What age would you start a kid taking photos and using a camera?

[bobt]

Here's a question for all you parents out there.

At what age would you consider a child can be entrusted with a camera (apart from their 'phone). I know all kids are different, but when do you think a child would be able to learn, use and look after a camera without trashing it ?

I'm not thinking DSLR or anything complicated, just a P&S of the fairly basic kind.

I know there are parents out there who think their child is a genius and could handle a fabulous camera before they can walk .... but I'm thinking along more sensible and practical lines rather than "my child is a prodigy".

Thoughts ??

[jim]

As early as they want. I started at the age of 8 with a plastic toy camera that nevertheless took 35mm film. It got me hooked. I've still got the photos. They're terrible.

[Bensch]

As soon as they start showing an interest in photography of some type, and they're old enough to understand that things cost money and break when you throw them....

All depends on the development of the child, my niece started with a P&S around 8-9, whereas I still wouldn't trust my nearly 13-year-old nephew with one....

[ricktas]

I think I was about 10 (too long ago to remember exactly). Grandfather gave me a box brownie. i had to save my pocket money to get prints developed. Though my mum would buy me a roll of film about once a month. I had an after school/weekend job from just before I turned 12, and then had to pay for my own film/developing. Got my first SLR when I was 16 (from saving from my job). I agree about when they start asking questions. If they show an interest, be enthusiastic and support that interest. At what age that occurs (if it ever does) is when to start looking at a cheapish 'starter' camera for them.

[bobt]

I think I was about 10

Good! That's the sort of answer I was hoping for. The reason I asked is because I just met a 10 yo who is part of my extended family (from interstate). She's amazingly confident, articulate and personable and told me she's interested in photography but hasn't got a camera. So I gave her a point and shoot that I don't use, and I'm hoping it might start her off on the road to bigger things. Sounds like that could work! Some kids amaze me today - so much confidence at such a young age. I never had that.

[Geoff79]

My grandparents gave my son an old discarded Panasonic LUMIX when he was probably 2 or 3, haha. The camera is still around but hasn’t really been used much.

Both my children take turns with my phone as a camera quite frequently... my daughter (4 years old) a little more than my son (6 years old). Unfortunately 95% of her shots still have her finger covering the majority of the frame, but I love her enthusiasm.

Point being, if either of them expressed interest in wanting a camera, I’d be more than happy to pass on an old point and shoot, or maybe even an old phone, for them to get going with. We actually have that LUMIX as well as my old Canon Powershot around the house if/when that day comes.

[ameerat42]

I think that at whatever age, the kid must show some interest.

My story is fairly || to Rick's, except "11", "father" and "Agfa" box, which I still have

Then, what you pass on to/give them would have to suit their stage of development.

[farmmax]

I must have been about 9 when I was given a little Kodak film camera, which I still have. Money was very limited, so there were not many photos taken. The strange thing is, I was the only one of my siblings ever given a camera. I often now wonder why. There is a long line of photographers back in my ancestors and my dad always had a SLR, but I don't seem to remember having any interest in photos.

My first digital camera took a whole half megabit size photos. It was used to put photos of animals on the web. Strangely enough it was photoshop which led me into pure recreational photography. I had been using photoshop to create web graphics. Back then there were no online libraries to download graphics from. You simply had to build your own. I started playing with photos to remove backgrounds and creating different effects. From there I started photographing all sorts of objects to make more and more graphics, and never stopped

Despite my childhood experience, I probably wouldn't offer a child a camera until they displayed a distinct interest in taking photos. Many would have access to a camera phone which would satisfy most children's needs. A suitable age to try a "real" camera wouldn't be important , but showing frustration at the limitations of a phone camera would!

[Glenda]

I agree with those who said as soon as they show an interest. I recently watched a B&H video and the presenter showed a photo of himself at 3 with his very first camera, taking a photo of his younger brother's first birthday. His grandfather, an avid photographer, had apparently given the camera to him.

[bobt]

Despite my childhood experience, I probably wouldn't offer a child a camera until they displayed a distinct interest in taking photos.

That was my feeling too .. which is why I gave her a camera. I'd like to think that 10 years from now she's out there shooting fabulous shots and heading down a great photographic path due to the little nudge I gave her when she showed interest.

Or she could drop it and break it tomorrow. Either way, it's a learning experience!