OCA The Art of Photography Course Discussion Including Assignments and Submissions

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I've signed up to beat the price freeze like you but will be starting mid-july as I managed to get special dispensation as I have some other work to finish first. However it will be good to start with someone roughly around the same time and compare notes etc

You dont have to get them all (I hope!) I only have one of the listed books at the moment also which i'm 50% through reading and thats "The eye of the photographer", I think TAOP is based much around elements in this book. I'd recommend this book but do see what other people think also to be sure. To save money on books perhaps look on Amazon and ebay for used versions rather than new. I'd also ask here and on OCA forums which books people found most helpful to ensure any money you d spend was at least the best value for money. I guess our xmas / birthday lists will appear boring when we add books on to it :D. Also of the suggested book list, its to cover all the three of the level 4 courses. Having just spent the money for the first course its surely expected we are a bit broke for a while I would hope!

I will set up a blog file (blogger seems a popular and free choice)so will plan to get it up ready before I start the course.
 
FrattonFreak said:
I've signed up to beat the price freeze like you but will be starting mid-july as I managed to get special dispensation as I have some other work to finish first. However it will be good to start with someone roughly around the same time and compare notes etc

You dont have to get them all (I hope!) I only have one of the listed books at the moment also which i'm 50% through reading and thats "The eye of the photographer", I think TAOP is based much around elements in this book. I'd recommend this book but do see what other people think also to be sure. To save money on books perhaps look on Amazon and ebay for used versions rather than new. I'd also ask here and on OCA forums which books people found most helpful to ensure any money you d spend was at least the best value for money. I guess our xmas / birthday lists will appear boring when we add books on to it :D. Also of the suggested book list, its to cover all the three of the level 4 courses. Having just spent the money for the first course its surely expected we are a bit broke for a while I would hope!

I will set up a blog file (blogger seems a popular and free choice)so will plan to get it up ready before I start the course.
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Yes, is going to be good to start around the same time, yes I have been looking on eBay/amazon, off Leicester on fri, going to check out second hand book shops/ charity stores. have u been into photography for long x
 
I got my first DLSR about 2 years ago! I've done a few e-learning photography courses. I really love photography and I think my work is progressing.

I expect I'm at a lesser level than many people who start this but I'm not worried. Its all aout learning and progressing as an individual. It will be fun, and hard work I'm sure

I'm really looking forward to this!
 
FrattonFreak said:
I got my first DLSR about 2 years ago! I've done a few e-learning photography courses. I really love photography and I think my work is progressing.

I expect I'm at a lesser level than many people who start this but I'm not worried. Its all aout learning and progressing as an individual. It will be fun, and hard work I'm sure

I'm really looking forward to this!
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Me too, I have always loved photography, I've had digital for years but got my first dslr in 2006. I did an evening class, and last yr I completed a level 3 art & design foundation diploma specialising in photography. Although I love it I don't really know that much, but I am so excited to get started on the course, yes it's gonna b hard, but well worth it, 6 yrs is a long time, but bring it on!!! I have a canon 60d, & 450d x
 
I'm another one that has only had a dslr for 2 years and have started this course.

Exercises 1 & 2 done and going out to shoot exercise 3 tomorrow hopefully.

From what I have read so far (only up to assignment 1 really) it seems like elements would be fine. I'm planning to use Lightroom and if I need to do any pixel level editing I'll use GIMP. I do aim to get and learn CS at some point though.
 
Byker28i said:
I've had a pm about the book list, so I thought I'd put my thoughts on this thread.

There is a suggested reading list and you will be expected to read/blog about them. It's also handy to stick references into your posts. I wrote one bibliography post and reviewed the books, this time I'm adding references into my posts.

As much as I hated reading Charlotte cotton, photography as contemporary art (because to me a photo shouldn't need pages to describe it) , it's an important book to read because this is an art based degree and it'll get you info that thinking, plus inteoduce you to some interesting, famous images.

Don't know if you still get it with the course notes but Graham Clarke, the photograph, is another good book to read. Bit more historical, but again, photographers and images you should know.

The course is written by Michael freeman and his books appear on the reading list. I got photographers eye as an iPad app when it came up cheap one weekend. It's easy to think its another revenue stream for freeman, but actually his books are informative and I've bought a couple others.

I also bought a few other books. A couple of Joe McNally to help with my lighting, a don McCollum after going to his exhibition and it gave me another excuse for a blog post. You get extra smarty points for referencing other photographers work.

One not on the list but recommended is the photographers guide to photoshop, I think by Martin Evening. You can usually pick up the previous version copies quite cheaply, but it's a great guide to doing things in photoshop.

