G'Day All,

I have volunteered my time and the resulting negs to go and shoot an orphanage here for children who are abandoned by their parents for what is by western standards the need of a simple medical treatment - like cleft palette.

I am not sure how to go about it because I want to shoot in colour and shoot happy pics and not depressing - look at the poverty stricken child - lets all feel sorry for them - style of shot.

I was listening to a podcast the other day and someone talked about scouting and planning and shot lists. I think it is a really good idea to go out first quietly with no camera to get a feel for the place and the light and the people and then let that sink in for a while so that I can have time to come up with some creative ideas.

Does anyone else have some other advice? My usual planning for shooting is, pick a lens, pick a film, pick a place to be dropped off and then just walk around. I am hoping to make this endeavour more precise and with a higher rate of keepers. So how does one plan a shoot and then execute it?

Cheers,
RF.

hey Richard,

off the top of my head, something I'd do is to learn as much as possible about....well everything. A priori, you don't know what information is going to tip you into the creative part.

I don't know, but I'd walk around of course, talk about the illnesses and situation with staff and children, talk to nurses, teachers, look at the light, the time of the day certain things happen (food, sleep), portrait the people behind the children (nurses, teachers). Ask them if the kids have "fun" at all. Maybe you can learn a trick or two on you tube for them, that will probably earn their trust...and make them laugh.

Not bringing the camera is certainly a good idea, so you other senses spring, but you'll feel you missed a shot or two :)

hope this helps

d

For sure I will do a recon first. I have watched all the photogs at weddings I've gone to and it seems they all work a similar methodology and go through the motions of checking off the shots done. Ring, in laws, up close, before, after....etc.

So is there a generic list of shots on some generic shot list that I should pay attention to or adapt?

Hello Richard,

i have quite an experience for such things. First thing is you need some equipment if you shot inside like tripod and some flashes.

When you go with such stuff the first day there no picture which will be good you get there. The people/child's will be afraid and some will start crying. :-)
Go there many times with the camera and let the child's get adapted to your staying there. You need time and play with the child's. Some gifts also will help. Talk with the management about what pictures you will take and what you wane do with the pictures. I only got one time the permission to publish. It is a very sensitive topic taking pictures in a orphanage. You should not take pictures from suffering children because people do not like some pathetic stuff. Laughing and playing pictures will be great and much more fun for the child's! You should connect your shooting there with a nice experience for the child. If you take picture from there suffering and nothing is left for the childs the experience will be bad for them and they will ask why this fellow was there and take pictures and we still suffering the basics! SOS as example refuse me to make pictures in such SOS-village even i could arrange a huge amount on money which was transfered there. But i visit this orphanage and the people were so kind and friendly and full of good heart i never will forget this moment. You see it is not easy. And specially when we start taking pictures from orphans! You need think very clear what will be come out for the child`s there!!!!!!!!!!!

Robert

Well the pics are for them, not me. I said I am not a doctor and can't really think of anything practical that I can do. I can hand over cash but I would rather do something with my hands. How about some shots that you can then use as you see fit. A calendar, advertising, awareness raising, etc... I showed them my portfolio and said the only things I wanted to do was shoot film (natural light) and make them happy photos.

I did some orphanage stuff before for rotary and also for a school that needed a room of PC's fixed up that we went and put Linux on and fixed up an got internet working. At that place I brought a rugby ball and the kids were completely enchanted by it's unpredictable (to them) bouncing and rolling....

If you do so than you do right and the children will be happy. The orphanage here for small babies i dare not to make any pictures. Too worse this all. I make pictures from the rooms and the house but not from the child's. I hope the situation shown on my pictures will convince the authorities to put some money for renovation there and less for keeping people happy in some parks. Handing some cash is not good because the money will drawn by others. I buy dietary staple food every week for them. Milk powder, diapers and all this stuff which is really needed. I also took a lot of people there to show how miserable they need to exist.
Well done with the PC! It shows courage!

Robert

Our Linux users group also has some members now who are building a light and Chinese/English CD that can run on any PC and provide basic educational programs, games and work on the sort of old hardware that exists in rural China....

Hi Richard,

I would do what others have suggested (to get the feel of the place and let them get the feel of you). But in the end I would not do the shoot unless the children send you non-verbal messages that it is OK. They need to know that you and the camera are their friends. They need to feel your warmth and sincerity. They will move toward love and away from it. This is what they need... this is what we all need. But they need it most of all.

You may have to go back several times before shooting. Or just take one picture or two in the first visits. Or just shoot the ones who welcome you first.... the others will follow. Smile a lot. Then maybe on one magical visit the doors to their hearts will open. Cnce they do you will capture their souls.

Please keep in mind that if you get close they will miss you. If you don't plan to come back to visit then don't get too close. They have so little. They will miss you so much.

I hope this helps. All the best.

Phil

Thanks... yep definitely going to take this one slowly. Maybe even over a few visits/months to shoot....