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07/17/2007 06:54:20 PM · #1 |
I have finally come to the decision to make "the jump" to a photography school. It has been in the back of my mind for two years now and I am absolutely thrilled that I am finally listening to my heart on this one :). I have been attending a university in San Diego for the last two years and while the life experiences I gained there were GREAT it is now time for me to move on. The school I've been attending only offers one course in photography: "The History of Photography". And that just doesn't cut it for me! I whole heartedly want to immerse myself in a full blown photography program for the remainder of my schooling (2-3 years). I will be spending the next few months researching and visiting various schools, as well as talking with students, faculty, and professionals to gather as much information as possible with hopes of making the right choice.
My first step will be gathering lots and lots of information on 10-15 schools. Then narrow my choices to about 5 schools, visit them, and send in applications/portfolios etc.
I am currently looking at schools such as Savannah College of Art and Design, Hallmark Institute of Photography, and Academy of Art in San Francisco. At this point I am not letting money nor location stand in the way, I will figure that out as I go with the help of my family.
Do you have any suggestions for schools? Questions I should ask myself when considering a particular school? Tips on what to look for? What you did or didn't like about the school you attended? Etc. etc.
Thank you sooooo soooo much :)
Shanny
Message edited by author 2007-07-17 18:56:37. |
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07/17/2007 06:56:31 PM · #2 |
Shanny,
As I live on the other side of the world can't offer school suggestions, just wanted to say I ADMIRE YOU!
You clearly LOVE your craft and PRACTICE it so much with this step nothing will stop your BRILLIANCE!
I look forward to watching your star rise and rise - SMILE!
Lisa |
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07/17/2007 07:05:42 PM · #3 |
| thanks so much lisa, that means the world :) |
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07/17/2007 07:14:27 PM · #4 |
| I go to the art institute of pittsburgh, and I enjoy it alot. They start you off in a wetlab for your first few quarters and then move into digital. Pittsburgh was the first of the art institutes and is the main headquarters. Rumor has it, we're the only one of the art institutes that still has a wet lab, but I'm unsure of that. Everything is very hands on and we do have a good amount of equipment for you to use as you please. As with anything though, you get out of it what you put in. |
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07/17/2007 07:18:29 PM · #5 |
I have no directions nor suggestions to offer other than perhaps the one you've already figured out Shannon:
Follow your dreams.
You have a passion and an instinct, as a well as a unique style.
When merged with your dreams, well, you can't lose.
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07/17/2007 07:20:22 PM · #6 |
Hi Shannon,
I work at University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and its a great place for young artists. Check out www.uarts.edu if you're interested.
Good luck!
Ben |
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07/17/2007 07:27:25 PM · #7 |
| Congratulations on your decision! You are clearly following your dreams and your heart. That's not easy to do, and a lot of people don't do it at all. I'm really happy for you!!! |
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07/17/2007 09:41:56 PM · #8 |
good luck!
Just promise me you won't listen to everything they say :)
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07/17/2007 09:49:06 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by boysetsfire:
good luck!
Just promise me you won't listen to everything they say :) |
of course. one of the things im most looking forward to is breaking the rules in one of them fancy shmancy classes :).
thanks for all the kind words and recommendations so far. i'll be sure to check the schools you've mentioned. thanks again, i really appreciate it :)
Message edited by author 2007-07-17 21:53:26. |
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07/17/2007 10:49:41 PM · #10 |
Brooks if money is no object. The campus is beautiful.
If you want to take off a semester, but stay close to San Diego, try Palomar College (a 2 year CC college) in San Marcus. Great instructors and a wet lab in both b/w and color.
Good Luck.
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07/17/2007 10:58:23 PM · #11 |
| I seriously considered SCAD ( Savannah College of Arts and Design) for quite some time but opted for a "normal" school with UGA. Savannah is an awesome town with lots of picture taking spots and a really cool feel to it, but you can also take it on their Atlanta campus. I know that they have a really quality program and are well known in the art community. Either way its a great school to look into. best of luck |
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07/17/2007 11:24:36 PM · #12 |
Pardon me for playing devil's advocate here, but what would you learn at photography school considering your already obvious talent? I'm sure you would learn some things, but if it was me, I would weigh the cost in time and money vs. the benefit. If in 2 years or 4 years (does it take that long??), you then have a piece of paper that says you officially know how a camera works, how far would you have gotten spending that time building yourself up professionally? 4 years experience seems much more valuable. Sure take a class here or there for specific techniques. How much more competitive does a certificate or degree make you, compared with actual experience? I'm asking cuz I really don't know. In some fields, school is critical (med, legal, etc), but if you have natural talent, then I dunno.
If anything, I would go to business school, take a few photo classes, but focus (pun) on the business of photography cuz that's where artistic people fall down many times.
