Training makes perfect

Training teachers to 'see' like a photographer




Explaining WHY they took that photo...


The self timer option

Lindar, Dau Wah, Eh Shoe, and Yawla are already teachers; now they will take the MY STORY photo project farther afield. Once again HelpwithoutFrontiers.org is sponsoring this training; 2 weeks of in class work, and 2 weeks of practice teaching at a Burmese school in Mae Sot.

Teachers' pictures

Eh Shoe: mother and child





















Eh Shoe likes the cow market

Dau Wah uses the edge of the frame
Lindar makes a portrait




Lindar: someone working

Yawla: a gentleman
Yawla: Kids



And there were these kids that hang around the school and just love to have their picture taken, especially with some of the NINE school puppies!

Practice teaching

Portrait of a dog
Yawla figuring something out
Portrait of a tree


It's time for Yawla, Eh Shoe, Lindar, and Dau Wah to put into practice all the stuff that's been crammed into their heads over the last 2 weeks.

We pack up our printer, buy more ink cartridges, and head out to a Burmese school on the south side of Mae Sot. Six students are waiting to get their hands on those cameras, and, hurray, hurray, there is gender balance. Due to security concerns we can't show you their faces, but we can surely show you some of the images they made.

This was part of a group assignment on this shop keeper and his family
Two heads are usually better than one
The assignment was to take a picture of someone moving


Portrait assignment













Using the edge of the frame

Editing...or less is more

I can't decide...










It's your choice...

Artists' statements


Looks great!

Students and teachers spend the last day of the workshop editing hundreds of their photos down to 3 from each student. And writing their artist statements and photo captions. This always seems to be the hardest part: there are too many strong images to choose from. But it is their decision.

With big sheets of newsprint and masking tape, they mount a mini-exhibition on the classroom whiteboard for the rest of the school to see.

And finally, we are off to Borderline Gallery, where our new teachers are part of the MY STORY photo exhibition. A gallery visit is a first for all of these kids. We think they are impressed. After lunch, the new teachers present certificates of completion to their charges and we present certificates to our new teachers. This is fun!
Eh Shoe
Yawla
Dau presents a MY STORY photo project certificate at Borderline Gallery