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To go to School or Not to go to School?
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Sep 29, 2013 20:53:30   #
SteveR Loc: Michigan
 
It's how I learned the basics of photography from a pro. He really made it make sense, back in the early 70's. The course cost $125 back then and we did outdoor shooting and even took some photos of models.

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Sep 29, 2013 21:08:45   #
WAL
 
You’ll benefit from any formal course in photography. How could you not benefit? You will still be able to learn what you will or would have done on your own. The education part is additive

There is an invaluable social interact in a class room. It’s always rewarding to discover you are not alone in your frustrations and confusions.

Report back and tell us what you have decided on and how well it worked.

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Sep 29, 2013 22:05:46   #
bobwood Loc: Fort Dodge, Iowa
 
You've got good answers here. I know I will never know all there is to know about photography, but that is one of the reasons I love it, and have a passion for it. I can always get better, and it is an exciting journey. As said by several earlier, take one or two classes and se what you think. If you love photography, you will enjoy the class. One of the members of the camera club I belong to was a portrait photographer for 40 years. He is having a blast learning new things and teaching what he knows. He also teaches the new photography program at our local community college. He has brought some lessons to club meetings and we all have found something new, helpful, or that we just plain forgot. Think about it!

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Sep 30, 2013 11:01:30   #
photog601 Loc: New York, NY
 
thanks for the info Steve!

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Sep 30, 2013 11:03:38   #
photog601 Loc: New York, NY
 
thanks Wal, I am going to do an online course that someone on here suggested for $140. If I like it I may take a course at the Photographic Inst. in NYC too.

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Sep 30, 2013 11:04:20   #
Cbphotos Loc: Riverside, CA
 
I have taken many courses. I find that the on-line classes that actually have weekly assignments and have you turn in work for critiquing is the best way to go for me. I have one starting this week in post processing. They aren't cheap but it allows me to attend any day of the week.

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Sep 30, 2013 11:04:44   #
photog601 Loc: New York, NY
 
thanks Bob, that is what I plan on doing taking some classes and seeing if I like learning this way. :thumbup:

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Sep 30, 2013 12:47:52   #
alliebess Loc: suburban Philadelphia
 
Basic principles of photography are same with film and digital. People have told me two biggest differences are the instant gratification we receive with digital (not waiting for film to be developed) and that with digital we do more of the work that someone else used to do for us (unless we had our own darkroom).
I had some photography classes way back in high school. Since then, self taught with the help of lots of reading.

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Sep 30, 2013 12:58:42   #
photog601 Loc: New York, NY
 
Thanks Rook

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Sep 30, 2013 16:01:03   #
SharpShooter Loc: NorCal
 
601, I'm not sure what your plans are.
But, I'll give you my 2 cents anyway.
People do online schools for many reasons. I would think time constraints and location availability are the biggies.
A big portion of the photography giants are right there in NYC. NYC is one of the most photographically rich centers, educational wise, of the world. To do an online course in NYC, is like moving to Yosemite in the summer then running on a tread mill in your basement.
There are junior colleges and art schools galore in NYC. FEW photographers will ever have your opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business. A JC course here, where I live costs about $150 per semester, with art schools being much higher.
From Avedon to Leibovitz, all the biggies have left their stamp in NYC. A good teacher has ties to the photography community, it's not that big. And that networking can make a huge impact on your carreer. What you can learn in NY can't be learned anywhere else, but you can't get that opportunity staring at a monitor in your basement or combing the Internet for an education.
From personal experience, I would always do brick & mortar. If you just want to learn to use your camera, stick with the Internet. If you want to become a photographer, go to school.
Good luck. SS

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Sep 30, 2013 16:59:28   #
Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles
 
SharpShooter wrote:
601, I'm not sure what your plans are.
But, I'll give you my 2 cents anyway.
People do online schools for many reasons. I would think time constraints and location availability are the biggies.
A big portion of the photography giants are right there in NYC. NYC is one of the most photographically rich centers, educational wise, of the world. To do an online course in NYC, is like moving to Yosemite in the summer then running on a tread mill in your basement.
There are junior colleges and art schools galore in NYC. FEW photographers will ever have your opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business. A JC course here, where I live costs about $150 per semester, with art schools being much higher.
From Avedon to Leibovitz, all the biggies have left their stamp in NYC. A good teacher has ties to the photography community, it's not that big. And that networking can make a huge impact on your carreer. What you can learn in NY can't be learned anywhere else, but you can't get that opportunity staring at a monitor in your basement or combing the Internet for an education.
From personal experience, I would always do brick & mortar. If you just want to learn to use your camera, stick with the Internet. If you want to become a photographer, go to school.
Good luck. SS
601, I'm not sure what your plans are. br But, I'... (show quote)


This is wonderful insight. And yes, some of the titans of the industry are working and sharing their knowledge in NYC. In addition, assuming you are good enough, you have some of the best rookie models in the world to test with.

In other areas of the country the quality of teachers may be much less. They may be pretentious "fine art"-oriented teachers, or otherwise of not much use. The standard of photography ... and teachers ... varies widely throughout the country. I have traveled widely in the USA and in some towns the level of professional photography is below the level of the amateur work you see at group shoots in the Los Angeles area.

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Sep 30, 2013 19:13:21   #
donnieb55 Loc: Greensboro, NC
 
I have been going to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online Division over a year now. It was quite hard at first, but now it seems easier since I know more about the software and the computer. I really am learning and getting better. I am starting a Color Management class today, which will teach me monitor and printer calibration. I will be 58 in November and yes they are teaching an old dog some new tricks. I have been taking some kind of pictures since I was knee high. Good luck. I say go for it, you can never learn too much.

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Oct 21, 2013 07:16:39   #
Granddad Loc: UK
 
If you don't know what level your at and you think you need to take lessons, take them.
But are you kidding us with your knowledge of photography as the list of cameras and lens you have listed is for a pro. To understand the controls of the three cameras you have listed they are not for some novice to learn on but somebody who is competent in Photography.
Dave.

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