Mick Waters introduces: Learning Through A Lens - It's All About Photography (Mick Waters Introduces Series) - Softcover

Photography had never been something on my I really want to do that list until I connected with Jane Hewitt. We have been linking up via twitter and Project 365 and I now have the bug! Despite only meeting her in the real world a few weeks ago, Jane has provided such a motivation for me that I was delighted to be able to review her book Learning Through a Lens . Whatever I was expecting when I knew she had produced a book I don t know, but it wasn t what I read! I had expected a selection of her wonderful pictures each of which illicit a response. Instead I received a manual that will move the photographic skills of both myself, and anyone else who reads it, to a new level. The book is intended for teachers but I wouldn t restrict it to such a limited audience. Anyone who has enjoyed seeing life in pictures will find something of interest in these pages. The colour coding to help navigate the reader through the various sections is useful and means that you can home in to specifics if that is your need. Jane s very relaxed way of writing means even technical aspects are comfortable to take on board and of course there is a wonderful array of her work. My favourite has always been Little People . Jane introduced me to them a while ago but in the book she has extended my interest in them, linking it to my passion for creative writing in schools. In fact, so many of the projects just scream out to be undertaken. I m very pleased that there is good coverage for those of us who are device photographers. Seeing how some of the many apps out there can be used will encourage many phone and tablet users to go beyond a quick snap to more of a composition. It is such a wonderful book that I will have to have it in hard copy so that I can flick through the pages to be further inspired and encouraged to have a go. There is SO MUCH contained in its 13 chapters that I did wonder if it should have been two books but I m glad I won t have to wait for Part 2! --Julia Skinner, Founder of 100 Word Challenge

Jane Hewitt expertly manages to give every teacher the opportunity to bring the world alive through photography in their classroom. At last we all have access to a wonderfully constructed book that is not only a teacher s guide but a technical manual too. Combining her own expertise as a teacher and her skill as a professional photographer she captures the imagination and leaves you longing to get your camera clicking. Jane hooks you in with her own compelling photographs and explains proficiently how to use images to drive children s learning. Why not try a photo essay or thought provoking philosophical discussion based on a simple image. Use a shape collage to celebrate children s work and produce photography letters in a literacy lesson. Terms such as aperture and composition will be fully --Dave Whitaker, Executive Principal, Springwell Community Special School & Barnsley PRU

Early on in her book, "Learning Through a Lens", Jane Hewitt quotes Arnold Newman - "a better camera won't do a thing for you if you don't have anything in your head or your heart." Well, there is a lot of head and heart in this book which is overflowing not only with exquisite images to stimulate teaching and learning, but also wonderful ideas for lessons, pulling together the curriculum into a kaleidoscopic learning lens of its own. Jane's excellence as a teacher shines through as she patiently explains for the novice how to use a camera and digital devices, shares some very cool apps and intersperses all of that with the sort of soulful and purposeful teaching ideas that you know will make children grow in front of your eyes. This is a real gem of a book, using photography to connect dramatic contexts, philosophical discussion, scientific, technological and mathematical thinking with global, local and personal issues. I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to put it into action. --Dr. Debra Kidd, AST for Pedagogy, Saddleworth School

This full colour book will show you how to use photography in the classroom across all subjects. Sometimes there are real barriers to learning - whether social or cultural or simply ability or motivation - but photography has something to offer everyone: it provides a vehicle for either teamwork or self-discovery, inspiration, wonder, exploring hidden depths in iconic images, and subsequent philosophical questions. It allows for creativity but also for structure, freedom and rigour. It gets beneath the surface and beyond the obvious. Subjects covered in this book include: Camera basics - composition, camera functions, basic uploading, editing, printing and presentation Self-portraits - self discovery, all about me, secrets, hidden depths, expressions Dear Photo -putting old photos into a scene, then and now Using Tiny People to create whole new worlds, scenes and stories providing real scope for creativity and fun Using images for philosophical discussion Looking at the local community and how to use images such as street art for project based activities For use by all teachers, parents, youth workers and anyone wanting to teach using photography.