Distance-learning photography course
Good day, my lovely readers!
Just a short post today (but don’t worry, I’ve got a phenomenal post lined up for tomorrow - just you wait)…
I was just thinking… I haven’t got any formal photography qualifications, and it would be rather awesome to have one, but I’ve also got a busy day-job, so I haven’t got time to do this full-time. Instead, I’d like to do a distance-learning photography course. I’ve looked into Photoworkshop (who co-published my book with Wiley), but they don’t do any sort of qualification as far as I can tell.
So, the big question, then: Have any of you lot tried doing a course like that? Would you recommend it? Which course did you do, and how did you find it? Was it useful?
Tell me in the comments!
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This entry is © Haje Jan Kamps / Photocritic.org, and was posted on Wednesday, February 27th, 2008. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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#1 - February 27th, 2008 at 16:31
can’t say i’m a fan of distance learning, maybe it’s just me, but i like to have a teacher i can ask questions of face to face, especially in something as hands on as photography
#2 - February 27th, 2008 at 18:00
I have two professional photographers building and holding courses online. I have seen their participants go from amatuers to semipros in a month. Of course it is all up to the teacher and you yourself how much you will develop.
You should consider how much time you have so you cope with the course. Ask how much time it will take….paying for not having time to learn is not a good choice…
Particitpating on a course always takes time. It doesnt matter if its online or not…
#3 - February 27th, 2008 at 18:12
Actually I’m the teacher of a “Basics of photography” course. Is not distance-learning, I prefer get in contact with peolple and show, talk and explain face to face.
#4 - February 27th, 2008 at 21:00
I am currently taking the course at the New York Institute of photography. Its really nice. http://www.NYIP.com
#5 - February 28th, 2008 at 06:12
The one thing you get from an online course is TIME. Time to afterthought and try out the teachings and then come back to ask the teacher if you got it right. You are also sure that you get answers on your questions. On a regular course there are bound to be 5%-10% of participants that get 80% of the teachers time. This i seen on all kind of education.
#6 - February 28th, 2008 at 16:06
Well, I’ve not taken the NYIP course, but I did spend some time going over the material as a friend of mine took the course - Overall, a fairly complete general class. Good feedback from the teachers and I think it was a good value, if that is how you wish to learn.
Personally, I think a regular classroom photography class has some advantages - Back when I took my last photography class (some 25 years ago) almost every assignment was critiqued by the class as well as the teacher. This allowed each of the students to sharpen their critiquing skills and it also allowed the photographer to get a much broader set of opinions from each assignment - of course this did sometimes lead to some VERY harsh critiquing sessions and did require the photographer to develop a thick skin regarding their work…
The real question is, what is it you are looking for? New techniques? New Ideas? Broaden your experience into aspects of photography you haven’t touched on?
Or are you looking for a piece of paper to validate your photography expertise?
If is the latter, I highly suggest a more traditional bricks and mortar school.
Just my .02
Cheers!
Ken
#7 - March 3rd, 2008 at 19:05
I live in a community of about 80,000 where it is unusual to have access/selection to varied courses in a classroom environment, so I can see that there is value in having access via the internet. The problem with correspondence/internet education, is that it depends upon the student’s ability to apply themselves or set aside time to participate without interruptions.
I have been wanting to try some great looking online courses but I know that I would have difficulty applying myself. I once attempted a painting course that was on our local knowledge network some years ago. Most of the materials are still untouched in a box “somewhere”. Totally my fault but my point is that being in a classroom helps force me to stay on top of things and to be engaged.
btw - I am really enjoying the content you have been putting forward!
ttfn
Stew
#8 - April 4th, 2008 at 16:39
I took and online course from an online collage, PCDI, lol they sent me some flyer in the mail and photography was listed. I have always been interested in photography so I signed up (yes I know, lol, I also watch infomercials) I learned nothing I couldn’t have learned on my own through research. But the fact that I was paying $600 for the course gave me a motivation to actually do the reading and learn something. Now I’m Hooked :)
#9 - April 5th, 2008 at 18:56
I did a course online but gives no qualifications….Mainly it is just a course where you are sent tips and tutorials and am still receiving information through this. It was David Peterson who published it and I think it is available for free here… http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/ I found it very useful to get started and went out to do each thing as it was sent to me. I am continually looking for more and more information to hone my photography skills. This blog has been great… Im now in my 4th hour of reading today here. O well…lots more things to try.