Combine A Child's Wonder With A Cool Camera and What Do You Get? An Update On Roosevelt Island Digital Photography Workshop With Olya and Brian

Reported last April on a Roosevelt Island Digital Photography Workshop being formed by residents Olya Turicihin and Brian Dorfman with Island Kids. Francine Lange updates us on their progress. From Ms. Lange:

Budding photographers train their lenses on rocky textures. (Credit: Brian Dorfman)

What do you get when you combine a child’s wonder with a cool orange camera? An amazing collection of photos by 4- to 10-year-olds on Roosevelt Island.

Island Kids recently added photography classes to their summer camp and the kids, teachers and parents are loving it.

Olya Turcihin, one of the teaching duo, says: “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time.” An avid photographer and blogger (see her work here), her idea of the perfect job is working with children and photography. Olya’s co-teacher, Brian Dorfman (see his work here), also a longtime photographer, says he loves sharing “the unbridled love of photography” with kids.

Class starts with a review of safety rules, including securing camera straps on wrists, keeping grubby fingers off lens and sensors and asking permission before taking someone’s photo.

Photo hounds then hunt for the perfect subject. Cameras click away at feet, faces, shadows, squirrels, squiggles, birds, rocks, shapes, textures, clouds, skies, puddles and poodles.

The kids return to class and select several of their favorite shots to take home. One child shyly explains why he’s chosen an image of a fence with a z-shaped support. “Because my name starts with the letter ‘z’,” says Zachary.

“Z” is for Zachary, 5 ½ years old. (Credit: Zachary)

Both teachers have been amazed at the level of growth in photo taking and the expansion of the kids’ creativity.

Silhouette a point of view. (Credit: Karen)

They’ve watched how quickly they want to manipulate a photo, even at such a young age. “This is an issue of sophistication of visual thinking,” says Brian. Adds Olya: “As they say, we are all born artists.”

Moody infrastructure.(Credit: Yunari)

Nikki Leopold, director of Island Kids, has received positive feedback from parents. “It’s like the highlight of the camp,” she says. “It’s incredible. You see the improvement” week to week.

Road to somewhere.(Credit: Olivia)

To see more of the children’s photos, visit Olya and Brian’s Facebook page, Bounce Light Enterprises.

To sign up your child for the Island Kids Summer Camp, which also includes sports, swimming, drama and art sessions, e-mail IslandKidsri@gmail.com or call 646-752-3839. (The camp runs through August 24 and you can sign up by the week. Cost is $285 per week for children ages 4-6 and $270 for children ages 7-10.)