Did any of you take a photography course?

[Jonnyreb]

Tsk - you kids play nice now

 

[inaneredstripe]

:nono:

 

[Tobes]

Pete - you said "But if you've got the knack for it you can learn it all on your own with time" and you have now confirmed that you leanrt everything yourself, then why did you bother to do an article on HDR for a magazine last year? isn't reading an article in a magazine the same as these people doing a course, they are all learning from some one who see's themselves as a pro.

I'm sure Pete will explain himself but I'm guessing he did the article so he can pass on his knowledge. Reading a magazine is completely different from a course. There is no deadlines, no one if pushing education at you and it doesn't have to be written like it's from a educational standard.

I believe I will enjoy photography more without the course. I'm 19 so being in a room with 16 year olds isn't the most social thing. Plus when they take photos at angles, turn them into black & white for the sake of it or take "myspace" photos, it's hard to take a interest in their work.

If the work I have seen from Pete is all from learning on his own, then I'm pretty gob-smacked. It also means that if Pete can do it, there is nothing stopping me from getting that good

As to having a piece of paper with a grade on it. I'm would assume that it differs from different careers. For Games Design I have read countless times that a games design course isn't the best way to get a job but instead it's your portfolio and work you can show them. However a course would give me time to build up on a portfolio.

 

[dod]

bet he isnt over qualified to be a marine biologist!

But that was actually the problem, there are so few jobs for his speciality he couldn't actually utilise his doctorate

Anyway, sorry for taking this OT

 

[Marcel]

But reading an article isn't doing a course is it? Reading a magazine isnt doing a course.
Going to college is doing a course.

He didn't say courses aren't worth ****, he said usually in the creative industry a portfolio speaks louder than a qualification.


That aside, please play nice everyone...Just remember the rules...

Disagree by all means, but criticise the thought, not the thinker.

Ta

 

[petemc]

I'm sure Pete will explain himself but I'm guessing he did the article so he can pass on his knowledge.

Exactly that. I don't see any harm in trying to help people by writing a guide on what I've learnt from playing.

Maybe had you done a course then you wouldn't of over exposed your liverpool images (as picked up by others in one of your other threads)

Has to be one of the silliest things I've heard around here recently.

 

[Jonnyreb]

usually in the creative industry a portfolio speaks louder than a qualification.

I have to disagree on that from a professional perspective; a qualification opens the door to serious clients whilst your portfolio sells your practical ability. this paradox is, unfortunately, still the hangover from the days a degree was actually worth something. God Bless Maggie.

being in a room with 16 year olds

sounds like heaven to me!!!! - whats your problem?

 

[Jonnyreb]

what I've learnt from playing.

Pete - thats all well and good, but without wishing to get caught up in this unduly, you yourself must admit that you were specifically shown the basics of HDR and Photomatix by a third party (you made reference to this in late 06 but i'm afraid i forget the detail).

Now, the point of this little reminder is that a qualification of any sort does not provide the finished article - one's own style must be forged from what one has learned.

In the same way, one is unable to become proficient without coaching and assistance. That coaching and assistance need not necessarily be a formal qualification, but it is positively disingenuous and more than a little misleading to suggest that just 'playing' is the full story.

OK, my tuppence spouted. bring on the intellectual debate

 

[petemc]

Pete - thats all well and good, but without wishing to get caught up in this unduly, you yourself must admit that you were specifically shown the basics of HDR and Photomatix by a third party (you made reference to this in late 06 but i'm afraid i forget the detail).

Yup. Some guy on OcUK had a photo and gave the basics. Then I read a comment by Chromasia saying you could use 1 RAW. I took it from there. Its not like I sat down and read a guide, or a book or did a degree in it. The majority of what I learnt was from playing with it and deciding what does what.

In the same way, one is unable to become proficient without coaching and assistance. That coaching and assistance need not necessarily be a formal qualification, but it is positively disingenuous and more than a little misleading to suggest that just 'playing' is the full story.

I consider buying a book, like a Martin Evening huge bible on Photoshop, to be quite different to reading tips n tricks threads on PS. Its a different way of doing things. One person going out there way to read as much as possible about the subject, page after page. Another essentially over hearing things and having a play. I learn by doing, not by reading books. I've been playing with Photoshop for nearly 10 years now. I reckon thats long enough to learn a few things on my own.

 

[Jonnyreb]

Oh dear, awfully sorry Peter, old chap; that wasn't a dig at you per se, but an attempt at a compromise between the two factions.

However, now you mention your HDR beginnings, this version is a little more spartan than the last tale.

Not sure how your 'response' to the second quote you have used of mine illuminates or detracts from the point i was making? From your own university experience you'll know that you don't learn by osmosis and the doing is the key? Or as i said: "forging one's own style [sic]"

 

[Bob]

Got to agree with Pete play and learn I am doing a course now and spend more time in PS with other peoples photos than learning the basics of what does what on a camera and when to use them which is what I enroled for Learn more from people on here
Bob:bang:

 

[Jelster]

Having said that a structured course does give you a good grounding in a lot of practical elements as well as theory.

Exactly !

If you want to become an "employed" professional picture taker, your employer would want to know that you not only have an eye for a picture, but you can work to deadlines and work in a structured way.

I would also expect that any "professional" education into photography would cover the legal side and subjects such as how to build a proper portfolio.

I have been a sales manager/director for years, but when I take on new people I always want to see evidence of them being able to work in a structured way and hit targets. Photography is no different, the context is just different.