I just found out about this international effort today, Dec 4, 2010, the day of the actual shoots sponsored by various camera groups all over the world. So it's too late this year to participate in the international effort.
http://help-portrait.com/
But we can do this for our own communities throughout the year. Why limit this to only one day a year?
One of the guys who used to be president of a camera club I belonged to, volunteers on each Monday at his church to help tutor a homework help program for homeless and welfare kids from Trenton, NJ. He started taking his camera to these sessions and when he got the confidence of the kids, he started making their portraits. He showed some of them, plus a slide show at a camera club meeting a few years ago. He said that having their very own portraits helped give these kids a sense of self worth and self confidence. He used natural light plus a flash, when needed.
Another project that some camera club folks participated in involved going about Newtown and Newtown Township, Bucks County, PA, shooting portraits of elderly residents who were born during a certain year. This was in conjunction with one of the historical society's projects for the town's bicenntenial celebrations a few years ago.
Or we can document natural areas that groups are wanting to preserve, or historical buildings to be preserved. One guy documented the building project of his church when they expanded several years ago.
Or if our local historical society or community holds an event, we can document that for the society or community.
So let's put on our thinking caps and see how we can give back to your community by using our cameras. Extend this season of giving throughout the whole year next year! |