Children residing at Neve Hanna as well as those that attend the various daycare programs at Neve Hanna, were chosen to participate in a photo workshop, that began in the fall of 2018.
Equipped with professional cameras as well as smartphone cameras, the children learn to capture photos – still and moving pictures. They learn all the technical skills needed for photography, including angles, frames, color, light and darkness, design and positioning, composition, digital processing, and enhancing pictures. Most importantly, through this project, they will learn how to tell an entire story with just one picture or by a short sequence of frames.
The Neve Hanna children who participate in this program will be exposed to the different roles pictures play in our lives and have an opportunity to express themselves through a new genre and deal with sad experiences, success stories, exceptional events as well as self-presentation and self-image.
This project is part of Neve Hanna´s leisure time enrichment program, but also bears therapeutic aspects of working on personal challenges and individual stories, personal responsibilities as well as cooperation and team work.
Neve Hanna children learn the art and science of photography. By capturing and creating images, the children gain a feeling of self-worth and success.
Photography can be a form of mindfulness (or present state awareness), similar to meditation, which is proven to help people suffering from depression and anxiety. Often when you’re taking photos, you can find yourself in “flow”, which brings many health benefits similar to meditation like calming the mind and providing relief from stress.
Therapeutic Photography is an accessible means of communications, for people to share their thoughts, viewpoints, frustrations and joys. A visual diary can also serve as a way to help one chart, document and reflect on his or her journey. It involves taking, analyzing and using photos for the purpose of personal healing, growth, or understanding, whether done consciously or unconsciously. Children learn about the healing power of photography and how it can help them better express, understand and overcome obstacles, anxiety and depression.
Therapeutic Photography does not mean just only photo-taking. It also includes other photo-interactive activities, such as photo-viewing, -posing, -planning, -discussing, or even just only remembering or imagining photographs.
- Basics of Digital Photography: safety, history, and basic camera operations
- Composition and Design Elements– Elements of Art in Composition: Understanding the creative process to enhance students’ ability to produce quality art
- Digital Image Capture and Editing: The ability to interpret information to solve problems when using technology
- Lighting Techniques: Understanding and using lighting techniques to produce many different effects
American Friends of Neve Hanna 