Ok, so since 2004 I have batted back and forth about going to the art institute here in seatle for their photography course. But the more I see on here the more i
wonder if I should or if I should find another more practical option?
Any opinions on it?
I mean..... do most photographers on here go to school or learn through hands on experience?
I can't say anything pro or con about the institute, as I have no knowledge of it. I can say that I took photography classes in college, but that was 40 years ago. I read the occasional magazine, and I attend photography exhibits now and then, but most of what I know I learned with a camera in my hand. But I'm just an amateur with the occasional published photo. If you have grander plans, more formal education might be worthwhile. If you have not taken any classes, you might consider enrolling at a community college, and take a class or two there. It's bound to be a lot cheaper, and you'll likely learn a lot about yourself. Good luck!
It completely depends how you learn. I would rather work as a PA for a local photog... you'd likely get paid (or maybe not) but you'd still likely learn tons and wouldn't have to pay anything... but some people learn better with a formal lesson plan... how have you learned the things in your life you are truly good at?
I don't know anything about the Art Institute, so I can't comment on them.
I started out teaching myself, and doing tutorials I found online or in magazines, but I found that actually attending a short photography course helped me a lot on the technical side of things.
I'm not sure it's necessary to do a full diploma/degree unless you're wanting to go into that as a full-time career - and even then, there are many successful pro photographers who are self-taught.
I agree with Jordan above, that it also depends on your own learning style.
@foxinsox47 I couldn't agree with you more! The more you play with your camera, the more you will learn about it. I have also tossed around the idea with the Art Institute. They are very expensive, but also have a good reputation. Being in Seattle, there should be some very reputable schools that might be less expensive. As Jim said above, right now community college is the way to go to get those elective classes out of the way, the math and the english. I actually had a black and white photography class at community college, loved it, and learned a lot, especially since we got to use the darkroom and develop our own film.
I did uni full time on photography, film and TV. And really cant say I would've learned more than doing evening classes for a couple years. But its a personal choice...
I checked out your pics... and wanted to say, that I have met quite a few online woman that have started from what you have and now are taking photos for weddings and portraits... so if you feel you are capable then, just go with it, ur client's will be the ones to say, as they will be the ones buying the end result.
Jayden, I got accepted to AI about five years ago and last minute decided to not go. The school is rather pricey and photography seminars and lessons are everywhere, you just have to look.
I chose to go to the local community college and took photography there for way cheaper.
Personally, I took photography classes in college, but I didn't really learn that much other than how to better understand the camera I had at the time. If you have an eye for photography, you have an eye for it. In my opinion, no amount of teaching is going to help a person's pictures look better. You just have to pick up the camera and keep practicing.
Having said all that, it's completely up to each individual person to decide whether or not they think classes can help them. I would say look into a local community college or local community photography class before spending the money on at an Art Institute. Or, go around to privatly owned photography businesses in your community. You can learn a lot by being a shadow for a professional photographer. It doesn't cost you money and you'll likely get paid for helping out around their studio or on their shoots.
Funny thing is, I don't want to do this professionally...lol I love it too much to ruin it LOL I think I will take the advice to check out the community college for some classes. Basically I guess I just want to better understand the fundamentals of photography.
@itszaiii Thank you and ya it is pricey....thats one reason i began to question my decision...
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I started out teaching myself, and doing tutorials I found online or in magazines, but I found that actually attending a short photography course helped me a lot on the technical side of things.
I'm not sure it's necessary to do a full diploma/degree unless you're wanting to go into that as a full-time career - and even then, there are many successful pro photographers who are self-taught.
I agree with Jordan above, that it also depends on your own learning style.
Your photos look great to me.. :-)
I chose to go to the local community college and took photography there for way cheaper.
Having said all that, it's completely up to each individual person to decide whether or not they think classes can help them. I would say look into a local community college or local community photography class before spending the money on at an Art Institute. Or, go around to privatly owned photography businesses in your community. You can learn a lot by being a shadow for a professional photographer. It doesn't cost you money and you'll likely get paid for helping out around their studio or on their shoots.
Hope all this helps!
Funny thing is, I don't want to do this professionally...lol I love it too much to ruin it LOL I think I will take the advice to check out the community college for some classes. Basically I guess I just want to better understand the fundamentals of photography.
@itszaiii Thank you and ya it is pricey....thats one reason i began to question my decision...