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Photography contests for people under 18?

Photography studying, home or college? (IN THE UK)?

  • i plan to study photography this year. in a weekly photography magazine, there is always home study photography courses advertised. im sure its called school of photography. It is a home study course, you pay money for it. Its £200 for foundation in photography, or £300 for diploma in photography. what do you think would be a better option, doing a home study course, or spending 3-4years studying photography at college and university?. I want to do portraiture, weddings ect, so i need a formal qualification, as i am only 18, people wouldnt pay for me to take pictures for them. I was going to take pictures for a couple of people forfree to build up an impresive portfolio to show potential clients, but because of my age i think most people would want to see a qualification? so, home study, or college/university, what would be better?

  • Answer:

    i would be wary of shelling out cash for some 'home study' course which will give you a piece of paper not worth the money it's written on. A qualification is not essential - what is, is thorough knowledge of your craft plus some years experience. An excellent portfolio will mean far more to a potential client than some dodgy, mythical 'photo school'. Learn the basics of exposure, lighting & composition - join a local photography club where you can get realistic feedback & try out new techniques & gear. If you feel you want to gain some kind of recognisable status, then consider going for a distinction from the Royal Photographic Society (LRPS is the basic level) - this involves having peer judges critiquing a 'panel' of work.

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firstly, a cheaper option is to read books, magazines and websites... most people are self-taught... photography courses aren't great... there is no real standard, and you might find that you learn nothing worthwhile... if you are going to do any courses, look at shorter courses about studio work, etc at your local college/university for 10 weeks or so... you might get more out of shooting, then posting on places like flickr and getting some constructive criticism - IF you can take it without bursting into tears... http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinwalker

Forlorn Hope

Join a local club, the quickest way to learn photography is to go on a shoot with an experienced photographer, you can't beat having a tutor right there with you. In the UK Practical Photography runs an annual free course for beginners http://www.photoanswers.co.uk/Photography-Magazines/Practical-Photography-Magazine/ It's just starting, you can upload images for critique if you want to and there is a forum for all your questions, all for the cost of a magazine subscription. Remote learning does not work well, and that includes the Web, I, as a tutor in Photography, have been picking up the pieces of these courses for years, it's not that photography is rocket science, but it is counter intuitive. Once you understand the basics then remote learning and the Web works well. People get the 'wrong end of the stick, and it's more difficult to remove mis-information than it is to teach correctly in the first place. Having an experienced photographer you can talk to face to face is worth a lot, you don't get that with remote learning, you do every week in a club. Chris

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