Eh, whaddo I know. Whatever you do, I'll support you. ...unless you decide to be a lawyer - in that case, you're cut off. ;-) |
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07/17/2007 11:25:36 PM · #13 |
Rhode Island School of Design in Provbidence is excellent...
What university were you at in San Diego? I taught photography at UCSD in the 70's-early 80's... I'm a San Diego native, Point Loma area. I'll actually be back in town Aug 21-27...
R.
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07/17/2007 11:30:07 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Pardon me for playing devil's advocate here, but what would you learn at photography school considering your already obvious talent? I'm sure you would learn some things, but if it was me, I would weigh the cost in time and money vs. the benefit. If in 2 years or 4 years (does it take that long??), you then have a piece of paper that says you officially know how a camera works, how far would you have gotten spending that time building yourself up professionally? 4 years experience seems much more valuable. Sure take a class here or there for specific techniques. How much more competitive does a certificate or degree make you, compared with actual experience? I'm asking cuz I really don't know. In some fields, school is critical (med, legal, etc), but if you have natural talent, then I dunno.
If anything, I would go to business school, take a few photo classes, but focus (pun) on the business of photography cuz that's where artistic people fall down many times.
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yep, and you could buy a 5d with all the money you save :) |
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07/17/2007 11:38:56 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by pointandshoot:
Brooks if money is no object. The campus is beautiful.
If you want to take off a semester, but stay close to San Diego, try Palomar College (a 2 year CC college) in San Marcus. Great instructors and a wet lab in both b/w and color.
Good Luck. |
thanks. yes, you're right, brooks campus is amazing! i've been looking into that school off and on for a couple of years now. however. i feel kind of a disconnection everytime i talk to an advisor there. i really feel as though as i am being given a total sales pitch. it would be an amazing setting and im sure i'd learn a lot but i just dont get an overwhelming feeling that they appreciate the individual there. i need to do some further investigations though, cus im not quite ready to give it up just yet ;).
i actually did take a class over at Palomar and the instuctor was really awesome. the whole atmosphere there is very laid back and i really enjoyed the whole experience :). i will keep that in mind, thanks!~ |
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07/17/2007 11:40:14 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by chriswithredhair:
I seriously considered SCAD ( Savannah College of Arts and Design) for quite some time but opted for a "normal" school with UGA. Savannah is an awesome town with lots of picture taking spots and a really cool feel to it, but you can also take it on their Atlanta campus. I know that they have a really quality program and are well known in the art community. Either way its a great school to look into. best of luck |
thank you chris for that information on the town of savannah. i really no nothing about georgia but it seems like such an awesome program that they have at that school! glad to know that its a neat town. it is a strong possibility that i will go and visit it in the near future to check out the school :) |
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07/17/2007 11:45:48 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by boysetsfire:
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Pardon me for playing devil's advocate here, but what would you learn at photography school considering your already obvious talent? I'm sure you would learn some things, but if it was me, I would weigh the cost in time and money vs. the benefit. If in 2 years or 4 years (does it take that long??), you then have a piece of paper that says you officially know how a camera works, how far would you have gotten spending that time building yourself up professionally? 4 years experience seems much more valuable. Sure take a class here or there for specific techniques. How much more competitive does a certificate or degree make you, compared with actual experience? I'm asking cuz I really don't know. In some fields, school is critical (med, legal, etc), but if you have natural talent, then I dunno.
If anything, I would go to business school, take a few photo classes, but focus (pun) on the business of photography cuz that's where artistic people fall down many times.
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yep, and you could buy a 5d with all the money you save :) |
hey dudes, thanks for bringing this up. and thanks for thinking i got skeeeelz ;). i hadnt mentioned that yet, but that option is something that i am considering. i already have some really cool assignments coming up in the near future and have been in contact with a few people with some possible assistant jobs. but..call me a scardey cat, i guess, though, that at this time in my life im just too afraid to drop out of school completely and take that risk. also, the idea of art school sounds so cool to me, i just think that it is something that i could be really really passionate about. also, i am very fortunate to have parents that are willing to let me take this route and help pay for a photography schooling program... and thats an opportunity that i'd hate to pass up. ya know what i'm saying? i'll be sure to keep you guys posted though, things could change :). thanks again :) |
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07/17/2007 11:46:11 PM · #18 |
| If you want to come up to our crazy country of Canada I would recommend Ryerson in Toronto!! and Langara College in Vancouver! |
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07/17/2007 11:47:41 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Rhode Island School of Design in Provbidence is excellent...
What university were you at in San Diego? I taught photography at UCSD in the 70's-early 80's... I'm a San Diego native, Point Loma area. I'll actually be back in town Aug 21-27...
