Learning professional photography

The **“Learning Photography Like a Professional”** workshop aimed to introduce children and young people to the fundamentals of photography and teach them how to use a camera in a thoughtful, creative and structured way.

Participants began by discovering the essential elements of an image: light, composition, framing, shooting angles, distance, focus, background and choosing the right moment.

They learned to distinguish between a photograph taken at random and an image created around a specific intention, idea or message.

The sessions also introduced them to how a camera works and, depending on the situation, how to use a smartphone for photography.

The children learned how to stabilise the device, choose an appropriate frame, observe the light and photograph people, places and objects from different angles.

Practical exercises were carried out both inside **Café Social 57** and outdoors.

This allowed participants to immediately apply the concepts they had studied.

The workshop encouraged them to look at their surroundings differently and to observe the details, colours, shapes and small stories found in everyday life.

An important part of the activity also focused on image rights and respect for privacy.

The children learned that they must not photograph or publish an image of someone without that person’s permission.

The workshop concluded with a genuine final project.

Each child produced their own series of photographs using the techniques learned during the training.

After a selection process and a group discussion about the images, the two best photographs by each participant were chosen.

They were then presented as part of an exhibition organised in a library in the city of Metz.

The exhibition allowed the children to see their work presented to the public and to understand that their photographs could become a real artistic project.

The experience strengthened their confidence, patience, observation skills and visual expression.