I think I’m going to go to school for photography.
Jun 3, 2018 08:26:53 #
I just finished the spring semester of my continuing eduction class in digital photography her in in Austin at the local community college. For me it was great. I have been shooting for about 3 years and felt i needed it. It was perfect for me, and i will be taking the second intermediate class in the fall. For me teacher, was great, class group was great, and the time frame was perfect. (Sat. mornings). For me this just what i needed. May not be for you, but im a hands on type of person that needs that type of educating and communication. My wife and i are both strong believers of "your'e never too old to learn".....
Jun 3, 2018 08:26:54 #
I just finished the spring semester of my continuing eduction class in digital photography her in in Austin at the local community college. For me it was great. I have been shooting for about 3 years and felt i needed it. It was perfect for me, and i will be taking the second intermediate class in the fall. For me teacher, was great, class group was great, and the time frame was perfect. (Sat. mornings). For me this just what i needed. May not be for you, but im a hands on type of person that needs that type of educating and communication. My wife and i are both strong believers of "your'e never too old to learn".....
Jun 3, 2018 08:45:33 #
It is difficult to advise you on photographic education without knowing your specific goals, aspirations and requirements as well as you present level of talent and know how. You are contemplating a serious investment in time, dedication and and money and although introspection and self assessment can be stressful and perhaps a bit painful, these are important steps to take before making a commitment to any particular school, course of study or other avenues of training.
You have not stated exactly what your goals are. Do you aspire to a full-time career as a professional photographer? Are you already well immersed in the business of photography? In terms of the quality of your work and your actual output, do you feel that you have any significant shortcomings? What do you want or need to learn? Aside from real estate photography, do you wish to develop other skill sets or specializations? You need to answer theses questions, for yourself and anyone who you wish to advise you, in order to match your individual needs to an educational program that will address your goals and requirements.
Pertaining to the school you alluded to in your post, you only mention a generalized description of the program, something to the effect of “digital image management”. That is a very broad area that does not describe the actual curriculum. Simply stated, you need to coordinate you requirements and goals to the course of study or you may experience disappointment and a financial loss.
I am very much in favor of a good, solid “nuts and bolts” course of study in applied photography. There are so many photographers floundering around in an area somewhere in between enthusiasm and professionalism. The tendency or current trend in this craft is that folks are running before the learn how to walk and sadly enough, lack the basics, that is, a solid grounding in theory and hands on practice. There is a disproportionate preoccupation with fancy equipment and high technology and significant deficits in important rudiments. There is a tendency toward extremely sloppy camera work and seemingly unending remedial actions in post processing. Another problematic situation is that many fine art programs do not integrate or relate their courses to the business aspects of professional photography or approach it as a “commercial” art. I don't believe that all creative and artistically inclined people are all intrinsically disorganized or bad business managers- they have to eat and pay the rent like everyone else and have to be made aware of certain principles in their education. I hate to think that our universities and collages are turning out a society of starving artists.
I have trained, mentored, instructed and hired many photographers. I have had the privilege, opportunity and blessing to be taught and mentored by many fine teachers. I can tell you that even the greatest teachers can not “teach” talent, work ethic, resourcefulness, creativity, artistry or stick-to-intuitiveness, they can only set examples and help develop and inspire those attributes in their students. Many people are adverse to RULES and standard practices in “art” but the rules are merely the tools and techniques that enable creativity.
My recommendations? If you have the time and resources available for a full-time in-residence program you may want to investigate the Applied Photography Faculty at the Rochester Institute of Technology. If you prefer a more incremental or continual seminar approach, join the Professional Photographers of America and look into their Winona International School of Professional Photography. The Winona programs are taught by working professional photographers, mostly at the Masters level. There is a wide variety of specializations in commercial photography, portraiture, and more.
I have nothing against university level fine arts degree programs. From my own point of view, however, as a career move, many of them are too esoteric unless you wish to remain in the academic environment as a teacher. There is absolutely nothing wrong with “wallpaper”, diplomas, certificates and degrees. Many academic, vocational and job positions require them and all forms of education result in personal enrichment. Again, self assessment is important. You know best how you learn, study, ascertain and absorb knowledge and how you function in a classroom environment, in a group or with individual mentoring. Sadly, the big studios with junior, and senior staff members and organized apprenticeships is a thing of the past and real long term on-the-job trading is a rare commodity. Unfortunately, as well, some of the private schools, dedicated to vocational or professional photography have closed- Brooks Institute and The NYI residential program come to mind. Theses schools turned out some very successful photographers.
