Through The Eyes Of A First-Grader

11/1/2024

Autumn through the trees at Forest Exploration Center - photo by Karson Mackowski, Age 6

I'm in nature with my camera at least a few times a week. Sometimes even more. But the first time I went on a thematic photo walk was with my 4-year-old nephew, Karson, a couple summers back.

We were spending a sunny afternoon together and looking for something creative to do. So we sat down and came up with a photo idea list, then headed out for a walk with our cameras, through our neighborhood and backyard. We had a great time seeking out photos based on the list of prompts we created.

So, I was thrilled to have 6-year-old Karson and his mom join the group for an afternoon of nature photography at Forest Exploration Center.

A few days after the event, I decided to interview him and get his thoughts on the photo walk.

Karson, on our first photo walk together two years ago.

Karson Mackowski, Age 6, First Grade, Brookfield, WI

Q: Was this your first visit to Forest Exploration Center?
A: Yes.

Q: Did you enjoy the photo walk?
A: Yes. I actually loved it!

Q: Would you do it again?
A: Yes!

Q: Do you prefer to take photos with your camera or a phone?
A: With my camera.

Q: Can you tell me a bit about what you liked?
A: I liked the spider web. I still have the leaves that we found. I liked the art we saw. I liked making a heart with leaves.

Q: Do you have a favorite season?
A: I like summer and fall. I like to go outside. I like summer for going swimming.

Q: Would you go for a photo walk in winter?
A: I actually don't like snow. So, no.

Acorn art spotted on the trail, and photographed by Karson Mackowski.

We talked a bit about other things he enjoyed on the walk - sharing photos with the other photographers, learning about the fungus that grows on fallen trees, sitting on a tree stump that looks kind of like a chair. He enjoyed the StoryWalk, which is an ongoing, and changing feature at the FEC along the Community Spur trail.

Partway through the walk, the batteries ran out on his camera (we've all been there). So, he switched to using his mom's phone camera. He took it in stride, and got some amazing photos. He also shared a couple photo tips:

1) Set the phone on the ground, facing straight ahead, for a low to the ground style photo.
2) Lay your phone flat on the ground, facing up, beneath a tall tree, to get a cool photo of a tree against the sky.

Finally, here's a gallery of some of Karson's photos from the walk. Enjoy!