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I read a quote recently but can't remember where saying that "photography was a combination of art and science" very astute, I think that's pretty spot on !
They'd be wrong though, a photography degree is no indication of ability of the 'craft' of photography, it's an academic qualification usually based on understanding of the art of photography.I think the pros of a formal education is that someone who has passed a formal course is that they should have very basic core skills at the very least. Also you have to remember that doing a formal course is just as much to do with socialisation as well as the topic itself, for example conditioning people to do work to deadlines. So from an employers point of view when they look at someone with a certificate, they imply that they "should" have very basic skills covered and be able to work to deadlines.
They'd be wrong though, a photography degree is no indication of ability of the 'craft' of photography, it's an academic qualification usually based on understanding of the art of photography.
Asked and answered several times already in this thread.I wonder how many Professional Photographers have a degree?
. I left school at 16 (far too many years ago now) and have been in full time employment ever since. I've done a few additional qualifications at night school and in my own time since then, but nothing to degree level as I've never needed to and nothing in photography. I'm happy with my career, job and earnings so why bother.Sadly mirrors my experiences too, except with bitter photography university students who think they're better for it, pangs of jealousy spring to mind as I have a stable job which pays for my equipment and travelling so i get the shots and sometimes get published.If I need a degree to enjoy photography I should give up now. I left school at 16 (far too many years ago now) and have been in full time employment ever since. I've done a few additional qualifications at night school and in my own time since then, but nothing to degree level as I've never needed to and nothing in photography. I'm happy with my career, job and earnings so why bother.
For me photography is a serious hobby that earns me a little pocket money now and then (although I'd have to go a long way to make back what I've pumped into it). I learn something new every day and love that aspect of it, the day I stop learning is the day I give up probably.
The only experience I've had personally with someone who has professional photography qualifications left a bad taste in the mouth as he was a stuck up, self opinionated t*** for want of a better word that thought he was better than anyone else because he had this qualification and to be honest most of what he produced was "ok" but an acquired taste.
then I would need Degree in Sports Knowledge !!! lol
Taking Degree in Photography will only teach you mainly in art.
I really cant understand all the negativity about those who choose to do a degree in photography. I'm just a keen amateur but I have a passion for photography. I never have and never will make a penny from my photography.
But I would love to go to University and do a photography degree now. If I could afford the tuition fees, I'd be enrolled for this September. I love the idea of spending three years immersing myself in a subject I love, surrounded by like minded individuals, taught by knowledgeable practitioners, with access to amazing resources, being challenged intellectually, looking at new and exciting things from a different perspective and trying to understand and make sense of the art, meeting new and interesting people and networking with creative people from other disciplines. etc etc
It really sounds like heaven to me. Surely the only barrier to any of us wanting to enjoy such an experience is finance. And sadly, as for me that is one barrier that is too large to climb (thanks Nick Clegg and his lies over tuition fees).
So I can only peer through the window and wish.
Sure you don't need a degree to enjoy photography or become a photographer but I know I would enjoy my hobby much more if I had the opportunity to study for one.
So why do so many feel the need to knock those that do a photography degree?
No one's knocking them, and I'm certainly not.I really cant understand all the negativity about those who choose to do a degree in photography. I'm just a keen amateur but I have a passion for photography. I never have and never will make a penny from my photography.
But I would love to go to University and do a photography degree now. If I could afford the tuition fees, I'd be enrolled for this September. I love the idea of spending three years immersing myself in a subject I love, surrounded by like minded individuals, taught by knowledgeable practitioners, with access to amazing resources, being challenged intellectually, looking at new and exciting things from a different perspective and trying to understand and make sense of the art, meeting new and interesting people and networking with creative people from other disciplines. etc etc
It really sounds like heaven to me. Surely the only barrier to any of us wanting to enjoy such an experience is finance. And sadly, as for me that is one barrier that is too large to climb (thanks Nick Clegg and his lies over tuition fees).
So I can only peer through the window and wish.
Sure you don't need a degree to enjoy photography or become a photographer but I know I would enjoy my hobby much more if I had the opportunity to study for one.
So why do so many feel the need to knock those that do a photography degree?
