DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Business of Photography >> Ryerson Vs. George Brown
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 10 of 10, (reverse)
AuthorThread
03/24/2010 05:48:57 PM · #1
I'm just curious if anyone has taken the photography courses at Ryerson or George Brown and which, in your opinion, are better in the long run to develop photography skills and learn more about the industry and business side of things. I'm aware that Ryerson is quite a lot more expensive than George Brown.. but I've heard bad things about the George Brown courses. Help.. I get so overwhelmed when I start to convince myself it is time to sign up and start moving forward that I chicken out every time. Would love advice.

Thanks
03/24/2010 08:20:20 PM · #2
gonna bump myself. nobody? anybody? hellooo Toronto photo geeks! Where are you..
03/24/2010 08:47:08 PM · #3
If it means anything to you, Ryerson = University, George Brown = community college. The quality of the courses, whatever they may be, will reflect the institution.
03/24/2010 09:24:42 PM · #4
I haven't heard much about the George Brown photography course. Have you looked into the photography courses at Sheridan College or Humber?
03/24/2010 11:31:39 PM · #5
I'm most likly going to George Brown for Graphic Design and it looks like a good school for design but I'm not to sure about photography. Although I've heard (forgive me if i'm wrong) that University Photography courses have alot of focus on the academics, history and that sort of thing, while colleges tend to focus on more on getting into the work place.

Ryerson used to be a college as well so I don't know if that will reflect in their program. I've heard Sheridan is pretty good and I don't think Seneca is bad either.

Also keep in mind that there is probably a big price gap between the two.
03/25/2010 08:59:31 AM · #6
It all depends on what your goals are and to what level you wish to aspire. Both schools are good. In the past, I have served on the Board of Advisor's for both schools and have taken photography courses at both schools. Ryerson leans more toward the artistic side and George Brown is more technical. I found GB to be more helpful, but that may have been because of the instructor. At Ryerson, I had a retired professor who was strictly old school and at the time of the course, hated digital and felt it was inadequate. So, that stimulated a lot of debate and discussion. We did too much wet chemistry at Rye High for my likely and when I got into a Photoshop course, that was a powerful and compelling improvement for me. So, flip a coin.

What is important is to get a course that you like. Go to the school and meet the teachers and see the facilities. Find other students and keep asking questions. However, one last tip, register early as these courses at both schools fill up fast. I tried to get into courses at both for this past winter and missed the cut when I went to register in mid-December for a January start date. Do, do not wait too long.

Was this helpful?

Feel free to PM me if I can be of more help or answer any of your questions.

Cheers,
Michael

Message edited by author 2010-03-25 09:03:02.
03/25/2010 05:39:23 PM · #7
I realize that Ryerson is a University (I actually have a BComm from there!) and George Brown is a college but Ryerson (being a former college and now a polytechnic) tends to be more hands on focus than a typical University. I'm not worried about the cost difference (besides, the courses at Ryerson are double the price but also double the course hours I think??)... just wondered if anyone had taken anything specific and had an opinion. I've heard bad things about George Brown - in general that people don't get a lot out of it if they have a strong background in photography.

@ Morgan - thank you for your advice. I actually kind of like the idea of a an old school prof ! I'm leaning towards starting with the Ryerson for the Techniques course and George Brown for the Business of Photography course.. lol! So I might just do both :)

03/25/2010 05:41:11 PM · #8
Oh and ps - also have considered Humber and Seneca but decided against..

thanks guys!
03/25/2010 05:53:16 PM · #9
Originally posted by crego:

I realize that Ryerson is a University (I actually have a BComm from there!) and George Brown is a college but Ryerson (being a former college and now a polytechnic) tends to be more hands on focus than a typical University. I'm not worried about the cost difference (besides, the courses at Ryerson are double the price but also double the course hours I think??)... just wondered if anyone had taken anything specific and had an opinion. I've heard bad things about George Brown - in general that people don't get a lot out of it if they have a strong background in photography.

@ Morgan - thank you for your advice. I actually kind of like the idea of a an old school prof ! I'm leaning towards starting with the Ryerson for the Techniques course and George Brown for the Business of Photography course.. lol! So I might just do both :)


Crego - I would love to take the studio lighting course at George Brown, but every time I go for it, it is sold out. Ryerson offers one too, but every time I try to register for it, they are not running it that semester. When it runs, it is on two nights during the weekdays. I want weekend courses as I drive in from the Rouge River area of Scarborough and hate to fight the traffic after a full day at work. Often I travel during the week too, so finding the right fit is key for me and often that boils down to weekend courses.

My Neighbour took the GB studio lighting course and loved it. He borrowed my three Elinchrom strobes as well as my four Nikon SB900 flashguns and the results were very impressive. Now, if I can just get similar results with my own gear...

Have fun, enjoy the learning, and embrace the creativity. Like you with your BCom, I have an MBA and we business types need to decompress and do some right brain emotional stuff from time to time to maintain the balance with the left brain logic stuff - equilibrium is critical to harmony. Cheers, Michael
03/25/2010 06:07:00 PM · #10
@morgan - yes, the studio lighting course would be high up there on my list - let me know if you ever find a successful weekend course and maybe I will sign up with you!! I hear you about the commute and traffic issues but I'm lucky because I have a flexible job with flex hours. The stupid thing is I just moved out of the city (after living there for 14 years!) and now live an hour north. What a dummy I am sometimes.. :)

Anyway, I'm going to Ryerson Monday to sign up.. something about learning film is making me a bit giddy :)

I have a business degree so I'll put the business course from GB on hold for the moment.. I think I just need a bit more confidence and knowledge and to have a bit of fun and get inspired again.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 11:03:33 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 11:03:33 AM EDT.