To go to School or Not to go to School? (Page 2): If you're planning a career in photojournalism, the fashion industry, etc., it certainly wouldn't hurt to have that on your resume...

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

If you're planning a career in photojournalism, the fashion industry, etc., it certainly wouldn't hurt to have that on your resume when starting out.

Nancy J Loc: lower North Island, New Zealand

photog601 wrote:

Danny,

Believe it or not I am an old timer :-)
I worked for a photo lab years ago as a black and white master printer maybe I just forgot all I learned there. It seems that film was easier than digital, is that wrong?

Hi, I too am an "oldie" and next year hope to do an online diploma, I would go to school if there was one nearby, and reasonable price. You get great tuition, classmates to share with, projects that will be interesting, I say " go for it", Cheers Nancy J

moffie100

I have taken both non-credit and credit classes at the Jr. College.

Exceptional instructors!

Could not say enough good things about them.

A.J.R. Loc: Devon, UK

I went to an Art College in the early 60s where the emphasis was developing the eye (and not so much about developing the film) Most of the theory of photography can be learnt from books, the web and a lot can be found on sites like this. That is not to say that you dont need to know the techniques, but training the eye is more difficult.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

photog601 wrote:

Hi folks,

Anyone out there go to a school to learn photography? I'm thinking about taking a course or 2 but I'm just not sure if it's worth it or not? I can learn from friends and by making mistakes out in the field then try to correct them myself?

What are your thoughts?
Thank you in advance.

I don't know if you mean online school or an actual building, but a course that goes from A to B to C can be worthwhile. Of course, it all depends on the school. There are loads of free articles and videos online, but they're generally not organized for someone to learn photography in an organized way. If you find something that sounds good, look for reviews and ask about it here.

Did you try your library for photography instruction DVDs? I'm sure they have books about learning photography. I just did a quick check of my library, and they have 20,586 items available on photography. One was a book by Ben Long. He does videos for lynda.com, and he's very good.

cthahn

photog601 wrote:

Hi folks,

Anyone out there go to a school to learn photography? I'm thinking about taking a course or 2 but I'm just not sure if it's worth it or not? I can learn from friends and by making mistakes out in the field then try to correct them myself?

What are your thoughts?
Thank you in advance.

Go to school. Depends on the school and what you want to learn. After reading the questions and answers on this web site, most do not know the basics. There is more to photography than super zooms and megapixels.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

photog601 wrote:

Hi folks,

Anyone out there go to a school to learn photography? I'm thinking about taking a course or 2 but I'm just not sure if it's worth it or not? I can learn from friends and by making mistakes out in the field then try to correct them myself?

What are your thoughts?
Thank you in advance.

I think a good teacher at what ever you find as a reasonable cost would be a good investment however there are many 'teachers' that produce terrible work. I have the Sailors Snug Harbor near me, checked out the instructors in the Art Lab setting there, no thanks, YMMV, Bob.

Smokey37 Loc: Oak Ridge TN

I've been to to several photography schools back in the 1950s from military to NYI and I found they helped me a lot .I had my own lab back in the 1960s and photography is always changing. You need a good basic understanding of how the physics in photography work. NYI is the best in my opinion. Last time I heard it was only $1100.00 and well worth it and it can all be done on line..

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

Start with Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure, then practice. First school - how to use whatever post-processing program you are going to use. Then look for a school which will explore techniques for what you are most interested in doing.

bersharbp Loc: Texas

photog601 wrote:

Hi Ester,

My level of photography is God only knows, I'm not being sarcastic I just don't know. I've been taking photo's since I was 12 years old, then I was a black and white master printer for many years in a lab, then got newer cameras then moved to digital. I've been published a long time ago so now in 2013 I finally have a pro camera, love birding and pet photography. If there is a level in there I'd love to know what it is?
thanks again

In the early '60s I found myself in charge of a photolab. Since it was an additional duty, I could not spend as much time there as I wanted, but I learned a lot from the NCO's and enlisted. They often said that 80% of a photo was in the darkroom. Modern equipment may have change the ratio but we learned the importance of composure as well as exposure, before and after printing the picture.

I think you might enjoy the class but as a master printer, I think you already know most f what you would learn.

MagicFad Loc: Clermont, FL

photog601 wrote:

Hi folks,

Anyone out there go to a school to learn photography? I'm thinking about taking a course or 2 but I'm just not sure if it's worth it or not? I can learn from friends and by making mistakes out in the field then try to correct them myself?

What are your thoughts?
Thank you in advance.

Education can never be taken away from you and it will give you credentials if you want to pursue the field professionally. In addition to that, take as many online tutorials as you can and keep track of them, that can also help in a job resume.

Smokey37 Loc: Oak Ridge TN

What base were you at in charge of the photo lab???

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

"Never test the depth of a river with both feet"

Stick a toe in.

There are many tutorials that will give you enough basics to get a feel to see if you want to go in deeper.

Scott Kelby has a DVD Course that will give you a great basic understanding of how camera's function, exposure triangle, composition, white balance, flash and fill.

This can only help you should you decide to go to school for your certificate or degree.

Clubs, "meet up's" an d local shops are a wonderful source of information.
Living in NYC you have B&H, Adorama and many other venues available to you, plus unlimited photo ops.
Long Island wildlife, light houses. Just upstate Bear Mountain and the Catskills, Adirondacks a couple hours north of Albany. NJ and PA waterfalls at the Delaware Water Gap. Needless to say Brooklyn Botanical and NY Botanical Gardens and Bronx Zoo.
One could probably shoot Central Park for months.
Shooting Manhatten at night from Jersey and Brooklyn is an artform in it's self.

Good luck, shoot and post!

Good Luck

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

photog601 wrote:

Hi folks,

Anyone out there go to a school to learn photography? I'm thinking about taking a course or 2 but I'm just not sure if it's worth it or not? I can learn from friends and by making mistakes out in the field then try to correct them myself?

What are your thoughts?
Thank you in advance.

I would say it depends on your intentions. Pro or 'fun': School first - friends afterwards...(and with tongue in cheek about their advice), because you'll get as many opinions as you have friends. No schooling is a waste. Then, build on that foundation with practical experience. JMHO

Dlevon Loc: New Jersey

photog601 wrote:

Hi Ester,

My level of photography is God only knows, I'm not being sarcastic I just don't know. I've been taking photo's since I was 12 years old, then I was a black and white master printer for many years in a lab, then got newer cameras then moved to digital. I've been published a long time ago so now in 2013 I finally have a pro camera, love birding and pet photography. If there is a level in there I'd love to know what it is?
thanks again

Don't worry about any levels in there! Do your own thing and enjoy it. Many wonderful people in the creative world were ruined by lessons and being told what they could or couldn't do, or shouldn't do. Learn by doing and create your own style, that which you enjoy. If you really enjoy your own work, others will too. If you somehow feel you just can't do it on your own, then go on and take lessons. There is always a learning process involved. Some of us have been doing this for over 3/4 of a century, with the older film process into the digital age, with all of the transitional periods of learning.. Remember its the end creative result you have that counts, not how you did it!