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11/07/2008 08:45:12 AM · #1 |
For those NYIP students, like myself, who are following the instructions from NYIP and advising poeple you are "on assignment from NYI Photoworld Magazine" (a quote from the instuctions they send with their Photopass)... NYI will NOT validate your credientials if they are asked.
HUGE black mark for NYIP in my book, and I know I'll use their pass much less-frequently now, if at all.
Short version of my particular story -- I contacted the media relations department for the AZ State Fair a few weeks ago requesting a media pass. Used my NYI Photoworld Press Pass as credentials, and gave them the story-line from my NYI Photo Pass instructions, explaination of Photoworld Magazine, etc, etc. Great -- all they need is validation from NYI Photoworld that I'm on assignment at the Fair. No problem, I say, and write my student advisor for a confirmation fax/email/form-letter, whatever they'd like to provide.
NYIP's reply:
"My apologies, but due to legal ramifications, as well as liability issues, we can not present you with a letter of that nature. I apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. If there is anything else I can assist you with, please let me know."
When pressed for a better explaination of why we, as students, are told to represent ourselves as "on assignment" from NYI Photoworld, but then to have no one back up our claim (which makes us look like idiots, and/or as though we are misrepresenting ourselves), they said:
"I'm sorry but Photoworld does not assign students in any formal sense. We do encourage students to develop "self-assignments" in order for them do gain experience and develop their skills. [...] Sorry again for the inconvenience."
So, again, just a word of warning to other students using their pass -- don't expect NYI to back you up if someone presses for confirmation "you are who you say you are." You'll have to spin your own story as best you can, without any assistance from NYI.
Back to my story -- I didn't get a pass for the Fair via NYI. I spun the story as best I could, and re-submitted myself with credentials for a newspaper I shoot for (who WOULD back me up, and has before, as any media outlet should)... and never heard back from the media relations folks at the fair again. I suspect I on their bad-list now.
On a related note, just to show how seriously NYI takes their whole Photoworld idea... Here's the information I got when I asked some time ago how to actually submit work to Photoworld (this probably should have been warning enough for me to stop using my pass, but I kept pressing my luck...)
"Students can always send pictures to the Photoworld Editor. However, most of the images on Photoworld are from Photo Projects for which the student received a Merit Award. We also show profiles of students who have had some sort of success and these are always illustrated with the student's photos. The Editor doesn't have much use for random photos that are not accompanied by some story about the pictures."
I'm not sure what that last sentence was about (I understand what they are saying -- but I specifically asked about submitting STORIES (articles and photos) to Photoworld -- not "random photos" -- I assume it was just a canned reply they cut-and-paste).
Anyway, this isn't meant as some anti-NYIP rant... Just want to let other students know you need to use your Press Pass with caution, and don't expect anyone at NYI to help out if someone presses for proof or verification of your pass. It's pretty common to have your credentials verified when looking for a media pass to any event, and if you're using your NYI Pass, you'll be spinning your wheels -- You'll do better, obviously, being crendentialed by a real magazine or newspaper.
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11/07/2008 08:53:12 AM · #2 |
I wasnt able to use my NYI Press Pass either...
I actually have been disappointed with NYI after the first couple of Units. And wonder if it was really the right choice for me.
I think it is silly to issue a press pass then not validate for you. Kind of defeats the purpose!!
I am not sure I like this statement very much "The Editor doesn't have much use for random photos that are not accompanied by some story about the pictures."
Makes it seem as though you as a student doesnt matter much to them.
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11/07/2008 09:02:52 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by gwe21:
I wasnt able to use my NYI Press Pass either...
I actually have been disappointed with NYI after the first couple of Units. And wonder if it was really the right choice for me.
I think it is silly to issue a press pass then not validate for you. Kind of defeats the purpose!!
I am not sure I like this statement very much "The Editor doesn't have much use for random photos that are not accompanied by some story about the pictures."
