Twelve year old girls in the DR or: AAARRRGGGGHHHHHH!!

[Rick A]

Hope the title isn't too long, it is appropriate. Last evening I held a darkroom session for two twelve year old girls(three inc. my own ). They have been reading a story about a woman pro photographer(I didnt ask)and, of course, all eyes turned to the 'old man', he has a darkroom!
After a short lesson in what light does(blank stares), off to the DR. Brief explanation about chems, and safety, we turn to photograms. A short inventory of some items include, a book, feathers, hair clips, and some odd and ends of translucent and transparent items. The girls realized that some items were not going to work as they thought, try new items.
At this point, I have to say, a small confined space with any kids(especially giddy girls)takes on an air of its own. Who'da thunk the smells could be THAT bad(yes I had the exhaust fan on)I guess I should feel honored that they are so comfortable around me to be themselves, dang, those were the worst farts I ever smelled!
The session lasted about an hour, not too bad, held their interest that long before they started goofing. We did end the session with printing a negative. We even did a Sabittier print(experiment gone right).
To sum up, there were some 'eyes as big as pie plates' and ear to ear grins, and Wow, look what we did's. My daughter is an old pro in the DR, after all , she spends time in there with me (best assistant you would ever want). Her friends have become smitten (I'll do my best to nurture it)and will be back.
Even though it was a school night, there was a sleep-over. As I write this, the girls are up(and have been for a while) and in the DR OOHing and AAHing last nights work.
Ann--Thank you for all the paper. We used a fair chunk last night, glad we have a pile to use. No prints hit the waste bin.

Rick

[markbarendt]

Go Rick!

[frotog]

That's hilarious and awesome!

[winger]

That's very cool. I think 12 is about the age that I did the Shutterbug week at Girl Scout camp and got thoroughly hooked on photography. Keep them enjoying it!

[SuzanneR]

Awesome!!

[kompressor]

I had to wait until 16 before i discovered the magic in the darkest room of the house. But i had then been reading about iy since very young age and i will never forget the first time i saw the red lamp come on for the first time. Funny thing, i still have the same wonderful feeling 19 years later

[Jeff Kubach]

That's great to hear.

Jeff

[Vaughn]

How fun, Rick!

I have taught summer classes in photography to high school girls (and some boys). Once they get going, they can really burn through the paper!

Vaughn

[ic-racer]

I set up a spare enlarger just for my two oldest (but both still under 12 yrs). They seem to like it and also enjoy taking pictures with the film cameras I gave them. In the darkroom we use the Kodak projection print scale and they get to pick the slice they like and set the timer.

I have also done lith prints. That works out fantastic because they get to hold the flashlight and give the word to me when to pull it. Even if two kids print the same negative they each have a unique print.

Coming up we are going to be doing some reductions so their American Girl Dolls can have some pictures too.

I was also astounded when my 9 year old girl and here little brother, used her D*** camera to take about 80 frames of the American Girl dolls for a stop-frame-animation sequence she set up and directed on her own. I downloaded the frames to some animation software and we played the movie on the computer. It was amazing how they figured out how to do that on their own.

[lorirfrommontana]

Awesome! I love being in the darkroom with my girls.