Advanced Photography Class @ Community College: Which is better option for learning? 1. Advanced Photography class at Community College or 2. Self help on internet options, books...

BobbyT Loc: Southern California

Which is better option for learning?
1. Advanced Photography class at Community College or
2. Self help on internet options, books, other alternatives.
3. Classes at local Camera shop.
Your opinions will be much appreciated.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

BobbyT wrote:

Which is better option for learning?
1. Advanced Photography class at Community College or
2. Self help on internet options, books, other alternatives.
3. Classes at local Camera shop.
Your opinions will be much appreciated.

Depends on you and yourlearning preferences, I woulddo#2 and #3, esp if #3 was free

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

All 3....and then some.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

It's individual preference. Everyone has their own learning style -
I prefer to interact with instructor and equipment so I would
1 - go to class (college or camera shop)
2 - videos / tutorials
3 - books

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

BobbyT wrote:

Which is better option for learning?
1. Advanced Photography class at Community College or
2. Self help on internet options, books, other alternatives.
3. Classes at local Camera shop.
Your opinions will be much appreciated.

I tried this link at the suggestion of other UHH members and found two great shooting clubs. http://photo.meetup.com/cities/us/

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

BobbyT wrote:

Which is better option for learning?
1. Advanced Photography class at Community College or
2. Self help on internet options, books, other alternatives.
3. Classes at local Camera shop.
Your opinions will be much appreciated.

You would benefit from all three. Regardless of whether you choose option #1 or #3 you will need/want the addition of self help etc. There are mountains of free information on-line. What isn't free can be purchased for various amounts of money. At some point in time you will be encouraged to read Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure. Get a copy, any form of your choice, live with it at your side. This book make applicable sense to what any course is going to present. Courses will teach the nuts and bolts of camera use, Peterson's book explains how to use that information. Best of luck to you in your pursuit. This can be a most fulfilling and rewarding venture in your life. :lol: :lol: :lol:

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

BobbyT wrote:

Which is better option for learning?
1. Advanced Photography class at Community College or
2. Self help on internet options, books, other alternatives.
3. Classes at local Camera shop.
Your opinions will be much appreciated.

Definately the advanced classes at your local JC, as long as you're ready for them.
IF you are willing to put in the time and IF you are lucky enough that your local JC has a professional program, start at the bottom and work your way to the top. When you exit the other end you will be qualified to be a professional photographer if you so desire to be one.
That's a tough row to hoe on the Internet. Good luck. :thumbup:
SS

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

BobbyT wrote:

Which is better option for learning?
1. Advanced Photography class at Community College or
2. Self help on internet options, books, other alternatives.
3. Classes at local Camera shop.
Your opinions will be much appreciated.

Make sure you know what the Community College class will be doing. Some classes are heavy into actual photography and will teach good techniques. Others are more into the art aspect of photography and will have very little on actual photography techniques that you are after and more on pursuing artistic direction.

Numbers 2 and 3 can be real good too. And eventually you will get to the point you know more than those that are teaching the material.

Moonsey Loc: SW Michigan

BobbyT wrote:

Which is better option for learning?
1. Advanced Photography class at Community College or
2. Self help on internet options, books, other alternatives.
3. Classes at local Camera shop.
Your opinions will be much appreciated.

I have done all three, and found the classes at my local camera store the most helpful. The class size is usually not too big, you get more individual attention, plus the others in the class can be very helpful.
2nd is internet and book options, you can retread, or listen again, to things that need to be clarified.
The college class I took wasn't that great, but I guess that depends on the instructor.

jimglaze Loc: Asheville, NC

For options 1 & 2, I can't stress enough the importance of vetting the instructor. I took a course at the local CM and the instructor was incredibly bad. The text was great, "Complete Digital Photography" (now on 7th edition), by Ben Long. He, along with others, has great instructional videos on YouTube.

The classroom was a complete waste of time and money, but if you can get a competent instructor, I would think the feedback would be invaluable.

anotherview Loc: California

No. 2.

Happy Holidays.

BobbyT wrote:

Which is better option for learning?
1. Advanced Photography class at Community College or
2. Self help on internet options, books, other alternatives.
3. Classes at local Camera shop.
Your opinions will be much appreciated.

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

BobbyT wrote:

Which is better option for learning?
1. Advanced Photography class at Community College or
2. Self help on internet options, books, other alternatives.
3. Classes at local Camera shop.
Your opinions will be much appreciated.

..

I took the class at the local C.college, then a couple on line courses from the same college, {to get the mechanics}, now it is books, questions and youtube!!!!!!!! and don't forget OJT!! {on the job training}

good luck

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

U-tube here
http://www.creativelive.com

nancyab Loc: Enfield, CT, USA

I've done the advanced photo courses at the Community College. I like them because they are structured and you're more apt to stay with them because of the peer pressure. If you're doing it under the senior waiver, that's the best deal going. Whichever you decide, good luck with it. Best wishes, Nancy B.

Bren Loc: Michigan

Yes, individual learning style is an important consideration. For me the advanced classes at my community college were just what I needed. They required shooting assignments to be completed, student work to be critiqued, and exams for nailing down basic concepts.. I do better with structure such as traditional classes offer. I competed with young people majoring in the photographic arts and although I was old enough to be their grandmother I did just as good of work as they did and better than some, at least in my opinion.