Photography Course

woowoor75

Hello all, i'm almost 30 and i've just finished studying a 2 year foundation degree in tourism (something i didn't really enjoy), working part-time in a hotel. I'm just having kind of a "mid-life crises" :rolleyes:, i want to do something different but i don't know what. I really love computers, i spend 24 hours of 24 (when i'm not working) navigating on the web. Lately i keep thinking about photography and i would like to take a photography course but i don't know which one would be the best. I would like a professional one, and posibbly with a diploma or smth (accredited), something that is value for money.
I had a look on google but there are soo many and i don't know which one to choose. Something near guildford, godalming would be good, but i wouldn't want to study it full-time at college, maybe something from home or one day a week.
i know it's difficult with so many choices these days but maybe there is someone that knows any courses that are serious and not a waste of money.
Thank you very much in advance and i wish everyone to have an enjoyable day.

Regards,

Dani

geordie458

I doubt its something you want to hear but it was reported a few weeks back that there are currently more people studying photography degrees in the UK than there are vaccancies in the whole of Europe.

Strider590

Sure do a course but build yourself a portfolio, that's what REALLY counts.

geordie458 wrote: »

I doubt its something you want to hear but it was reported a few weeks back that there are currently more people studying photography degrees in the UK than there are vaccancies in the whole of Europe.

Truth : /

Doesn't mean they have any skill at it though... All the gear and no idea!

althas

I don't know how much you know about photography at the moment. Do you know your ISO from your Fstop from your DoF????

IF (like me last year) you are a bit of a beginner, I decided to go the the bottom of the ladder and take it from there

I am currently doing this course

http://www.proudphotography.com/

It is not a "professional" one as such, but the course content is great, basic enough to understand, and takes you through all the basic stuff you need to know. It is all online and you have 12 months to complete it. There are tutors to assess your work and pictures, and they give very good constructive feedback when they grade your work

If you are beyond this, then I have no idea sorry I am not to that level yet :rotfl:. BUT I understand the Open University do a good course. Have a look on a few of the photography forums, like

DC Mag forums http://community.dcmag.co.uk/forums/

Good luck and let us know what you decide

isofa

In my experience (when I'm not working in IT, I do pro photography work) you either have the eye for a good shot or you don't.

You can learn all the technical stuff as you go along, but no amount of courses are going to make you artistic if you are not. I've been taking photos for a good 20 years with SLRs so I have a fair bit of knowledge!

If you've got the flair, buy a decent consumer DSLR to start with 300 to 400 should cover that and get saving for some lenses, these are crucial and last a lifetime. With digital today it's so easy to learn by practice, without wasting rolls of film, once you know your ISO from your shutter speed and your aperture from your white balance you'll be getting there for sure...

Buy some good photography mags (Practical Photography, Professional Photographer) etc and look at the courses advertised, then look at getting accredited, MPA, BIPP etc. However when people look for photographers for commercial, art, weddings etc, no one first starts out wanting to know your qualifications - most clients of mine feel it's irrelevant, they want to see examples of your work. If you can produce great shots, that is what counts.

Have a look at this forum: www.tipf.org.uk

Sooler

OU T189

http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?C01T189

Whether you’re new to digital photography or want to improve your existing skills, this ten-week online course will develop your ability to create and share digital images you are proud of. If you’re just starting out, you’ll be able to compare notes with many other people in the same situation. If you’re already a keen amateur digital photographer, being part of an active online community will develop your fluency. Visually focused, with text kept to a minimum, the course will develop your technical, visual and creative skills. A series of weekly hands-on assignments allows you to practise the skills you’ll learn.

diable

Sooler wrote: »

OU T189

http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?C01T189

Whether you’re new to digital photography or want to improve your existing skills, this ten-week online course will develop your ability to create and share digital images you are proud of. If you’re just starting out, you’ll be able to compare notes with many other people in the same situation. If you’re already a keen amateur digital photographer, being part of an active online community will develop your fluency. Visually focused, with text kept to a minimum, the course will develop your technical, visual and creative skills. A series of weekly hands-on assignments allows you to practise the skills you’ll learn.

