gstephan73 Loc: California, Nevada, and Minnesota

Consider a self-portrait assignment, and open yourself up to include concepts ranging from symbolic images, through fresh thumbnails for online display, through nude self-portraits, which of course you need not show anyone, or not. Self-portraiture is an assignment that will never be completed as the scope of your assignment will automatically expand as your photographic skills grow. You are your own best school!

Good luck, George

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

If there is a community college nearby, many offer courses from basic and beyond for a very reasonable cost. Also check into local centers for the arts which have one day workshops and classes in some cases. Photo walks and clubs can also be a good source of information and help. Good luck!

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

Jenny, Stephie didnt mention any school. Somebody else mentioned a school. I still stand by the premise that mail order schools are not what they advertise that they are. The courses are superficial at best and they are not cheap. All of the knowledge that one receives in these courses can be found in good photography books.

julesreyesmarko Loc: Los Angeles

I just took beginning film photography and beginning digital photography at city college from a really good instructor, and learned a great deal about each format and how to apply it to my photography and how I've been applying it without realizing it. Plus it's interesting to see the different takes of the same assignments from the different students, especially there take on the different parts of the same city.

randymoe

I always hated school until I took Art classes at the Junior College. I found my way late in life. I worked as a mechanic nights, attended Art school in the mornings, and supported 2 bartenders for 6 years from age 44 to 50. Went from grease monkey to a Graduate degree in Fine Art. Now 10 years later I see those years as some of the best of my life. Life is too short to hesitate. I recommend the Community College, very affordable. Of course I am divorced, nobodies perfect. lol

Mpeter45 Loc: Springfield, Illinois

When I was an active photojournalist, I would look through the Yellow Pages for picture ideas. And nothing beats just talking to people. You may not get a picture then, but it might turn into something later.

randymoe

Good points. The social aspect is very important.

Adirondack Hiker Loc: Southern Adirondacks

Have you ever taken a course from a mail order school? I would guess no. Books, while a good start, to do tell you what is good and bad about an image. For that you need interaction with an expert in the field.

julesreyesmarko Loc: Los Angeles

Thanks, I throughly enjoyed photography class and art class as well.

vic322

Speaking of dogs or any animal for that matter always shoot at their eye level.

How about going to the library, they should have books on photography.

Subscribe to some photo mag. Keep reading the same article over and over. Every time you read it you'll understand more. The same goes for your camera manual.

Join a camera club.

I started many moons ago with my mother's box camera.

vic322

Another word, if you are serious about learning; don't shoot on "AUTO".

To get a proper exposure you need to control basically 3 things; shuitter speed, aperture (f-stop), ISO.Thisi is Photography 101. Good luck.

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

When I received my first camera in 1964, a pentax spotmatic, I didnt know jack about photographing. I eventually examined the N.Y.School of Photography and I looked at what they offered and what I could expect from them. Bt this time I already knew F stops and shutter speeds and composition so I decided that the course offerings were just to basic and there was not enough information there for me personally. Also the prices were not cheap. I went my merry way and in the late 70s I finally started taking courses at U.C.L.A.. I took classes and I ended up in master classes. Over all it was a good experience. One day I saw a class listed for darkroom procedures and experiments in the Extension section of U.C.L.A and even tho the price was high at the time I signed up for the class. I knew nothing about the class or the instructor. The night of the first class came and I found myself on a side street in Hollywood, The class was off campus, and I knocked on a ratty door with the correct address. A funny man with a long beard and clothes that looked like he had been living in them for years answered the door. "Come in" he said in a booming baritone voice. As I walked across the threshold of that door I walked from one world into another. There were candles burning and 15 people sitting on benches and there was a feeling of excitement and wonder in the air. I didnt know it at the time but I had walked into the studio of Edmund Teske, a not very well known photographer at the time but was soon to be recognized by museums and high end galleries. There was no mention of the instructor in the write up in the catalogue so I had no advanced knowledge of what was going to happen in the class. I soon realized that I was experiencing a revolution in my thinking and my appreciation of photography as an art form. It was soon after I started this class when I sold my first art print. I never looked back. I studied with Edmund for 2.5 years and many of the original people in the original class were there also. I never could have realized the experience that I had from any mail order course. I am thankful that I experienced this man at the time in my life when I needed direction the most. The human experience was what I really needed. Mail order class can never equal the experience of human contact in the learning experience. Now I am the teacher and every class is full of wonder and new experiences. Going to school can be a wonderful experience, its not for everybody but it is a unique and interesting experience.

julesreyesmarko Loc: Los Angeles

Love your story silver. I find that inspirational and fantastic. While I read it, I found my self in the story of some mystical photography place. Thanks

Adirondack Hiker Loc: Southern Adirondacks

Glad someone finally agrees with me.

MissStephie Loc: West Virginia

thanks everyone who posted & gave me insite on this thread ;)