I've been taking pictures for over 25 years, like many other working professionals I started in film. Funny that I studied photography and Journalism in University. But I get a feel that being a professional these days in this industry it really makes no difference. I guess my B.A.A is useless these days. Am I just a depressed photographer?
I disagree wholeheartedly. While "technology" makes it easy for anyone to take a good picture, I kind of consider that a good thing.
How many photographs did we look at years ago that someone shot and commented that "I wish the flash went off", or " the color didn't come out good. Those memories can be enhanced now.
I know it takes a certain person to know how to really compose an image, and make it count, versus shooting endlessly, and deleting most of them. (The Digihead world).
I still shoot film, as it is more of a challenge, and makes you think. If anyone actually think photography is shooting in "P" mode, and having a nice camera, has a lot to learn.
My proudest achievement was when I won a National Contest with an image I shot on the fly with a 1mp cell phone camera. It taught me that all my gear really means nothing, if I don't take the time to use it wisely.
I think the point Angelo was making was that a professional degree related to photography no longer matters. And to that, I completely agree.
I also came to photography while studying film at a tiny little film school at UNC Wilmington in North Carolina. I wanted to learn more about how 35mm motion films were made, so I started taking 35mm still shots using similar equipment.
There are fewer and fewer universities offering degrees in photography now. In fact, out of all of North Carolina, only one school offers just a degree in photography, and it happens to be a two-year community college. Other schools such as UNC Chapel Hill still offer photography courses, but they are all part of their Digital Arts program now and not solely photography.
And I think @moncooga made a point without quite intending to: if a person with a 1MP cell phone camera can win any national photography contest, why spend thousands of dollars on a proper education? Instead, just invest in good camera gear and teach yourself, which is what I think a lot of trade jobs (photography, film, computer programming, computer graphics, and more) are doing nowadays.
Put it this way: in all the freelance assignments I've ever been given, no one has ever asked where I studied photography.
@jasonbarnette@angelo Good point, Jason. I should have mentioned...I was in Art School for Commercial Art and Graphic Design...many years ago, when a pencil and paper were King! I cold never do it nowadays, all on a computer. Boring.
Not adding much to the discussion I know... But here in the UK, more people leave Uni each year with a photography degree than there are people earning a living from photography!!!
There is a course I want to do which is a national certificated course, it then leads to a degree then a diploma. I have looked into other courses but they are all mini courses which get you certificated but I prefer the degree ones. My only problem is I'm a housewife and mother and can't afford to do it but I'd rather spend the money on that than the other courses unless they are really beneficial and recognised
Although thinking about it, I suppose doing some kind of course would help me out so I may change my mind and go for one. They are cheaper just don't think they'll go into the detail I want to learn though.
@andycoleborn That's interesting. I'd say only about 20 universities in the US still offer purely photography degrees, although almost every university offers at least one photography course.
Are there any good photography, photojournalism, or digital media schools in the UK?
@jasonbarnette I think probably every Uni and collage offers courses... the UK is a victim of the last Govt's attempt to raise the supposed educational level of the population... hence the huge rise in recent years in degrees in photography/media studies etc..not saying these are 'easy' subjects but they ain't doctors/physics (if you get my drift) but it did suit there needs in raising the numer of people with further educational qualifications..... rant about the last Govt over :-)
@angelo All degrees lose their value sooner or later. My BF got his MBA just 5 years ago, and it's outdated already.
I assume you still shoot with film? I have one point and shoot film camera that I use only in the spring, and only with B&W film. I love it. I'm sure if you shoot film, you probably actually develop it instead of taking it to a developer...I wish I had that skill. :)
Yes Stacy I still shoot film on occasions... but playing with a whole lot of catch up. Most of my work is on film. Back in the day I concluded a European tour -images captured with my Blad... I never realized the value than. My curator in Toronto mentioned to me how important it was for me to continue on my works. Photography really is like an experiment... try printing your digital work on fibre based papers.... you will be impressed.
I would use film more if I could develop myself, The photo is a lot clearer then machine printing. I'm hoping the taster course I'm doing will be film based like last time as I have film in my camera to finish off and want to develop it.If only I had somewhere in the house I can do it myself.
Kirsty not as difficult as you may think it is.. You can buy a Durst enlarger next to nothing these days, I've processed films in Hotel Bathrooms on very special projects. When I travel it becomes so necessary with all the screening required these days, so I wouldn't want to risk loosing work material. Buy a safety light.. a few tanks and invest in a digital scanner.. and you are off to the races.
@angelo I am not a professional photographer but a visual communication designer, I think the design industry has been somehow affected by technology. I work with professional photographers a lot and from my conversations with them I think they feel the similar.
If I am to be honest I think technical skill is something you have to train professionally, but good artistic sense is something which ordinary people can develop in their own way.
These days I see a lot of very good amateur creative people in different aspects: design, photography, music. Without traditional training, they do things in their own way and occasionally some of them get noticed by the media and become very successful.
It seems like what is the most important to professionals is try to maintain the passion for what we do. This is not so easy for communication designers when their daily work is to entertain clients’ comments, I mean some clients have very specific ‘requests’—not ‘inputs’, it can very easily kill designers’ passion. So non-professionals sometime do much more interesting works then professionals...
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How many photographs did we look at years ago that someone shot and commented that "I wish the flash went off", or " the color didn't come out good. Those memories can be enhanced now.
I know it takes a certain person to know how to really compose an image, and make it count, versus shooting endlessly, and deleting most of them. (The Digihead world).
I still shoot film, as it is more of a challenge, and makes you think. If anyone actually think photography is shooting in "P" mode, and having a nice camera, has a lot to learn.
My proudest achievement was when I won a National Contest with an image I shot on the fly with a 1mp cell phone camera. It taught me that all my gear really means nothing, if I don't take the time to use it wisely.
Just sayin'.
I also came to photography while studying film at a tiny little film school at UNC Wilmington in North Carolina. I wanted to learn more about how 35mm motion films were made, so I started taking 35mm still shots using similar equipment.
There are fewer and fewer universities offering degrees in photography now. In fact, out of all of North Carolina, only one school offers just a degree in photography, and it happens to be a two-year community college. Other schools such as UNC Chapel Hill still offer photography courses, but they are all part of their Digital Arts program now and not solely photography.
And I think @moncooga made a point without quite intending to: if a person with a 1MP cell phone camera can win any national photography contest, why spend thousands of dollars on a proper education? Instead, just invest in good camera gear and teach yourself, which is what I think a lot of trade jobs (photography, film, computer programming, computer graphics, and more) are doing nowadays.
Put it this way: in all the freelance assignments I've ever been given, no one has ever asked where I studied photography.
Are there any good photography, photojournalism, or digital media schools in the UK?
Its very hard to become a certified photographer over here
I assume you still shoot with film? I have one point and shoot film camera that I use only in the spring, and only with B&W film. I love it. I'm sure if you shoot film, you probably actually develop it instead of taking it to a developer...I wish I had that skill. :)
If I am to be honest I think technical skill is something you have to train professionally, but good artistic sense is something which ordinary people can develop in their own way.
These days I see a lot of very good amateur creative people in different aspects: design, photography, music. Without traditional training, they do things in their own way and occasionally some of them get noticed by the media and become very successful.
It seems like what is the most important to professionals is try to maintain the passion for what we do. This is not so easy for communication designers when their daily work is to entertain clients’ comments, I mean some clients have very specific ‘requests’—not ‘inputs’, it can very easily kill designers’ passion. So non-professionals sometime do much more interesting works then professionals...