I think I’m going to go to school for photography: I found an art school that has a BFA. They also have a certificate which is about half the work of the BFA. The BFA is in digital...

fotoman150

I found an art school that has a BFA. They also have a certificate which is about half the work of the BFA. The BFA is in digital photography as well as the certificate also.

I already know quite a bit about photography and the associated post processing software. But I looked at the course descriptions and I think I could learn a tremendous amount more and really take my photography to a new level.

What do you guys think? I’ve been taking “pitchers” LOL for many years but have never really felt like I was totally proficient. I know it’s hard to know everything but I need to discipline myself if I’m going to learn from like YouTube or other instructional Internet classes.

The problem is I won’t make myself sit down and learn unless I’m striving for a grade and I have other people that I’ve teamed up with in a project that I don’t want to let down. This is why I think going to a college for photography would force me to learn.

Opinions?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Practice in the form of shooting, editing, analysis (self and feedback from others), identifying areas for improvement, and repeating the steps with identified correction actions are probably all that is needed. This approach takes time, just like sitting in class or online study. If a grade or deadline helps you focus, follow whatever works best for you.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Where is the school located? Is it an accredited institution?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

My personal opinion is this would be a waste of money. However, I'm not one to tell others how to spend their money. If you think this is going to make you a better photographer, go for it.
--Bob

fotoman150 wrote:

I found an art school that has a BFA. They also ha... (show quote)

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Guess my question would be why do you care what we think? Not our life, money or time invested? None of us have experience on what YOU know, what YOU want, what YOU will get out of it.

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Depends on what you want to get out of it. BFA programs at art schools while teaching technique, are more about conceptual thinking and learning to communicate complex ideas through visual media. Keep in mind that these programs likely require studies in other fields such as drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking and sculpture. They also require courses in art history. For me, my BFA degree was highly valuable. I learning a lot but mostly it other things besides techniques. I am uncertain what the other certificate would consist of but it is possible that it most of trade school type of education. Which school are you looking at?

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

fotoman150 wrote:

I found an art school that has a BFA. They also ha... (show quote)

You already have the interest, and presumably the equipment, so do you just need the discipline to make you focus on projects?

If that is the case, then it may be the right thing for you to do. A forcing function, so to speak. It is a generally much easier to learn in a group situation so long as the group is at the right level for you, and it makes you follow a proscribed set of disciplines that you may not do for yourself.

If you can afford the time and money, and wish to do it, I would say go for it. However, you need to know if the staff can give you what you need, if they're just phoning it in then you may not get the value. Do check their references. Also consider local community college courses if you have any. I have a friend that teaches at one, and her comments are interesting.

That or go hire a dominatrix!

fotoman150

CHG_CANON wrote:

Practice in the form of shooting, editing, analysis (self and feedback from others), identifying areas for improvement, and repeating the steps with identified correction actions are probably all that is needed. This approach takes time, just like sitting in class or online study. If a grade or deadline helps you focus, follow whatever works best for you.

It’s called the Art Institute of Raleigh. They are associated with a college in Miami. They have several branches around the country. Not sure if they are accredited.

fotoman150

Stardust wrote:

Guess my question would be why do you care what we think? Not our life, money or time invested? None of us have experience on what YOU know, what YOU want, what YOU will get out of it.

I care because it’s a lot of money and I want to get a cross section of opinions to help me make up my mind. I’m not convinced it’s the right thing for me.

fotoman150

Darkroom317 wrote:

Depends on what you want to get out of it. BFA pro... (show quote)

I’m looking at The Art Institute of Raleigh Durham.

The certificate is heavy in post processing and output with a few classes in photography. It’s actually called Digital Image Management.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

We have all the weights and kettlebells we need for my wife to use. Without the structure of a regular place to go with others to keep her going, she just won’t do anything. But now that she has the gym she signed up and paid for, she goes most every day.
Some people need the structure. If interaction with others is what keeps you learning, then you should follow your instincts and do it.

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

fotoman150 wrote:

I’m looking at The Art Institute of Raleigh Durham.

The certificate is heavy in post processing and output with a few classes in photography. It’s actually called Digital Image Management.

AI schools tend to be a bit more commercially focused than many other programs. As they are private rather than state institutions they tend to be rather expensive. Here is a bit more info and review about the institution: https://www.niche.com/colleges/the-art-institute-of-raleigh-durham/#academics

How many years and credit hours does the program require?

fotoman150

Peterff wrote:

You already have the interest, and presumably the ... (show quote)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Spending some time to define specific measures of how this course will accomplish "really take my photography to a new level" will help in the decision making. They'll also serve as a basis of measuring the long-term results of the effort, both at the end of the course and +1, +5 years later.

Post processing is a requirement of success photography. It was in the darkroom and now on the computer. But, post processing has never been the best method to overcome poor (uninteresting) composition, poor focus, poor exposure decisions, poor technique, or even poor / misguided post processing actions.

Coming back to specifics, you should be able to map your expectations against the course curriculum and judge if the coursework addresses your expectations.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Darkroom317 wrote:

AI schools tend to be a bit more commercially focused than many other programs. As they are private rather than state institutions they tend to be rather expensive. Here is a bit more info and review about the institution: https://www.niche.com/colleges/the-art-institute-of-raleigh-durham/#academics

How many years and credit hours does the program require?

Yikes! Maybe I come from a long, long time ago, and a country far, far away, but my instinct would be to run.

There may be many better ways of achieving the OP's goals and objectives. Is an actual 'degree' qualification desired, or just to improve the skill set?