DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Look into joining the PPA and work toward a CPP designation.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Foto, a basic photography class is for people that have never held a camera before, so they can learn to use it and many are taught in manual to learn the Exposure Triangle.
And it's not necessary for a pro to know all about cameras. Photo classes are NOT about cameras, only websites like this are, where people are camera knowledge heavy and composition weak. Don't confuse the two.
A guy with an MFA in photography knows a lot about photography and maybe nothing about cameras, just as a doctor may know a lot about medicine and nothing about how an MRI machine is made.
I was lucky, my program was designed around turning out professional photographers, so was only related to photography like portraits and lighting, portfolios, architectural and product and food etc.
Good luck
SS

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Precisely. I got my BFA degree three years ago. It gave me a more in depth view and knowledge of photography far beyond exposure and composition. I applied to several schools this year for their MFA programs. Several of the schools accepted me and I visited them and sat in on their seminar class which consists of discussion and critique. The discussion during the critique had very little to do with composition and nothing to do with camera technique. It was all about the why behind the photographic series being critiqued, whether or not the message was communicated well through the photographs and thoughts on how the work could better.

I was very fortunate to get an in depth meeting with a potential professor. He was giving a lecture at the University of Arkansas where I went to undergrad. I had already had my official phone interview with another instructor but he is the program chair and he wanted to meet me in person since we was in my town that week. During the meeting he casually asked me if he could see some of my work first hand. I went out to my car and found that I did not have a portfolio but rather just one of my print storage boxes. I had a second set of prints from my most recent series so I showed them to him. It wast different than the work I had submitted in my application portfolio. They are night scenes around Northwest Arkansas in b&w. I had received positive feedback from many people including my undergrad mentor and a professor at another school I was interested in.

However, the professor I was meeting with and showing the prints to didn't care as much for them. He told me they were beautiful prints, very well crafted but that he didn't understand why I made them. He wanted to know what I was trying the say with these images. The concept behind the images was far more important to him than the composition or how well the images were made.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

The "urge" should come from within, one should want to learn, if you have to force yourself, then this might not be the right thing for you!

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Why would you ask these people what they think? They are not experts or have the knowledge to understand what makes you, and who you are. They are singular in thought.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right! That's why courses are so good. Go for it!

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

That is a lot of money ($17,000 +) for a degree from an institute ( https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/the-art-institute-of-raleigh-durham/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees/ ) and I don't know if they are accredited with the PPA.

mrova Loc: Chesterfield, VA

My 2 cents...based on this response alone, I'd advise against taking the course. I fear that all you will have accomplished with this course is that you will be a really good student. Broke, but a really good student. Save yer money, practice, practice, practice shooting and using your gear, and read the Hog regularly.

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

Well said. I have a couple of masters and some other stuff from accredited and non accredited schools and I put a few kids through college and I agree, there is a lot to be said for the classroom environment and a passionate teacher who can see your shortcomings and guide you through them.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Which school are you talking about? There are many photography schools these days and some are better than others. When I went to school in the 60's there were just three schools in the country with top reputations; Brook's Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA, Art Center School in LA and New York Institute of Photography. Today, Brook's is gone, Art Center has changed their emphasis (I don't know if they are still involved in photography) and NYI seams to have evolved into an online school.

There are may more choices today, but you must perform due diligence today before you make a choice; especially if you are considering a school that is not local.

Nikon1201

If after many years you are not proficient then you can save a lot of money by going to the University of YouTube .

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Very meaningful comment.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Before I retired, I was 57 years old at the time, I decided to enroll in a photography course at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale here in South Florida. For years I was self instructed but since photography has been my passion I took the step and registered in the photography class.

Like everything else that has to do with learning your progress will be determined not only by your will to learn but also by the teachers you will have. Not all of the teachers I had met my approval. They were all well "qualified" and some of them had been trained in excellent schools but when it came to teaching they left a lot to be desired. Case in point, I was not impressed by the way metering was explained to the group I was in. Composition class not impressive either and many aspects of flash photography, including using light modifiers lacked in depth. In time and on my own I learned all that from other photographers. The Internet was not the big thing it is today.

You can learn a lot while enjoying and sharing photography with others. Since today it is digital I am sure you could learn a few tricks on how to edit digital files.
Go for it.

Addendum: I did not see those $17,000 for the photography course. Now it is a different story. Do not do it.

mgoldfield

Your uncertainty strongly suggests that you would end up regretting this move.

You haven't really explained what you believe are your weaknesses.
I seriously doubt you would benefit from this certificate program.

Want to be sure? Invest a few dollars in Tony Northrop's
"Stunning Digital Photography" or Bryan Peterson's
"Understanding Exposure."

Also, you might want to check out https://www.nyip.edu.
These folks have a great reputation, and it won't cost
you a fortune.

P.S. I've been active in photography for over 60 years.

truetexan

I just finished the spring semester of my continuing eduction class in digital photography her in in Austin at the local community college. For me it was great. I have been shooting for about 3 years and felt i needed it. It was perfect for me, and i will be taking the second intermediate class in the fall. For me teacher, was great, class group was great, and the time frame was perfect. (Sat. mornings). For me this just what i needed. May not be for you, but im a hands on type of person that needs that type of educating and communication. My wife and i are both strong believers of "your'e never too old to learn".....