Do you know our 2023 Christmas card? Anton Trexler took the photo. An 18-year-old photographer who fulfilled a dream together with his grandfather and travelled to Namibia – more precisely, to steps for children in Okakarara. For five days, he held a photography workshop with the steps children in the afternoon, during which the children photographed their Namibia. In the mornings, he photographed the younger steps children in kindergarten and preschool for us.
26 cameras meet
26 boisterous and enthusiastic children and young people
- The task: Independently photograph the steps grounds with the camera for 90 minutes.
- The most popular subjects: Plants
DAY 1 – The first time with cameras
The girls and boys in Okakarara spent an entire afternoon – that is, a whole steps afternoon after school – taking photos together in small groups or on their own. Each child was given a camera, which Anton, the 18-year-old photographer from Wiesbaden, and his grandfather Bernd Torke had previously collected from friends and relatives and brought with them to Namibia.
The task: Photograph your favourite places on the steps grounds!
Beforehand, they received instructions on how to use the cameras. Again and again, the photos were viewed and checked on the small display, also with friends or Anton.
DAY 2 – The first photo review
At the end of the first afternoon, Anton collected the cameras again and printed out a few pictures for the next day. He pinned these to the wall to look at and discuss the different motifs and settings with the Schutzengel children and young people. Together they looked at the pictures and collected what they liked about them.
Children photograph their Namibia – equipped with a camera, they independently set out to look for subjects that interest them.
What we like:
- Colours
- different angles
- movement
- interaction
- viewing direction
- lines to the middle
- structures
- shapes
Through the selection of the images, indirect feedback could be provided, and the students started the second photography afternoon with a few more ideas regarding angles, interplay of colours and structures.
DAY 3 – People, animals, plants
On the third day, photographs were taken in three groups, each with one theme. The first group focused on plant motifs, the second group photographed people and the third group explored the animal world with the camera. For the first time, the young people were also allowed to go in search of their motifs outside the steps premises with the cameras.
The animal group presents its results.
DAY 4 – My route to school
On the fourth day, there was a new task: the young people were now allowed to take the cameras home overnight to photograph their home and their route to school. This afternoon would actually have been free – but all 26 students voluntarily returned to steps to continue taking part in the photography workshop with Anton.
DAY 5 – Saying goodbye
The fifth day was a day of farewell. The steps young people agreed: a great project is now coming to an end.
“We will miss you, Anton,” one of the Schutzengel boys said to Anton on the final day. A clear indication that he had enjoyed both the project and working with Anton.
“Their individual perception of their surroundings through the camera left an impression on me. My passion for photography left an equally strong impression on them. I hope that one day I can return to see my “Cool Gang” again. Maybe by then they will have become star photographers. Or maybe they will simply have a little fun taking photographs.” – Anton Trexler
Dear Anton, many thanks for your commitment and for taking us along to the photography project at steps in Okakarara! We are sure that the children and young people will remember the wonderful time with you for a long time to come. We now wish you every success with your upcoming exhibitions!
