Which Photography School?????

[Rhys]

Hi,

I know that I have not placed this in the right forum, but I am interested in anyone's opinion on the best place to learn photography?

Local Tafe course, Private Photography school or an online course???

Any information that you can provide would be greatly appreciated:)

[AcadieLibre]

Just my two cents but unless it is a college or university course they are not really worth the time nor money. You are better off buying a book for your camera and then another on photography. Then practice, practice, experiment then experiment some more. Well I just googled what a Tafe was and that looks like something to consider, if you have the ability that is the way to go, we just call them Community Colleges here. At least I now know what a Tafe is lol.

[Mad Aussie]

I think there are courses and there are courses. Chantelle just finished a photography course that was awesome for portraiture but included virtually nothing in terms of landscape or history of photography, advanced editing etc for instance. She learnt that stuff from me ... so you might say private tuition for that.

I did an online course for the use of my flash which did help but was centered entirely on portraiture which was not mentioned in the course outline. Although I learnt how to use my general in general I was dissappointed not to learn more advanced skills with it. I've figured those out myself by reading the manual and experimenting a lot.

So I think the answer is exactly what you need to learn AND what the course actually covers. I definitely think that being in a real class is better than a virtual/online class though.

How much do you need to learn Rhys? Do you have a good DSLR and know whow to use it reasonably well in manual? Or do you use the auto type modes only? Or are you reasonably good with most stuff but want to lift your photography to a higher level? Perhaps you aren't bad but want to start specializing in certain type such as portraiture?

[Rhys]

AcadieLibre - Thank you for your two cents - much appreciated! :) I'm planning on buying a few books this week and then checking out the local 'community college' lol





I think there are courses and there are courses.

So I think the answer is exactly what you need to learn AND what the course actually covers. I definitely think that being in a real class is better than a virtual/online class though.

How much do you need to learn Rhys? Do you have a good DSLR and know whow to use it reasonably well in manual? Or do you use the auto type modes only? Or are you reasonably good with most stuff but want to lift your photography to a higher level? Perhaps you aren't bad but want to start specializing in certain type such as portraiture?


Mad Aussie - Your right - there are courses and then there are courses. :confused: See this is where it get's confusing for a newbie like me. I was given a Canon 1000D DSLR for Christmas 2008 and really don't have much of an idea of what i'm doing and have no idea where exactly I want to take my photography. I just know that I want to learn how to use my camera properly.

I've been doing a bit of research of what courses are available in my local area and found that it's either the whole hog at tafe or bit's and pieces at camera shops. I've also discovered one on one tutoring with a working photographer! I am now leaning towards the tafe course to give me somewhere to start and then hopefully work with a few photographers to see where I want to take my photograpy!

[Mad Aussie]

You're not over my side of town are you Rhys? I'm up near Strathpine.

[Rhys]

No, I'm now living at Wishart on the southside. Why?

[Mad Aussie]

It would have made it easier to get together one day and I could show you some stuff if you wanted.

[Greg_Nuspel]

I think MA just hit on one of the best ways. Getting together and challenging each other, something like this forum. The more you shoot the more you learn. For intrest you may want to Google 'the myth of talent', interesting stuff out there.

I'm a slow learner because I don't get out enough :)

[Rhys]

Thanks Greg!

Mad Aussie - My hubbie Grant has agreed to look after our boys so that I am able to get out more and would really appreicate any time that you are able to spare!

[tomorrowstreasures]

good advice given here.... another one to add to the pool is this one...(or more)

- do assignments.... Ph.ca has a thread that does just that.... so do some flickr groups and this site: The Daily Shoot | Assignment (http://dailyshoot.com/assignments/53)

there are tons and tons and tons of resources out there...google is a best friend for sure...so is your branch of your local library!!!

-read, and do that owner's manual.... once you 'get' what your camera is capable of, then your mind can stray and become a bit more creative...

