OCA The Art of Photography Course Discussion Including Assignments and Submissions

Status
Not open for further replies.
I'm currently working on assignment 1. Having trouble finding the time to work on it properly, but that's life for you. The exercises took longer than I expected due to the amount of writing I did, but I can see how it's helped prepare me for the assignment.

So far, I'm enjoying the work and get on well with some of the students. I'm having trouble with some of the tutors though; there seems to be a lack of teaching expertise to put it mildly.

Byker, that is a good score. Congratulations!
 
Byker - It appears I didn't submit my congrats post, so......well done. Would be interested in hearing any feedback regarding critique / improvement as it will helps us all.

I'm actually looking forward to completing the excercises to get to the first assignment - I'll worry about the subjects for the contrasts when I get there but will hopefully have some inspiration on the way
 
Byker28i said:
My first time at degree level too - thanks

Scoring, I was surprised at how low the scoring was:
First-Class Honours (First or 1st) (70% and above)
Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1, 2.i) (60-70%)
Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2, 2.ii) (50-60%)
Third-Class Honours (Third or 3rd) (40-50%)
Click to expand...

That probably indicates how hard the marking / awarding of points is!
 
Not had my feedback yet. I'd be really interested in what they say about my scrapbook (digital only)

Assignments always take ages with me as I like to submit really good images for them and fit the brief. Also there's a little nervousness with them that isn't there with the exercises, so sometimes it's easy to put off the work, but usually when I start writing it up I don't like to stop. It's not unusual for me to shoot 200-500 images for an assignment of 12. I think I've shot over 300 for this assignment as I try different things, change my mind, shoot again etc.
 
There's an I testing post on the student site by tutor Jose about how 50% is a good mark and is average.
 
Last edited:
Hi all,

currently saving for this course. In the meantime - what bokks are recommended reading - i may get a couple to get a little head start...
 
Two books that are highly recommended for all new learners -

Understanding exposure by Bryan Peterson
&
The photographers eye by Michael Freeman
 
I'm also saving up for this course and hoping to sign up before 01 Sept so as to benefit from current prices :-). Planning on starting on 01 Jan 2013 as I will be moving house in late September so want to get the chaos out of the way first! I think I will find it challenging as I am not a creative person by any means (I work in a bank so pretty left-brain stuff) but am hoping TAOP will find some hint of creativity lurking deep inside and drag it kicking and screaming to the surface. Having read this thread, I realise that I will get out of TAOP what I put in so I'm looking forward to doing some preparatory reading and also getting to grips with setting up a blog (moment of sheer terror strikes!). I've been lurking on this thread for a couple of weeks now whilst deciding whether to take the plunge and I'm happy to be part of such a lovely group of people.
 
Last edited:
Ho Carol - I work in IT and got my first DLSR 2.5 years ago and I have no creative skills I was aware of previously. I think if you want to create images rather than just take them then this could be for you.

In terms of blog I use blogger and its quick to get used to.
 
faddius said:
Two books that are highly recommended for all new learners -

Understanding exposure by Bryan Peterson
&
The photographers eye by Michael Freeman
Click to expand...

Anything by freeman really, as he wrote the course. Also google for his website/blog
 
FrattonFreak said:
Byker - I forgot to ask how long you spent on the TAOP...just a guide
Click to expand...

October 2010 to march 2012. Should probably have done it quicker but took lots of time over the assignments and have a 3-4 week gap at one point due to work/ artistic brain freeze. I didn't pick up the camera at all during that time.
 
FrattonFreak said:
Ho Carol - I work in IT and got my first DLSR 2.5 years ago and I have no creative skills I was aware of previously. I think if you want to create images rather than just take them then this could be for you.

In terms of blog I use blogger and its quick to get used to.
Click to expand...

Thanks Warren, that gives me some comfort. I got more involved in photography about a year and a half ago (previously I was a happy holiday snapper) with a CSC. Upgraded (more of a quantum leap really) to a Nikon DSLR in May. '"if you want to create images, rather than just take them" hits the nail right on the head for me although I hadn't thought of it like that; I was just getting frustrated at having hit a plateau with my photography. So you've given me a mini lightbulb moment - thank you! :)

Will have a look at blogger.

