PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Legitimate. But be careful of promises for a job after completing the course requirements. An afternative would be to work as an assistant to a good photography for free to learn hands on.

WesIam Loc: Phoenixville, Pa

I took the Pro Course it helped me very much.I also have learned quite a bit from members of UHH,one thing about photography there is always something to learn.Try Bryan Peterson's(Understanding Exposure)book.Keep shooting.keep learning.

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

There does seem to be some outdated material more relevant to film development than digital, with a large section on colored filters which most would deal with in post production nowadays, and darkroom processing. However, having a bit of historical interest in the craft, I still find it interesting, if sometimes tedious. But that's only one chapter out of about 20, so I don't feel too badly about that. This course covers a lot of ground, from basic knowledge to all types of portraiture, architectural photography, photojournalism, etc. If that material is a little dated, it really doesn't matter, since the concepts haven't changed.

I find that the real advantage is that you'll have professional photographers critiquing your project submissions and to consult with them in addition to the texts. There's also a student blog available of which, admittedly, I haven't taken advantage.

What's missing is post processing. They have one chapter devoted to it and it's very general.

The goal of the program is to provide photographers with the basic tools for becoming a professional photographer, if that's your goal. My goals are to become proficient enough to photograph any situation with the knowledge to do it in a few different ways. If I ever do get paid for the work, that'll be a bonus.

The short rap is that it's a good, sound, broad spectrum curriculum which, in no way, would ever take the place of a brick & mortar degree program. Since I don't have the time for that, I'm very happy to do this and recommend to others.

I paid $999.00 for this, which was discounted during the Holidays 2 years ago. They might be offering a similar discount now.

jm76237

Thanks to all. I'll keep you posted on my progress once I get started.

houdel Loc: Chase, Michigan USA

Some folks do still use film (and some brick and mortar schools require the use of film) so it is not inappropriate to address film to a degree. That said, NYIP updated several of the lesson books and videos awhile back. Did you get the newer ones?


They have another complete course dedicated to post processing.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I have a friend that took their course in the80's, he never did get a job as a photographer. He was still happy he took it and had no complaints.

I recently took the great courses photography course.
They had it in my local library.
I found it to be an excellent course even though I knew most of what they taught. Joel Sartore gave the course , he is a photographer for national geographic and had some great stories about some of his assignments.

Example they sent him and a helper to Africa for a whole month. He took 30 thousand pics, between him, his helper and trail cams he had set up. national geographic used ,I think he said 7 of the images. saying they were very happy ... Thats a LOT to spend for 7 images. Just one of his many stories. I enjoyed it.

anotherview Loc: California

You could also learn the basics of digital photography from a few workshops, and then continue learning at your own pace via Internet tutorials.

I have found Scott Kelby books helpful with basics and useful techniques.

If you become interested in flash photography, then give a look-see to this Web-site run by a master wedding photographer: http://neilvn.com/

smokey95

I also took the coarse back in film days also. very good coarse fine material. learn at your own pace.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

I took their course when film was the thing. I was a beginner and I learned a lot. The basics were well covered and I found the method of sending in photos and getting cassette tapes of comments to be very helpful. They covered all aspect of professional photography, most of which I had no real interest in. But, there is no useless knowledge and much of the material I had no interest in then has turned out to be valuable over the years. Reading books is good, but there is no substitute for responding to an assignment and having your efforts criticized by a pro.

Brooklyn-Camera Loc: Brooklyn, New York City

I just checked to see if I have any GI Bill education money left to use. I never used any of it but was Honorably Discharged in 1964. Should have a reply sometime this coming week. So lets see what happens? At age 70 why not, NYIP sounds good to me, all I have is time...

donrosshill Loc: Delaware & Florida

It is real. It has been for over 50 years. I did nto go there but to the Germain School of Photography. I think it was merged with NYIofP several years back.

blackest Loc: Ireland

Much older than 50 years, from the wikipedia article I linked too (second post on this thread).

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

For the comments that some material is outdated, they updated the material not that long ago. I took the course back in the 70's, then again about 6 years ago. I got a message from a past mentor, now a friend, earlier this year, or late last year, saying that they had redone the material to meet todays "digital" issues. Remember, however. Light is light, composition is composition, and photography is ALL about the light and composition. Of course, the way camera models change all the time, they can't be completely up with the newest cameras, but they still give you the information you need.

Here's a secret (not really a secret)

Request their information, but don't sign up. If you wait about a month or 2, they will send you a "special offer" for about $200 off. Without fail, everyone that I've made that suggestion to, got it for the cheaper price.

The other thing mentioned was, "you get out of it, what you put into it" I wholeheartedly agree. You can blow through it quickly, just to get the certification. I know someone who bragged that they got it done in a couple of months. They came away from it, thinking that they wasted their money. Those that actually put a LOT of time and work in doing the projects. Listening to the critiques, then reshoot the project taking the critique into consideration, asking a lot of questions, etc... can really make the course second to none. If you are the type who just wants to blow through it, I'd suggest doing something else. If you truly want to get better, and are willing to really work at it, then this is the process.

Good luck with whatever you do, and don't forget my tip about the discount. You won't be sorry if you are patient.

anotherview Loc: California

Re: "photography is ALL about the light and composition."

More accurately, photography is primarily about the expression of light and effective composition.

As a craft, photography requires the development of a set of skills, too.

Etc.

Happy Holidays!

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I really think we are talking about the same thing. The skills needed to capture the light, and to compose the portraits. Not sure what else there is. Aperture, Shutter speed, use of soft/hard light, how to get what you want, are all part of the same thing. Capturing light, and composition.

Not trying to argue, I think we are just wording the same thing differently.