I want to be a PhotoJournalist

lauren22

lauren22

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Are photography degrees really worth the tuition fees or would you gain a better experience from going to do some work experience in the field and making some contacts that way? Would really like to hear from current/ ex- students for some much needed advice!
 
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Looks like we're in a similar boat?
I'm nineteen & after leaving college last summer I've decided I'm definitely going to head down the university route this coming winter. There are UCAS fairs this Spring that're worth going to & finding out more ~ they can answer those questions for you. I attended one in London last year & have just booked myself onto this years in Kent. Well worth attending to find out about courses, student life & of course, the value of it all to you. I've found that perhaps the experience, the opportunities opening & the access to amazing facilities are incentive alone to try university. Perhaps book yourself onto a few open days onwards from October? Best wishes.
 
I'm in first year of a photography degree at Bath Spa, tbh I wouldn't have felt ready to go out and start earning, or have the experience required. I would definitely recommend university, I've already met people who will become useful contacts in the future, and really enjoying the course!
 
@Digitalize It's reassuring to hear that someones found going worthwhile :} I had doubts myself much like the original thread creator last Summer/Autumn. After a LOT of thought into it, university seems to be the ideal stepping stone & natural progression. Not to mention, as I mentioned, the access to facilities & opportunities to define my work further.
 
I can't comment on this myself but i can give my opinion on the situation my bruv is in.
He is just coming to the end of his third year studying photojournalism. And what i have seen so far is that it is far less practical based and plenty of theory, don't get me wrong, you need the theory but you also need the practical, real world ability to survive when you graduate (or not) and are unleashed into society.
Now Im not sayin by brothers work is under par by any means, he's rather quite good but it seems to me that if he only shot what Was required by uni then his practical ability would be poor. And lookin at some of his fellow students this is a common occurrence. I have been to every exhibition he's had work Im since he was doing his art foundation course and you can defiantly see the split between the workers and the ones who try to justify what they have done with an essay describing the "torment and transgression of the soul" or some bunkum along those lines, when the work is shoddy and uninspired.
But what it will offer is the opportunity to create a network, have access to top equipment including dark rooms and print rooms. I don't think its a waste of time and this day and age i would rather spend three years in university to ride out the storm of recession than try and build a business in a recession.
 
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I think a photography degree or qualification would be nice to have, but I`ve only been asked once in 10 years if I had qualifications in photography, I did explain i didn`t have, but got the job anyway. I think people base a booking more on your experience, portfolio, and personality. Although having said that I would love to do a photographic degree, as i would find it very interesting.
 
lauren22 said:
Are photography degrees really worth the tuition fees or would you gain a better experience from going to do some work experience in the field and making some contacts that way? Would really like to hear from current/ ex- students for some much needed advice!
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What do you want to do?

"Photography" is a broad term that covers many disciplines, most of which have very little in common. Different courses aim in different directions, so the wrong course could be no better than not going to Uni at all if it's not heading in the direction you want to take.

There's been a few threads on this in the past, and it's worth reading back on these discussions. Some of the opinions on the most useful courses might surprise you - particularly if you're thinking of journalism or setting up on your own.
 
Simon photo said:
But what it will offer is the opportunity to create a network, have access to top equipment including dark rooms and print rooms. I don't think its a waste of time and this day and age i would rather spend three years in university to ride out the storm of recession than try and build a business in a recession.
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I second that last part I have quoted.
Perhaps this course in particular is rather theory based? Many courses differ between theory & practical parts & which dominates the course. Looks like that one is rather theory orientated.

Personally, university will give me access to facilities, an opportunity to further develop my own style with critique, a network to be a part of & to learn further history & theory {yes I'm a nerd like that}. The suitability of university & various couses is entirely independant to individuals.

For me, not going will make me feel that an opportunity has been lost. I already have that regret of not pursueing it whilst I could. Venturing out to university without the guidance of my past college lecturer seems daunting! But I'm determined to try despite that. You need to think hard about what is right for you & your needs. Best wishes.

Alastair said:
What do you want to do?

"Photography" is a broad term that covers many disciplines, most of which have very little in common. Different courses aim in different directions, so the wrong course could be no better than not going to Uni at all if it's not heading in the direction you want to take.
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Thanks very much for your advice, I was looking into photojournalism mainly or perhaps fine art and specialising in photography. Photography is not my only option though my mind may change when I get my AS results as I may pursue a degree in law and photography as a hobby. Does anyone have any recommendations for universities with particularly good photography programmes? I've heard Nottingham trent is good but was hoping for one further south.
 
Photojournalism and photography are different disciplines. There's a few photojournalists on the forum you should maybe have a word with, a thread titled "University" may not be tempting enough for them to bite at (or even look at). Maybe change the thread title (you can do this by editting your first post and choosing the Advanced edit option) to "I want to be a photojournalist".
 
