Has anyone completed the Photography Institute online course?

Well been thinking about a career change and maybe starting with a qualification may get me on the right road to eith full or part time work. Either way at the scufffed price it will be worth it at least to improve my photography. So signed up 5min ago and awaiting delivery.

John.
 
Well applied last night and immediatly got an email to acees the course materials online. Got another email this morning to say all is being packaged and will be mailed today and received within 48hrs. So far I am really impressed with the communication part and the contacts you receive for any problems that may arise.
Spent most of today on module 2 and am reading the asssignment details. Has anyone completed this and how many words do they expect as a reply ? 1000 / 2000 etc .

John.
 
lartamax said:
Well applied last night and immediatly got an email to acees the course materials online. Got another email this morning to say all is being packaged and will be mailed today and received within 48hrs. So far I am really impressed with the communication part and the contacts you receive for any problems that may arise.
Spent most of today on module 2 and am reading the asssignment details. Has anyone completed this and how many words do they expect as a reply ? 1000 / 2000 etc .

John.
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Can't remember if it specified the number of words but I did about 1000. I think as long as you cover the main points. You can always ask your tutor if you're not sure.

I'm sure the materials will be with you very soon too.

Every time I read this thread I'm reminded I need to get on with assignments!
 
lartamax said:
Well applied last night and immediatly got an email to acees the course materials online. Got another email this morning to say all is being packaged and will be mailed today and received within 48hrs. So far I am really impressed with the communication part and the contacts you receive for any problems that may arise.
Spent most of today on module 2 and am reading the asssignment details. Has anyone completed this and how many words do they expect as a reply ? 1000 / 2000 etc .

John.
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I did agout 1200 words....just under 2 pages......content more important than length...consice and honest is best policy for this assignment I think.
 
lartamax said:
Well applied last night and immediatly got an email to acees the course materials online. Got another email this morning to say all is being packaged and will be mailed today and received within 48hrs. So far I am really impressed with the communication part and the contacts you receive for any problems that may arise.
Spent most of today on module 2 and am reading the asssignment details. Has anyone completed this and how many words do they expect as a reply ? 1000 / 2000 etc .

John.
Click to expand...

Mine came to 671 words and I got a A+
It's more about content than length :)
 
Thanks everyone fir the feedback. I haven't received the package yet with the hard copy that also has the email address for my tutor so asked here.
I have been working from the online access at the moment and have 950words done for the first assignment which by the sound of things should be adequate. Many thanks for the help.
John.
 
yoby said:
Found Module three to be a tough one to start with, had far too many ideas but not enough confidence to actually submit any. Settled on tailing a colleague while he was shooting..... Then agonised over which images to submit.
Ended up getting an A- And if I'm honest, I knew exactly what the tutor was going to pick up on.


Nice selection of photos and congrats on the A grade. I have just completed the same module and am now completely stuck for inspiration for Module 5. Will have to get the thinking cap on.
Look forward to following your blog.

John.
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all i can say for most of the modules is ....be yourself ..

i veered away from the norm for module 5 and tried to take a lighthearted look at it....it worked tho .. i got an A ;)
 
lartamax said:
Nice selection of photos and congrats on the A grade. I have just completed the same module and am now completely stuck for inspiration for Module 5. Will have to get the thinking cap on.
Look forward to following your blog.
John.
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Cheers John,
Many months have passed and still not got round to module 5 - Not a total lack of inspiration, but have had work and home issues to deal with in the meantime. Hopefully be back on track soon.

matt.c said:
all i can say for most of the modules is ....be yourself ..

i veered away from the norm for module 5 and tried to take a lighthearted look at it....it worked tho .. i got an A ;)
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Congrats on the A - Not sure what the norm is for this module, let alone how to veer from it. I think part of the reason that I struggled with this one is that everything I have (or had) in mind initially was just sooooo boring.....

Still pondering though and have started on some of the other modules as well - Sport is covered, making Canvey Island appealing to tourists will be a nightmare. Think I may have to 'move' for that one ;)
 
yoby said:
I think part of the reason that I struggled with this one is that everything I have (or had) in mind initially was just sooooo boring.....
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that was my initial problem too ..till i started thinking outside the box a lil :)
 
Module 5 finally completed and away for marking. This is 1 module I am glad to get behind me. Now for number 6
 
Ooh lets dig this back up, I realise the thread has slowly changed from "The Photography Institute" course to the "Institute of Professional Photography" course.