R. |
Hey Robert. I was attending Cal State San Marcos. San Diego is a wonderful place, I'm going to miss it because for the time being I am living at my parent's house in northern california. Point Loma is really cool! I lived in the Carlsbad area :) |
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07/17/2007 11:49:43 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by noisemaker:
If you want to come up to our crazy country of Canada I would recommend Ryerson in Toronto!! and Langara College in Vancouver! |
hah, Canada would be a long shot! but thanks for the recomendations, i'll keep em in mind :0) |
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07/17/2007 11:51:54 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by ShannonLee:
Originally posted by noisemaker:
If you want to come up to our crazy country of Canada I would recommend Ryerson in Toronto!! and Langara College in Vancouver! |
hah, Canada would be a long shot! but thanks for the recomendations, i'll keep em in mind :0) |
couldn't be that bad! you can have a pet beaver, wear touques and not get looked at funny, live in an igloo, and of course use a snowmobile as main transportation
:P
haha just kidding |
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07/18/2007 12:08:12 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by noisemaker:
Originally posted by ShannonLee:
Originally posted by noisemaker:
If you want to come up to our crazy country of Canada I would recommend Ryerson in Toronto!! and Langara College in Vancouver! |
hah, Canada would be a long shot! but thanks for the recomendations, i'll keep em in mind :0) |
couldn't be that bad! you can have a pet beaver, wear touques and not get looked at funny, live in an igloo, and of course use a snowmobile as main transportation
:P
haha just kidding |
i like the igloo part :) that might make for some "cool" pics. |
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07/18/2007 12:47:18 AM · #23 |
(ok it got a little long, apologies)
Shannon here's my two cents.
While in college I majored in Industrial Engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, one of the top public engineering schools around. It took 5 and 1/2 years for me to graduate and during that time I became immersed in playing guitar and music and I also realized that I was not interested in what my degree was going to offer me once I graduated, but I pushed on to have it in my back pocket. After I graduated i took off to Mexico for three months traveling by myself for two of them and as a graduation present I got my first digital camera. It was during this time I decided to put my degree on the shelf and pursue music and photography became my hobby. I thought I would be a musician but after a couple years I turned into more of sound guy/stagehand/theater tech. Three things I didn't go to school for. And if there is one thing I have found is I don't see very many music majors and nearly all my breaks have come from people name calling me for jobs, not a degree. This year I had something like 12 W2's and went on only one interview which was a formality. In fact I started with another company today. I am glad I have a degree in something unrelated to my passions, and although I don't use it now, I know I could get a quality desk job(ick!) if I had too. Another note, I don't play guitar as much as I used too and I have been to one show for enjoyment in the last two years. Of course I work most of them but just the same its a little different once your surrounded by it. Just what I have been through.
With all that said, when I took a digital photography class, my teacher recommended San Francisco City college for me as they had a lot more practical/usable photography classes including classes for studio work. The classes would be cheaper and I think with the basic knowledge you could get in classes like this and your great creative style you would do great. Make as many contacts as you can, don't undersell yourself and check out all opportunities even if the job seems lame, you never know where the break will come. :)
Joe |
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07/18/2007 01:39:58 AM · #24 |
joe, thanks a ton for takin the time to give me advice. i really really appreciate what you have to say :).
i have had reservations in the past about attending school for photography. because i hear things like "you can't teach talent" and that "students come out of art schools with only technical skills", etc. but, i feel that if i go into school confident of my creative skills and a mindset to stay true to my style... then i will be able to come out of school (in hopefully 2 years max) with an even deeper understanding of my style and a much better understanding of lighting, printing, photoshopping , and workflow techniques (which i currently have no clue about). also, i fully plan on finding a school that incorporates the business of photography into their program. thats one of my main criteria while looking for schools. i really think i would gain a lot from the photo assignments in the classes... and i am a competitve person so i think i will be motivated to push the limits when going up against other talented students. also, most schools gaurantee you a job after graduating and offer great networking opportunities.
i guess on a more personal level... i'm barely 20 years old... and i just dont feel quite prepared enough as a photographer or a person to face the "real world" as a freelance photographer or owning my own business. i also don't think i could survive two more years of school pursuing a career im not interested in... so, to me, art school seems like a really good option :).
thanks again for bringing up these various points everybody. hearing what you have to say and responding to it gives me a really good chance to organize my thoughts and plans. :0)
Message edited by author 2007-07-18 01:42:07. |
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07/18/2007 08:57:01 AM · #25 |
I registered for classes last week. I will be getting a 2nd Bachelors degree, this time in Design and Photography.
So I am taking Digital Image Manipulation, Basic Photography, Legal Aspects of Communication (COPYRIGHT LAW!), Intro to Video, and Astronomy(mandatory Science class) |
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