Photography Courses

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munkie

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George
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Im looking at taking my next step to becoming more better at togging.

Im thinking of doing a course but there is so many to choose from and to be honest I dont really want to spend hundreds on a course that is not much good.

I would prefer to do a course where you can get a quailifcation (spl?) at the end.

ANy ideas of suggestions would be great.

Thanks
 
ALL decent courses cost time and money.
even those given by good colleges are only as good as the lecturers and technicians you get. Technicians can be more important than lecturers and are worth cultivating. some are even more qualified, (one I know has a MA and lectures in the USA during the summer break)
so make sure you talk to existing students, not just the staff.
 
sorry I should of said

Im looking for an online/home study as i work funny hour's.
 
I asked the same question on this forum at the back end of last year. I was a complete novice. I'm now about halfway through this course;

http://www.learning-at-home.co.uk/pr...ma-p-1883.html

It seems to cover all aspects of photography. You have a personal tutor who marks your work and is available to help with any problems you may come across. Plus if you get really stuck, I'm only down the road from you!

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks weephillie

I was looking at that course but was unsure if it would be any good for a novice.

looks like it may be that course

cheers
 
Having seen that course advertised, I wonder if you could give me a little more info? As in, is it worth it? Are the "promises" actually met? What are the requirements photographically (do you take many pictures are is it more of a classroom style course)?

Thanks.
 
The course contains 20 modules/assignments. They cover all aspects of photography, preparing you to become a professional earning money from this business.

I am just over halfway through the course and if I was to pick fault with it, it would be that each module is basic. It just gives you the bare essentials on each topic (portraits, media, weddings etc).

Each assignment involves you taking photos and writing about how you achieved them and any problems you had getting the finished result. These are then sent to your tutor who will mark your work and comment on where you went wrong and how to correct it. Your tutor is also available if you need help and advice.

Phil
 
That course does sound very basic, and very similar to the things they do here with weekly shots.

Personally, for £530, I wouldn't really bother :O Especially when there are so many free tutorials online!

Seriously, pick a subject for yourself, go and google it. Take some photos, post them here are and ask for them to be marked by everyone here!

You will get the same, if not better feedback and for free.

As for running a photography business, there are lots of websites out there with info as well as lots of help here!
 
Harvey_nikon said:
That course does sound very basic, and very similar to the things they do here with weekly shots.

Personally, for £530, I wouldn't really bother :O Especially when there are so many free tutorials online!

Seriously, pick a subject for yourself, go and google it. Take some photos, post them here are and ask for them to be marked by everyone here!

You will get the same, if not better feedback and for free.

As for running a photography business, there are lots of websites out there with info as well as lots of help here!
Click to expand...

Have to agree!

I was considering courses, but with things like Google and this forum (and the many others out there) you can get all the info and more. You just have to be willing to do the leg work and be willing to make mistakes, accept them and move on.
 
Also consider, that £530 could get you a couple of lenses and your personal tutor may not be a great photographer themselves.

There are lots of Pro Togs on here who are better equipped to mark your work :)
 
I have to say that Harvey nikon does have a very good point. Wish I'd thought about doing that and saved myself some cash. The only thing is, I'd have been too lazy to do all the leg work. Having everything set out for me suits me.

I have to agree that having lots of people's input rather than just that of the tutor is a very good idea.
 
Then perhaps we should do a TP course with links etc to save people running around :D

Would be easy to do as long as we could get a list of subject headings :)
 
An interesting statistic I read (but now can't find in case someone asks for a citation) is that more people in the UK will receive some form of photographic qualification this year than there are paid professional photographers in the country.
 
I know that google is my friend and I have learnt a lot.

But I would like something to sure for it and maybe one day help me get a job in togging
 
munkie said:
I know that google is my friend and I have learnt a lot.

But I would like something to sure for it and maybe one day help me get a job in togging
Click to expand...

Read above, anyone can take a course and it won't help you get a job.

The only thing that will help with work is a really good portfolio and your personality :)
 
Harvey_nikon said:
Then perhaps we should do a TP course with links etc to save people running around :D

Would be easy to do as long as we could get a list of subject headings :)
Click to expand...

I think that sounds like a superb idea. I'd love to improve my photography, but find that the issue (as with trying to learn anything) is setting manageable assignments.
 
Fantastic idea - I'd sign up for it if it was offered. Anyone willing to start it off? I really need to get to grips with the basics and would prefer somethging set down to assist and keep me on track. I also work funny hours, but can also get loads of free time. Had today off for instance, but not worth venturing beyond the front door, it was that foggy!
 
I think the first thing to do would be for us to get a list of subject matters, starting with the basics and then moving on towards more advanced subjects.
 
Where do I sign up. Actually it is not a new or bad idea. DPI forums do the same in the US, and have regualr meets/workshops.

Ekso
 
Cracking idea, would be well up for this.

Be nice to be able to have local meets to discuss various topics and ideas also :D
 
I agree its a great idea. I've been looking for courses in t he Norwich area but they are either too basic or too expensive.
 
So anyone going to offer a course of some kind? I would really appreciate the opportunity to learn some real photography skills. At present, I feel I just play at it and exposures are something I find really hard to work out.
 