Has anyone finished the entire course yet? As in all work has been submitted, and everything left to do with the course is done and dusted and you have received the accredited certification.

I would love to hear a review from someone who has completed the course, in regards to the entire course, the content, tutor feedback and whether they felt they had learnt a sufficient amount to justify the cost. Both the good and the bad, I realise no course will ever be perfect. Perhaps even any points where you had wished you had done things differently, such as the order of modules or problems you faced during the course etc. :)

Theres been dibs and drabs of good information saying its a worthy course but those that are part way through it, but a decent summary review of someone who has completed it fully and is looking back on it I believe will be invaluable for anyone, like me, considering the course.

:thumbs:
 
I'm getting kind of stuck for ideas on the assignment for module 5 "submit five versions of the same photo". What sort of objects or things did people use? I'm thinking of something like maybe flowers or a wine glass or maybe even a teddy bear but my fear is of sending it off and it not being any good. Any help would be gratefully received on this :)
 
I used my Swiss Army knife and took photographs of it with various blades out, with different props like a compass and a map etc.

Whatever you chose, just experiment with different angles and different props.

Don't be worried about sending stuff in, if its not up to scratch, you will soon find out and you will be given guidance. As the saying goes, you learn from your mistakes so go ahead and make a few. As the course goes on you will get more and more confident.
 
Moorey said:
I'm getting kind of stuck for ideas on the assignment for module 5 "submit five versions of the same photo". What sort of objects or things did people use? I'm thinking of something like maybe flowers or a wine glass or maybe even a teddy bear but my fear is of sending it off and it not being any good. Any help would be gratefully received on this :)
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The teddy bear sounds a reasonable subject. I chose to use a metal dog and put him in a number of imaginative locations both inside and out. I attach one of the photos so you can get an idea. I think that so long as you show some imagination and good technique you should do ok in this Assignment.


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Came stuck on module 5 myself. I chose 1 of my daughters teddy bears and shot it in a number of poses such as straight on or up a tree etc. As long as you use some imagination and vary the angle and depth of field in the shots to show an understanding of the material for that module you will be fine.

John.
 
I'm quite happy to see that I'm not the only one getting stuck on module 5! Thanks a lot for your feedback I really appreciate it :) I think the teddy is going to be a winner. My only problem now is trying to persuade my wife that I would like to borrow our unborn child's brand new teddy to take photographs of in different places. This could prove to be a lot harder than the module itself lol
 
just been reading through this thread and am tempted to go for one of the "scuffed" offers.

Anyone who finnished this in 2010 / 11, was it worth it? Did you make your money back in 90 days? have you set up a maintainable business from it? I just wouldnt mind some feedback on just how useful this course is in either using it as a stepping stone to maybe a uni course or as a way to actually earn a living once its done.
 
essexash said:
just been reading through this thread and am tempted to go for one of the "scuffed" offers.

Anyone who finished this in 2010 / 11, was it worth it? Did you make your money back in 90 days? have you set up a maintainable business from it? I just wouldn't mind some feedback on just how useful this course is in either using it as a stepping stone to maybe a uni course or as a way to actually earn a living once its done.
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I think the answer is with you.....the course really only gives you hints and tips, it is up to you to create the business. You have to create the openings and there is no guarantee of making your money back. The course should improve your photography and may point you in directions that you have not thought about.

Do the course if you have an interest in photography and want to improve. Don't do the course if you think it is an easy way to start working as a photographer.
 
I really need to get back to this course and get on with it. Its been in the back of my mind every week - so one thing I will say is try to set aside time to study and stick to it. I've been leaving it to 'when I get time' and that just doesn't come around - Christmas, family stuff, illness etc, have all got in the way.

But from my experience so far I'd say the best thing for me has been the help in building my confidence. A few positive comments from my tutor have been encouraging - along with constructive feedback as to where I can improve.

