Thursday, October 14th

Photography

As you know, we have shown interest in photography and using cameras since our Brown Room year. We have used photography as a form of documenting, as a research tool, a way to share, and a way to connect.
This year, we are continually expanding this interest by learning more about the ways in which we can use photography as form of expression. 
​For our Rainey Room birthday gifts, we felt that using portraiture could be a tool to not only strengthen our relationships by developing our awareness and empathy for one another, but also to capture our genuine personalities. This process has demonstrated that children are capable, competent, and joyful when using photography as a language in the classroom. 

As a class, we continue to adjust our definition of portraiture as our understanding of the technique develops. 

​What is a portrait?

​Lily: It’s a painting of a person.
Sam: Does it have to be a painting?
Lily: No. It can be a drawing.
Finlay: It could be a picture of a lego.
Sam: What part of a person?
Remy: Your legs. Your face. 
Finlay: Your hair?
Bea: It’s where you make yourself differently. 
Finlay: You take a picture.
Bea: Make yourself different.
Finlay: That’s a selfie (when you take a photo of yourself).
Bea: I’m saying someone takes a picture of you.
Lily: A picture of a person.

Rainey Room Birthday Portraiture Work 

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Photo Days

It’s not anybody’s birthday, but we are taking pictures!
​- Daniel (10.13.21)

In preparation of our class picture day, we had group discussions about what we thought might happen during this time.

It's where somebody takes a picture of you. Like a photographer. Like last year someone came and took a picture of the classes. They ask you to smile. We're learning how to take pictures, but we don't know a lot. - Bea

​Bea's reflection gave us an interesting idea. Since we would have a photography expert at school during picture days, could we invite her into our classroom to show her our own photography work, ask her questions, and learn something new from her?

The Picture Day Experience

Following our photo session with Susan, the photographer, we reflected on the experience together. 

What kind of photos did Susan take yesterday?
Us! - Wilder
What are the types of photos called when you take photos of people?
Portrait. - Finlay 
Did Susan ask you to do anything when she was taking your photos?
She asked to take off the mask. - Lily
She couldn’t see you smiling if you did that. - Wilder
How did she make you all smile?
She teased! - Lily
She did so much silly stuff. Like a butterfly in her hair. - Finlay
And like put a diaper on her head. - Lily
Did she only take one photo?
A bunch of photos! - Remy
What do you think she did with all the photos?
A portrait. - Lily
Shes gonna print some out. - Remy
She’s gonna put it in one of those. - Wilder (frame)
How do you think she picks the best one?
She goes through all of them. - Wilder

Susan Strawbridge in the Rainey Room

Susan was able to join us for a visit! 

Susan Strawbridge specializes in child photography in the DC area.
From her website: 
​Inspired by love, light and laughter, my goal is to capture the essence of childhood – joy, happiness, carefree energy and, of course, a little bit of mischief. I have an energetic, creative and informal approach to my portrait sessions. Instead of relying on traditional poses, I prefer to tap into the imagination of children to capture special moments that define a child or who you are as a family. ​

When asking Susan how she takes a portrait photo, she used the following terms to describe what she is looks for in a good photograph - Color, Contrast, Focus, and Expression! 

​Susan emphasized the importance of the expression of the person she photographs. 

​The thing that’s most important to me when I take a picture is your expression. I can tell you without saying a single word if I’m feeling happy, sad, surprised… - Susan
or angry! - Finlay

Susan was also very impressed by our birthday portraiture work and the story that each unique photograph tells about our friends! 

Then, she let us use her very special camera to take our own photos which was very exciting! 

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A Camera Manual 

After using Susan's professional camera, we were inspired to create our own Rainey Room digital camera instruction manual.
Now others will know how to use all of the available functions that we have become familiar with throughout our photography experiences.