Makes it seem as though you as a student doesnt matter much to them. |
I'm starting to feel the same. I've contacted my advisors a couple of other times as well -- simple things like asking for advice how to clean and "un-crease" the backgrounds that came with the lightbox they sold me with my subscription (i.e. Can I iron them, should I steam them, etc) -- their replies have been rather nebulous, generally unhelpful, and appear to be cut-and-paste form letters that try to address broad issues or questions which have little to do with what I'm asking.
In a couple of replies, they didn't even bother to re-format what they paste, making it completely obvious it was simply paste from another email/document/etc. I get the impression they either think they have better things to do, and/or they just don't care to answer questions.
I've considered asking to change advisors, but one of my advisors is already the "advisor supervisor," "chief advisor" or whatever the title is... and I've had the same kind of replies from that advisor as well.
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11/07/2008 09:05:18 AM · #4 |
I used mine to take some pictures at a few concerts. I had already bought a ticket for one and just showed the pass and went straight to the front. No one said a word to me. The other show, I called the tour manager and told him I was with NYI Photoworld and wanted to photograph the show. He left me an all access pass at the ticket window. Now granted these were no name bands and in small venues. So probably not that big a deal. If I tried to do the same for some major acts, probably would be escorted out by Security.
And just a little rant about their awards of merit. Some of the shots I've seen, that have won the award of merit, were really just snapshots. Not sure how that works. I submitted some pretty good shots and my instructor basically didn't like anything I did. Very discouraging.
I just completed the course, and learned a lot. At first I really liked the course, but given a second chance, I'd look elsewhere. |
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11/08/2008 03:32:59 PM · #5 |
I've had success using my pass as well -- I'm not trying to discourage anyone from using it -- just that its use needs to be tempered with the warning that NYI will not support you if anyone requests confirmation.
I might continue to use my pass "in person" at flash-my-card-and-go-in situations, but for anything I'm booking in advance and requesting an actual media pass for.... There's no way I'm ever using my NYI pass again. I'm shooting a lot of events these days (mostly concert), and probably get "checked up on" about 1/4 to 1/3 of the time. I was going to use the NYI pass for those shows that I really wanted to do on my own, rather than going through the motions of having another publication have me cover it -- but NYI not backing me up on one of those shoots is NOT worth the gamble.
I wouldn't feel so ill about it if they didn't explicitly encourage students to use it and claim they were on assignment with NYI -- if they just warned us up front that we are completely "on our own" and should only use the pass in cases were no one would ask for follow-up.
Anyway, that pass is staying in the bottom of my camera bag from now on...
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11/08/2008 03:59:24 PM · #6 |
...Maybe it doesn't work because you are not a member of the press. Press badges are given for a reason, and those of us whom have them, and need credentialed often have a harder time because there are those whom try to use one that shouldn't.
I'm sorry, I am not bashing anyone here, please don't consider this a personal attack- however, I took out 70,000 in student loans, and worked my butt off to get where I am at. My beliefs and ethics on this are dang strong, and it bothers me that a SCHOOL is trying to issue press passes. Student IDs, fine. Even tell the people at the event that you are a student working on an assignment and it will ofteget you into places (doing that as a student got me into a $200 dollar a plate VIP luncheon for John McCain a couple years ago, and my photos turned out amazing).
It seems pretty shady to me that a SCHOOL would even try to get you to use a press badge in the first place. Shouldnt there be some kind of ethics taught as well. Clearly, that's one thing that they cant teach without being hypocites though. |
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11/08/2008 04:39:49 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by amathiasphoto:
It seems pretty shady to me that a SCHOOL would even try to get you to use a press badge in the first place. Shouldnt there be some kind of ethics taught as well. Clearly, that's one thing that they cant teach without being hypocites though. |
Nothing shady about it. NYIP is a real school and they have an online student magazine. Therefore we really do have credentials to shoot for that magazine. However, back to the OP, if they're not going to back us up, then why bother. |
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02/13/2011 12:53:40 PM · #8 |
I don't see anything shady about the school issuing a press pass, and from what I've seen of their materials they don't promise to back it up by saying they are sending you on assignment, rather they promise to send you a letter requesting that privileges be extended to you as a student. Their forums even have many discussions about the use and limitations of the press pass. Many smaller events will allow you to get up close with the pass, AFTER you have paid your admission to the event.
