My eldest turned 3 in September. A few months before, I had finally picked up my film cameras again after having not shot very much at all since he was born, and my son’s interest was piqued.
He was desperate to have a go but I have a few cameras that I really didn’t want him to touch. He may be advanced for his age but I’m still not going to hand him my Pentacon Six! However, I have put aside a camera each for him and his brother. They are both point & shoot film cameras which belonged originally to their great grandmother and great grandfather. I pulled out the Nikon RF2 and loaded it with Kodak Gold and watched as my son went through the 24 exposures in just a few minutes. The excitement and joy was clear, his face a picture in itself.
He has shot 5 rolls to date and I find the whole process fascinating. Being present whilst he takes pictures is almost like performance art. My son has always been the type to chat to any stranger in the street and this was no different, he catches people off-guard, taking photos and chatting to them about his new camera; people visibly soften despite their worries about getting too close, what with Covid-19 and all. He rushes around, excited to take his next shot, which is just as likely to be part of a window frame as it is to be of my chin and it’s contagious. It makes me laugh out loud to watch him.
The energy and excitement show in his images too. The quick compositions scream energy from the frame, you can imagine a tiny child running, stopping, snapping and then running on again. I’d love to share some of his colour work one day, but I’m still working on digitising colour negatives. So for now I thought I would share 5 frames of me, shot on Ilford HP5.
It’s rare for me to be the subject of a photograph, I am usually on the other side of the camera. Plus, photos that have been taken of me in the last 3 years do not bring me joy. Becoming a mother has changed my body beyond recognition and I’m still trying to build up the strength that I had before. It so often now feels like I’m looking at a photograph of a stranger and not of myself. But there is something about these images, I recognise myself here.
What does this say about the uninhibited way he makes images?
What does it say about a subject’s relationship to their photographer, and how that affects the outcome?
I find the creative process and the theory of photography fascinating. If you’re interested in more of my musings you can follow my learning log or Instagram.
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Bob Janes on 5 frames by an almost 3 year old – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 21/11/2020
I'm interested by the viewpoints. Normally when a small person takes a photograph, they are looking up, but your son seems to have generally chosen to take a viewpoint above you.
I recently put a Dynax 5 into the hands of my granddaughters (5 and 11) there tended to be a fair amount of freaking the cats out by trying to take photos of them from far too close for their comfort, but the 5 year old was a picture as she played photographer. She would have got on great in teh 60s as there were lots of wonky angles and tightly closed non-viefinder eyes. Must check out f her father had been showing her 'Blow-up' on youtube...
Comment posted: 21/11/2020
Alex Vye on 5 frames by an almost 3 year old – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 21/11/2020
Comment posted: 21/11/2020
Denim on 5 frames by an almost 3 year old – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 21/11/2020
Comment posted: 21/11/2020
Lance on 5 frames by an almost 3 year old – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 21/11/2020
Loved the article, and it's a reminder I should get my kids more involved in photography. My son is 13 now and it would be fun to see what he shoots
Comment posted: 21/11/2020
Anthony Romain Jr. on 5 frames by an almost 3 year old – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 21/11/2020
Thank you for sharing!!!
Comment posted: 21/11/2020
Peter on 5 frames by an almost 3 year old – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 21/11/2020
Comment posted: 21/11/2020
Daniel Castelli on 5 frames by an almost 3 year old – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 21/11/2020
I'm sorry to hear you're dealing with post birth body & health issues. But look at what you brought into the world! You and your partner have created a unique family unit. Never seen before, never to be duplicated anywhere! People you never knew existed now interact with you as we follow your photo adventures. Not bad Holly, not bad.
You and your family stay healthy!
Dan (flickr.com/photos/dcastelli9574/)
Comment posted: 21/11/2020
Brian Nicholls on 5 frames by an almost 3 year old – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 22/11/2020
Comment posted: 22/11/2020
Fontaine Lewis on 5 frames by an almost 3 year old – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 23/11/2020
What really struck me was you noting that your body had changed and that you are rarely in photos. My wife is struggling with this daily (our newest was born in June), and it's very nice to know that it's not an uncommon thing. Thank you for this article!
Comment posted: 23/11/2020
Sroyon on 5 frames by an almost 3 year old – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 24/11/2020
Comment posted: 24/11/2020
Orrin on 5 frames by an almost 3 year old – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 25/11/2020
Comment posted: 25/11/2020