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02/22/2011 06:02:02 PM · #1
Which is the most effective route for all around education in photography and business -- online like the Photography Institute or a local community college?

Any opinions?
Thanks,
David
//www.davidbrown.zenfolio.com
02/22/2011 06:54:56 PM · #2
Colleges have facilities and real people :)
02/22/2011 07:08:26 PM · #3
I've done most of my fine-tuning learning here at DPC. But it really depends on what sort of student you are. If you're very disciplined and self-motivated, are really good at learning from reading rather than doing in 3-D, then you should be fine with on-line.

I cannot do any of that, need to be hand-held, and like being around other people because I feel inspired by their creativity. So I go with the mortar and bricks schools.
02/22/2011 07:32:05 PM · #4
Mortar and brick is just better in so many ways, unless the critical factor of time and availability are your key issues, then go online.
02/22/2011 07:36:45 PM · #5
Originally posted by coryboehne:

Mortar and brick is just better in so many ways, unless the critical factor of time and availability are your key issues, then go online.

Or money. Online also "tends" to be considerably cheaper.
02/22/2011 07:57:27 PM · #6
I went to Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA (brooks.edu) and there were definitely pros and cons of going. Before I got there I didn't even know what a DSLR was (literally). The semesters are 8 weeks each (the school runs year-round) so it's super demanding and there are daily assignments. The teachers are world-class photographers who really do care about your success. It was also SUPER easy to get into sweet events, because I just had my teachers call in some favors and get me press passes. They'll go out of their way to help you if you show some effort in class. You should own your own camera, but they have every lens and accessory available (multiples of each) so it's fun to try out everything. My favorite thing about Brooks was probably the "free" lens rental.

It's super expensive: $25,000 + expenses per year. All programs run 3 years so that really adds up. The biggest downside is that it's a for-profit school, so the administrators are a bunch of d-bags.

I think that a lot of what I learned throughout the past 3 years of my photography life came 50% from Brooks, but also 50% from DPC and other online resources. School is only going to teach you a certain amount of tips, techniques, etc., but if you really want to learn and think outside the box, you have to look elsewhere.
02/22/2011 08:22:55 PM · #7
Originally posted by coryboehne:

Mortar and brick is just better in so many ways, unless the critical factor of time and availability are your key issues, then go online.


Or if the instructors aren't worth any count, as I've seen at some our smaller, more rural, community colleges.
02/22/2011 08:35:31 PM · #8
I went to a traditional university, majored in Art with a concentration in photography. Even though my "career" isn't in photography, I don't regret it one bit. At the end of it, I had a B.S. degree from an accredited university. That alone opened up a lot of opportunities that I would not have had otherwise.

Many photography education programs aren't accredited, so, if you decide to switch to another career where you need more education, all that classwork won't count.

I had some great instructors, one of whom was a photographer for Life magazine, shot the first SI cover, worked on the sets of films like Lawrence of Arabia and later shot for Playboy. We also had guest lecturers like Douglas Kirkland and Arnold Newman. It was a great experience.

Message edited by author 2011-02-22 20:38:40.
02/22/2011 09:22:15 PM · #9
Make sure that the school is accredited.... NO MATTER WHAT.

Im earning my education degree online. Its tough. You have to be self disciplined and stick to it.
Im also earning my medical transcription editor certification online.

However photography is a hands on type of medium. Those classes I am taking at my local community college....

I didnt see how effective it would be to learn photography online. I wanted to be in the class, with other students, learning and sharing and having a hands on experience.
02/23/2011 10:37:43 AM · #10
I attended Academy of Art University in San Francisco. They have an online photography program which fit my life because I move so much for my husbands job.

Pros
- could adjust my weekly schedule to finish assignments
- could travel while going to school
- could "attend class" after my kids were in bed
- forced me to read the information because there was no other way to learn
- were required to critique your class mates photos

Cons
- Some teachers were really good about making an 2-4 min audio comment on your photo and how you could improve... most teachers would only give like 2 sentences(real bummer if you want to learn)
- The work load if HUGE in some classes and just bearable in others.
- Discussion is one of the biggest parts of the grade... you can do all assignments and test... get As or Bs and slack on discussion and get a C or D
- Not many of my previous college classes transferred
- COST... I was only able to afford 2 classes at a time which would take forever to finish ANY degree and I am a NOW person so that didn't work for me...

Others have also said MAKE SURE THE SCHOOL IS ACCREDITED!
If you have any other questions about AAU pm me!
02/23/2011 11:44:17 AM · #11
Rocky Mountain Nature Association Photography Seminars

There is no substitute for a field seminar. Glenn Randall and W. Perry Conway trained me. There was a Sept. 10-11 seminar scheduled with John Fielder, but it is FULL.
03/01/2011 12:12:26 AM · #12
I went to SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design). I really wanted a degree in photography and not just art. They also had unbelievable facilities. The cost is really overwhelming after 4 years. But i don't think my skill level of photography would be where it is without the education, and then the internships and jobs because i had a degree in photography. So i think any education is better than none. If you are a self teacher and motivator then online is probably for you, but if you need a push and hands on atmosphere then try to take classes on campus. Don't know if this helped.
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