As for people complaining about canned responses to frequent questions, what do you expect for a photography course that you pay less for than you would pay for a good lens? You are not going to get the same thing for <$1000 as you will for >$60,000, that is just common sense!
The school is a good way to hone your skills, and to equip you to start your own business if you wish. It will also help you build your portfolio that you can show if you are looking to work for someone else, they don't promise a BA in photography and so they don't provide it.
The school is what it is, a low-cost option for those who cannot afford, or don't have time to go to a physical school and get an AA or BA in photography or photojournalism, and for what it is, it is pretty good.
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02/13/2011 01:09:17 PM · #9 |
| Maybe you should look at dates, this is a 2+ year old thread.. |
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02/20/2011 10:05:28 PM · #10 |
Hi all,
I am looking for photography classes and came across NYIP. Apart from the problems some of you guys had some years ago,I would like to know if the school is good and if the course is worth the money.
thanks a lot
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02/20/2011 10:41:58 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by alans_world:
Maybe you should look at dates, this is a 2+ year old thread.. |
You can bet she is an employee of NYIP, paid to search mention of them and do damage control (or advertising) as necessary. We've seen this several times before. Just surprising that they're only getting around to DPC after two-plus years. |
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02/20/2011 11:59:27 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by BeeCee:
Just surprising that they're only getting around to DPC after two-plus years. |
They could get around to it more quickly, obviously, if they charged more for the course :)
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02/21/2011 01:13:39 AM · #13 |
I am a prospective student, who has had the opportunity to see some of their materials. They do cover the information you need. But of course that is not the issue discussed here with the press pass. I googled them to learn more and was curious whether the press pass was any good. It seems it is of minimal assistance.
My point was that they are an online "career diploma" or "certificate" school, and as such I have lower expectations than I would from an actual college where one would earn a BA or even an AA.
As for the post being old, I didn't notice since I just googled the NYIP press pass and clicked on the first link.
I have taken several online courses before, and my experience is that you get out of them what you put in. If you study the material diligently you learn, if you do the minimum to slide by you don't.
The diplomas and certificates are not usually taken that seriously by potential employers, but the knowledge you gain from studying is helpful if you want to work on your own.
I have a certificate in small engine repair, and I can fix just about any problem with a small engine, but I can't get hired at a repair shop. However, I work on my own quite a bit, repairing for friends, and getting paid for it. That is all I expected from a class that cost me less than $1000.
So all I was saying is that it is expecting a lot to think that you will get as much recognition for a "diploma" or "certificate" as you do for an actual AA or BA which requires you to take a lot of academic classes as well as the classes in the specific trade or skill you are majoring in.
I do not work for NYIP, I am not even a student yet, I just KNOW a student who has greatly improved his skill and allowed me to look over some of his materials.
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02/21/2011 01:17:58 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by ThriceBlessed:
I do not work for NYIP, I am not even a student yet, I just KNOW a student who has greatly improved his skill and allowed me to look over some of his materials. |
Well its funny that you signed up to post on this thread. Which you most likely found via google. NYIP Press and NYIP Press Pass both lead to this thread as the top result. Someone worried about image would be driven to do something about that.
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02/22/2011 10:42:14 AM · #15 |
I understand why you would think this, but I actually signed up because this particular site looks interesting, and I want to be able to participate.
I don\\\'t feel a particular need to stand up for NYIP, in fact I've decided not to go with that school, I may use betterphoto.com instead, or I may just continue studying on my own through books and the free online course at morguefile.com/docs/Classroom .
Its just that as someone who had taken distance courses before, I recognize that the majority of them are NOT nearly as good as actual physical school when it comes to the level of recognition and the level of interaction between student and instructor. I actually assumed that this would be the case before I ever signed up for any distance courses, and it amazes me that other people are surprised by that. The one exception I\\\'ve found is a distance writing course my daughter took, where she received a lot of guidance and interaction from her teacher, in fact they interacted several times a day through e-mail. Other than that, I\\\'ve found that distance education is really more a form of self education, the school simply supplying the structure.