I understand that they are two different things entirely but I am still unsure of my definite style. I prefer taking documentary style photographs. Photojournalism appeals to me the most as a profession
 
Try here for looking at course info. The "% of employed with grad job" isn't really indicative; I think the question is asked six months after graduation, and as far as I know it doesn't ask what job you're doing.

I've mentioned elsewhere that the last newspaper interview panel I was on when recruiting a press photographer had around 140 applicants (for a regional paper), and none of the six who were shortlisted had any formal qualifications in photography.

Me, I'd say do an English degree if you're interested in journalism, or some sort of fine arts/graphic design course that includes a photography element if you incline to snappery. The wider your skill-range, the more employable you will be. And try to find one that won't have you spending too much time in a darkroom. ;)
 
In all honesty. a current clean driving licence is worth more than a degree for a press photographer and the only qualification you really need.
 
Guess we're not in such a similar boat since the titles been changed! Best wishes regardless.
 
I was told it might spark more advice if I changed it sorry! But thank you very much, and yourself! I think I'm going to try and get some more work experience placements this summer and see how that goes!
 
It depends on what kind of photojournalist you want to be? Do you want to be a press photographer or someone who spends years covering a single subject/country?

If it is the latter then yes education is a good route in my opinion, not just institutional but you really need to educate yourself on the subjects that interest you and how your photographs are going to be taken when they reach public domain. There are a lot of 'photojournalist' who think that their money is better spent on a plane ticket and some gear than education and that is not true. They produce pictures that are stereotypical and overly westernised - think of the photographs that emerge from Africa year after year.

Research the course you want to do and make sure you really want to do it, you won't regret it. :)
 
More like magnum type photojournalism, my main problem is the money as most high quality universities are going up to £9000 which is a real issue. I do realise that a photojournalism degree would be beneficial in the side of history and politics and would allow me to document things from a knowledgable perspective but I still have a lot to learn in terms of technique. I think I will just have to have a look around and see what degree would offer the best range of skills (not one that will just offer a 'portfolio building program'). Thank you for the advice.
 
Uni fees shouldn't be an issue, you're not paying up front for them and the repayment scheme is quite reasonable. Yes, it's a shame they've risen (I'm on the old fees), but I'd still go to University anyway. I've got a similar goal to you, I've chosen to study a more multidisciplinary degree (English Lit) and get stuck in with the student journalism scene at my uni (which has opened up quite a few contacts as well).
 
I was talking to a editorial photographer last week......a 10 day shoot resulting in a feature in Vogue, paid by the column, total pay £300
 
If you want to actually do a PJ degree then Newport and Falmouth are probably two of the best in the country. Failing that look at a one year foundation in photography and follow that up with an NCTJ course at either Sheffield or Bournemouth for press photography.
 
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lauren22 said:
More like magnum type photojournalism, my main problem is the money as most high quality universities are going up to £9000 which is a real issue. I do realise that a photojournalism degree would be beneficial in the side of history and politics and would allow me to document things from a knowledgable perspective but I still have a lot to learn in terms of technique. I think I will just have to have a look around and see what degree would offer the best range of skills (not one that will just offer a 'portfolio building program'). Thank you for the advice.
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You sound like you know what you want to do which is great, more than I did when I started my degree! :) I am in debt with my degree and although it is nothing to be taken lightly I do not regret it at all, I have learned so much and found out what I want to do in life.

DemiLion said:
IF you want to actually do a PJ degree then Newport and Falmouth are probably two of the best in the country. Failing that look at a one year foundation in photography and follow that up with an NCTJ course at either Sheffield or Bournemouth for press photography.
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+1 Heard good things about these degrees. Good tutors with a lot of visiting lectures as well.
 
Choose the course wisely and it could be very useful to you. There are a lot of almost worthless courses out there, but a few very good ones as well.

I did a two year uni course when I moved down here - not in any specific area of photography. The course itself was OK, but the people it put me in contact with gave me opportunities I never would have had without it.

I'd guess about 80% or more of my income now comes from people I met either directly or indirectly through uni. Granted, mostly not in photojournalism.
 
In my opinion the only photojournalism course worth doing is the one run by the NCTJ (National council for the training of journalists). The course takes place in Sheffield, you can either do it as a full time student or get a newspaper to pay for you (in which case you do 6 or 8 week blocks on the course followed by equal time working at a newspaper).

I did the NCTJ back in 1988, a newspaper paid for me to do it and afterwards I got a full time photographers job at the newspaper.
 
I'm afraid that you're out of date Simon.

There are now two NCTJ courses, both of which are full time only, and regionals no longer pay course fees- it's entirely off your own back. Likewise, staffers' jobs are very few and far between now.

For pure PJ work, as opposed to press photography, there's absolutely nothing wrong with either Newport or Falmouth.
 
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