“Canon Junior Photographers” was held at Nakahaginaka Elementary School in Haginaka, Ota Ward in Tokyo on Wednesday, May 25, 2005. A total of 43 fourth graders took part in the event.

First, photographer Hikaru Nagatake talked about the fun of taking pictures and her feelings when pressing the shutter button, introducing the work of last year’s “Junior Photographers.”

Then, the children received instructions on how to operate a digital camera. After that, they went to the nearby Tama River with digital cameras. They took photos of crabs and jellyfish in the sand on the dry riverbed, and flowers in bloom there. They photographed freely using their own aesthetics.

Coming back to school, they enjoyed viewing their photos and their friends’ photos projected on the screen, listening to Nagatake’s comments. Each of them also gave a talk about their impressions on the shoot and what interested them.

Children photographing at the riverside of the Tama River.

Children take photos of crabs in the mud.

Many different creatures live on the riverbank.

“Canon Junior Photographers” was held at Sumida Ward Kikukawa Elementary School in Tokyo, on Monday, June 6, 2005. A total of 60 sixth graders took part in the event.

After receiving instructions on how to operate a digital camera, all the children went to Ooyokokawa River Park. In this park at a corner of a town lined with buildings and houses, they found dragonflies, snails, hydrangeas, and sweet flags, and photographed the nature freely as they pleased.

After coming back to school, their photos were projected on the screen, and they held a photo review meeting. They photographed discoveries that were difficult for adults to notice, and left took photos that expressed their individuality.

Last year’s works are introduced at a lecture.

There are different creatures living in the park.

Children make a discovery and take photos of it.

“Canon Junior Photographers” was held at Miyake Village Elementary School on Miyake Island on Thursday, June 16 and Friday, June 17, 2005. On the first day, forty-four 3rd through 6th graders took part in a digital camera workshop and a photo session around the school.

On the second day, fifty-four 1st through 6th graders participated in the photo session at “Tairoike” (Pond). This junior photographers project was conducted along with a nature observation program around “Tairoike” (Pond) with the participation of all of the school children. The rangers of Akakokko House at the Miyake Island Nature Center explained to the unique natural environment of the island including its insects and birds. Afterwards, each child got a digital camera and took photos of nature around Tairoike Pond in his or her own way-beautiful hydrangea flowers and mysteriously shaped trees.

Photographer Hikaru Nagatake later chose one from each child’s photos, which was printed and presented to the school as a souvenir.

A frog is photographed at the school gym!

The riches of nature around Tairoike Pond.

The shutter is pressed up at the sky.

Canon Junior Photographers was held at Mitaka City Fourth Elementary School in Mitaka, Tokyo on Friday, June 24 and Tuesday, July 12, 2005. Seventy 5th graders participated in the event over two days, as part of their school curriculum.

Each child got a digital camera to take photos freely at the west park of Inogashira Park, kaze-no-promenade, Tamagawa waterworks, etc. The children took photos of insects, plants, and animals.

After coming back to school, they viewed their photos projected on the screen, and reviewed them carefully. Each group introduced its photos and talked about their experiences.

Children enjoy photo-shooting with friends.

They make discoveries in town where they live.

A boy is absorbed in taking a picture of a small insect.