C
 
Last edited:
I have also signed up for the OCA photography course, waiting for Photography 1: Art of Photography course work..... Got to say I feel very nervous as I have not studied for a while.
 
DPP assignment 2 mailed to my tutor today. I hope it gets a good review as I spent ages working on it - about 6 -7 weeks shooting and over a week on the write up.

I may have more time on my hands now - got notified I'm being made redundant today :'(
 
Well I have got just over 2 weeks until I start.
Feeling at the moment is what have I got myself into.
Starting to get organized, need to sort out a blog, going to be getting used to PP as I currently just take images as they come off camera.
Not done any learning like this for 20 years, and then was mainly practical.
I am sure once I am in the swing of things I will be less nervous.
 
Sorry to hear that Byker.

What editing software to people use please?

Thanks
 
Byker28i said:
DPP assignment 2 mailed to my tutor today. I hope it gets a good review as I spent ages working on it - about 6 -7 weeks shooting and over a week on the write up.

I may have more time on my hands now - got notified I'm being made redundant today :'(
Click to expand...

Shocking - sorry to hear that. A tough time for jobs but are you in an industry where you can get another in a month or so?
 
I have just got CS6 but elements or lightroom should be fine

You can get student editions (your OCA student card and a photo id should be enough, thats how I got CS6 for a fraction of the normal price. Best deal I found was on Amazon.

Once I receieved the software I emailed Adobe the scanned details at 5pm and by 9am the next day it had been approved and the licence key confirmed

I was impressed
 
FrattonFreak said:
I have just got CS6 but elements or lightroom should be fine

You can get student editions (your OCA student card and a photo id should be enough, thats how I got CS6 for a fraction of the normal price. Best deal I found was on Amazon.

Once I receieved the software I emailed Adobe the scanned details at 5pm and by 9am the next day it had been approved and the licence key confirmed

I was impressed
Click to expand...

wow thank you, I will have a look at amazon... :)
 
Last edited:
Well, I've taken the plunge and today signed up for TAOP. I've arranged for the course pack to be delivered in September with a view to starting properly in January due to house move. Now that I've actually parted with my hard-earned cash my first feeling is nervous and excited at the same time. I already have a copy of 'The Photographer's Eye' which I've only dipped into so may start doing some proper reading over the next few days to get used to how my life is going to be! Onward and upward as they say.
 
Nice work Carol - enjoy. The first few exercises wizz through.

Just had my comments back on my latest assignment but it feels a little cut and paste with a 2 line personal bit. Commented on my lack of easy access on my blog, but I've a full menu system at the top, an archive menu by month/year at the side and a full hierarchical category section as well. Apparently I haven't tags (but I thought that a little over the top).

My TAOP folder was returned from the assessors today, but I've not had detailed feedback yet.
 
Byker28i said:
Nice work Carol - enjoy. The first few exercises wizz through.

Just had my comments back on my latest assignment but it feels a little cut and paste with a 2 line personal bit. Commented on my lack of easy access on my blog, but I've a full menu system at the top, an archive menu by month/year at the side and a full hierarchical category section as well. Apparently I haven't tags (but I thought that a little over the top).

My TAOP folder was returned from the assessors today, but I've not had detailed feedback yet.
Click to expand...

I would be tempted to email your tutor by way of a polite challenge, you should be able to do this and after all its your development we are talking about so its key its personalised, not even mentioning the fee you have paid.

By tags what does this mean, a small section on the blog giving easy access to the assignment or the exercises or both? I though in these instances, and looking at others that url links are sent to the tutor for the assignment if its a digital submission. In terms of the blog I'd say most I've seen dont have this and few do (perhaps people comfortable and knowledgeable about how to set these up).

I have asked for guidance regarding blogs in terns of structure, layout and content but there is noi real guide. One tutor said its simply a personal thing. No consistency it appears.

Be interested to see your TAOP formal assessment feedback, of course subject to what you feel comfortable to share

Anyway I'm now within 2 exercises of the first assessment so looking forward to this. If anyone has time to look at my blog so far then here is a link, feel free tp post comments here or on the blog, critique and challenges are welcome, its how I will hopefully get better

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

Thanks
 
Last edited:
FrattonFreak said:
By tags what does this mean, a small section on the blog giving easy access to the assignment or the exercises or both? I though in these instances, and looking at others that url links are sent to the tutor for the assignment if its a digital submission. In terms of the blog I'd say most I've seen dont have this and few do (perhaps people comfortable and knowledgeable about how to set these up).