When young folks and a few older ones, come to my studio seeking employment or advice they usually bring along their portfolio. They tell be about their ideas and aspirations going forward and I can, at least, give them some direction or suggestions. Sometimes there are kids with great potential. Oftentimes there are folks with talent but no skills- as yet! There are people with vast technical and theoretical knowledge but lacking in intrinsic talent. My first boss and mentor taught me a vital lesson when he hired me. He said that some day I would be in the position of hiring photographers for the studio. He professed that there are “photographers” who TALK a good job and PHOTOGRAPHERS who DO a good job. Very seldom are they both!
So...I will stop talking, hope that this will be of some assistance to you and wish you every success. Keep us posted!
You have not stated exactly what your goals are. Do you aspire to a full-time career as a professional photographer? Are you already well immersed in the business of photography? In terms of the quality of your work and your actual output, do you feel that you have any significant shortcomings? What do you want or need to learn? Aside from real estate photography, do you wish to develop other skill sets or specializations? You need to answer theses questions, for yourself and anyone who you wish to advise you, in order to match your individual needs to an educational program that will address your goals and requirements.
Pertaining to the school you alluded to in your post, you only mention a generalized description of the program, something to the effect of “digital image management”. That is a very broad area that does not describe the actual curriculum. Simply stated, you need to coordinate you requirements and goals to the course of study or you may experience disappointment and a financial loss.
I am very much in favor of a good, solid “nuts and bolts” course of study in applied photography. There are so many photographers floundering around in an area somewhere in between enthusiasm and professionalism. The tendency or current trend in this craft is that folks are running before the learn how to walk and sadly enough, lack the basics, that is, a solid grounding in theory and hands on practice. There is a disproportionate preoccupation with fancy equipment and high technology and significant deficits in important rudiments. There is a tendency toward extremely sloppy camera work and seemingly unending remedial actions in post processing. Another problematic situation is that many fine art programs do not integrate or relate their courses to the business aspects of professional photography or approach it as a “commercial” art. I don't believe that all creative and artistically inclined people are all intrinsically disorganized or bad business managers- they have to eat and pay the rent like everyone else and have to be made aware of certain principles in their education. I hate to think that our universities and collages are turning out a society of starving artists.
I have trained, mentored, instructed and hired many photographers. I have had the privilege, opportunity and blessing to be taught and mentored by many fine teachers. I can tell you that even the greatest teachers can not “teach” talent, work ethic, resourcefulness, creativity, artistry or stick-to-intuitiveness, they can only set examples and help develop and inspire those attributes in their students. Many people are adverse to RULES and standard practices in “art” but the rules are merely the tools and techniques that enable creativity.
My recommendations? If you have the time and resources available for a full-time in-residence program you may want to investigate the Applied Photography Faculty at the Rochester Institute of Technology. If you prefer a more incremental or continual seminar approach, join the Professional Photographers of America and look into their Winona International School of Professional Photography. The Winona programs are taught by working professional photographers, mostly at the Masters level. There is a wide variety of specializations in commercial photography, portraiture, and more.
I have nothing against university level fine arts degree programs. From my own point of view, however, as a career move, many of them are too esoteric unless you wish to remain in the academic environment as a teacher. There is absolutely nothing wrong with “wallpaper”, diplomas, certificates and degrees. Many academic, vocational and job positions require them and all forms of education result in personal enrichment. Again, self assessment is important. You know best how you learn, study, ascertain and absorb knowledge and how you function in a classroom environment, in a group or with individual mentoring. Sadly, the big studios with junior, and senior staff members and organized apprenticeships is a thing of the past and real long term on-the-job trading is a rare commodity. Unfortunately, as well, some of the private schools, dedicated to vocational or professional photography have closed- Brooks Institute and The NYI residential program come to mind. Theses schools turned out some very successful photographers.