Incidently, if you move onto DPP, then I'm finding Lightroom a must as the first part is all about workflow and that makes it easy.

Any thoughts from the others?
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If you need any more suggestions for good books to read then I can fully recommend Within the Frame and Visionmongers both by David DuChemin. Beautiful photos and excellent text from my most admired photographer. :thumbs:
I also have a signed copy of Fay Godwin's Landmarks book which has some excellent work in it.
 
Hello Ian - thats good as thats you Leanne and myself just started. You'll see Leanne is starting officially from 1st June and myself from hopefully mid-July. If you have your blog going I'm sure that will be interesting. I used to live in Wonersh, just south of Guildford

Hello Andy - thanks for the suggestions. I think what worries me is how many books and my wallet! However I'm sure over time this will be OK. Fay Godwin - name dropper!

It will be interesting looking at each others work as we progress since everyone will have their own intepretation of the excercises and assignments.

Wow - this will be fun!
 
FrattonFreak said:
Hello Ian - thats good as thats you Leanne and myself just started. You'll see Leanne is starting officially from 1st June and myself from hopefully mid-July. If you have your blog going I'm sure that will be interesting. I used to live in Wonersh, just south of Guildford
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My blog is http://bushtography.wordpress.com, Warren.
 
A question to thos who have done or doing TAOP:

For assignments clearly the images produced are required to be of the best quality the photographer is able considering their skillset and interpretation for the brief. However for the exercises are people focusing primarily on the exercise, learning and the demonstration of this to the likely detriment of the image produced for the exercise? I hope you know what I mean here
 
FrattonFreak said:
A question to thos who have done or doing TAOP:

For assignments clearly the images produced are required to be of the best quality the photographer is able considering their skillset and interpretation for the brief. However for the exercises are people focusing primarily on the exercise, learning and the demonstration of this to the likely detriment of the image produced for the exercise? I hope you know what I mean here
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That is exactly what I am doing, for the assignment, I won't stop till I'm 100% happy with all images and feel that they are the best that I can do.

However for exercises, I will try to focus on the learning aspect of it, even if they do not come out as intended - leaving me the opportunity to criticise what I have done, what I dislike about them and what I would do differently in the future - which leads to the opportunity to demonstate that I have learnt from past mistakes when taking similar shots in the future.

To me the learning log / blog is exactly that, to assist in me learning and the development of my techniques, not to showcase all my finest shots.
 
Sorry missed this.
I've forgotten what the scoring is on the formal assessment but the assignments are important as are the learning logs. As said I don't think the learning log images are as important, rather the steps undertaken, what was learnt etc, but I did try to make the images interesting. Reading other students blogs are a good indicator and is in fact encouraged by tutors and a lot of time I've seen that the images are there to support the text of the exercises.
 
I think the learning logs are 20%. I understand they are important and sure its good to make them interesting but the question was around the quality of an excercise image opposed to an assingnment image - hope that makes sense.

Will do on the reading other logs - cheers
 
FrattonFreak said:
I've now signed up to TAOP so I am in time to register and beat the end of May deadline.

Thanks for the advice Byker and this has now been confirmed as OK and processed accordingly but I'm told its a one-off
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Have been wanting to sign, and due to work this year was going to wait a bit, however is it worth getting in whilst the price freeze is on? How much more money are we talking about? Means I can spend more on related bits.
 
As Biker says so sign up as a student for 1 course before 1st June at the prices will be frozen for 5 years

This is the summary:
There are a few possible options for you in terms of enrolment which are outlined below.

1) If you enrol between now and 31st May 2012, you will have a protected rate of fees until September 2017. For example, if you enrolled on a Level 1 module during this period, it would cost you £625 (2011/12 fee) and your future (post September 2012) Level 1 modules would be at the protected fee of £700 each (allowing for an increase in line with inflation each academic year).

2) If you enrol between 1st June 2012 and 31st August 2012, you would pay the current fee of £625 per Level 1 module during this time, and future 2012/13 Level 1 modules after this time would be at a cost of £975.

3) If you enrol from 1st September 2012 onwards, you would pay the new fee of £975 per Level 1 module in 2012/13.
 
This is probably going to be a very silly question. Within each module the are assignments and so many projects within each of those, when submitting the assignments u include ur final images printed and mounted ie 10x8, learning log (sketch books or copy, link for blog) but how do you present ur actual assignment? X
 
Exercises went in the learning log as did the full write up of my assignments. My taop tutor wanted prints so I sent 12x 8's as the best format for my camera.
My new tutor is happy to ready blog but I'm sending him prints too.

Final formal assignment I've copied all my blog to PDF and putting that on a USB stick along with the prints.
 
From what I've read the tutor will confirm his / her preference.