- practice, practice, practice....
-set mini goals...ex: 'this week, i am going to shoot in only AV mode' - then experiment with all of the aperatures to see the outcome....
-have photos critqued - but don't take it personally- use it as a good learning tool...
-ask lots of questions
-look at magazines and try to critque the photos in your mind..where is the light coming from? is the shot exposed to your liking? what is the sharpest part of the image? what makes this photo something you want to look at? what keeps you at that photo? what keeps you from liking the photo? and so on and so on....

when you take a shot that pleases you, ask yourself what did you do - and try to repeat it..

there are many ways to learn... know your learning style and jump off from there....

good luck, and remember, we were all beginners at one point.

[jjeling]

Well said. Honestly, I dont know that you need to stray from this site that much. Between all of the assignments Marko offers up, podcasts, and people here. There isnt much that cannot be answered or assisted with. The only downfall is it is online. I believe that you can learn and be helped with the majority of your questions here, but you will be lacking certain elements without having a teacher, or someone actually there to show you things.

Personally, I learned how to use a camera a while ago on a regular film SLR. That helps. When I got a DSLR, it was essentially the same, but I was not very creative with it. I usually jumped around forum to forum until I found this place. Since I never had a teacher or mentor, or anything of the sort, it was a little harder trying to learn how to do this stuff. I started by just putting the camera in manual mode, playing with the buttons, and tried to mimick certain pictures. Once taking certain types of pictures became second nature, I would try another set of pictures with different challenges. I am at the point now where I am trying to encorporate 3 or 4 different concepts into one image.

This is a never ending process and you will ALWAYS learn something new if you continue to follow it. I see no reason as to why you need to actually go to school as long as you put in a solid effort and ask us questions. It might not be the easiest way to do it but its all here. Just figure out what suits your learning style best. One thing is for sure and anyone here will tell you this. STAY HERE! I dont know that there is a person here that can say they have not learned anything from being here. Even if you enroll in a photography course, the more conversations you have about this topic the faster you will learn. Its about understanding, not knowing. If you know how the camera works it doenst matter unless you understand how to use it.


Dont forget, ask ?'s as much as you can. Good luck.

[Greg_Nuspel]

Another very useful source of education is workshops. They are targeted and usually very helpful. Most times you can find reviews on the web about the instructor or get recommendations from fellow photographers. This way you can tailor your education to the areas you need instruction. Most of these people are working pros that actually make a living with photography not just by instructing. The classes tend to be small so that you get real help not just a lecture. The hands on portion is where you get to try what was taught and the instructor will help you though the parts you didn't understand.

Overall workshops are one of the best ways to learn how to do something. :twocents:

[Mad Aussie]

Thanks Greg!

Mad Aussie - My hubbie Grant has agreed to look after our boys so that I am able to get out more and would really appreicate any time that you are able to spare!
You never can make assumptions around here huh! I thought I was talking to a bloke Rhys :) Sorry about that.

I guess we can go with a few options if you are willing to come up for a drive our way.

Firstly, we live very near Lake Samsonvale so there's no reason not to bring the hubby and kids along if you wish. The kids sound like they are young so I'm sure the lake and the kids playground will keep them amused long enough for you and I (and maybe my wife) to give you a good start with your camera.

However, if the kids are likely to be a distraction, or you'd just rather get the hell away for a while, we all need that once in awhile huh :) , you can cruise on up alone and we can meet you there.

You let me know when and I can probably organize something. I'm free tomorrow morning after about 9.30am and also Sunday afternoon from about lunchtime till 4pm.
I can also make room most week days later in the day after work ... around the 4pm mark.

[Rhys]

:thankyou: Thank you guys and girls. Your fabulous insight is very much appreciated! :)

[ArtTwisted]

Being a photography student my self currently part time and hopefully full time next two years , the best part is the hands on teaching, and access to studio gear. If your doing an online class you wouldnt have any of that. Beyond that wether its a couple thousand dollar community course of a fine art program in new york i think you will take away how ever much you want too.