OCA The Art of Photography Course Discussion Including Assignments and Submissions

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Reidy36 said:
Well i have the package, so presume i can now be classed as a mature student.

Had a quick look through it (nothing too heavy tonight), and going to put off emailing my tutor for a day or two, so that i get my profile email right and not put any old rubbish and he think i'm a moron. I had better look him up, I do hope he is more of an outside fresh air tutor than studio.

Silly one, but on getting the NUS card, on the education bit, on the drop down it has Art and design, is that the category it comes under, the only other option is other, but that doesn't seem right ( i have been winding my g/f's daughter up saying i am joining her on freshers week next week).

I had better sort my blog out as well now it's official.
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Enjoy and good luck with setting up your blog. I'm expecting my package on Monday and getting really excited now.
 
Carol S said:
Enjoy and good luck with setting up your blog. I'm expecting my package on Monday and getting really excited now.
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Thanks Carol.
I was impressed with how it was wrapped, nice bit of tissue paper etc (bit of a gay comment, but notice these things now as GF expects pressies to be wrapped to a high standard and not a typical blokes just stick loads of sellotape on it).
Weekend will be reading through the paperwork a few times. The book about photography they give looks heavy going, maybe try and start that.
 
I was impressed by the presentation of the course materials too. Without wishing to spoil it for Carol, they have obviously put time and thought into how it looks; perhaps not too surprising for an arts-based college.

I've been reading through the books and my tutor has been in touch, and we're due to speak before the end of the week.
 
My last tutor was John Todd, fantastic feedback and advice. Anyone got him?

Oh and I said you'd enjoy unwrapping ;)
 
Byker28i said:
My last tutor was John Todd, fantastic feedback and advice. Anyone got him?

Oh and I said you'd enjoy unwrapping ;)
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I think the person who wraps them, used to wrap for la senza, was waiting for loads of little perfume balls to drop out.
 
My parcel arrived yesterday- it was lovely. Just starting to read through everything and my tutor has been in touch- mine is Norman moulsley. Anyone had him? Really looking forward to getting started
 
Another new student here. Signed up on Thursday and the coursework arrived on Friday :)

I'm a little bit gutted as I had meant to sign up the previous week when the course was £300 cheaper but as I was on holiday it completely slipped my mind.

I've just finished configuring my Wordpress site at http://www.imlee.co.uk/learning-log so now to make a start :)
 
Manxmaid said:
I was impressed by the presentation of the course materials too. Without wishing to spoil it for Carol, they have obviously put time and thought into how it looks; perhaps not too surprising for an arts-based college.

I've been reading through the books and my tutor has been in touch, and we're due to speak before the end of the week.
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I got my parcel today - and thank you all for not spoiling the surprise as the presentation was amazing; I am really impressed. My tutor has been in contact and we are going to speak next week, which will give me time to read through the various booklets. He has kindly agreed that I can start the exercises in January, but I have decided to start straight away on the reading material and also set up my blog - I'm really excited (there is also the intermittent thought of "what the hell have I done here") and I can't wait to get going.

I don't seem to have received a log-in for the student website and the site does not recognise my email address. However I'm sure a quick call tomorrow to OCA will sort out; they have been incredibly helpful so far.

I'm looking forward to keeping in touch and seeing how others are getting on.
 
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I hadn't received a log-in for the website within the five working days mentioned in the initial email so I contacted them late on Wednesday afternoon and received my log-in a couple of hours later.

I've been reading the course materials and my new blog is still a work in progress, and I'm aiming to make a start on the initial exercises this week. It looks as though a few of us have started this recently so it will be good to compare notes.
 
It's September, so there seems to be quite a few students start then as its the traditional school year.

Read through your course and work out timescales and how long you think it's going to take. I thought it was timed to occur over a year, but I started in late October so ended up trying to do colours in winter and in the light section there's an exercise for recording the same image every daylight hour. I hit that on the longest day of the year so shot from 4:30am to around 10 pm.

Apart from that, enjoy. Do look at other students blogs for useful advice and I also made sure I didn't shoot the same images. Keep an eye out on the student forum for trips as they are very worthwhile. I found them an interesting eye opener into the art world and actually got more depth from them than I imagined.

