Photography School?

[bumpylemon]

i have been into taking pictures for the last 10 years. everyone always said you should pursue it. Never did. But now I think that its something I want to start a career in. I am 27 years old and I do not know if its to late to go to photography school. I have a good eye and a passion but lack technical things. Schooling seems perfect to fix that. Is it worth it? Is it something to consider? Has anyone ever went to school for it and have you benefited? thanks!

 

[kelbow]

I think it's always a good idea to persue schooling for photography. Many people would say that self-taught is the way to go, but as a graphic design/photography student at a college myself, I would argue in favor of furthered education based solely on my experiences.

I took a class last year called "Commercial Photography". In this class I got to use anything and everything in our lighting studio provided by the school. This helped me understand lighting and flash hands-on rather than investing money in a trade that I knew little about just for the sake of learning. I know what materials are high quality now and which to avoid.

Another thing about art school that you will never receive anywhere else in the real world (except on TPP and other online art sites) are the critiques. This gives you the opportunity to hear from people around you who are also studying the same thing (and professors) about your work. I know I will miss this when I graduate in a year. You are constantly surrounded by art, which, for me, translated to inspiration. Simply by surrounding myself by other art students, my standards for my work have increased and I've learned so many things just by discussing with others and witnessing different art styles.

 

[bumpylemon]

being from my neck of the woods can i ask what school you attend?

 

[MohaimenK]

I'd probably opt it and move on to do workshops.
I'm guessing in your last 10 years you should know all the camera functions?

 

[kelbow]

being from my neck of the woods can i ask what school you attend?

I'm at Maine College of Art

 

[Griz806]

I am 27 years old and I do not know if its to late to go to photography school.

Man did I ever miss the boat! I'm 52 and just now started college for a degree in photography! :lmao:

Seriously, timing isn't always everything, now is it?

 

[bumpylemon]

Although taking pics seriously for ten years. They weren't with a good camera. Now I got a decent camera i want to take the next step.

 

[Joshua_Lee]

Look into 503 Photography | Home

It's a 6 week online photography workshop that is absolutely amazing! Best $295 you will spend on a class. Here is the catch, it fills up fast. She offers a new class start date every month, but they typically fill up within 6 minutes of open enrollment. She only allows 40 per class in order to have better one on one critiquing time with you. I would check it out! I know three others who took this class and they are the reason I took it. She teaches the technical and artistic sides of photography. She will send you an email the day and time registration begins and it is first come first serve. Have fun!

 

[8ball]

bumpylemon where in mass are you from?
hallmark school of photography is in millers falls ( western mass) and its about 60 grand for the 10 month course

 

[KmH]

If you plan to work for someone else, having a photography degee would be useful to have.

If you are thinking more along the lines of having your own business, business, marketing, and sales skills would be jsut as important as technical photographic knowledge.

kelbow rightly points out, or at least alludes to, that commercial photography and retail photography are very different.

Commercial photography is very much more about making images that fulfill a commercial clients artistic vision and goals. That artistic vision is usually conveyed to the photographer by the Art Director (AD), who was directed by the Creative Director (CD).

Retail photography is more about the photographer fulfilling their own artistic vision and finding customers that want their personal images made in that style.

In 2006 photographers that worked for someone else made an average of $26,000 a year, and self-employeed photographers made about $28,000. The top 10% of all photographers made over $56,000 a year.

Yearly Income of a Photographer | eHow.com Yearly Income of a Photographer | eHow.com

 

[blazerj]

What about NYIP? It's about $300 and looks legit. I'm considering it.

 

[blazerj]

Look into 503 Photography | Home

It's a 6 week online photography workshop that is absolutely amazing! Best $295 you will spend on a class. Here is the catch, it fills up fast. She offers a new class start date every month, but they typically fill up within 6 minutes of open enrollment. She only allows 40 per class in order to have better one on one critiquing time with you. I would check it out! I know three others who took this class and they are the reason I took it. She teaches the technical and artistic sides of photography. She will send you an email the day and time registration begins and it is first come first serve. Have fun!

Looks interesting. Is the format basically that you have 1 week to complete and submit your assignment every week for 6 weeks?

 

[John Mc]

I'd agree with Mo,Look at workshops,espicially if you still have to support yourself. You get some one to one Teaching aswell which i think is better then online teaching. I feel its a little impersonal.but thats me

 

[Joshua_Lee]

Looks interesting. Is the format basically that you have 1 week to complete and submit your assignment every week for 6 weeks?[/QUOTE]

Yes, and Jessica who runs it is very nice! She basically gives you a lesson on Monday and then she gives you homework that is due the following week for critique. I know of my friends who took it, their photography has progressed 10 fold since taking the class. Jessica will return emails within 24 hours so you should give her a shout! Definitely worth a look!

Here is a link for different reviews on the class.
Google

 

[bumpylemon]

bumpylemon where in mass are you from?
hallmark school of photography is in millers falls ( western mass) and its about 60 grand for the 10 month course

im looking into that right now. its about 40 min away