When young folks and a few older ones, come to my studio seeking employment or advice they usually bring along their portfolio. They tell be about their ideas and aspirations going forward and I can, at least, give them some direction or suggestions. Sometimes there are kids with great potential. Oftentimes there are folks with talent but no skills- as yet! There are people with vast technical and theoretical knowledge but lacking in intrinsic talent. My first boss and mentor taught me a vital lesson when he hired me. He said that some day I would be in the position of hiring photographers for the studio. He professed that there are “photographers” who TALK a good job and PHOTOGRAPHERS who DO a good job. Very seldom are they both!
So...I will stop talking, hope that this will be of some assistance to you and wish you every success. Keep us posted!
Jun 3, 2018 09:00:25 #
I earned a BFA with a major in Photography at Florida International University in Miami FL. Their BFA program was / is particularly fine. The discipline afforded by meeting deadlines, concentrating on form and content in my photographs and on the way light looks, all helped my way of seeing. Good luck with your studies--in and out of class!
Jun 3, 2018 09:01:21 #
At my college, in the first photography course (very highly subscribed - a lottery chose which students got to take it) you were given a 4x5 view camera kit to use. Nothing was automatic. Using this technique you really are forced to learn exposure and composition (albeit upside down!) because every "shot" is precious.
Jun 3, 2018 09:06:44 #
fotoman150 wrote:
I found an art school that has a BFA. They also ha... (show quote)
As in many things. It depends.Are you interested in learning what you will learn. or the piece of paper that verifies your proficiency. If just the new knowledge and/skills. There is the concept of auditing the courses. In other words pay the money without having to worry about "passing " any tests as you woh't have to take them. P.S I met my wif of 50+years that way. I was taking an art history course to fullfill my humanities requirements and she was auditing the class. (my memory is visual). She congratulated me on a test score. We have been together ever since.
Jun 3, 2018 09:10:40 #
ole sarg
Loc: south florida
They are part of Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. An ok school for cooking but not so good for anything else. Very expensive for what you get which is little.
You have NC State, Duke, etc in the area. If you want a respected degree go to NC State it will be cheaper and you will actually learn something. They offer a BFA and it is accredited and highly respected. https://design.ncsu.edu/academics/art-design/#overview
If you want something to hang on the wall go and buy a plaque at the Art Institute of Raleigh!
You have NC State, Duke, etc in the area. If you want a respected degree go to NC State it will be cheaper and you will actually learn something. They offer a BFA and it is accredited and highly respected. https://design.ncsu.edu/academics/art-design/#overview
If you want something to hang on the wall go and buy a plaque at the Art Institute of Raleigh!
fotoman150 wrote:
It’s called the Art Institute of Raleigh. They are associated with a college in Miami. They have several branches around the country. Not sure if they are accredited.
Jun 3, 2018 09:15:09 #
fotoman150 wrote:
I found an art school that has a BFA. They also ha... (show quote)
FWIW:
https://youtu.be/Nc5kzpiUK6I
Jun 3, 2018 09:19:13 #
My son attended the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale and got his certificate in commercial photography. In looking over his shoulder, so to speak, through his portfolio I can assure you that you will learn things that you will not pick up here at UHH or by using the internet. You will also network with other folks with the same goals as yourself which can come in handy with obtaining a job in this field.
The thing to remember is that this is a for profit school. Its expensive. If you can get where you want to go at a public institution you will be $$$$ ahead. But depending on your particular market you can be employed as a photographer upon graduation and know what your doing.
Incidentally I do not see the major you spoke of listed in the available majors for the school.
The thing to remember is that this is a for profit school. Its expensive. If you can get where you want to go at a public institution you will be $$$$ ahead. But depending on your particular market you can be employed as a photographer upon graduation and know what your doing.
Incidentally I do not see the major you spoke of listed in the available majors for the school.
Jun 3, 2018 09:24:35 #
fotoman150. I have a BFA in Photojournalism from R.I.T. (Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY), the leading university photo program in the US (class of '76), and I have a MA degree in Digital Photography from SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah ,Georgia), a well-regarded Art school (class of 2009). While I wanted these degrees and they helped me start my long career as a professional, and then later the MA helped my in my teaching position at Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, both degrees were quite expensive. The R.I.T. degree had tons of shooting as well as theory and practices. The SCAD degree was heavy on Art history and art criticism and digital darkroom craft , and spent less time than I wanted on shooting.
