Beginner - College Courses

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gray19lfc

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I'm 22 years old and currently employed full time, working in a lab but it's not what I want to do with my life.

I've started looking at photography courses at my local colleges. I've got no previous experience in photography, other than going out and about with my compact and playing around with Photoshop etc.

Are there any recommended courses out there for someone with very little to no experience? I'm not really into self-studying at home so I'm not looking at online courses and any course I do would have to be part time, as I can't afford to give up my job.

I've found an NCFE Level 1 course that starts in September. Are NCFE qualifications well-respected and where can they lead to? What would be a typical education route to becoming a full time photographer?

Thanks for reading.
 
In the absence of any replies......

Go along to the college and have a word with the tutor as I'm sure they will give good advice.

Also check local camera clubs. One in my area is running a Summer School over about 6 weeks. If there is a similar thing in your area you would get a cost effective intro to photography still with enough time to enroll in September.
 
A certificate isn't going to get your jobs - your photographs are.

So go along and have a word, speak to local photographers - some of them may do one on one training with you which would be more beneficial than a course.

But it does depend what type of photography you want to do. Do you want to open a studio, do landscape photography, work for a media company or news paper?

It's hard to say because I have to idea of your local college and the quality but I wouldn't choose a college personally as the best bet.
 
A certificate isn't going to get your jobs - your photographs are
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I have to disagree with this, it maybe your photos that initially attact but an employer will also want to see that you have the knowledge and understanding to go with it. The NCFE is well respected but at level 1 this is equal to a low grade (D-F) GCSE. Talk to the tutor to see what level you are now and how to procede.
 
AboveFunction said:
A certificate isn't going to get your jobs - your photographs are.

So go along and have a word, speak to local photographers - some of them may do one on one training with you which would be more beneficial than a course.
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2 mistakes there....

1) local togs won't be too keen on training potential competition.

2) Some jobs require degree's, I've even looked at them myself. Especially for things like Forensics/medical positions.

A lot of college courses are basics in photography, stuff you probably already now that then lead on to other courses they offer. Call / email them and ask to speak to a lecturer. Although a lot of colleges seem to be useless at getting back to you.

My issue is, I need to work FT and have a mortgage to pay, I can't afford to do a 2-3 year uni course. Why can't they just do a super fast speed course?
 
Harvey_nikon said:
My issue is, I need to work FT and have a mortgage to pay, I can't afford to do a 2-3 year uni course. Why can't they just do a super fast speed course?
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That's an excellent point because you know that if you signed up for a 'full time' college course you'd probably spend about 2 days per week in college! With nothing starting before 10.30 am!
 
AboveFunction said:
A certificate isn't going to get your jobs - your photographs are.
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But I have no experience of using an SLR at all. If I do the college course and maybe follow that with a HND/HNC, I'll have more knowledge and will hopefully have built a good portfolio along the way?
 
But I have no experience of using an SLR at all. If I do the college course and maybe follow that with a HND/HNC, I'll have more knowledge and will hopefully have built a good portfolio along the way?
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Go for it.

If you go onto Hotcourses it will tell you the local college courses. Perhaps best to start an evening course to see if it's for you.

There are likely to be short summer intro courses as full time students are on holiday.
 
You'll find that there are 3 types of courses:

1) the introduction to photography types, probably evening courses for 2-4 hours and last 6-10 weeks. Great for learning what a camera is and how to use one.

2) Normal college courses. These will assume you've used a camera but will go over everything in 1) in more detail and make sure you know it off by heart. You will be introduced to other photographers and styles of photography and will have to do a project or two.

3) Uni courses will assume you know how to handle a camera, in fact, most require you to have a portfolio already. You will study styles more in depth than 2) and discuss the works of other photographers. You'll have a lot of assignments with arty farty briefs that personally, I just never get, and have a lot more coursework to showing how competently you can use your camera and the techniques to express yourself.

You may find you get to 2) and think its enough. HNDs are required for certain jobs, but for making it as a professional you don't need it.

However, if you are considering making photography a profession, also look at business related courses. Being successful is 25% photography, 75% business. :p
 
gray19lfc said:
But I have no experience of using an SLR at all. If I do the college course and maybe follow that with a HND/HNC, I'll have more knowledge and will hopefully have built a good portfolio along the way?
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If you have no experience at all then maybe you should just go for an evening class then - Most towns or cities have photography clubs that will teach you and lots of togs offer courses and training (at least round my way)

I'd prefer a club or training my self but if you are going to go down a medical route or do Forensics photography.
 
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