I have seen that its suggested photo prints sent for assignment are best attached to backing card slightly bigger than print (avoids soiling of the print) and perhaps labelled to enable assessors to match print to assignment item.

Link to the blog

All placed / posted in a box file

So....ask the tutor is best recommendation else see what others have done / note what I've read and confirmed above
 
FrattonFreak said:
From what I've read the tutor will confirm his / her preference.

I have seen that its suggested photo prints sent for assignment are best attached to backing card slightly bigger than print (avoids soiling of the print) and perhaps labelled to enable assessors to match print to assignment item.

Link to the blog

All placed / posted in a box file

So....ask the tutor is best recommendation else see what others have done / note what I've read and confirmed above
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Thank you, have you got ur stuff through yet? X
 
Byker28i said:
Exercises went in the learning log as did the full write up of my assignments. My taop tutor wanted prints so I sent 12x 8's as the best format for my camera.
My new tutor is happy to ready blog but I'm sending him prints too.

Final formal assignment I've copied all my blog to PDF and putting that on a USB stick along with the prints.
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Thanks, I was just wondering as you made one comment on a previous thread, that what was seen on the blog is approx 20% of the total work, or did u mean, the other is research and practical :)
 
On average how much time do people actually spend on OCA work, projects, research, practical blog/learning log etc, each wk, I know they Advise 12 hrs for 12 month :)
 
Hi Leanne - I've delayed my start very slightly so they wont send this through until I request it. This will then become my formal start date. I think it was also me that said the learning log / blog accounts for 20% of the assessment (note thats the assessment marking % not the amount of time you spend), I think this is in one of the OCA Photography Degree guide books

OCA time per week. I think this depends on how quick you want to complete the course / degree etc. I've also seen 8hrs on average per week I think based on 1 course completed per year. I'd guess your time is spent a) with camera taking images b) processing images c) learning through this process on excercises and assignments d) creating / updating your learning log demonstrating your progression / learning etc e) research e.g. reading books, researching photographers, their work etc, looking at other students work and learnings (we can learn from other's mistakes as well as making our own! f) attending exhibitions / galleries.

I'm sure you need to be disciplined but because its distance learning you'll be able to be flexible with your time so that it fits in with your life. Most people do the distance learning courses as they already have busy lives / working lives etc.

I think with any learning you get the benefit based on how much you invest / practice etc. Some people may have more time to research more / practice more etc. However I think we can chat with our tutors when these are assigned about this who will have lots of experience i'm sure
 
FrattonFreak said:
Hi Leanne - I've delayed my start very slightly so they wont send this through until I request it. This will then become my formal start date. I think it was also me that said the learning log / blog accounts for 20% of the assessment (note thats the assessment marking % not the amount of time you spend), I think this is in one of the OCA Photography Degree guide books

OCA time per week. I think this depends on how quick you want to complete the course / degree etc. I've also seen 8hrs on average per week I think based on 1 course completed per year. I'd guess your time is spent a) with camera taking images b) processing images c) learning through this process on excercises and assignments d) creating / updating your learning log demonstrating your progression / learning etc e) research e.g. reading books, researching photographers, their work etc, looking at other students work and learnings (we can learn from other's mistakes as well as making our own! f) attending exhibitions / galleries.

I'm sure you need to be disciplined but because its distance learning you'll be able to be flexible with your time so that it fits in with your life. Most people do the distance learning courses as they already have busy lives / working lives etc.

I think with any learning you get the benefit based on how much you invest / practice etc. Some people may have more time to research more / practice more etc. However I think we can chat with our tutors when these are assigned about this who will have lots of experience i'm sure
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Hi, my official start is may 31st, getting really excited, I am going to do the degree, and if I want to complete it with student finance, then the first 3 modules I have 2, years to complete, 8 months each. then a module a yr, I am planning to dedicate 2 full days plus evenings a wk, I have spent my time working all hrs god send, from while I was at college to starting a family, so now I want to do what I love, I would like to eventually set up my own photography business, but for now I make celebration cakes, and assist in the running of play schemes. I really want to get as much out of this as I possibly can from doing this course both educationaly and personally. I did look at college an uni, but with my girls and being on my own that wasn't a viable option for me, I know I would miss out on visits, but want to still do as much as poss, and where possible do exhibits etc x
 
Prints

Each tutor has their preferences, but it's worth having a look at the formal assessment requirements to decide how you will send them in.

I'm using Matt prints (no fingermarks) with a large white border around. Label on the back with student number, assignment details, etc.


Time spent on exercises:
Well, my latest one (http://www.nineelmsphotography.com/blog/?p=716) took 5-10 mins to photograph and about 4 hours to write the blog entry.

