HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS

CAMERASFORKIDS.INFO

INEXPENSIVE TIPS FOR CHILDREN WITH DIGITAL CAMERAS

Many of the questions kids have about digital photography are easily answered. Here's
some easy remedies to some of children's most popular questions aboout taking better
shots.

Q) Is the sky in you picture kind of dull and could use more color?

A) Try puting your sunglasses over the lens when you take the picture. This is called POLARIZING and can be used to draw out the color in other types of shots, too.

Q) Is your camera having trouble focusing while you are trying to get a closeup of a flower or other small object?

A) Try moving just a little further back. Sometimes if you are to close to an object, the camera has a hard time focusing.

Q) Did you ever wonder how to make small objects such as toys look really Big?

A) Trying crouching down really low and shooting a picture of that object from
really low. The lower the angle, the larger the object will look. Now try making that object look really big. That's right, shoot the object from above so that you are looking down on it. These tricks are called PERSPECTIVE, meaning another way of looking at something.

Q) Can't find a good deal on a tripod or a tripod just doesn't seem to work for what you are trying to take a picture of?

A) One really cool (and cheap) solution might be to use a large beanbag. Place the beanbag on a firm surface and gently let the camera sink into it. The beanbag will keep the camera from shaking which makes you photos sharper.

DIGITAL CAMERAS USED AS A LEARNING TOOLS:

In today's world of cell phones, texting, video games, television, and other media devices, it's tough to get kids away from the distractions of the techno era. In a world of ever increasing diabetes and obesity at an earlier age, it's crucial for kids to get up and exercise. (more than just their fingers) While some children are into sports such as soccer, baseball, basketball, or other activities that burn calories, boost the metabolism, and increase the sensitivity of the insulin receptors, other children do not enjoy sports that much.

Digital photography is a healthy alternative for kids that don't enjoy sports. It's an added bonus for kids that are already active. It's surprising to see a 13 year old set down their cell phone to pick up a camera (or use their cell phone's built in cameras) to laugh, play and shoot pictures while moving around. It can be a fun activity with friends, or an indivial exploration. One of the keys to keeping children involved in digital photography is to keep exposing them to different aspects, scenerios, and environments. While their first adventure with the camera may be uneventful, they may love the next adventure.

Knowing your children and what they enjoy helps. While teaching the Cameras For Kids Project in schools, there's been a general difference girls and boys. (although it's important to remember there's no set rules). Girls seemed to like the images of animals such as horses and pets. They also seemed to to enjoy scenics full of blue skies and trees. The boys in the same class would gravitate towards blowups
of insects, pictures of cars, and unusual angles of things like tunnels. The idea is to expose the children to as many types of photography as possible. You'll eventually find something that they really love. Hopefully they will soon be getting exercise on there own. - Cameras For Kids Staff

SOMETIMES THE BEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE A CHILD IS FREE

For Familes on tight budgets this holiday season, you can turn the time into something meaningful and fun. Many people are going back to the basics. Commiting some time to you children can be specacial and fun, and doesn't have to cost anything but a little time. Especially with younger children, a simple 'Chistmas Voucher' inside a card can mean a lot. Whether placed inside a card or given to seperately, you can make a voucher or ceriticate telling you child that you are going to spend X amount of time with them working on a special project. The project can be anything your child loves. A treehouse made out of scrapped wood, A model airplane, A dress up and make over session(s), or of course, photography excursions (even if it's just the back yard). Somewhere in our culture, we've forgotten the fundamentals of holidays, which is just to love, cherish, and be thankful for the blessings that already surround us. Going back to the basics may give your family memories for a lifetime.



If digital photography is the path you choose, here's a link to a free lesson plan developed for children and has been implemented as a 30 minute presentation in schools. The lessons can be expanded on and turned into individual moments with you loved ones. LESSON PLAN

For assistance with the lesson plan, here's a link to the lesson that is currently being used in schools. Scroll down to teachers, here's a simple lesson plan

Children's Digital Photography Book Wins National Bronze Award

As well as receiving multiple five star reviews from teachers, parents, and professional book reviewers, the 'Cameras For Kids' book has just received the Reader's Favorite National Bronze Award for books in the Preteen Division. RF has also posted a wonderful review on their site as well. Thank you America!

READER'S FAVORITE AWARD

TEACHING DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY TO THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

We're currently sending books out to some Developmentally Disabled classes to see how receptive they are to digital photography. We're exited about yet another area we're branching off into. If you know of any places in need to consider, please let us know! Teaching digital photpgraphy to the developmentally Seems like it would have tremendous benefits in spacial perception, sharing with others and an imediate gratification factor to encourage positive behaviors. Our first goal is Autism.

Cameras For Kids

WE'RE DECREASING OUR CARBON FOOT PRINT CAMERAS FOR KIDS!

Cameras for kids has gone solar! One of the best ways to protect the environment is through prevention of wasted energy. With solar energy, the sun does most of the work simply by way of solar (or photo voltaic) panels. The panels are placed on the roof of the building where they will be facing the sun for most of the day. In California, the ideal position is generally facing south-west.

As the sunlight hits the solar panels, the light is converted into energy, The amount of energy depends on what type of solar panels used and how many panels were placed on the roof. The panels are connected into a single electric circuit and the energy from each panel gets combined. The combined energy then goes into a box on the side of the building called an inverter. The inverter's job is to convert the DC electrical current into AC electrical current. DC (or Direct Current) is generally what comes out of things such as batteries and solar panels, but before it can be used in the building, it has the be converted to AC (Alternating Current).

Alternating Current is made my turning the flow of electricity into a 'wave' instead of a straight line. The wave goes up and down as it moves through the circuit. The waveform is measured by how many times it goes up and down in 1 second. This measurement is called Hertz. The average current flow going through a house or business (in the United States) is 60 Hertz. This means that the wave of electricity goes completely up and down 60 times in 1 second. After the electricity had been collected and converted into an AC waveform, it's ready to be used to power lights, computers, appliances, and other machines used in offices and homes. When set up properly, a solar panel setup can supply most of the electricity to that business or home for free.

Here's the really cool part though... Along with saving money on our electric bill, we are also decreasing our carbon foot print on the environment, which means we're decreasing pollutions that would normally be created to provide the same amount of electricity. The decrease in pollution is good for people, plants, and animals alike. Many scientists believe that this decrease in pollution will also slow down the process of 'Global Warming' which has been the cause for extinction for many species of animals and plants. A 1500 kWh / Year system can prevent approximately 7,500 lbs of CO2 greenhouse gas from going into the air and save almost an acre of trees in just 1 year. Since most solar panels work at 80% of their maximum capacity even when they are 25 years old, that's a lot of happy critters and trees.

Thank you Solarponics.