Anyway, I hope I didn\\\'t offend anyone on this forum. |
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02/22/2011 11:50:53 AM · #16 |
No offense taken. We are just skeptical of newcomers who jump in on threads to defend people we are picking on.
Then we wonder why there is not more participation on the site.... ;-)
That being said, I think it is a bit sad that an outfit will issue a "Press Pass", encourage you to use the "Press Pass", and then act like they had noting to do with the pass, or you.
No, I don't expect the same out of a "bargain" priced online school that I would expect out of a major college. However, I would expect to be taught photography, I would expect a "counselor" to actually answer a question. Especially since their advertising says they will. And, I certainly would not expect them to tell me to pass myself off as a member of the press, if they are not willing to back the credential. The ethical route would seem to be to quit handing them out. Or at the very least, say yes this student is on assingnment for a student magazine. One or the other, no so hard...
In the meantime, welcome to DPC, and hope to see some of your work in the challenges soon... |
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02/22/2011 06:05:26 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by ambaker:
No offense taken. We are just skeptical of newcomers who jump in on threads to defend people we are picking on.
Then we wonder why there is not more participation on the site.... ;-)
. |
Hey! Most people have to pay for the level of attention we give to picking here!!!! |
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02/22/2011 08:42:10 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by FireBird:
Originally posted by ambaker:
No offense taken. We are just skeptical of newcomers who jump in on threads to defend people we are picking on.
Then we wonder why there is not more participation on the site.... ;-)
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Hey! Most people have to pay for the level of attention we give to picking here!!!! |
Yeah speaking of which did you know they auto renew that, another year of being picked on... darn it.
Yeah no I just analyzed the situation and came to one of the obvious conclusion that does occur on forums sometimes. No ones offended, but the thread is old and it just seemed odd. Welcome to DPC i mean welcome to DNMC.... lol
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03/02/2011 06:50:11 PM · #19 |
| My question is this is there even a NYI PhotoWorld Magazine? I was looking on the internet just to see what the magazine is like but I can't find anything but sights like these. |
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03/15/2012 10:59:33 AM · #20 |
From past experiences most press passes do not look like what NYIP sends out, in my line of work that pass would not allow you to "cross the line" to get closer to a fire or accident once the yellow tape or blockage has been set up. I managed to get my "photojournalism" through my job since I'm always in one form or another in the middle of an incident and even with that, only certain photos I was allowed to use since most of it is all under investigation.
However, speaking to someone in charge, don't mention the pass, just explain that you are a student and show your student card (not the press pass) and kindly ask if you can cover the event with a promise that you will give them prints of the event and seek their approval to submit the photo to a magazine and/or newspaper. It gives the Event Coordinator a feeling of "control" and most that I have found would allow you to with an "escort" from their staff and guide you to what photos "they" would want as you snap photos for them, you can take photos for yourself (zoom lenses are best here - they have no idea what you are looking at, if you have a digital only show them the photos they asked and some you might think be of interest to them without showing all your "cards").
All photographers (in the United States of America) should carry a copy of this; ACLU: Know Your Rights: Photographers, www aclu org/free-speech/know-your-rights-photographers it helps with law enforcement personnel, we don't all know the laws out there, only the ones we enforced the most.
[Disclosure I am a former law enforcement reservist and currently work for a private firm that works hand-in-hand with law enforcement.] |
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03/15/2012 11:01:43 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by ANikonD60:
My question is this is there even a NYI PhotoWorld Magazine? I was looking on the internet just to see what the magazine is like but I can't find anything but sights like these. |
To answer this question...I would have to say no, unless someone else can prove differently, I have not found it either on news-stands, internet, nor have any of my relatives that lives in New York, NY been able to find it for me. |
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03/04/2013 01:05:25 AM · #22 |
| Exactly, IS there a photoworld magazine? Where is it? I can't find it. |
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