Photography based Christmas present for a 14 year old

Photography based Christmas present for a 14 year old

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Skyedriver

Original Poster:

17,667 posts

281 months

Tuesday 3rd December 2019
quotequote all
Young Son is 14, likes taking photos on his iPhone, often well composed etc
Was wondering if there's a good book of instruction for better photos using an iPhone or maybe a computer programme available to allow him to manipulate the photos. (He's usually stuck in front of his PC wasting time so doing something constructive would be good).

DibblyDobbler

11,257 posts

196 months

Tuesday 3rd December 2019
quotequote all
Skyedriver said:
Young Son is 14, likes taking photos on his iPhone, often well composed etc
Was wondering if there's a good book of instruction for better photos using an iPhone or maybe a computer programme available to allow him to manipulate the photos. (He's usually stuck in front of his PC wasting time so doing something constructive would be good).
If it was me I would get him some clip on lenses for the phone and see if it sparks a real interest in photography - they will be nowhere near the quality of a 'real' camera lens but are cheap and a bit of fun. Just do a bit of Googling and you'll be able to find the best lenses for your budget smile

Drogo

716 posts

216 months

Tuesday 3rd December 2019
quotequote all
Excellent suggestion before spending £££££ on kit that may never get used.

Something like...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/APEXEL-210°Fisheye-T...

Skyedriver

Original Poster:

17,667 posts

281 months

Wednesday 4th December 2019
quotequote all
Brilliant thanks, never knew that sort of thing existed.

DibblyDobbler

11,257 posts

196 months

Wednesday 4th December 2019
quotequote all
thumbup

Skyedriver

Original Poster:

17,667 posts

281 months

Thursday 5th December 2019
quotequote all
Drogo said:
Excellent suggestion before spending £££££ on kit that may never get used.

Something like...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/APEXEL-210°Fisheye-T...
That one or this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07RJR3LXL/ref...

twice the price 20x zoom & tripod. Will the long lens length just be a nuisance and overbalance everything? hmmm


drmcw

172 posts

91 months

Thursday 5th December 2019
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How about a book of photo projects? I had one given to me which he would probably find quite useful giving him structure to improving his skills and outlook.

Sadly I can't recall its name and I gave it away.

CrossMember

2,981 posts

138 months

Thursday 5th December 2019
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Books maybe? What kind of photography does he like? Some books of the greatest photographers' work of the type he likes would be great.

Landscapes? Colin Prior etc.
Street/candid/photojournal? Time Magazine compendium is my go-to.
Portrait? The one-flash (or one light source) wonders like Joe McNally are great to teach theory, and would teach important skills for finding natural off-axis light. This is vital for a phone user who is usually limited to only having a phone flash.

What about some processing tools? Lightroom subscription? There's too much emphasis on instagram filters these days. 80% of good photography happens after the picture is taken.

Or a photo printer or a voucher for an online printer? There's nothing gets a photographer motivated like physical prints in the hand, and we often forget that in this digital age where everything disappears into the cloud.



Skyedriver

Original Poster:

17,667 posts

281 months

Thursday 5th December 2019
quotequote all
Type of pics, mainly of our two dogs, landscape and portraits.
Is there a good photo manipulation programme, photoshop or something where he can play with each photo, different effects etc?

MXRod

2,731 posts

146 months

Thursday 5th December 2019
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Interesting . My 12 yr old grandson also is into photography , he loves the manipulation of photos taken with his IPhone.
He had asked for a camera for Christmas , thinking a compact type .
I have a perfectly good Canon EOS 350D SLR camera which has sat idle for years , superseded by a Canon Bridge camera .
Having discussed it with his Mum and Dad , we are giving him the SLR camera , which also comes with a telephoto lens and external flash . other family members are looking at Photo Shop( expensive ) or similar to complete the setup .

Skyedriver

Original Poster:

17,667 posts

281 months

Thursday 5th December 2019
quotequote all
MXRod said:
Interesting . My 12 yr old grandson also is into photography , he loves the manipulation of photos taken with his IPhone.
He had asked for a camera for Christmas , thinking a compact type .
I have a perfectly good Canon EOS 350D SLR camera which has sat idle for years , superseded by a Canon Bridge camera .
Having discussed it with his Mum and Dad , we are giving him the SLR camera , which also comes with a telephoto lens and external flash . other family members are looking at Photo Shop( expensive ) or similar to complete the setup .
He has used my old (now replaced with a wonderful RX100) Fuji camera. He has a little Canon Sureshot but the iPhone is his tool of choice.

Skyedriver

Original Poster:

17,667 posts

281 months

Thursday 5th December 2019
quotequote all
Are some of the free manipulation programmes the best for a beginner?
Looking at Adobe Elements (£85) but read most of the features are available on free programmes!