processes for kids

[fralexis]

I do a lot of work with kids and have always wanted to do something with film photography. I am thinking that perhaps pin hole would be good, but perhaps something else might be better. Any ideas on what sort of camera might be suited for groups of kids. Also, what process would you recommend for a group of kids with extremely limited possibilities for a darkroom or chemicals?

Thanks.

[Ted R]

Photographic processing chemicals are poisonous, I suggest looking at "instant film" possibilities.

[LabRat]

Too bad that POP paper for making sun prints is not around anymore... It would be fun to make a red plexi box camera, so they can watch the image build-up on the paper inside...

Steve K

[jp]

I'd not suggest instant film. The chemicals in the peel-apart are kinda unpleasant to leave on your fingers or clothes.

Sun print paper is still around, and cyanotypes are easy to make and safe if using the traditional process. Photograms are fun if you have darkroom but can be done with cyanotypes as well. For silver pinhole, a paint can makes a good camera.

[Oren Grad]

At this point the only instant film that's both widely available at retail outlets and not very expensive is Fuji Instax (Mini and Wide), which is an integral film - no peel-apart.

For more of a taste of participating in a craft while keeping safety concerns to a minimum, cyanotype with commercially-available pre-coated paper is the obvious possibility.

[Nodda Duma]

Too bad that POP paper for making sun prints is not around anymore... It would be fun to make a red plexi box camera, so they can watch the image build-up on the paper inside...

Steve K

You can still get sun prints

http://www.sunprints.org

[Vaughn]

I have taught photo to kids. These were two-week summer classes, 4hrs/day, 4 days/week.

For the older kids (about 8 to 18 yrs): The first day we made pinhole cameras out of boxes of 250 sheet 8x10 photopaper (one per kid). We used 8x10 sheets of litho film (can be loaded and processes under red safelight) for the negatives that first day to get the feel of the cameras and exposure times. The second day was all photographing and processing the litho film. The third day was making cyanotypes that they had hand-coated. The fourth day was making both negs and prints.

Once I did buy some cyanotype pre-coated 'sheets' of cloth -- eventually made into a sort of a prayer flag (all cloths tied to a rope).

The second week was film cameras (35mm loaded with Ilford XP2). One day to photograph, then film processed and ready for silver printing by the second day -- then print for the remainder of the time.

With a limited darkroom, the pinhole-cyanotype route seems the best for you. The chemicals are pretty mellow as far as photochemicals go. Aprons and gloves -- and good supervision while coating the paper -- is all that is needed. If the chemicals for processing the litho negatives is a bit much for the age-group, they could be quickly processed by a couple adults in a darkened rooms as the kids return from making their exposures.

[jnantz]

You can still get sun prints

http://www.sunprints.org

that's pre-coated "classic" cyanotype paper.
not quite the same as POP paper ...

POP paper is still available
http://www.altphotoproducts.com
its a collodio chloride paper ( aristotype ).

[stawastawa]

make sure the darkoom is well ventilated, that they are not eating or drinking, and that they wear gloves!

[Bernard_L]

Lumen prints. Limited subjects (flowers, leaves). Can make use of outdated paper. Kids can see the result (in subdued light) without using any chemicals; then supervisor can fix them.

With a limited darkroom, the pinhole-cyanotype route seems the best for you.

I strongly doubt that cyanotype is sensitive enough to work in a pinhole camera.