I have asked for guidance regarding blogs in terns of structure, layout and content but there is noi real guide. One tutor said its simply a personal thing. No consistency it appears.
Click to expand...

Tags are just keywords that you assign to things, so an exercise taken in the park may have the tags of park, exercise x, etc. They appear as a random jumble. Categories can be hierarchical, which is why I use them. See:
http://en.support.wordpress.com/posts/categories-vs-tags/



FrattonFreak said:
Be interested to see your TAOP formal assessment feedback, of course subject to what you feel comfortable to share
Click to expand...
So would I - I've not had it yet, but I've recently had it returned so I've mailed the office to ask when we get it.

FrattonFreak said:
Anyway I'm now within 2 exercises of the first assessment so looking forward to this. If anyone has time to look at my blog so far then here is a link, feel free tp post comments here or on the blog, critique and challenges are welcome, its how I will hopefully get better

http://warrenjonesphotography.blogspot.co.uk/
Click to expand...

Your blog looks fine. I like the dark colour backgrounds as I think it shows the images off better.
 
@Byker

Tags - yep off course, thanks for the link/explanation

My Blog - Thanks for the feedback. I'm sure the tutors have different views but there should be a general guide on what the assessors want....perhaps this info is already in the attachments element within each course

At the risk of getting much to much ahead of myself think about the next course is there a particular order say given a choice of P & P or DPP. Clearly you have gone DPP. Not knowing too much about the content I personally would think understand PP workflow and key aspect to have early so if my understanding is right then DPP seems a natural progress after TAOP?
 
I want to do people and places as well so looked at both courses (other student blogs) and decided on dpp after chatting to m last tutor. Partly it was the workflow and the fact it expanded on taop, partly it looks like it was a module I cold get through quickly. Also I wanted to finish with people and places as I had plans for travelling next year. Not sure hall apen now.

Blog wise, I don't think there's guides as such, it's more about the content, just so long as they can find the content quickly I guess.
 
Well, just been through the whole thread and bookmarked everyones blogs.

Still haven't sorted my blog out yet (coursework comes next week), so do i go blogspot or wordpress?

Going to be fun saying i am a mature student, never been a student, do i buy own brand beans or stick to heinz :-)
 
Both the student visits I've been on have had themajoritynof students as mature students. On the last one I think there was only two of us working.
I use Wordpress, which I find really good and easy, but I've got my own web space etc to host it.
 
Byker, so do you think wordpress wouldn't be as user friendly if you don't have a website? I have a wordpress app on my phone, just want one that I can access easily on my phone, so if I have a eureka moment or a bit of spare time I can add a few bits.
 
I plan on giving Wordpress a go as I really dislike the ui on blogspot. I find it very clunky and awkward, especially when it comes to adding and positioning photos in a post.
 
Reidy36 said:
Byker, so do you think wordpress wouldn't be as user friendly if you don't have a website? I have a wordpress app on my phone, just want one that I can access easily on my phone, so if I have a eureka moment or a bit of spare time I can add a few bits.
Click to expand...

I find Wordpress really easy. You can create your own free one on the main Wordpress site. There's a good guide here
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/15289/how-to-start-your-own-professional-blog-with-wordpress/

Before I started the course, I taught myself joomla and built my own website, so it just seemed a natural progression for me to host my own Wordpress blog as well, but it's not essential as you can have it ready hosted for you as above.
 
After reading this thread on and off for the last few months, I'm the latest to take the plunge and enrol for the course. I'm really looking forward to the challenge and to learning in a structured fashion, although slightly nervous too as I haven't done any formal studying for many years!

Time to sort out a blog now, while waiting for the course materials. Thank you to everyone who has kept this thread moving and shared so much advice; you've inspired me to give this a go.
 
Andrea, Have you decided which blog to go with? I am still looking, seems most have Blogger, but looking they all have their images in the centre (and read you can't change this, somebody please correct me if i am wrong), where in Wordpress, you can move the images around and a have some side by side (Byker, can you do more than 2 images in a row?).

I am presuming my course work comes this week at some point, guess what i will be doing this weekend then....lol
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top