Hi, not sure to put this, but here goes. My eighteen year old niece has just finished a college course where she received a diploma for her course which she passed with distinction. Together we have a lot of banter which she ridicules my work which I do for personal enjoyment and have no training, no qualifications only self taught. Meeting up at a family meal she asked to borrow my camera which was fitted with a 35mm prime lens. After ten minutes she returned asking how you zoom on this camera. Couldn't stop laughing, saying its a prime and you might need to change the iso as it was set high from a previous shot. She asked me what was iso and did my camera shoot in auto mode. Surely a two year course could teach students such things as iso, surely that's basic. What really annoyed me was she was a proper photography as she had a diploma - that really wound me up, surely there's nothing wrong than finding your own way, besides I know the difference between a zoom and a prime!
Thats sounds so like the people that do A level Photography at my school, There all useless. Some of them are passing and getting B/A Grades when they don't know how to change a lens or know what ISO is?! All these qualifications are pretty much pointless from what I can see, I have honestly not met anyone else doing a qualification in photography that knows anything about what they are doing, and don't get me started on people doing A level with Iphones...
I think you need to get off the fence and speak your mind DavidA level Photography is crap. Don't judge all photography qualifications and courses by A levels. You'd never, ever get work in photography by having an A level in it unless you're folio was incredibly good.. It's utterly and completely useless. It's unlikely you'll get a place on a degree course with it either unless you have something significant in your folio. It's a genuinely useless qualification.
I'm with you on that one, what a great way to spend three years - better buy a lottery ticket ...I really cant understand all the negativity about those who choose to do a degree in photography. I'm just a keen amateur but I have a passion for photography. I never have and never will make a penny from my photography.
But I would love to go to University and do a photography degree now. If I could afford the tuition fees, I'd be enrolled for this September. I love the idea of spending three years immersing myself in a subject I love, surrounded by like minded individuals, taught by knowledgeable practitioners, with access to amazing resources, being challenged intellectually, looking at new and exciting things from a different perspective and trying to understand and make sense of the art, meeting new and interesting people and networking with creative people from other disciplines. etc etc
It really sounds like heaven to me. Surely the only barrier to any of us wanting to enjoy such an experience is finance. And sadly, as for me that is one barrier that is too large to climb (thanks Nick Clegg and his lies over tuition fees).
So I can only peer through the window and wish.
Sure you don't need a degree to enjoy photography or become a photographer but I know I would enjoy my hobby much more if I had the opportunity to study for one.
So why do so many feel the need to knock those that do a photography degree?
I think you need to get off the fence and speak your mind DavidSeriously though is it really that bad? I know some of the A level subjects are allegedly easier than they were, makes you wonder why and how they are allowed to be so bad ...
I'm with you on that one, what a great way to spend three years - better buy a lottery ticket ...
I don't claim to be fantastic or even good but I know what I know thanks to myself.
You don't need a degree to understand photography, there are many educational resources out there for 'self taughties'.
There's a big difference between wanting to learn a craft for career reasons and choosing to self educate for personal reasons (enjoyment). Regardless of what camp you are in, if you have a genuine interest in any subject you are naturally going to sponge more information imo.
I would love to to do a degree in photography as I know I would find all aspects (artsy and scientific) immensely interesting. It's just a shame that career opportunities and high income potential in the photography business are not that great.
You assume that a degree is just for career reasons? We have many mature students who have no intention of chasing photography as a career; They just want to learn more about the medium they use and it's possibilities beyond the merely technical and conventional. They enrolled because they want to explore photography as a art medium or a communications medium. Our oldest student so far was 68.
With all due respect... that sounds as if it's because you were never there, and when you were, was perhaps the not the most attentive studentYou've already explained why you went on the foundation course, but what then made you enrol on the HND?
Sorry?
(if I remember correctly Pookey, you work in the photography education field don't you? Sorry if I'm preaching to the choir with any of that if so!)
You assume that a degree is just for career reasons? We have many mature students who have no intention of chasing photography as a career; They just want to learn more about the medium they use and it's possibilities beyond the merely technical and conventional. They enrolled because they want to explore photography as a art medium or a communications medium. Our oldest student so far was 68.
While you don't need a degree to enjoy it, I think you'll find the majority of "the best in the world" have. There are a great many who haven't of course, but they simply would have been better at enforcing the level of study required themselves, that's all.
Do you NEED a Degree to enjoy photography......................................................................................No
Just a CAMERA
You don't even need a camera to enjoy photography which has already been created.
Steve.