stlbob Loc: St.louis Hills

While i did automotive for almost 30 years running shops and at time entire companys i was always of the belief to be as well schooled as possible.Even when i stopped working on cars and moved up thru the ranks i still took most of the class's that the techs did to stay informed.
I see all these schools and all they offer,i want to treat my choice of being a pro at photography the same way.
Be as well informed and as skilled as possible.

Anyone ever had any experience in ANY type of formal schooling on the subject.? Any feedback on this would great.

Thanks

nolte1964 Loc: Des Moines, Iowa

I am going to an online school, and had found it so far very helpful and has changed my perspective on shooting completely. Having professionals critique my images is so helpful, having them around to ask questions very helpful, learning how to really use my camera, see my shots, learn lighting correctly, Photoshop correctly, I could go on but the point is there are good schools out there you just have to choose the one that fits you best. I currently attend the San Francisco Academy of Art University and have really enjoyed my studies so far. I love the photographic assignments because they really challenge you to shoot things you probably normally wouldn't consider.

If you don't want to do that, join a local camera club they often have competitions and these can be so beneficial to you learning. I belong to one and love the feed back and the opportunity to learn from others locally as there is always great talent around no matter where you live unless you are the only one who owns a camera in a 100 mile area!

stlbob Loc: St.louis Hills

i never thought about a local camera club this is a big enough city there should be a few.
Thanks for the input.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

The best investment you can make in improving your skills and enjoyment of photography is education.
Whether it is classroom, seminars, formal /informal on-line, videos or reading books and blogs. Which one(s) depends on how you learn and what you enjoy.

A local camera club and local camera store may have or know about several excellent educational opportunities that are very inexpensive.

Pholmwood

any thoughts on the New York Institute of Photography?

4ellen4 Loc: GTA--Ontario

this school has been around since at least 1985--know several people that have gone through the course because could not afford college and are working in the photography industry and making a good living. And credit NYIP for this, I am just learning digital and they have part of the course that is dedicated to digital so am thinking about taking the course myself just for that part of it.
If I am right in my understanding--this course is one that you have to get assignments in during a certain time frame--you would have to ask them about that--just something I may have mis-understood in reading material sent to me--a 1-800 phone number is included in the printed material and they are very good about answering any questions you may have

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

I have never tried online courses, but based on the experiences of friends and family who have; calling them education is like calling the plug in George Foreman Grill a barbecue of Cybersex making love

stlbob Loc: St.louis Hills

Im going to send a few of the better reviewed schools an email and see what they have to offer.I will be honest for a time i was concerned about my age and starting from square one.Yet this is something i have always wanted to do so i need to man up and do it right.

mremery Loc: From Maine, living in Virginia

I'm with you, for me nearing that 6 0 decade and trying to break into a new career. In the DC area there are many seminars and classes at local community colleges. I'm enrolled in two classes for this fall. I looked into the local Art Institutes here and it's very expensive, as is a certificate through a group under Boston University. I have heard good things from others who have enrolled at NYIP.

Frapha Loc: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Thanks for the input.[/quote]

Check out http://www.meetup.com/ ---- on right side of the homepage, put in PHOTOGRAPHY and your zip code. I joined my local digital photography meetup group and found it exceptionally informative, educational and good camaraderie with other photographers of various skill levels.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

My learning rate for Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements has increased dramatically since I started using the courses at lynda.com. You can test the effectiveness with free samples.

The price is $25 a month. If you compare that to a magazine subscription, it is horribly expensive. If you compare it to driving to a community college or camera club, it is dirt cheap.

You can sign up of a single month and cram in as many courses as you have time for.

Bill

14kphotog Loc: Marietta, Ohio

I belong to 2 photography clubs. Joined the first one in 1979 that was started in 1950 by a Kodak Judge. He liked what I shot and took me under his wing. learned a lot fast. We had a monthly contest with a set subject, and entries were all slides. It taught me to get it right in the camera. Now in the clubs everything is digital. I have found them and seminars to be good learning tools. Have had a wedding studio for 22 years now as an outtake from the clubs. Also do not forget the UHH as this is full of knowledgeable photographers. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

JoelS Loc: Deep South Alabama

I took NYIP course, paid for the entire course about ($750). They send you cassette tapes (unless they have changed in the last 2 years), you read the lesson, answer some questions, take about 3 photos of the assigned subject, send it to the company (by snail mail) they critique your photos, grade the answers on your test. I was raked over the coals for a photo I took of light on a flower. They said I didnt have the right angle.
If were to do it again, I would look into a course that had dvd lessons explaining the process. NYIP (2 years ago) was teaching film cameras and not digital. I got discouraged and didnt finish the course but that is more my fault than theirs.

roger2012 Loc: Chichester West Sussex UK

I belong to my local camera club and get lots of help from more experienced photographers than me with ARPS and PAGB after their names and hence have won a few cups and had accredations for some of my work.Also belong to on line Karl Taylor Photography course which is very useful members might find it useful to look up its free.