saichiez Loc: Beautiful Central Oregon

I took the photography NYIP course in the seventies, and I spent about $200. Do the math and inflation would surely have increased the price in 30 years.

At that time, it was all photography... meaning exposure, composition, etc. and probably the best "jump start" I could have done.

However, I think it's broken down now into photography skills and then "digital", or how to use the computers we now call digital camera's. So, I would think the decision now would be about whether you want or need the photography skills or the digital instruction. They are different one from the other.

I was not concerned about accreditation, or resume pumping attributes of the program, and in that period of time, if building a resume was the end goal, one went to schools like Brookings Institute in California, or such.

Is it worth $1000? Well, I am sure inflation would put my original $200 near that amount over 30 years.

And, as others have said, you could find all the same information the "Cheapo" way for free on the internet. However, it's not the information you are paying for. With NYIP, it is years of a well developed, guided program of instruction.

Using the "life experience" method and challenging a college program to get a college degree is also a means of getting and "off campus" degree, but it's also after many years of fumbling around in a career or career's mode. And even then it's not free.

Personally, I thought the program I took from NYIP many years ago was well thought out and executed, and that's what I paid for. I'm pretty sure it's the same today, adding for inflation.

My biggest concern would be whether the price you quoted includes both of today's major elements. Photography skills, AND the use of digital to achieve those skills as an end result.

The money is all about the effectiveness of the program. NYIP has more experience under their belt on how to do that in a structured correspondence course, than any of the new found upstarts that have offered bits of information just in recent years on the internet.

The value is in the experience, the content, and the delivery method. I doubt any other source can do that as well as NYIP. And they actually were in the business many years before I took their courses in the seventies.

And please also consider that some of the responses you have received here have to do with some spending all their money on outrageously priced gear or hardware, and short-cutting the value of education.

Whether the NYIP is the best way to get the education is something you have to initially decide. Part of that decision is whether to spend all your money on gear, and then fumble around for months or years to learn how to use it properly. Such things as composure, lighting, metering, golden rule, rule of thirds, and all the other dynamics of photography that existed before digital are spread all over the internet. I would simply suggest that the value in NYIP or similar courses is the "pulling together" of all the "FREE" internet sourcing that you will have to spend much time digging out yourself.

I remember the exercises that NYIP sent you each week or month depending on your activity level as the spur that I needed to move through the program. It is self paced, as I recall, and whether you finish it is totally up to your own self motivation. NYIP did a good job of meeting their end of the deal. If you don't finish and don't get good information, it's on you, not on shortcomings of NYIP.

edazz Loc: Florida via New York

I agree with you!

edazz Loc: Florida via New York

I agree with Ambrose, if you are serious about being a photographer
Then you can cind everything you need to onow on line if youre disclipned
And organized. If youre not than you will pay to have it all laid out
For you by the school. Im self taught, but many years ago i did go to
NYIP for a pocessing course which earned me a certificate that got me
Nowhere in my career because the school is not recognized as an
Accredited school and only a business. My suggestion is this; save the
Money, use their course outline for the course and research the information
Yourself in the order they would have thought it to you. I can honestly
Say what little I learned there was not beneficial to my 30 year career
In photography.

My Websites:
http://lease21.wix.com/contact
http://www.photo-pixart.com/
Http://edazz.viewbug.com
http://www.viewbug.com/estore/edazz

edazz Loc: Florida via New York

I can attest to the fact that its a real brick and mortar location in NY
When i attened it.

WesIam Loc: Phoenixville, Pa

I am just finishing the course,it has been great for me. I have some knowledge of photography before i took the course.It has helped me very much. You can do it at your own pace. I find myself reviewing the lessons when ever i have ?.My son is a professional photographer and have been able to give him some advice.It is well worth the money.They will offer discount even if you can't pay all at once,my advice do it. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Richard Spencer Loc: Evansville, Indiana

I took their course back in the 1970's and it was not much. Nothing had been updated in years. I learned much more from other places. UHH is a great place to learn. The best way is to shoot and analyze and get critique from others and keep shooting.

Hypno Loc: Miami

Have you tried your local community college? They usually offer adult ed courses in photography at a lower rate, You will have the opportunity to be with others and have an instructor on hand.

sportyman140 Loc: Juliette, GA

I have a camera club here in GA that I started and I have a member that signed up for that course. She says she loves it but it is extreme and intense with studying. Not a free ride so to speak. What exactly do you want from you interest in photography is the big question?.? I would join/talk to a local camera club or members and find out what they have heard. I checked into the course you are talking about, Liked what I saw, I just cold not afford it.

daggerd Loc: NE Ohio

You will learn a few things but not @ 999.00. Talk to them I got them down to 299.99. However you will learn more here @ the HOG for free. BTW they do issue a Certificate.

Dlevon Loc: New Jersey

I think you'll learn as much if not more by listening to the advice of the many professionals and amateurs on UGHH. Save your money and buy a new lens!

emmons267 Loc: Arizona, Valley of the Sun

Edazz wrote - Save the money, use their course outline and research the information yourself in the order they would have taught it.

I agree with him completely. As we all know, all of the information you could ever want, the help you'll need, the critiques you could get, and much more, are available through the Internet and many excellent books.

Remember, the theory and academics of color, composition, exposure, lighting, dof, exposure values, equivalent exposures, shutter speed/f stop/iso, dof, to name a few, haven't changed for decades, so they're not teaching anything new. Of course, it's up to you to learn all the features and details of your camera, and that will definitely be to your advantage. And don't forget the best lesson - trial and error.

If you are a person with a lot of drive and self-motivation then you'll probably do it yourself. If not, than you are probably one who needs a structured environment to motivate you.

Either way, good luck and enjoy the journey.

jcox Loc: Northern Missouri

2 to 3 months

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

you need hands on with an up to date professional photographer.

go to www.ablangallery.com

guys name is dan ablan...he is an amazing photographer. He offers one on one photography training. He has a great price on a 2 day session with him in Chicago. He has set photography sessions and street photography in downtown chicago and then a day on post processing.....or he will customize the 2 day session around your requests.

I went for a session with him and it was the absolute best money i have ever spent.

Dan, besides being a professional photographer (PPA) has also written many books on 3d, lightroom and photoshop. He also has a couple of courses on Lynda.com

and he's one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. His photo studio will knock you out.......and you will definitely get your moneys worth.

tell him jim berton sent you....he has some special deals going on there right now.

Jer Loc: Mesa, Arizona

I agree. however, doing it yourself requires more discipline.

Kirit

Hi:

I would recommend local community colleges where you can get one to one interaction with the instructor. I did NYIP course during the era of film photography. Being me, I would lag behind in submitting their hands on assignments. With community college environment you would be with a group of students and instructors, a better platform for discussions and learning from others.

I also agree with others. There are some very good tutorials on Youtube from experienced photographers. If you are a canon user, like I am, then Canon has online tutorials for DSLRs.

I personally would use $999 to buy a nice high end lens then spend it on NYIP course, specially when internet can provide all the tutorials as mentioned earlier by others.

Kirit