OriginalCyn Loc: Connecticut

Two years ago I asked the question "Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of NYIP? I am considering their course work, and have done a lot of reading, but haven't talked to anyone I know at has enrolled in any of their programs."

I received varying feedback, which helped to shape my expectations towards the course work.

I recently completed the course, and I'm back to say that I learned a great deal. At the very least, it helped me to A) not only learn some of the basics, which I had felt that I seemingly skipped over when the photog bug hit, but also B) sent me into a network of resources that I might not have had exposure to otherwise. At least not directly at my fingertips. Those resources, in turn, gave me the confidence to try some things I would never have considered, such as attending a workshop with Sandy Puc, whose organization "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" has planted a seed deeply inside me, and is germinating.

Most importantly, I've learned to harness my goals into something that I can focus on and become good at.

Does the course have the same clout that attending a University that offers a Bachelor of Arts in Photography Degree? Certainly not. But for the person who wants to learn more about photography in a systematic, concrete, and less extensive way from home, I would recommend NYIP.

By the way, I'm not beholding to NYIP in any way shape or form. I was simply pleased with what I gained from the course work.

Hafkrazy Loc: NW Pennsylvania

Thanks for the post, I also have been cnsidering NYIP

anotherview Loc: California

Your doing the course work of NYIP no doubt sped your learning and understanding of the craft of photography. This one rationale alone justifies using NYIP. Overall, it appears to instill a foundation for doing photography.

Now of course you have to make something of it. NYIP has helped give you direction.

Good luck.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I was going to go to my local college and take a photography course. I started reading about the course , I don't care who invented the camera, I don't care how the first one worked, I don't care about dark rooms or chemicals,or special effects using chemicals or placing negatives on top of negatives ,I don't care about all the different makes of cameras. I don't care about how many were made of each camera.
At my age, a degree in photography wouldn't do me any good. Plus it seems that it would be a year before they actually began to talk about digital photography.

So I did take a night school class, which was excellent, I took a second advanced class which was full of people asking questions about ISO and what was it, the class ended up being full of beginners that thought they were advanced because in auto mode they took great pics . Then when the instructor said that I knew more about nature photography and took better pics then he did I knew I was in the wrong class. ( to be fair he was a portrait photographer for 40 years) so now I read photo books at the library and I practice and Im getting better every day....

OriginalCyn Loc: Connecticut

Yes, agreed, some of that historical stuff is not useful...however, it is such a small part of the course. I am glad you found what you needed, however, to progress in your photography.

anotherview Loc: California

Tend to agree. The learning of the craft of photography can skip the history and philosophy of photography, and go right to photographic technique using digital means for doing photography. This approach will result sooner for the photographer in gaining a useful understanding.

One can always pick up information later about the other aspects of photography.

For my part, I taught myself how to do photography using the various facts and information available in books, magazines, and on the Internet, and by learning from my mistakes and my successes.

That said, if I had it to do over, I'd seek instruction in the basics of photography -- for example, the exposure triangle and image composition. I'd also attend a workshop or two for instruction in using Photoshop.

Doing so would've sped up my learning.

But then many ways exist for reaching the mountaintop.

Good luck.

Nightski

Thanks for sharing this, Cyn. I would love to take an online course such as this. I have purchased a few classes from Creative Live. They have been very helpful and enjoyable. I would not poo poo learning some art history, however. Art Wolfe has a wonderful class called The Art in Nature Photography". He has a college degree in art, and never thought of becoming a photographer when he began his education. He brings his art education to his photography, however and it has been a wonderful marriage of art and photography. It has made me desire to learn more about art history and peaked my curiosity about art in general.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

I took the NYIP course in 1989 when it was done by mail (no internet). Students mailed in pictures and the teachers sent cassette tapes with their comments and critiques. I had already been taking pictures for many years but with a narrow landscape/wildlife scope. NYIP opened my eyes to all the genres of photography and convinced me that I didn't want anything to do with wedding photography. I often recommend their course even though I have no first hand experience with the on-line version. And they do give out nice certificates and I still have the subcourse books.

OriginalCyn Loc: Connecticut

I too have watched a few Creative Live tutorials. I found them engaging, informative and fun. I'll take a look at Art Wolfe's class. I don't think you can discount experiences that you don't fully understand or even appreciate...you never know where it'll take you!

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I have probably put in 2,000 hours of courses and tutorials and books over the past two years. I have also networked attempting to participate in staged photo shoots. It has been very successful for me and, naturally, I am pleased.

I especially wanted to address your comments about "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep". Cliff "CaptainC", is or was on their board. I watched a video with him regarding this wonderful service. I'm one of those people who would be too emotional to handle the pressure in a dignified manner. My hat goes off to those that have the desire and courage to participate in this wonderful program. These people are a true credit to humanity and photography in general.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

OriginalCyn Loc: Connecticut

I believe Cliff is, since he is pictured on the website. It does take a certain mindset for sure.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Cyn, first congrats to you for taking the time and initiative for having taken a photography course.
It's difficult to understand what a person learns taking courses if you've never taken one. I've never taken an online course so it's hard to know what can be learned from them. But I'm a firm believer in any kind of structured course work as opposed to trying to be self taught. There are a few self-taught photographers working in high profile jobs but the vast majority are formally educated and trained.
Like many here I shot and was mostly self-taught for almost 50 years. I would like to think I was good as I could get paid to shoot.
Then after talking to various photographers that I respected I decided to do whatever it took to start at one end and go to a college and study photography to the other end. Yes, that includes learning about other photographers and history. I quickly found that though I could produce very nice work, my knowledge of actuall photography was VERY, VERY thin. I was lacking all the infrastructure and intricate detailed knowledge that can only be imparted by instructors that have been pros for decades and are currently making a living at it but have a burning desire to give back to their roots.
Sometimes the difference between thinking you know a lot and actually knowing is formal training.
We all chose individually where in that structure we want to be. Formal training won't automatically make you a photographer but it certainly will give you the tools if you have the talent and desire to become one! ;-)
SS

tessigirl

[quote=OriginalCyn]Two years ago I asked the question "Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of NYIP? I am considering their course work, and have done a lot of reading, but haven't talked to anyone I know at has enrolled in any of their programs."

I received varying feedback, which helped to shape my expectations towards the course work.

I recently completed the course, and I'm back to say that I learned a great deal. At the very least, it helped me to A) not only learn some of the basics, which I had felt that I seemingly skipped over when the photog bug hit, but also B) sent me into a network of resources that I might not have had exposure to otherwise. At least not directly at my fingertips. Those resources, in turn, gave me the confidence to try some things I would never have considered, such as attending a workshop with Sandy Puc, whose organization "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" has planted a seed deeply inside me, and is germinating.

Most importantly, I've learned to harness my goals into something that I can focus on and become good at.

Does the course have the same clout that attending a University that offers a Bachelor of Arts in Photography Degree? Certainly not. But for the person who wants to learn more about photography in a systematic, concrete, and less extensive way from home, I would recommend NYIP.

By the way, I'm not beholding to NYIP in any way shape or form. I was simply pleased with what I gained from the course work.

I just started the course this week and am very excited about my decision. Good to hear that you had a positive experience.

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

I was a graduate of NYIP in 2009...taught me a lot and forced me to get out and work on things I wasn't necessarily interested in, but needed to know! Very worthwhile...congrats to you!!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Good to know. I'm guessing that they offer many courses. Which one did you take?