I'm currently doing about 8 hours a week on mine, mostly an evening midweek and time at the weekends.

On top of the exercises, I'm reading my way through the suggested reading list, reading (and blogging) about other photographers etc.
 
Leanne - I'll plan on a module a year but lets see. I'd say photography seems more fun than work but I;m sure the modules will feel like hard work!

Byker - I see what you mean, in this case, on the photography time v blog time!! Its emphasising what you have learnt as blog and that can take time

I've just set up my skeleton blog ready for when i start and seeing yours it seems I've chosen the same blog layout - apologies but I'll assume thats down to to good taste :D

http://warrenjonesphotography.blogspot.co.uk/

I'll need to work out how I can set up up links and labels fo each excercise and assignment in a right hand column to make it easier for the tutor / assessor to find the specific elements rather than trawler through whole blog
 
FrattonFreak said:
Leanne - I'll plan on a module a year but lets see. I'd say photography seems more fun than work but I;m sure the modules will feel like hard work!

Byker - I see what you mean, in this case, on the photography time v blog time!! Its emphasising what you have learnt as blog and that can take time

I've just set up my skeleton blog ready for when i start and seeing yours it seems I've chosen the same blog layout - apologies but I'll assume thats down to to good taste :D

http://warrenjonesphotography.blogspot.co.uk/

I'll need to work out how I can set up up links and labels fo each excercise and assignment in a right hand column to make it easier for the tutor / assessor to find the specific elements rather than trawler through whole blog
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Hi, Can I be cheeky and ask how you go about setting up a blog, as I think I may have a go at blogging, as I think it may be less time consuming, as I tend to get a little obsessive with the learning logs I have done in the past :)
 
Thats not being cheeky :)

I'd never done one before. You'll need a google gmail account then google something like create a blogger account.....its free

In addition you may also want a notebook to record ideas / thoughts / inspirations etc. cut outs from magazines etc.

If you google search OCA learning logs yu may see what other people have also done
 
FrattonFreak said:
Thats not being cheeky :)

I'd never done one before. You'll need a google gmail account then google something like create a blogger account.....its free

In addition you may also want a notebook to record ideas / thoughts / inspirations etc. cut outs from magazines etc.

If you google search OCA learning logs yu may see what other people have also done
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Cheers, just checked my mail and my first module being sent out 2mrw 3 wday del Ooooh!

Yes I must admit I have been going through looking at different blogs etc.listing my books I have, only 1 off the reading list mind. I have found some on the Internet really cheap then you realise it's the wrong edition!!!!
 
FrattonFreak said:
I've just set up my skeleton blog ready for when i start and seeing yours it seems I've chosen the same blog layout - apologies but I'll assume thats down to to good taste :D

http://warrenjonesphotography.blogspot.co.uk/
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Nice - I tried a few and thought the black layout suited the photos. I'm using Piano black by monolab
http://www.mono-lab.net/download/


A couple of comments: OCA learning log runs off the picture at the top, on my browser.

There's no site title that appear in the browser tab
 
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edra78 said:
Hi, Can I be cheeky and ask how you go about setting up a blog, as I think I may have a go at blogging, as I think it may be less time consuming, as I tend to get a little obsessive with the learning logs I have done in the past :)
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Various ways, some use blogspot, or other already setup blogging sites.

I wanted to teach myself more as I made my website teaching myself Joomla just before I started, so mine is based on Wordpress. Really easy to set up and administer but I've done mine on my own hosted server.
 
Byker28i said:
Nice - I tried a few and thought the black layout suited the photos. I'm using Piano black by monolab
http://www.mono-lab.net/download/


A couple of comments: OCA learning log runs off the picture at the top, on my browser.

There's no site title that appear in the browser tab
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Thanks for the feedback

The text is embedded in the image so it shouldn't happen. However in IE7 & IE8 its fine, if I use Google Chrome it runs off as you said. Ahhh it doesn't actually run off, chrome crops the image on the right hand side aligning image edge to right hand of text, IE 7 & 8 extends it

Ill have a look at this on weekend

No site title in browser tab:
I get in chrome = http://warrenjonesphotography.blogspot.co.uk/
In IE7 = http://warrenjonesphotography.blogspot.co.uk/

Perhaps I misunderstand you on this bit

It goes wrong already just setting up the blog lol hahahaha
 
Dont. Browsers do my head in. How hard is it to get them all to work the same?
 
OCA login detail arrive excited :)
Go to log in the site won't open :(
 
Just checked - typical for you the site is down.

First time I've ever seen it down, so it's not usual
 
Byker28i said:
Just checked - typical for you the site is down.

First time I've ever seen it down, so it's not usual
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Hopefully get sorted today :)
 
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