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

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.

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.

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.

Cyn, thanks for sharing your experience. I got my mail-order degree from them way back about 1971 or so. It was GREAT! It was still a real school, with students studying in their class rooms. It covered all aspects of professional photography; roll film, cut film, view cameras, portraits, weddings, glamour, product, darkroom, everything. They had me shoot, print and mail, lots & lots of photos. It was also 100% b & w.
A few years ago I thought it would be neat to update my NYI training and retook the course. It was a shallow disaster. The text books were outdated and I quit the whole project. I've heard that the school has now updated the text books and that's great. I'm so glad to hear that they are doing a good job again. Thanks for sharing your experience. I was very saddened to feel that what, at one time, had been the best, or one of the best, teaching photographic institutions in the country had gone to hell in a hand basket. I feel much better now, knowing they are back on track. "Atta girl" Cyn.