Courses/Qualifications...

MrsG

MrsG

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272
Name
Lou
Edit My Images
Yes
So I've stepped up from a P&S and I've got my first DSLR. I did a one day overview on the Intro to Digital Photography, which was good but didn't spend enough time on the basics for me to have learned much to move on with.

I'm looking to learn, but it needs to be afforadable and in the the evenings or before I return to work from Maternity (Dec).
Do I...
a) Do AS Level Photography - one evening a week for 31 weeks.
or
b) Do "get more from your digital camera" which is once a week for 5 weeks..

or c) open to suggestions!

I have considered a beyond the basics course but these are typically over a long weekend somewhere further from home and cost the same as the as level?

I'm wondering if the AS will give me a better understanding of all aspects as opposed to just learning how to use the camera??

AAAAAArgh, need to make a decision!:help:
 
Hi MrsG... :wave: ... I am not sure what you are looking for from your OP... :shrug: ... do you want to learn more about the camera you've just stepped up to or is it photography generally you wish to develop further... ;)






:p
 
Not being rude but how much do you know about your DSLR or photgraphy as a whole?

Reason

The AS Level is very good but also very intensive, you have a lot of work to do, keep a work book, research about photographers and depending on the college prepare images for an exhibition all of which will be marked.
You could do it but from what I have seen of the course it helps if you have a fairly good understanding of photography to start with.
But in answer to your question yes it has the ability to take you beyond the basic courses.

The 5 Week courses are usually fun and usually have people in there that have little knowledge of the cameras they have and again depending on the tutors you can get a fair bit out of them. The good thing also is that on those types of courses people always help each other out.

Me I am going back to College in September to do a darkroom course :D
 
Venomator said:
Hi MrsG... :wave: ... I am not sure what you are looking for from your OP... :shrug: ... do you want to learn more about the camera you've just stepped up to or is it photography generally you wish to develop further... ;)






:p
Click to expand...

I see your point and its both, I want to learn how my camera works so that I can use it properly and not just "auto" everything... but I want to understand the jargon and the reason too.
My mind is thinking that if I go back to the beginning it will ensure I learn the ins and the outs. I know I can take a great photo, and that comes from knowing what I like when I take the shot but I know also that I've taken lots of rubbish photos because I didn't know what to do with my camera in certain conditions.
Would the AS give me a photography knowledge to understand the terminology and reason which I can then use to find my way around the camera???????
At the moment I LOVE taking photos of my kids, family, cat, friends and sometimes the odd butterfly/dragonfly/flower/landscape... so because of this I can call it my hobby, but I have the support and encouragement of a lot of friends and family to persue this further and I'm wondering the best way forward???????
:bang:
 
Another option is to see if any local colleges offer City and Guild photography courses. They tend to be a bit more vocational and hands on. I did one last year - level 2.

I really enjoyed it. The tutor encouraged me to try things out of my comfort zone (B&W, Portraits, Studio Work) but also gave me a good background that filled in gaps in my self-taught knowledge. Personally I found it good as I compared / critiqued my classmate's work. Similar to on here, but face to face and without the flame wars ;o)
 
I'd love to do a foundation degree in photography but work won't give me a day off for the course a week, plus I've now idea where my qualifications come on UCAS points - very confusing.

So thinking of the As or A level course as they are in the evenings but it sounds like they only use film on the As level and I'm not sure they'll let me straight in on A level.
Going to an open evening at college tomorrow to discuss it...
 
Knikki said:
Not being rude but how much do you know about your DSLR or photgraphy as a whole?

:D
Click to expand...

Its not rude to ask that, its a good questions, one which I don't really know how to answer if I'm honest...
I've only had my camera for just over a week so I don't know much, I got some nice shots from it but kinda think thats from playing about and being lucky, not from skill or knowledge.
As for photography ..OMG I must sound like a complete thickit. I prob know more than I think I do but I would tend to say not much!
 
I learn photography from doing it and reading it online, i don't really see how doing a course can help me to learn. These days there are loads of people online on forum such as this to help you when you don't understand something. Do it at your leisure and its completely free !
 
Freester said:
Another option is to see if any local colleges offer City and Guild photography courses. They tend to be a bit more vocational and hands on. I did one last year - level 2.

I really enjoyed it. The tutor encouraged me to try things out of my comfort zone (B&W, Portraits, Studio Work) but also gave me a good background that filled in gaps in my self-taught knowledge. Personally I found it good as I compared / critiqued my classmate's work. Similar to on here, but face to face and without the flame wars ;o)
Click to expand...

This sounds like a good option to consider. Thanks for pointing it out.

Was it called Photo Imaging??
 
Raymond Lin said:
I learn photography from doing it and reading it online, i don't really see how doing a course can help me to learn. These days there are loads of people online on forum such as this to help you when you don't understand something. Do it at your leisure and its completely free !
Click to expand...

:lol: And thus far is what I am doing! I just have the urge for more...
 
MrsG said:
:lol: And thus far is what I am doing! I just have the urge for more...
Click to expand...

Do you want that piece of paper or just get better?

The best way to learn i think (at least at the start) is to look at tons of photos, keep looking and looking, and you'll see what makes a good one, to the really GREAT ones. Then try your own, copy it even and practice.

But if you haven't, read the manual. It really explains a LOT about the camera, all the terminology is in there.
 
MrsG said:
Was it called Photo Imaging??
Click to expand...

Yep that's the one. Course code 7511.

Raymond Lin said:
Do you want that piece of paper or just get better?

The best way to learn i think (at least at the start) is to look at tons of photos, keep looking and looking, and you'll see what makes a good one, to the really GREAT ones. Then try your own, copy it even and practice.

But if you haven't, read the manual. It really explains a LOT about the camera, all the terminology is in there.
Click to expand...

I hear where you're coming from there but people learn differently. Some people are quite happy teaching themselves from books. Some learn by copying other people. Other's are better when guided and mentored by someone else.

My Mrs is a teacher has some posh names for these different types of learners. It's not all about the piece of paper but the method of learning.

:)
 
Raymond Lin said:
Do you want that piece of paper or just get better?

The best way to learn i think (at least at the start) is to look at tons of photos, keep looking and looking, and you'll see what makes a good one, to the really GREAT ones. Then try your own, copy it even and practice.

But if you haven't, read the manual. It really explains a LOT about the camera, all the terminology is in there.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this... its good advice. Plus this was something that has been said before so I think it must be sound. I will carry on reading the manual and re-assess then.

See... THANKS - I have an outcome, and I am happy!!!
:clap::)
 
Freester said:
Yep that's the one. Course code 7511.



I hear where you're coming from there but people learn differently. Some people are quite happy teaching themselves from books. Some learn by copying other people. Other's are better when guided and mentored by someone else.

My Mrs is a teacher has some posh names for these different types of learners. It's not all about the piece of paper but the method of learning.

:)
Click to expand...

Now I hear you.....if I can't learn out of the book then I will do the course.
I think I should at least try that first..no?
 
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