Ariel

Just find someone who can teach you how to use your camera.
Nowadays photo schools are pointless ..if you have any
desire to use photography as an "art" form then go to
museums and look and look ..it will tell you everything.
Otherwise just taking snapshots with however an advanced camera
does not require a so called photo school it is all trial and
error , however it is dressed up.Then there is photo shop to
tweak and ruin whatever you have photographed in the
process of "making it better " First "learn to see " and not
just snap endlessly like most idiots . Ever see them snapping
away in a stadium thinking their little flashes will lighten
up the field ? They are out there by the truck load .

bersharbp Loc: Texas

Southern France

charryl Loc: New Mexico, USA

I try to take at least one class at our community college every semester. I have learned a ton....and most of it has very little to do with how to work a camera. What I have learned (and am continuing to learn) is how to see in each of the three distinct phases of producing a good photograph: capture (that's the camera part), processing (the computer part), and printing. Each is an art unto itself. The critiques are the most important. The instructors aren't there to say "amazing picture" even if it is. They are there to tell you why a picture works or what could have been done to make a better picture. If you are serious about your picture taking (and that doesn't mean you Necessarily intend to turn pro) then by all means take a class (or classes). For me, the friends I have made and the things I have learned enhance the joy of taking taking pictures.

Smokey37 Loc: Oak Ridge TN

Roger, I was with SAC at Sidi Slimane N. Africa, Homestead AFB FL, Barksdale AFB LA and Wiesbaden AB GR. then W/ CIA/ Corp of Engineers doing high alt work in S. America,US, Mexico, Canada, Cuba ( Bay of Pigs Inv ) etc.

Smokey37 Loc: Oak Ridge TN

Great advice, you can always learn something new from classes in photography because computers are changing it every day now..

rickfinn2013 Loc: Mesa ,Az

You can take a course...but how much money are you willing to spend? Some courses are legit some are not.


go to workshops in your area , join a photography club in your area, you will learn more from that than most courses.

Some of the famous photographers were self taught. If you have a photographer you like study the photo closely look at the lighting how the photo was done.

A common theme on this forum "Practice Practice Practice"

You may learn more for members of this forum than most schools. There are members who are or did photography professionally. They have a lot of experience .

make photography fun you will learn more.

anotherview Loc: California

From what I gather, photography schools teach the history and philosophy of photography, two subjects that have little if anything to do with the practice of photography and learning the skills necessary to do photography well. Some schools also require instruction in film photography, a passé approach to doing photography. Digital photography now has nearly replaced film photography. Digital image-editing has bypassed the darkroom.

To appease the diehard film photographers, let us give all due credit and recognition to the era of film photography and the foundation it laid, and on which digital photography rests.

If you still feel that a formal teaching environment will help you learn photography, then I recommend you take a workshop to become familiar with camera operation. You should gain from it a confidence in the use of your camera.

I also recommend you consider taking a practical workshop aimed at doing photography in the field under the guidance of an experienced photographer. You will learn by doing.

On your own, via the Internet, you can learn composition, point of view, framing, visual balance, exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and the Histogram. Books dealing with these subjects may help, too.

In addition, you will want to learn image-editing software for bringing out the potential of a photograph. Workshops may help you here, too, and could shorten the learning curve for image-editing.

Note that while learning photography, you can start with a simple DSLR camera, like a used Canon T4i, or even a point-and-shoot camera that has some manual controls.

Learning photography requires personal diligence over time actually doing photography, whereby the cameraman learns from mistakes and successes. The photographer Minor White said learning photography takes 10 years. Man up to this challenge, and you will become a photographer.

Good luck.

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

You are never too old to learn! Unfortunately, our small town college does not offer a photography course or any type. However, as I have mentioned on here in the past, go on you-tube and search. There is a ton of information out there on any subject you wish to learn, dealing with photography. Also, online courses and a chance to see just what they are offering before spending the bucks. Photo Clubs are okay as well. I had a camera in my hand in the early 50's and believe me, I am still learning. Good luck and let us know what you decide and how it works out.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

What fun life can be. :thumbup:

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Photog601,
Here is an online website---FREE!---that will provide you with a VERY GOOD understanding, education, and practical experience assignments of what there is to know about photography. This is what I recommend: at the top of the page of the website, you'll see a link called "TUTORIALS." Click on that and learn every tutorial they have listed, starting with the very first one. Do NOT get in a hurry; you should proceed to the next one only after you have mastered the first one. This will take some time, much like it does when attending a traditional school, but you will learn everything in a logical, progressive manner and, by the time you're finished, you truly will KNOW that you're able to accomplish everything you want with your camera. Good luck!

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

I may have another opinion tomorrow, but I currently believe you are born with or without an artistic sense which would apply to composition, subject matter, etc, so there is little to be gained by formal education in those areas. What you are not born with is a knowledge of technical matters, especially basic camera functions and PP such as Photoshop, so formal classes in those areas would be worthwhile.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Community colleges normally offer several levels of digital photography. Not expensive and very cheap if you are a senior.

JohnM Loc: Springfield, Illinois

what NY school ED?

TonyB Loc: Cornwall UK

:) :) :)

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

Long ago, I bought the Life Library of Photography and read it from one end to the other. Some years ago, the town offered a basic course in photography, which was being taught by a friend of mine. He was one of Ansel Adams's last students, and his work was nationally known. I took the course because I wanted to support my friend, not because I thought I'd learn anything. In fact, I did pick up several excellent pointers which have helped me since. So I'd say, try a course. See what it does for you, then decide if additional courses are likely to improve your photography.