I'm probably going to be writing about Gator a lot in the next little while, simply because he's on my mind, and he's also having a birthday next week. Cake suggestions, anyone???
One of the things that Doc and I have thought would be of the most help for Gator is if he found a hobby or talent that he could get into. Something besides the 24/7 preoccupation with Star Wars, Pirates, Indiana Jones, and anything that smacks of battle, weapons and war. I think it's retribution for me being one of those moms, whose grandiose plan was to be a weapon-free home. That worked fine till he found sticks, straws, plates, boxes, and of course, the ever-present finger to use in warfare. Gator's primary interests in life are movies, computer games and staging mock battles. He's a total gladiator.
But anyway, we have noticed a slight interest in photography. A few times this year, Gator has grabbed my camera (which I keep with me in my purse) and run off with it, returning only after the memory card is full. It's been amusing to see what he takes pictures of. Depending on the location we're at, it's either grossout (in the garbage, the toilet, etc) or really artistic (interesting fixtures, paint jobs, sky, grass). Some of them are fairly artsy.
Because of this, we've decided to get him a camera for his birthday, and I'm hoping that between the many talented photographers in our lives we can arrange for him to have a few little lessons about photography, and then expand into learning a photo editing program.
If he could develop skill as a photographer, and gain some confidence in his abilities, it might go a long way in overcoming his social demons. It could ultimately lead to being involved in school paper or yearbook, which would supply a natural way to interface with the kids at school for the long haul (kids generally want to be in the yearbook/school paper). Who knows what direction this could take him. He's interested in movie making too. Once when we were driving around in Vermont, out of the blue he asked "hey mommy, do the people who make the movies paid to do it?" He'd said for years that he wanted to be a zoo keeper or make movies when he grew up, but till then it hadn't occurred to him that you could theoretically get paid to do these "fun" jobs.
So I need to research and figure out what a good starter digital camera would be for him, and then see if any of my peeps would be willing to give him some special, short lessons on photography. Maybe there's a class nearby that we could enroll him in at some point too.
6 comments:
How about a camera cake? You could situate it atop an assortment of his own photo prints.
Sounds like the kid might enjoy something variety or flavor of karate. Expend excess energy, channel an appreciation and find appropriate applications for battle, earn self-esteem, etc.
A fedora-wearing jedi on a pirate ship cake. What else? ;)
I was thinking the same thing about a hobby or something helping him, but sounds like mom and dad already know best! There's a photographer in Utah who offers classes, but I don't know if she would to someone so young. She probably would as she was given her first camera at a really young age too. Go to www.nicolehill.blogspot.com. The classes are listed in her sidebar.
BTW, I can't believe I taught him in nursery when he was only TWO!!! Where did the time go?
Have you ever worked with fondant? I found a couple of camera cakes that you could scrub ideas off of if you're interested. http://lisebakery.blogspot.com/2008/05/nikon-camera-cake.html
or
http://frederickvan.com/blog/2007/09/03/canon-camera-cake/
I'm thinking a pound cake, ding dong & tootsie rolls could form a nice structure then have some of his favorite photos shooting out of the back and floating up around it on a wire. Of course I love Janell's idea too.
In photography, a lot of it is just taking tons of pictures. Reading the manual also helps a ton. Read about one aspect/setting of the camera and then practice, practice, practice. Also, get hima basic photography book. The basics of composition, exposure, etc, are covered in most basic publications. Even magazines have a lot of tips. (Just be sure it isn't one of the artsy ones, there tends to be some skin in some of them). Also, suggest to him that he looks at how photos are taken/composed in magazines/photography books (like time, Life, Nat Geo, martha stewart, weddings, etc). Photographers blogs, websites and flickr are good to find inspiration too.
Nicole hill's blog is pretty cool. I'd take her classes if I lived in Utah! I know he'll enjoy it.
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