher who will be teaching the first offering of AP (Advanced Placment reads:college credit) Environmental Science for our school district this year. The course is billed as an AP course for those that might not normally take AP type classes. It is a unique course that uses a field study and problem solving approach to engage students in sophisticated understandings of environmental science issues.
My teaching style was called "unconventional but effective" in my last evaluation. I want to really get the kids to have a taste of the connection we all feel to the environment. I want to publish a "coffee table" style book-using lulu.com. We would maybe sell a few copies locally with the $ going back to the local conservation groups. The thrust of the book would be to examine BIG issues by seeing how they impact life at students LOCAL levels. I know- boring so far... hang on a sec
I want students to produce the images for the book as well as lay it all out. I want kids to have that feeling we all have when our passion driven and meaningful work is viewed and appreciated. That is where the learning lives. The images are important but the experience of creating images that teach others is infinitely more powerful.
MY QUESTION: Does anyone know of any educational avenues or ideas (from Canon or Nikon) that might afford me an opportunity to get better than PS cameras into students hands (purchase,loan,rent)? The tools are important if this is to be a "serious" effort. I don't know of any other project similar to this. Just looking to get the pump primed with places to start. THANKS for taking the time to read all that!
Hi Mark - soounds like a great idea, and a great teaching style. I admire your passion, and wish more teachers would share in that. I'm not sure about what I'm saying here so take this with a grain of salt. I believe Nikon provided cameras for a program similar to this in Florida a while back. Like I say - not sure at all about that, but I do remember reading about it somewhere. Unfortunately it was a couple of years ago so I no longer have the article. Certainly might be worth your time to contact them though. Another possibility might be through a local university - many of them have photography courses. Don't know if they provide cameras or not, but maybe they may can provide leads or know of available programs that could provide cameras.
Check orgs outside the traditional photo world like the Gates Foundation, etc. Anyone who is recognizing and funding innovative or environmental ed programs. Some of the bigger computer or software companies might also have ed support avenues.
I honestly don't know where to turn for the cameras you require for your project, but I agree that photography organizations may not the best place to start. Still, it's worth contacting the Nature's Best foundation, NANPA, and such organizations and see if they are willing to entertain your proposal. If you're willing to teach your students how to use a "primitive" camera, I'm guessing you could also find very cheap used film cameras at used gear shops.
I think it's a wonderful idea. I started photographing seriously in high school and I've been at it now for about 7 years. Even though I'd been a birder for several years before that, I think photography really changed the way I see and appreciate nature. I hope your students have the same experience, and with guidance from a passionate teacher, it sounds like they will! Kudos.
Posted by Kent Staubus on July 26, 2006 at 9:02 PM
I'm not sure exactly what kinds of images you have in mind, but really, don't sell the small point & shoot cameras short. Few people really know how to use them to their full potential. A "bigger" camera will let you take certain kinds of more specialized images (e.g. close up shots of wild birds etc.,) but for probably 90% of my own photography something like my Canon S80 point & shoot would do the job. I do use a tripod with it for shots that need to be sharp, and when I do that you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between a shot made with that versus my "regular" Nikon F100. A common theme here on NPN has been that a more expensive camera doesn't make you a better photographer. Exactly what kinds of images are you trying to make? Really, a small camera has a lot going for it. For one thing, their compact size means people are more likely to have it with them when a good subject pops up. For photos of skittish critters some distance away, architectural photos, and photos at night I would agree that an SLR type camera has advantages.
Kent-
You do bring up a very valid about not underestimating the P&S cams these days. What I really meant in "bigger" is optical zoom. There are more and more available with 10X+ optical and that would definately work. Thanks for helping me clarify my own needs.
Sony H1's (5 mpx) and H2's (6 mpx) both have 12X optical zoom with stabilization. They are both selling in the $300 - $400 range and I've seen some very nice photos from both of them, including macros. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 & FZ30 are both 12X zoom cameras with stabilization also. They are running in the $350 - $450 range. From all the reviews I've read, the Panasonics are faster and slightly sharper but suffer from noise problems. A friend of mine has an FZ30 though and I've seen some very impressive photos from it. You could get 10 H2's for about the same price as 3 Canon Rebel XTs (2 XTs if you buy a macro lense and zoom lense for each one). You'd also have a shorter learning curve and could spend more time focusing on the project. Since its for a book, the 5 & 6 mpx cameras should give you all the print quality you need.
Good luck with your project/class it sounds liike a fun way to teach!
Discussion
7 repliesI am a high school biology teacher who will be teaching the first offering of AP (Advanced Placment reads:college credit) Environmental Science for our school district this year. The course is billed as an AP course for those that might not normally take AP type classes. It is a unique course that uses a field study and problem solving approach to engage students in sophisticated understandings of environmental science issues.
My teaching style was called "unconventional but effective" in my last evaluation. I want to really get the kids to have a taste of the connection we all feel to the environment. I want to publish a "coffee table" style book-using lulu.com. We would maybe sell a few copies locally with the $ going back to the local conservation groups. The thrust of the book would be to examine BIG issues by seeing how they impact life at students LOCAL levels. I know- boring so far... hang on a sec
I want students to produce the images for the book as well as lay it all out. I want kids to have that feeling we all have when our passion driven and meaningful work is viewed and appreciated. That is where the learning lives. The images are important but the experience of creating images that teach others is infinitely more powerful.
MY QUESTION: Does anyone know of any educational avenues or ideas (from Canon or Nikon) that might afford me an opportunity to get better than PS cameras into students hands (purchase,loan,rent)? The tools are important if this is to be a "serious" effort. I don't know of any other project similar to this. Just looking to get the pump primed with places to start. THANKS for taking the time to read all that!
Good luck!
Good idea and good teaching methods!
I honestly don't know where to turn for the cameras you require for your project, but I agree that photography organizations may not the best place to start. Still, it's worth contacting the Nature's Best foundation, NANPA, and such organizations and see if they are willing to entertain your proposal. If you're willing to teach your students how to use a "primitive" camera, I'm guessing you could also find very cheap used film cameras at used gear shops.
I think it's a wonderful idea. I started photographing seriously in high school and I've been at it now for about 7 years. Even though I'd been a birder for several years before that, I think photography really changed the way I see and appreciate nature. I hope your students have the same experience, and with guidance from a passionate teacher, it sounds like they will! Kudos.
Kent in SD
You do bring up a very valid about not underestimating the P&S cams these days. What I really meant in "bigger" is optical zoom. There are more and more available with 10X+ optical and that would definately work. Thanks for helping me clarify my own needs.
Sony H1's (5 mpx) and H2's (6 mpx) both have 12X optical zoom with stabilization. They are both selling in the $300 - $400 range and I've seen some very nice photos from both of them, including macros. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 & FZ30 are both 12X zoom cameras with stabilization also. They are running in the $350 - $450 range. From all the reviews I've read, the Panasonics are faster and slightly sharper but suffer from noise problems. A friend of mine has an FZ30 though and I've seen some very impressive photos from it. You could get 10 H2's for about the same price as 3 Canon Rebel XTs (2 XTs if you buy a macro lense and zoom lense for each one). You'd also have a shorter learning curve and could spend more time focusing on the project. Since its for a book, the 5 & 6 mpx cameras should give you all the print quality you need.
Good luck with your project/class it sounds liike a fun way to teach!