Circle Kids with Cameras Video

Circle Kids with Cameras from Josh Birnbaum on Vimeo.
The photography classes held at this summer’s Circle Round the Square program introduced children to the basics of photography, editing, digital media, and critical art reflection. Kids were provided cameras, computer training, and guided photographic assignments that were intended to help them explore their world visually. We stressed the idea of telling one’s own story, a personal narrative whereby the individual shares their life through the camera. Our class focused on self-portraiture, leading students through a variety of exercises intended to make students think about the distinct way in which they see the world, and the way in which they seem themselves in that world. The older kids were able to utilize social media to share their work, saving their images to online archives and sharing the best ones with friends and family. By fostering an environment where children learned the aspects of making and sharing self-reflexive images, we are enriching their lives through the creation of art and enabling a deeper introspection of self that is a requisite part of one’s overall wellness. See more of the children's work from this past summer at www.circlekidswithcameras.blogspot.com.

Final Day of Class

Here we have some images from our last days of photography class. Students once again show us their eyes for details, their penchant for silliness, and their unique perspective on their lives. Stay tuned for a final video featuring ALL student work to be shown on Wednesday and Friday of next week at Stuart's Opera House!

Breanna Edwards

Zander Clark

I enjoy playing with frogs, toads, and other animals.

It kind of tickled when it was on my hand.

Joseph Edwards

Dalton Smith

Caitlyn Hall

Updates from the Field

The kids have gone on a variety of strange adventures this week. From trains to zombie weddings and cannibalism on the Nelsonville square, we see a variety of their horizon-broadening experiences through their humorous and surreal photographs!

Peyton Gail 

I am eating my friend because I was hungry. That and I wanted to try eating human.

Chris Blackstone 

It was cool getting my pic took on a train. It felt like I was the conductor. 

Carly Chilcote 

Hanging out with the cool people because I'm there. 

Dalton Smith 

I chose this picture because it shows that (some) old things look good. And that I love to explore and find new things.

Clay Smith 

This is Caleb, he is cool. He is leaving today and I thought that I would choose this picture.

Selfies with Others

Photographers seem to like taking selfies with others—animals, friends, things—or telling stories about their adventures with others. It must be a recognition of their appreciation for how we all work together to make one another better. And here, the images and words, as proof:

Carly Chilcote 

I like this horse because it was nice and it was a hungry horse. It's name was Lucky because it is lucky that it has a good home. I wish I could have it. This is my favorite photo.

Caitlyn Hall 

This is a tree that fell during a storm a couple weeks ago and my mom and I drove our car under it.

Niki Combs 

This picture is me and my best friend Peyton. Me and him climbed up on the barn at Robbin's Crossing. He is the coolest, nicest guy I ever met!

Chris Blackstone 

I like this picture because money is what got me gas so I could come to this program. 

Elijah Waddell 

I love this picture because it is my favorite. It shows that I love nature.

Fresh Photos

Here they are, fresh off the press: the first photographs by this week's camera-toting artists! We wandered around the Hocking College campus, observing nature, taking selfies, and exploring our surroundings photographically. Students find a lot about the world they can use to relate to themselves. Stay tuned for more brilliance!

Jasmine Koon 

I like this picture because one goose is different and I’m different.

Chris Blackstone 

I like this picture because it was my first one.

Zander Clark 

I chose this picture because I love nature. I love nature because I like to play with trees and animals.

Clay Smith 

This is cool because there are bugs in a web. I really like how the bugs are in a swirly ball. 

Peyton Gail 

I chose this picture because I like climbing. I like climbing because climbing is fun.

Animals

The kids have many furry friends they enjoy. Some are pets whom they love, some are animals they see in nature, and others are wildlife that remind them of something they know from personal experience. Either way, we can now see these beloved animals through the eyes of children.

Nevada Paskins 

I like this photo because I love my dad's puppy and it's so pretty looking at a distance. The puppy is right in the sun and running and playing in the grass. It’s so magical.

Jackie Ansel 

 I like this photo because it’s my dog. It’s special to me because it was my favorite dog I have gotten. My mom is going to be so happy with me and all my artwork and so am I! When I come home every day my dog comes out and greets me since I’m back.  

Kodie Hoyd

I like the bird because of the color. I like it because it can fly.

McKenzie Mace

I like this photo because I like bunnies. My grandma used to have a farm with bunnies.

Wedding on the Sqaure!

The kids decided they wanted to act out a wedding, so we dressed accordingly and danced our way out to the Nelsonville square! Everyone had a role in this dramatic play, from brides and grooms to animals and police officers. Creativity abounded in deciding how each of them wanted to be part of the scene.

Josiah Lent 

This is one of the two funny selfies I'm going to show. This one was from yesterday of me in a dress. I also walked around town with it on. Very funny, right?

Nevada Paskins

McKenzie Mace 

I like this pic because she is my friend. I’ve known her since 3rd grade.

Jackie Ansel

Izick McDonald 

I wrote about me in a lion hat because they are cool.

Relationships

Relationships seem to be a consistent theme in our budding photographer's work! Here we see them photographing their friendships, familial relationships, close animal companions, and their connection to the world outside of themselves.

Josiah McDonald

Me and Josiah have been best friends since daycare. We make great friends because we are both crazy. My emotion is happy.

Naana Amanor

This picture shows that Jessamin is bring crazy and likes taking pictures.

Sophie Anderson

This reminds me of a sword.

McKenzie Mace

I love this photo because it has my grandpa in it and I love him so much. My emotion is happy because I love him.

Haleigh White

She is beautiful. She likes to play. And she hates to take baths. She loves to take a walk.

Personal Narratives

This week's class has already begun documenting their lives in-depth! From selfies to images of their home, family, friends and pets, these images share our students unique lives with the world. Read on to see how they reflect on these themes and more.

Jade Pickett

What this picture means to me: that my dog loves its picture taken and it smiles a lot. And it loves me a lot.

Jessamin Blake

I picked this picture because my friends and I are together for the picture. The reason I decided to write about this is because it made me happy because the only time I see them is at Paper Circle and school.

Jason Marsh

I like trucks. I would need to haul big loads so I can go places and stay a lot longer. I would want to haul bigger loads in winter with a 4x4. I like trucks so you can go places like in the woods, in deep snow, and different places. That is why I want a truck.

Izick McDonald

This photo makes me think about a mirror.

Sophie Anderson

I love this flower because it reminds me of my grandpa’s orange and white flowers in his garden. They grow every year to represent my grandma, Janet L. Riley, because she died when she was younger than my grandpa, Charles R. Riley. When she died I got sick at school and went to her funeral and at the funeral my aunt Megan Mays was crying and all I did was stand there in a blanket holding back my tears and feelings and heard her crying and almost started crying. When I spent the night with my grandpa I cried all night long.