So welcome and enjoy. If you get stuck or want to talk anything through, there's quite a few people doing the course now and a wide range of experience on here. Looking forward to seeing some of your work.
 
No problem. I love the Isle of Man so I'm looking forward to your photos ;)
 
Second assignment sent off and feedback received. Positive feedback too, looks like I'm slowly moving forwards in the right direction, now - onto colours!

How are others getting on?
 
Out today, shot for the next two or three exercises which I'll write up tomorrow/ Monday, then it's assignment 3 which I'll take shots for tomorrow hopefully. It's on monochrome and I've found out there's a 40s event on reasonably close.

Decided I'm going to treat the course like work whilst I job hunt so the plan is to do at least 5 exercises a week.
 
How long should it take your tutor to get back to you? I emailed mine at the beginning of the week, and not heard anything back yet.

How long should i give it before sending another one?
 
A lot of the tutors are working photographers, so my first one used to do his Oca work on Sundays, but was generally good at responding to emails within a day or two.
My current tutor takes a week plus to reply. He went out the country for over three weeks with minimal notice just as I sent my first assignment to him!

I'd give it until aft the weekend then drop them another. Is it urgent? If so have you a phone number, or anything anyone here can help with?
 
Not urgent, just reading what others have said, it seems like mine was taking longer to reply.

Not started first bit yet, as been manic at work.
 
Working on part 2 of TAoP, been to London today on Hairy Goat walking photographic tour. Long day totally worn out, it's a 30min walk to my local tram station then 20/30min on tram and then 1 1/2hr on train. Bloody phone went flat so could not get taxi from tram station back home so had walk it. Still think I have got some good shots, will look at them tomorrow.
 
Reidy36 said:
How long should it take your tutor to get back to you? I emailed mine at the beginning of the week, and not heard anything back yet.

How long should i give it before sending another one?
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I generally get very quick responses, on a couple of occasions I have had a reply within 20 mins. When I submit an assignment I generally have feedback within 24 hours so I'm quite happy with mine.
 
robsea said:
Working on part 2 of TAoP, been to London today on Hairy Goat walking photographic tour. Long day totally worn out, it's a 30min walk to my local tram station then 20/30min on tram and then 1 1/2hr on train. Bloody phone went flat so could not get taxi from tram station back home so had walk it. Still think I have got some good shots, will look at them tomorrow.
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It's worth putting the phone charge in with your camera stuff if you're out all day. using the map etc around london eats the batteries on a smart phone.

Trains have mains points and some london taxis have chargers now, or you find a good place to stop for a coffee and use their power.
 
If I'm out for the day there's a few other items I make sure of (apart from charged batteries/extra memory cards).

A notepad and pen is a really useful addition. If you're out all day, it can be handy to have as an aid to remembering what you were thinking at the time, considerations for the shot etc. All those little bits you can add as extras into your blog which really help the tutor/assessor give you extra marks.

I used to record voice memos on my phone, but found writing made me consider it a little more.

A hat. I have a tilley which folds flat and goes in the bag. If the sun does come out it stops you getting sunburnt, acts as shade so you can see the screen in playback. If it's raining, it keeps the rain off you.

A couple of plastic bags, such as small bin bags. Emergency waterproof for the camera, something to sit/kneel on etc.

All small lightweight items that don't take up much room in the bag.
 
I too carry memory cards, additional battery for camera and plastic bin liner, but must admit not thought about the notepad and pen. Will add those to the camera bag, thanks.
 
true Mike but the light weight mains chargers wont take up much room.

I have a lowe pro camera ruck sack which in the bottom allows my camera with lens and another 2 lenses etc with lots of little pockets for stuff plus a top section for whatever you want eg food, jacket maps, charges etc. Easy way of carrying stuff and when adjusted isn't notoced and leaves both arms / hands free for the camera.

That way all those extra bits are always with you

On the tutor subject I have for TAOP mine replies in 1-2 days

@Rob - Did you do DPP or PP after TAOP. If DPP I'm wondering what you think of the course so far in terms of learning etc e.g. is it a lot of post processing work and skill learning (i'd be happy with this) and I'm wondering how much work with the camera is involved. Of course you need images taken to process them :D
 
Rockman said:
You can get foldout maps of cities that are about the same size as a postcard. They don't need recharging in the middle of the day.

