Photography Schools

[Photography~girl~]

I have thought that if God's plan for my life is nature photography, I have no clue how to go about it. Just aply for a job for National Geographic? I know that I don't want to go to a "traditional college" where I'll have to take classes that I won't even use in my carrier.
So I feel like God wants me to look into photography schools. I saw one 'add' in OP about one in Montana. Other then that, I really have no idea how to go about this.
So I thought I'd just ask you all if you know of any that you might recomend.
I still have about 2 years till I "graduate" high school, so it's nothing I need to rush, but just thought I'd look into what's all involved with photography school.
thanks in advance,
a.k

[Mitchell]

um ive heard of NYIP i dont really know mutch about it but it sounds like a pretty nice one

[gldiana]

Not a big fan of NYIP, they still use cassette tapes for their courses (how updated can they be in the digital age?) and on several occasions I tried to contact them by they never replied.

[Edd]

Hi A.K

My advice would be (if you don't want to do formal education as such) get yourself a book that covers the basics and have a read and go and get experience by using the camera, try to taylor that experience in line with what the book is teaching you.

For example if the chapter you are reading covers landscapes, go out and shoot landscapes.

If/when you hit problems along the way (I know I have) then come back here and I'm sure we would be able to help you.

I think your using a compact camera (?????) so somethings may be a little harder to achieve without certain "controls/settings" being available to you. But remember its the person that takes the photo not the camera. You can still work on composition etc no matter what make or model your camera is.

I have taught myself quite a few things over the years by sitting down with a book and just having ago, and generally made better progress than using formal education.

If you have a read through the back of the photographic magazines I'm sure there will be courses available for you to go on with experienced guys, however I would imagine they come at a price !!!!!

Ed

[Photography~girl~]

thanx Ed!

yes, it has been hard with my camera...reading about and writing about[I get to do theses lovely essays...] like Aperture, but not being able to TRY it myself...makes me sad.
but thank you for your advice!!
I have checked out a few places that do classes. I have found a few places here in Mi that sound good. Pricey, but looked good.[though one I am not sure about, you can't email they guy only write or call...talk about old school.]
anyway, thanx for all your advice!!! books here I come...

[Stan Z.]

Hi- you might want to look at The University of Arizona School of Photography.

They have a very good program that starts the students with basic non- automatic cameras (given to the students) so that you learn about aperture, shutter speed., depth of field, etc. and get to use film before you get to go to digital so that you understand fully the difference between them\, and get to develop your skills and talents.

U of A is located in Tucson, AZ.

Regards,

[Photography~girl~]

Oh thank you Stan!!!!! I will most deff check that school out![and to think of all the places I looked for schools I don't remember that one...] -gulp- film? and that would be????
thanx a lot!

[Stan Z.]

Film?.......you know- that stuff in the little round canisters?........................................

[Mitchell]

hey i jsut seen this advertisement on OP its called BetterPhoto.com its a really good place i was cheking it out a little for me but (i dont have that mutch money) but it might be good for you

[gldiana]

I took 3 courses on betterphoto

[Edd]

Hi Luca,

I've just had a very brief look at this Betterphoto website, were the courses useful ????

Ed

[gldiana]

Yes. I'm still finishing the last one, it's a business course on how to promote and sell your photos, it's an 8 weeks course but extended to 12 weeks since Jim, out instructor, went to Africa for a photo safari (and came back with some awesome shots that he shared with us).
They have a referral program so let me know if you're interested in doing anything there. I could recommend you some of the courses that would benefit you most.
The thing about BetterPhoto courses is that they promote interaction, so the more you interact with instructor and other students, the more you learn.

[Edd]

Cheers Luca,

I'll have a closer look at the site over the next few days and If I decide to give it spin then I'll let you know so you can make use of the referral system.

Ed

[Photography~girl~]

Film?.......you know- that stuff in the little round canisters?........................................

....not ringing any bells.
we've got this camera[from my grandma, found when we helped her move] and that thing is like.....ANCIENT! I have it in my "Time laps" pic...
I actually half thought about getting a film camera[my aunt offered me her 33mm camera], thought it might help my skills and learning with it in stead of just fixing something in photoshop or something...

[jmthompson]

I took the 4-week Basics of Sports Photography course by Newman Lowrance at BetterPhoto.com and found it to be extremely useful. I really liked the format of the course, and Newman also provides you with his email and encourages you to contact him after the completion of the course with any questions, so its not like once the course is over, you're out the door! I will definitely take another course when I have the time (and $!).

Jana