Right - will get back to it - next week!
 
niv2 said:
I think the answer is with you.....the course really only gives you hints and tips, it is up to you to create the business. You have to create the openings and there is no guarantee of making your money back. The course should improve your photography and may point you in directions that you have not thought about.

Do the course if you have an interest in photography and want to improve. Don't do the course if you think it is an easy way to start working as a photographer.
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I know what you mean but the course does set out to help you make money out of it, one of the guarantees being that youll get your money back one way or the other after 90 days of it ending.

I think my only concern with it is that i dont think im articulate enough to explain my photos. If a tutor wants me to break my pictures down and explain what i think makes them good then im not sure i can, ok, being able to do that would help no end in creating better images in the future but its not something you would do with a client in later life, if its not a skill they teach then i might be a bit stumped.
 
essexash said:
just been reading through this thread and am tempted to go for one of the "scuffed" offers.

Anyone who finnished this in 2010 / 11, was it worth it? Did you make your money back in 90 days? have you set up a maintainable business from it? I just wouldnt mind some feedback on just how useful this course is in either using it as a stepping stone to maybe a uni course or as a way to actually earn a living once its done.
Click to expand...

Regarding making your money back. I'm only on module 5 but the course has made me a lot more confident with my photographs and taught me how to compose them properly and think carefully about what I'm taking photographs of which in turn has made me produce some much better images then 12 months ago and last week a friend of mine approached me and asked if I would mind taking some photographs for his website which I really don't believe would of happened a year ago either so I think yes by the the time I have finished the course I will of made back some if not all of the money i paid. I hope this has helped :)
 
I have been looking at a couple online. I'm trying to decide if it's a waste of money or not!!!
 
KingK12 said:
I have been looking at a couple online. I'm trying to decide if it's a waste of money or not!!!
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Well I made my money back before finishing the course. Well worth it in my opinion.
 
well i finished the course 2 weeks ago ...and have made more than the course cost :) ...with more work lined up .....glad i did the course
 
I logged on here today thinking 'wonder if there is a good beginners section' and found this thread. With all the positive comments I am seriously considering signing up on www.inst.org (this is what you guys are all on about right? :lol:).

Huge dent in the pocket but might be well worth it. Hopefully it will bring my confidence level up and help me take decent pictures

30 day cool down and a 90 day post course money back guarantee sounds good - nothing to lose I guess!
 
Yeah Sids that's the one. Already decided that I'll be joining the guys this summer when I should be able to free up the cash to do it, trying to move house as well so money seems to be dropping through holes in ma pockets just now.
Like you I'm hoping it forces me to think more creatively and gets the confidence levels up
 
Another 1 for the scuffed course. Though to be honest I haven't even taken off the shrink wrap on the files as I have been reading the material online.
Almost half way through and have made some money from my photography. Sold some prints and got some portrait bookings. Hooked up with a Wedding photographer for a couple of weddings and thinking about a career change to photography.
 
I just seen this for the 1st tme, good info, cheers
I feel like I've just done the course with all that reading in one thread
This sounds just the thing for me once i've mastered manual a bit better
Really enjoyed your feedback on it
 
Walked into the office to find a note from the mail room and I knew exactly what it was! That is one big package, tons of material that I need to go through :thinking: I could only carry half of it home lol

I have just finished module one and already thinking of my first assignment which is at the end of module two. Although I am in for the long haul I will try to give this at least a few hours a week. Trying to get the assignment out by Sunday
 
Well jump made, Scuffed course bought and paid for, so here the hard work starts, thought i best take the leap as getting a few paying jobs coming up and hopefully the course will get me some much needed techniques to make the most of the jobs :)
 
And me!! I have been reading the full tread over the last few days and tonight I'll be ordering a "Scuffed" package. For me I hope it will be a great way of getting my brain ticking over again and maybe.....help towards a career change. Here goes.!
 
Tell you they're swift, I ordered at 1730 last night by 1800 I was signed in to my online account and able to study and this morning got confirmation that package will hit post today!!
 
Good to see more people signing up to this. Might be useful to bounce ideas off each other as we work our way through the modules? :thinking:
 
There is also a flickr group which I joined when I started the course. It dosent seem to get much traffic but if enough people started using it maybe it would become a useful resource for those doing the course.

John.
 
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