Mike
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But that won't tell you where you are if you are lost ;)
 
FrattonFreak said:
@Rob - Did you do DPP or PP after TAOP. If DPP I'm wondering what you think of the course so far in terms of learning etc e.g. is it a lot of post processing work and skill learning (i'd be happy with this) and I'm wondering how much work with the camera is involved. Of course you need images taken to process them :D
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I went to DPP after TAOP, with the plan to do people and places next. I thought it carried on/duplicated a little from TAOP and if I'm honest, also a shorter, quick win for Ucas points.

Skill learning, I'm actually surprised how much I'm learning about my camera. Just little things but a lot more understanding that just instantly falls into place when I'm now shooting. Have a look at my blog if you want to see the exercises. I'm about half way through.
 
FrattonFreak said:
true Mike but the light weight mains chargers wont take up much room.

I have a lowe pro camera ruck sack which in the bottom allows my camera with lens and another 2 lenses etc with lots of little pockets for stuff plus a top section for whatever you want eg food, jacket maps, charges etc. Easy way of carrying stuff and when adjusted isn't notoced and leaves both arms / hands free for the camera.

That way all those extra bits are always with you
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I to have a Lowe pro ruck sack, but find it cumbersome in a city or town, but ideal when out in the countryside. Also have a Billingham Hadley for quite some time, but find that to small to get all the bits I require in. Otherwise that would be ideal around town. Saw an advert for Tenba messenger bag yesterday, might have a look at those and put the Billingham on eBay.
 
Byker28i said:
But that won't tell you where you are if you are lost ;)
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That is very true, I am so used to gps mapping now that I have not used a paper map in ages.
 
@robsea - I guess its horses for courses. I dont find it a problem at all but there are probably so many variations that you may find something that suits you for what you use most. At its smallest a simple camera bag may be fine.

What I like about mine is that it doesn't look like a camera bag, it loooks like a ruck sack.

@Rob - Thanks for the comments. Yes, I'll take a look at your log
 
Well, I've sorted my OCA-student log-in out - full marks to Paul at OCA for sending me my details so promptly and I've spoken with my tutor tonight. He is happy for me to start the photographic projects in January and gave me some useful tips, one of which is to evaluate my work all the time.

Meanwhile I will start with reading my camera manual; I have dipped in and out of it in the past but not read it from cover to cover.

I've borrowed Charlotte Cotton's 'The photograph as contemporary art" from the library (although it is the first edition) to read on my way to work and I must say that, apart from chapter 3 'Deadpan', the majority of the pictures are not to my taste at all, which is rather worrying. I hope that I'm going to be 'arty' enough for this course...
 
No don't worry, that's the very arty one I struggled with. There's a picture early on with a trike in the street. Google the image and artist. I think that image sold last year? :)
 
I've been really busy shooting. Got the photos for assignment 3 done yesterday and the 3 exercises before also, finishing shooting those today. Now I've just got to write up the exercises, sort out the assignment shots and get them printed and sent off. Trying to get it all done this week.

Assignment 3 is monochrome so hunted out a 40s event yesterday. I might print them on some silver gelatin paper.
 
Took me most of the weekend just to 3 TAOP exercises for part 2 then process them and write them up

@Carol - Dont worry. I've not seen those specific images but I've seen plenty to make me think the same also. I've only recently done Assignment 1 for TAOP. Initital comments so far is that there is a fair bit of work aside form taking images but much is actual self critique and self analysis e.g. what I've learnt, what I could do better and its actually a really good way of learning as well as expressing why you took images of specific subjects the way you did. If you borrow or but Michael Freeman's book the photographer's eye you'll find this really good and well laid out and an excellent companion to TAOP and is worthing reading now then re-reading when you do TAOP. This way of learning can appear overwhelming at first but dont worry you'll be fine.
 
Byker28i said:
No don't worry, that's the very arty one I struggled with. There's a picture early on with a trike in the street. Google the image and artist. I think that image sold last year? :)
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I think that's a william eggelstone picture

see the cover of this book
 
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