ViewPoints - Children's Photo Project
One Day In Their LivesOn October 1, 2004, whether in Enfield or Hammersmith, in Hillingdon or Hounslow, in Hackney or Bromley, 150 children all did the same thing - taking photos of one day in their lives. They had been invited by Children's Fund Partnerships in 16 Boroughs across London to capture their ViewPoints on digital camera.
The Hammersmith & Fulham Children's Fund invited individuals to be involved in the photo project from three of our local projects - The Lyric Theatre Saturday Drama Club, Children and Young People that our Inclusive Play Worker had worked with and The Young Carer's Project. This is what they thought about the project and took photos of:
Happy Active Marvellous Mouth watering food Enjoyable Red roses Super Magnificent I was worried and interested Terrific Houses |
Amazing Nice Dance Club and my Dog Friends found it confusing Understanding everything Lost my camera! (worried) Happy Animals Mystery |
Pretty good Hard Organised Teachers Oohh this is fun! Perfect Ready Steady Click! Optimistic Joyful Excellent Confusing Toast & Tortellini |
What the project was about
The images give an insight into what is important to children, allowing a look
across barriers of age, ability, language, location... They give an account
of London life from a perspective unspoilt by rules or routines. The pictures
offer children a way to make sense of their own selves and others. And they
allow adults to better understand and respond to young people.
The photos highlight the important role that children play in our society today. The Children's Fund views children and young people as experts, generates dialogue with them, and supports initiatives that meet their priorities. Taking children seriously increases their self-esteem and confidence - a key to a bright future.
Follow on work and Exhibitions
On International Children's Day, 20 th November 04, the amateur photographers
attended a special event at City Hall that the Mayor of London invited them
to. In workshops they had a chance to meet children from across London, talk
amongst themselves and with policy makers and practitioners. Each child's
favourite photograph was exhibited at City Hall until Nov 26 th and then
a follow on exhibition is planned at the London Institute for Children's
Art 15 th March - 15 th May 05 and then the National Museum of Childhood
in June 2005. A local exhibition in Hammersmith and Fulham is planned in
the libraries in January / February 05.
All the photo's can be viewed at Greenwich Children's Fund's web gallery: www.greeenwichchildrensfund.org.uk/viewpoints
Children from Hammersmith and Fulham that were involved in the project and some members of the Lyric Theatre's Saturday Drama club also took part in a welcome drama presentation at City Hall. The children were 'Ninja Agents' and worked with Equal Voice to prepare for this event and used a drama presentation and a rap to welcome everybody.
Comments from Children Involved:
"It's quite fun and I like taking lots of different photos. It was quite
an opportunity to use a digital camera which I hadn't used before and I like
acting." Oscar, age 8.
"It was fun doing the acting - mucking around but still taking it seriously ...and the dress rehearsal at City Hall was excellent!" Jake, age 13
"I liked our Ninja agent jumpers!" Lena, age 10
"It was fun having a camera for the day and cool going to City Hall." Sana, age 12
"I liked the mics at City Hall. It was extra cool dude!" Beata, age 12
photo project | other snaps | kurdish association
Photos | Artwork | Gamesville | Hotline | Serious Stuff