Naturally good shots<br />

The amatuer photography session by students who took pictures of Dubai Creek and Abu Dhabi Corniche (Friday, Jan 11-17, 2002) was so well received that we decided to start a series of interactive and stimulating monthly workshops for children in all disciplines. We begin the series with, naturally, photography. At the picturesque Safa Park, Lyndon Ashmore, photography instructor at the Dubai International Art Center, taught four children a couple of snappy tricks...

Four young readers of Friday - Mohammed Imran Khan, Mohammad Kazim, Sainto Sam Kurian and Rahul K. Das - from different schools in Dubai are assembled on a crisp bright Thursday morning at Safa Park, Dubai, to participate in a workshop, the first in a series, organised by Friday.

With his whiteboard, Lyndon Ashmore, photography instructor at the Dubai International Art Center, draws out his lessons. He peppers his conversation with descriptions of photographs seen or taken by him over the years.

To begin with, Ashmore sets out the basic rules of photography to his rapt audience. He points out how they could be applied spot on and brings to attention an ideal frame, an attractive angle as well as photography anecdotes.

Then, the four participants fan out into the green expanse of Safa Park to try out their newly-learned knowledge. They get so carried away by their quest for the right frame that we have to put out a search warrant for them, well almost!

Let's get Ashmore's take on nature photography first.