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To go to School or Not to go to School?
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Sep 29, 2013 13:19:18   #
Bren Loc: Michigan
 
I have taken two course at my local Community College. I probably could get as much knowledge online but I know that I do much better with the structure of an old fashioned classroom. I am much older than the other students most of whom are Photo Imaging majors. But, I'm holding my own and doing just as well as they are. I find the critiquing very useful.

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Sep 29, 2013 13:25:02   #
stan0301 Loc: Colorado
 
Malcom Gladwell wrote that to do something really well--kick a football--play the flute--take a picture--you need to practice is 10,000 times--and this is true. However when I go to Scott Kelby's class, because I have done it 10,000 times--more like two million--I can say, "I see what you are doing, and I understand why you are doing it"--I never fail to come away from a class not knowing something I didn't know when I went in--and I wouldn't miss going to a class on a bet--but you also have to do the 10,000 times.
Stan

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Sep 29, 2013 13:54:50   #
Linda Ewing Loc: Lincolnshire,UK
 
I attend some classes, I love going, I meet other like minded people, my mind is totally focused for those couple of hours. When our class finished we were all disappointed cos even if we didn't feel we had learned a lot one of our members formed a forum for us, we now meet up when we can to take photos, its lovely to keep in touch with them all. Its called Newarksnappers, we bounce info off of each other and learn by different experiences. Go for it I am sure you will love it.

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Sep 29, 2013 14:13:46   #
SharpShooter Loc: NorCal
 
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, I'm glad my doctor did.
Read Charryl's advice on of 3 ten times.
SS

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Sep 29, 2013 14:34:43   #
saichiez Loc: Beautiful Central Oregon
 
photog601 wrote:
Hi folks,

Anyone out there go to a school to learn photography?


Two best things I ever did....

1) Learned on film... The year was 1962!!!
Can't imagine how it's possible to learn on digital. I knew all the exposure triad, manual operation, focus (rangefinder and SLR), composition, manual stabilization (tripod) and much more before ever picking up a digital camera. Bought my first digital camera... a Logitech Fotoman one quarter of a megapixel in 1992 for $950, monochrome.

2) Second best thing I ever did for photography. Took the New York Institute of Photography correspondence course in late 60's. DID Not take the digital component.

Take a course of some sort. Learning in a structured manner beats digging up all that information your self and getting the order of it all wrong.

These forums are the worst way to learn, but there's a lot of drama, and a lot of yuks to make you smile during the day.

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Sep 29, 2013 15:06:04   #
Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles
 
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.


NY City has lots of seminars, workshops, and opportunities to assist expert photographers. As for full-length college courses, they vary widely in quality and usefulness. Some teachers are idiots; some are wonderful.

Another thing to watch out for is that many college teachers are of the "fine art" milieu and, ensconced in their own arrogance and sinecure, haven't a clue about the practicalities of commercial photography.

I would be especially wary of teachers whose only "credential" is that they consider themselves "fine art" photographers.

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Sep 29, 2013 15:27:21   #
wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ
 
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.


A good friend of mine is accomplished, award winning artist/painter Tom Bacher (.tombacher.com) Tom also taught at the Cincinnati Art Academy.
Tom has said the best way to ruin your art is through art school.

I wonder how good my friend would be at his craft if he didn't have a Master of Fine Arts degree.

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Sep 29, 2013 15:41:27   #
davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel
 
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.



8-) 8-) 8-) Hang around here for one year and amaze yourself with how much "schooling" you will acquire. And you won't beat the price anywhere. :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Sep 29, 2013 15:47:36   #
sayheyphoto Loc: Northern California
 
Photog601
Check out nyip.com. Looking at your photo I would ask you, do you have a clear subject or theme, did you focus the viewers attention, and last simplify the image. Good luck!

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Sep 29, 2013 16:09:25   #
Ariel
 
wlgoode wrote:
A good friend of mine is accomplished, award winning artist/painter Tom Bacher (.tombacher.com) Tom also taught at the Cincinnati Art Academy.
Tom has said the best way to ruin your art is through art school.

I wonder how good my friend would be at his craft if he didn't have a Master of Fine Arts degree.



Braque and Picasso didn't have a masters of Fine Arts

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Sep 29, 2013 16:54:15   #
Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles
 
My understanding is that most of the great photographers were self-taught or worked as apprentices/assistants ... or both. Many school programs are oriented toward "fine art" which is sometimes not only useless but downright harmful to anyone seeking to do commercial photography or make a living. For that matter, even if your interest was in "fine art" photography I'm not sure that formal schooling is more useful than teaching yourself and learning from seminars.

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Sep 29, 2013 19:22:41   #
photog601 Loc: New York, NY
 
thanks Ester I appreciate the feed back

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Sep 29, 2013 19:23:59   #
photog601 Loc: New York, NY
 
thanks sayhey

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Sep 29, 2013 19:52:12   #
wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ
 
Ariel wrote:
Braque and Picasso didn't have a masters of Fine Arts


Uh Huh! Hardly any of the Old Masters had that Master's.

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Sep 29, 2013 20:05:06   #
speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho
 
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.
Always good to learn something new, or just for inspriration, if you can afford it and have the time, go for it and have fun!!! I have never done it, but I would like to do it.

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