dhillme Loc: Springfield, Missouri

I agree with Darkroom317. I have BFA in Photography and although the other associated art mediums you learn seem may superfluous, they are worth it. Depending on your ultimate photographic goals, I might suggest a Minor in Business. Go for it.

anotherview Loc: California

To each his own.

Picsee

Would it open up employment or business opportunities for you?

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Brooks Institute underwent several sales. Back when they were owned by the Brooks family it was my understanding that it was great school.. It was then sold to a couple of different for profit college companies. It appears that these companies heavily degraded the quality and reputation of the institution. I thought about going there but the lawsuits about them overstating their post graduation jobs rates and the expense of the school were highly concerning.

http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-brooks-institute-closure-20160815-snap-story.html

http://archive.vcstar.com/news/local/ventura/what-led-to-brooks-institute-in-ventura-closing-so-abruptly-3a32de7c-6b02-5967-e053-0100007fc2ec-390738451.html?page=1

Indiana Loc: Huntington, Indiana

Well, there is nothing quite like the academic classroom: professional instruction, Q&A, graded assignments, student interaction, competency challenges, and of course, the grade.

Ricopix

I'll agree with you on the outrageous expense of a college education today. I went on a teaching assistantship so they paid me and all tuition was taken care of as well.The benefits of my photo education came from the people I met along the way. One of my professors was Beaumont Newhall, the guy that wrote the book on the history of photography. At the time I had no idea who he was. First day of class he pulls out an Ansel Adams portfolio, then a Paul Strand folio, a Minor White folio and he had more stashed away elsewhere. Photo is easy, what makes it exciting are the photographers, people who have devoted their lives to exploring the medium and evolving their vision. Photography is available to everyone (even more so today with the iPhone etc.) and it's much more than cute pictures of little kids and cats and dogs. Contrary to popular belief new cameras don't make your pictures any better or worse, they just make them more expensive. If you spent as much time developing a vision as you do figuring out which program to use, which button to push, which lens, what focal length etc.,etc., you would be way ahead of the game. Feedback from others, particularly other photographers and picture makers is a big part of the learning process and the reason schools and classes exist. Sure, you can do it in a vacuum but then all you've got is your own opinion. How biased could that be?
Personally I never enjoyed a career as a "professional photographer" although I did give it a go for several years. Guess I'm spoiled but I always considered photography a pleasure and doing it commercially turned that pleasure into a chore.
Going on fifty years as a photographer and I'm back to square one shooting with a view camera on 5x7 film. How's that for progress! Just wish someone made an autofocus view camera.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Burkphoto I have appreciated your intelligence and knowledge of photography etc for a long time. Your posts are always to the point and
informative. One of the interesting issues with education today in the lack of flexibility. I had a good reputation in Philadelphia when I move there from NY.
The gentlemen who ran the Art Institute there hired me because of my awards and my work on McDonald's. I had no degree from Art Institute even though I attended for a couple of years in the evening. It as nota college degree. Today they would not have hired me and that great experience wouldn't have happened.

jwohlhueter

It sounds to me like you have fallen into the photography doldrums. I experience this myself. I enjoy the creativity, shooting and processing. My family and friends enjoy my work, but sometimes it's hard to get motivated to get out there and shoot. Before plunking down big money for classes look seriously into workshops. Find professionals workshops that concentrate on teaching how to use your camera and post processing. Combining shooting with travel and seeing new places will get the juices flowing. I did a 10 day "lessons/workshop" trip on the Oregon Coast last fall. At every location the professional spent time with each of us to make sure we understood our camera settings and why we were using each. When I finished that workshop I felt like I had professional skills. Learning to shoot on site in a small group with cameras in hand and a pro to answer your questions is, in my mind, way better than critiquing photos on a video screen in a classroom. Just my opinion.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

An excelent idea. working with like minded people (of all ages) in a structured manner, to set goals, is the quickest way to learn 'anything'. Try not to think of yourself as having a 'head start'.....but listen to what other people have to say. There will be a breadth of experience present in 'class'.

Remember it is also a competition...there can only be so many 'A' grades. The better the students are in your group - the harder it is to get a great final grade.

As a mature student....gaining a qualification is secondary to 'enjoying being encouraged to learn again' (rather than getting a set result...ie Work!) So be open to exploring things in depth rather than 'how to do'. Read and reference 'around' each topic....You are never 'wrong' if you can quote references that back up your argument.....

I did a BA aged 45.....'just because I wanted to' and it was a great three years!!!!

have fun.

anotherview Loc: California

Agree with this opinion: "Before plunking down big money for classes look seriously into workshops. Find professionals workshops that concentrate on teaching how to use your camera and post processing."

This experience will produce a foundation that gives you confidence.

fotoman150

Thanks to everyone for their opinions. Once again I ask a question and I get every conceivable possible opinion that I could think of and some that I would never think of.

I think I’m going to take a step back and I’m going to go through the process as if I’m going to school but I’m going to take a hard look at this thing. Right now I’m leaning towards not doing it.

anotherview Loc: California

You could always go for classroom instruction for a structured, formal approach to learning photography, after trying alternatives.
In fact, you'd likely gain more from this instruction due to your previous experience with the alternatives.

My basic guidance: Learn composition and exposure along with the importance of subject. All in photography flows from these three elements.

As a craft, photography requires practice over time to become skilled at it.

In the process learn from your mistakes and successes.

That's about the size of it.

Good luck.

Besperus Loc: Oregon

Fine arts, it may suit you well as an invidual. You may want to start out in a community college to get the basics out of the way. There are a number of books which are quite good. If you have done that, throwing yourself head long into photography will help. Narrow your interests to a specific area, fine arts? Great! I started there and went into journal ism from portrait/studio work trying to make a living for my family with some success when there are so many “photographers” doing the same thing cheaper. Fine arts, requires the best quality equipment and attention to detail. Most of all persistence and do not be afraid to buck the trends and follow your own vision. Good Luck! And, enjoy.