What happens when you give a child a camera? Exploring the overlooked history of children and photography
What happens when you put a camera in the hands of a child? Snap Happy! at The Photographers’ Gallery explores a playful, mischievous and largely overlooked history of children and photography. The post What happens when you give a child a camera? Exploring the overlooked history of children and photography appeared first on Amateur Photographer .
When a child is given a camera, it opens up a world of wonder and creativity. An exhibition at The Photographers’ Gallery, titled "Snap Happy! How Children Became Photographers," delves into this often-overlooked history. Bill Brandt, a renowned photographer, once noted that seeing the world through a child's eyes is a rare gift.
Children tend to focus on what's close to home and meaningful to them, whether it's their family pet, lunchbox contents, or a prized toy. Before smartphones, children had to discover the joys of photography through trial and error, often resulting in quirky and inventive compositions.
The exhibition takes viewers on a journey from photography as an elite pastime to a more democratic hobby. Post-war camera clubs, comics, magazines, photobooks, advertising, manuals, and toys all play a role in shaping young photographers' perspectives. Some of the most innovative ideas, like the 'Wellie-flex' and 'Dolly-Flex,' emerged during school wet playtimes when children crafted their own cameras from everyday objects.
Children's penchant for capturing clandestine images, such as teachers from beneath desks, adds an element of mischief to the exhibition. When given unrestricted access to a camera, children often explore the world with a sense of curiosity and creativity that adults might not. The camera becomes more than just a tool; it transforms into a toy, a secret weapon, and occasionally an instrument of playful rebellion.
Mid-20th century comics featured photo-heroines like Camera-Mad Carole and Snap-Happy Hetty, inspiring young female audiences to embrace photography as a viable hobby. The Junior Photographer of the Year competition, running from 1958 to 1972, encouraged the establishment of over 1,000 school darkrooms, fostering a love for photography among young enthusiasts.
Ultimately, the exhibition asks viewers who remember photography before the smartphone era about their first camera and photograph. Often, the excitement of the experience outweighs the technical quality of the image, highlighting the pure joy and unbridled curiosity that drives children to pick up a camera and start snapping.
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