Garratt Park School Student Reporting
Take a look at what students at Garratt Park School got up to in their Young Reporters Assembly, with workshop facilitator Josie Verghese, and guest speakers Andy Stevenson and Rory McAllister.
Finding out about photography
The GPS Media Club welcomed a photographer to one of Journalism project weekly workshops. Cameron, Amy, Yusra and Zach describe the visit through the photos taken during it:
The lady in the photo is a photographer Heather who taught us about the many ways to take a good photo and how to focus attention more on the person or object you are taking a photo of.
We got to learn about cameras and how we can focus to take good photos. We made the main bit (subject) of our photos crisp but the background was blurred.
This is Cameron taking photos of Zach from different angles. Zach was also interested to learn about how “to take good photos you need good lighting.”
Learning other tips and tricks
This is us learning about how to be photographed. Heather (the photographer) told us how she loves taking photos but doesn’t really like having photos taken of her!
Before Heather visited Garrett Park School the GPS Media team prepared some questions to ask her. Here is how she responded:
Why do you like being a photographer?
Heather: I like being able to capture people and events from my own perspective. I also like taking a good photo of something they love and shows who they are.
What type of photography do you specialise in?
Heather: I specialise in portraits and photos of events in schools.
Ethan asked: I like taking photos of public transport, so what do you particularly like photographing?
Heather: My favourite thing is to take portraits of people. I also like to take landscape photos as well.
What is some advice you would give someone who wants to become a photographer?
Heather: My advice is to take lots of pictures every day, look for different angles and ask yourself what you like about photos to train your eye.
What is the best picture you have taken and why?
Heather: My favourite photos are those that I take of my kids. I like having reminders of who they are at that one moment in time.
Have you taken photos of any famous people?
Heather: I took a photo of the Mayor of London, Sir Sajid Khan. This year I have been taking lots of pictures of people in Wandsworth who are taking part in the London Borough of Culture events. Mostly, I take photos of people like you and me.
Have you ever lost an important photo that you’ve taken or had in your gallery?
Heather: Yes, I have lost important photos – it can be really annoying and upsetting when this happens. I'm pleased that now I can store things in the online ‘cloud’, but usually also keep copies of important photos on SD cards too.
Do you like having your photo taken and what advice do you have to help people who don’t like having photos taken?
Heather: I prefer to be behind the camera. The key to having your photo taken is to not overthink it. Try to think of something you like for a more natural smile.
Questions developed and asked by Cameron, Ethan, Zach, Alarna, Amy and Imran.