A friend of mine had this course bought for him one Christmas, he thoroughly enjoyed it and he's been interested in photography for he last 20 years.

Once I have some spare money I think that I will be doing one myself.

kevsan

As others have said, the best advice - get a camera and get out and take photos - its the best way to learn, and start building a portfolio.... This is the key to demonstrating ability rather than qualifications.

In terms of other learning aids, have a look at some of these;

Understanding Exposure Revised Edition by Bryan Peterson
Quite possibly the one book that anyone interested in photography should own.

Photoshop CS Down & Dirty Tricks by Scott Kelby
Not strictly a photographers book but a designers book although many of the 'tricks' may be of use to a photographer

Creative Techniques for Photographing Children by Vik Orestein
Although written before the days of digital camera it is still a relevant book with lots of good ideas

Posing And Lighting Techniques For Studio Portrait Photography by J.J. Allen
Again this book was written before digital cameras but lighting remains the same which ever format you shoot and so it's still very relevant. If you've never used lights before this is a good guide to ease you in and on to more complex lighting set-ups.

Complete Guide To Photography by John Hedgecoe
Another written before digital but this is actually still a good book for the beginner as it guides you through lots of different subjects that people often want to shoot and gives lots of tips and advice on how best to do them

Guide To Building Your Photography Business by Vik Orenstein
If you are looking to start to earn money from photography rather than just selling one or two prints a year, this is one of the best guides.

The Perfect Exposure by Jim Zuckerman
Although not as good as Understanding Exposure this is still a very good book using real life examples to explain how exposure works and when light meters will work against you.

Complete Photography Manual by Ailsa McWhinnie
Although written when digital cameras were a new thing this is actually quite a good book for the absolute beginner as, like the title suggests, it gives you a complete guide to photography from bouncing flash to understanding exposure, how to compose your photos to shooting Macro

The Complete Guide To Night & Low-Light Photography by Lee Frost
An invaluable guide to the subject and by far the best I've read on it

Wedding Photography 101 The Complete Guide To Starting & Growing a Wedding Photography Business by Scott Harris
Not a book that explains how to shoot weddings but how to run a business

Learning To See Creatively by Bryan Peterson
A great book that does what it says on the tin

Photographic Composition Guidelines For Total Image Control Through Effective Design by Tom Grill & Mark Scanlon
This book addresses how photos can be 'designed' by composition to give graphical feel to your subject. Interesting read

Taking Pictures For Profit - The Complete Guide To Selling Your Work by Lee Frost
Probably the most famous book on the subject and a very useful read for anyone looking to sell the odd print or make more serious money from their work

Digital Photography Handbook by Tom Ang
An excellent book that teaches the beginner how to shoot a variety of subjects, how to use their camera and how to edit photos in Photoshop

Other resources are avaliable including youtube videos etc
for example: http://www.youtube.com/user/ppsop2009

You might find some value in a local adult eduation course, but the key is to learn by doing.

Hope that helps.

Sooler

diable wrote: »

Once I have some spare money I think that I will be doing one myself.

OU courses can be paid for with Tesco Clubcard Deals.

woowoor75

hello again and thank you all very much for the replies, they are very helpful.
I am a beginner in photography but it really starts to make me want to know more and more about it.
Althas, i was thinking of doing that course but wasn't sure if it's worth the money or not.
Could you please tell me what would be the best camera to buy for the beginning, not a very expensive one but something to help me learn more about photography.
Thank you very much all, you've been of great help and God Bless all.

xxx

jaymeekae

It sounds like you're not really sure what you want to do. You've done a course in tourism, you're thinking about doing one in computing, then in the next sentence you're thinking about doing a photography course.

What camera do you have at the moment? If you spend 24 hours a day on the internet, how much time are you spending taking photos? If you're not inspired to get out with your camera now, signing up for a course won't necessarily inspire you.

My suggestion is to think more carefully about exactly what you want to do as only the best of the best photography graduates are getting jobs at the moment so unless you really really want it, are really really good at it, are prepared to work really really hard and are lucky... you'll just be wasting your time and money.

If you're really keen, start out with the resources given above but since you've already done one complete degree, you need to think carefully about signing up for another one as you could risk being in the same position at the end of it but a few quid worse off