Anyone? Please!!! Shall we start making a list of things that we would like to learn do you think?
 
im also interested, but take into consideration this idea is going to take someones spare time up, so im thinking this is going to have to be a joint venture!!
 
that would be a great idea phil,thanks
 
There are a load of tutorials already written on here too guys. :)
 
One of the photo magazines (I think it's Practical Photography) is running a free "DSLR Skills" module at the moment. There's one assignment a month, teaching you about exposure, depth of field, CAKE (!), or whatever, and you don't even need to buy the magazine, you just sign up for the course online.

Plus I think they give out prizes at some point - not sure if it's monthly, for some months, or at the end of the year (or however long it goes on for).
 
This is the syllabus Im following at the moment on my diploma:
1. Photography as a living
· Making money as a professional photographer
· The top ten types of picture
· The equipment you’ll need now or later
· How to avoid failure and achieve success
2. Make your photos look like a professional's
· The do’s and don’ts of professional photography
· How to avoid the mistakes amateurs often make
· In the darkroom - wet and/or digital
· 12 things you should know about digital photography
· Tricks of the trade - how to shoot like a pro
· The professional mindset - how to think and act like a pro
3. Travel photography-
· A checklist for better travel photos
· The types of holiday pics that sell
· Getting the best stock photos – parades and ceremonies
· How to get free holidays
· What equipment should I take?
· Using digital cameras for travel photos
· Producing your images
· How to capture beautiful scenery for stock photos
4. Portraits - why families love them, and how you can get commissions
· Working from home or a studio
· Working in the client’s home
· How to get commissions
· Setting up for a shoot
· Choosing lighting and background
· Deciding on the right pose
· Positioning your subjects
· The do’s and don’ts of portrait photography
· Dealing with restless and problem children
· Presenting your portraits
5. Newspaper and magazine photography
· How to shoot photos that newspapers will want to buy
· How to get started as a freelance news photographer
· Shooting photos for trade journals
· Photos for consumer magazines
· How to get started on a freelance, part-time basis
· Other markets for newspaper or magazine photographers
6. Manipulating your images
· Why you need digital photofinishing
· Correcting imperfect images
· Working with a file
· Picture orientation
· Cropping
· Levels, brightness and contrast, and colour
· Red eye
· Cloning
· Creative photofinishing
7. The great outdoors
· Finding locations
· Preparation and equipment
· Working in the field
· Working with natural light
· Wildlife photography
· Scenic photography
· Macro photography
· Displaying your images and finding markets
· Captioning and recording data
8. Wedding Photography - Part 1
· An introduction to wedding photography
· How to get assignments
· The wedding market
· Developing a portfolio
· Dealing with potential clients
· Vital preparations · Creative specialization
9. Wedding Photography - Part 2
· The wedding day
· Setting up
· Capturing the fleeting moments
· Staying true to the bride and groom
· The traditional wedding album elements
· Telling a romantic tale
· Having fun with the job
· The reception
· Wrapping up the day
10. Wedding Photography - Part 3
· Film and image management
· Choosing a good lab
· Directing the processing
· Video editing
· Digital presentations
· Showing your work
· Orders – now and later
11. Cheesecake and beefcake
· History
· Glamour Photography
· Boudoir Photography
· Portraiture
· Where to sell your photos
12. Photojournalism
· The photojournalist basics
· Why a picture is worth a thousand words
· How to catch the perfect shot
· Finding (and getting) freelance photojournalism work
13. School, college and social photography
· Working on location
· Preparing for a shoot
· Lighting and backgrounds
· Posing your subjects
· Dealing with problem subjects
· Organisation
· Do’s and don’ts of school, college and social photography
· Freelance or employee?
· Presenting your work
14. Equipment for the specialist photographer
· Tripods
· Monopods
· Camera bags
· Lens bags and cases
· Digital storage
15. The world of advertising photography
· Why you should consider having sub-specialities
· How to select one or more sub-specialities
· The best sub-speciality to start out with
· What you’ll also need to photograph small items
· Some suggestions on choosing lights
· Tips on setting up a professional photo studio
· How advertising photographers get assignments
· How to find potential clients
16. Business Photography
· Working on location
· Setting up for a shoot
· The importance of light
· Environmental portraiture
· Capturing the essence of a business
· Dealing with challenges
· The do’s and don’ts of business photography
· Public relations photography
· Obtaining commissions
· Presenting your work
17. Selling sports photos
· Equipment you can’t live without
· Mixing speed and focal length
· Who to contact and where to shoot
· Shooting soccer and football
· Shooting basketball
· All the rest: baseball, hockey, tennis, curling, and everything else
· In your digital darkroom
· Who buys sports photography and who sells it
8. Fashion photography
· What is fashion?
· The role of the fashion photographer
· Expressing yourself as a fashion photographer
· Developing a style
· How to get the right shot
· Technique
· Marketing and branding yourself
· Sourcing contacts
· Your duties as a fashion photographer
19. Starting your photography business
· How to establish yourself as a professional photographer
· How to select a business name - what to do and not do
· How to write a business plan - and why you should
· How to write a marketing plan - and why you should
· Effective, yet low-cost ways to attract new customers
20. How to get a job in photography
· General tips for finding employment
· Entry level photography jobs
· Becoming a photographer’s assistant
· Obtaining a high paying job in photography
 
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