I think a series of online classes from reputable photo training sites would be far less expensive and you would learn as much about photography, without all the art studies. Just my opinion. Do you have a pressing need for getting the BFA degree, or just a desire to have this degree?
I think a series of online classes from reputable photo training sites would be far less expensive and you would learn as much about photography, without all the art studies. Just my opinion. Do you have a pressing need for getting the BFA degree, or just a desire to have this degree?
Jun 3, 2018 09:28:31 #
After looking at the course descriptions & they appear worthwhile-do it! If you have the time & money & feel there is a benefit to add to your already acquired skills then it is probably a good idea. OR you could take a workshop from a well respected leader in the industry to a location that is on your bucket list, ie Ed Heaton @ Grand Tetons, Tony Sweet , John Barclay, Chas Glatzer -almost anywhere! You may want to change direction in your photography, ie go to Infrared & or B&W, large format or mirrorless! The world is your Oyster, enjoy & Good Luck.
Jun 3, 2018 09:52:45 #
You appear to want to improve your practical photography skills.
Formal courses of study typically involve the philosophy of photography, the history of photography, and an insistence on learning film photography.
You need none of these elements to learn the craft of photography. You can always later learn them.
In addition, film photography has become obsolescent. Diehards continue to insist on its value.
You very likely only need to attend a workshop or two teaching the craft of photography.
Attending workshops in photo-editing and the basics of camera operation should give you a foundation and confidence.
Overall, one becomes skilled in photography by doing photography while learning from one's failures and successes.
Note that in classroom instruction and even in other modes of learning photography you will come across the false assertion that every photograph tells a story, with the assumption built in that a photograph fails if it has no story to it. This falsity misleads photographers and distorts the purpose of photography. A photograph presents a visual record of something. This record may or may not contain a message.
After all, a photograph cannot tell a story in the conventional sense, meaning as a written narrative. At most, a photograph speaks with a visual voice. Each viewer perceives this voice uniquely due to his qualifying perception. Avoid instructors and others who try to force a role onto photography which it can never achieve.
Good luck.
Formal courses of study typically involve the philosophy of photography, the history of photography, and an insistence on learning film photography.
You need none of these elements to learn the craft of photography. You can always later learn them.
In addition, film photography has become obsolescent. Diehards continue to insist on its value.
You very likely only need to attend a workshop or two teaching the craft of photography.
Attending workshops in photo-editing and the basics of camera operation should give you a foundation and confidence.
Overall, one becomes skilled in photography by doing photography while learning from one's failures and successes.
Note that in classroom instruction and even in other modes of learning photography you will come across the false assertion that every photograph tells a story, with the assumption built in that a photograph fails if it has no story to it. This falsity misleads photographers and distorts the purpose of photography. A photograph presents a visual record of something. This record may or may not contain a message.
After all, a photograph cannot tell a story in the conventional sense, meaning as a written narrative. At most, a photograph speaks with a visual voice. Each viewer perceives this voice uniquely due to his qualifying perception. Avoid instructors and others who try to force a role onto photography which it can never achieve.
Good luck.
fotoman150 wrote:
I found an art school that has a BFA. They also ha... (show quote)
Jun 3, 2018 09:57:54 #
I was having similar thoughts last year. I decided to take a course at University of Texas in Arlington, TX. They offered a digital photography certification. It was the best thing I could have done. It gave me structure, discipline, information, new friends with whom to learn with, and a greater level of confidence once all the pieces started falling together. And I completed it in less than two years. A great learning experience and fun field trips. Listen to your inner voice. I did and have no regrets. Happy shooting!
Jun 3, 2018 10:03:35 #
You should check out the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, Montana. I think this may be an alternative you might like. They offer courses around the country and it is a lot less money than the school you are considering. Try a class or two and if you don't like it, you have only invested a small amount of money.
Jun 3, 2018 10:06:06 #
johnst1001a
Loc: West Chester, Ohio
Do it. I did quite a bit of online education courses for photography, plus I use Youtube videos a lot for photo topics.
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