A few questions

atmax1 · 7 Oct 2012 at 19:10

Hey guys, I am thinking about maybe going college to study photography and wanted to know if you guys think it's worth going? Photography has become a big thing for me and I want to become better and build my conference up also any idea of what I could expect to be doing in a beginners course?

I also wanted to know what you thought about 3rd party battery grips? or should you buy a canon one? and what camera bag would you would recommend to hold a ipad, 7D+battery grip with 17-40mm and when I pick it up a 70-200mm lens and maybe a flash and it would be nice if it had weather protection, I currently have a lowepro slingshot.

I hope you guys can help me, thanks

King Damager · 7 Oct 2012 at 21:48

Crumpler bags seem highly recommended. Lowepro isn't too bad to be honest. Never had an issue myself, and if it rains just stick the weather proofing thing over it...

kd

An Exception · 7 Oct 2012 at 22:24

It all depends, but my view is if your a fast learner..talented/artistic & passionate.. collage = waste of money.
Collage qualifications are no measure of talent imo, I'v seen countless tog websites boldly showing off their qualifications, yet the quality of their work is total crap.

Take the time/money saved, ditch the 7d, get a 5diii and a decent prime like a 35L. Primes are good for forcing you to think about composition.
Spend the rest on educational resources.. then shoot..shoot.. and shoot some more.

Phal · 7 Oct 2012 at 23:02

An Exception said:
It all depends, but my view is if your a fast learner..talented/artistic & passionate.. collage = waste of money.
Collage qualifications are no measure of talent imo, I'v seen countless tog websites boldly showing off their qualifications, yet the quality of their work is total crap.

Take the time/money saved, ditch the 7d, get a 5diii and a decent prime like a 35L. Primes are good for forcing you to think about composition.
Spend the rest on educational resources.. then shoot..shoot.. and shoot some more.

I didn't realise you could get qualifications in collage? Seems a bit specific to me... Would have thought it was covered under Art or something!

An Exception · 7 Oct 2012 at 23:06

Phal · 7 Oct 2012 at 23:30

Tbh though I wouldn't write off a college course if you're interested in photography and you have the time/money.

A qualification doesn't always mean much but it's more about the experience you'll get and the people you'll meet etc. As part of the course you might get tasked to do stuff you wouldn't do on your own or you might meet people who inspire you to try something different. You might also make friends with local people who's equipment you can try/borrow

A course won't guarantee you'll be awesome by the time you complete it but it's definitely better than doing nothing lol. If I didn't have a job to get to every day and had some time/money I would certainly consider something like a photography course.

Nexus · 8 Oct 2012 at 00:40

Other point about proper education in Photography is it does offer opportunities afterwards. Friend of mine who did her whole degree in Photography had her work displayed in a gallery as part of the final project. She didn't have much trouble finding work as a fashion photographer after that.

I did photography as part of my own degree, aside from the technical side, I was also taught about the history and pioneers and respected photographers etc.

Phal · 8 Oct 2012 at 08:18

Indeed

There's more to courses than just technical knowledge.

atmax1 · 8 Oct 2012 at 08:45

King Damager said:
Crumpler bags seem highly recommended. Lowepro isn't too bad to be honest. Never had an issue myself, and if it rains just stick the weather proofing thing over it...

kd

Thanks I will take a look.

Phal said:
Tbh though I wouldn't write off a college course if you're interested in photography and you have the time/money.

A qualification doesn't always mean much but it's more about the experience you'll get and the people you'll meet etc. As part of the course you might get tasked to do stuff you wouldn't do on your own or you might meet people who inspire you to try something different. You might also make friends with local people who's equipment you can try/borrow

A course won't guarantee you'll be awesome by the time you complete it but it's definitely better than doing nothing lol. If I didn't have a job to get to every day and had some time/money I would certainly consider something like a photography course.

This is the idea, It's not about the qualification though it would be nice to have, It would be nice to meet people so I ant shooting alone or with a friend who is most likely bored watching me lol.. I think I'm doing ok with photography (flickr below) but I'll be honest I got autism and unable to work due to the stress (yes I have worked and it lead to a mental break down) but I got over the depression and kinda the anxiety (It will never fully go for me) and I want to take it up a step or try too so I was wondering if I may learn something I don't already know there? although It would be nice to meet people If I wont learn anything I will become bored and going college again is a big step for me, but If it isn't worth it could you guys give me any tips?

mrk · 8 Oct 2012 at 09:09

I was speaking about this at a recent meet but I attended UNI doing a Photography course and left after 6 months because it really wasn't for me. It was the same as what the college courses teach (or try to) you, and that's to mark you based on what they think is good. I thought that couldn't be right and after doing some research decided to go about it my own way, get into work and learn how to capture images through real world experience.

Other people may have a different experience at different colleges/unis of course but I felt restricted in what I was able to do.

Looking back now, I'm glad I left because some of the stuff I have achieved, the people I've met and the organisations I've done work for, none of that would have been possible if I stuck with the course.

Depends on what your personal options and goals are though!

Phal · 8 Oct 2012 at 18:26

Yeah at the time of leaving school and trying college for a while I definitely found I was sick of education! Ironically I joined the armed forced and spent a further 6 months in a kind of full time education lol

I can see how the tasks given to you would seem restrictive but I guess it's a bit like the monthly photo competitions here. You're given boundaries or requirements and you're supposed to do your best with those rules/limits. To some it might be fun since you're forced out of your comfort zones perhaps and to other it's just restrictive and seen as irrelevant.

All depends how you look at it as Mrk said

42zx · 8 Oct 2012 at 19:56

A couple of years ago I lived with a couple of guys doing photography degrees at uni, I don't think they're employed yet. Maybe they weren't very good but then, I think the main point with a creative profession is that its very subjective. You have to build spend ages building a portfolio but then one employer might hate your portfolio, the next might love it. There's no consistency!