Photography Course

[karmagarda]

Morning!

I've been looking into doing a course in photography and in the search I've come across the photography course via the Open College of Arts. After a quick search on the forum I've seen some fairly positive feedback on this course and it's structure. So it's looking like the course I may do if I choose to do one.

One part that interests me is how the APEL part works to get some credits towards the course. Have any of you used this way to get a head start in the course? And what did you have to submit? Was it just a link to a page (e.g. flickr/website), or did you have to write up a full portfolio and explain what your thoughts were behind each shot?

The reason I'm considering this approach is that at least 1 of the starter courses covers a lot of the stuff I've been learning myself using other resources. Things like composition, light, colour, etc covered in the "Art of Photography" for Level 1. I've even dabbled with things that are covered by others, such as People and Image Processing, but I would intend to take some of these courses to get myself off the ground.

I know a few people on here have done the course so, even ye that started it from scratch, what do you recommend? Is there anything in the first "Art of Photography" course that is worth spending £600~ that I'm missing?

Also, any other home learning or part time courses you can recommend?

Any other thoughts or advice is much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[karmagarda]

Actually another question to add to this. There seems to be a choice in what you can do for level 2. For those who did the course, what did you choose? Why did you choose it? And what did you learn from it?

Thanks!

 

[Captain Morgan]

I have been considering this for quite a while - too long really. The big issue, and what stopped me from applying is that I have been told by some very qualified photographers that I would be bored with the 1st year (level 1) as it would just repeat what I already know. I am not aware of any APEL available for this course?

 

[karmagarda]

I have been considering this for quite a while - too long really. The big issue, and what stopped me from applying is that I have been told by some very qualified photographers that I would be bored with the 1st year (level 1) as it would just repeat what I already know. I am not aware of any APEL available for this course?

Yeah, I was close to forgetting about it too until I dug a bit deeper and found this http://www.oca-uk.com/data/useful_documents/accreditation-of-prior-learning-apl-booklet-4.pdf. Some information >here< too. I would like to go down this route myself. Starting from scratch again would seem like a waste of money.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Thanks for that.

I hope some existing or former OCA students respond so that we can get a first hand view on the course.

ian

 

[karmagarda]

Thanks for that.

I hope some existing or former OCA students respond so that we can get a first hand view on the course.

ian

So do I! Although I intend to get onto the college too for more information on APEL.

 

[RichM]

This is a mighty cool looking course. I've been looking for a course that would credit me with a recognised qualification, i'm assuming that this is how it works?

Thanks for posting this i'll keep an eye on the thread.

 

[karmagarda]

This is a mighty cool looking course. I've been looking for a course that would credit me with a recognised qualification, i'm assuming that this is how it works?

Thanks for posting this i'll keep an eye on the thread.

I'm pretty sure that's how it works, yeah. It would be nice to have someone here confirm that though .

In regards to APEL I reread the document I linked previously (Clicky) and it gives a fairly good rundown on what's expected. So I think I'll have a shot at that when I'm pretty sure it will pass.

Word of warning, submitting work for APEL costs £250 to get reviewed regardless of whether it passes or not after that. If you've been in the game long enough you may be able to get this applied to more than 1 course too. It's a flat rate of £250 so could be worth your while.

 

[RichM]

I'm pretty sure that's how it works, yeah. It would be nice to have someone here confirm that though .

In regards to APEL I reread the document I linked previously (Clicky) and it gives a fairly good rundown on what's expected. So I think I'll have a shot at that when I'm pretty sure it will pass.

Word of warning, submitting work for APEL costs £250 to get reviewed regardless of whether it passes or not after that. If you've been in the game long enough you may be able to get this applied to more than 1 course too. It's a flat rate of £250 so could be worth your while.

I don't have the experience to take advantage of the APEL so i'll be going in blind... I better start saving up methinks. There's £100 fee also to get your course assessed.

 

[munchycarrot]

Also, any other home learning or part time courses you can recommend?

Any other thoughts or advice is much appreciated!

Thanks!

Just thought i'd pipe up...

I went to our local college to apply to get on the BTEC in 2008. I mounted some of my favourite pics and took them to the interview.
The tutor who interviewed me thought I would be bored with the course as the first year was from the very beginner levels & he suggested I go for the foundation degree.

Very reluctantly, I contacted another college who are accredited by Chester Uni & got an interview. I took the same work with me & got in based on that.

I am in my second year now & I love it... best thing I ever did. I go on a weds afternoon & all day thurs & fri even though it's classed as full time. It also means you can get some government grants to help with living costs etc.

I appreciate people work and things may prevent them from committing this much time but it can work. A lot of people I am at college with have jobs as well and seem to fit the course in around them.

I guess the point i'm trying to make is - I never in a million years thought I could study at this level (having never done any course in photography & left school 20yrs ago!) and it's brilliant, if not a bit stressful at times :bonk:

 

[karmagarda]

I don't have the experience to take advantage of the APEL so i'll be going in blind... I better start saving up methinks. There's £100 fee also to get your course assessed.

Yeah, I'm aware of that £100 too. Still, it works out at just under £4,500 for a BA degree so it's not too bad.

Just thought i'd pipe up...

I went to our local college to apply to get on the BTEC in 2008. I mounted some of my favourite pics and took them to the interview.
The tutor who interviewed me thought I would be bored with the course as the first year was from the very beginner levels & he suggested I go for the foundation degree.

Very reluctantly, I contacted another college who are accredited by Chester Uni & got an interview. I took the same work with me & got in based on that.

I am in my second year now & I love it... best thing I ever did. I go on a weds afternoon & all day thurs & fri even though it's classed as full time. It also means you can get some government grants to help with living costs etc.

I appreciate people work and things may prevent them from committing this much time but it can work. A lot of people I am at college with have jobs as well and seem to fit the course in around them.

I guess the point i'm trying to make is - I never in a million years thought I could study at this level (having never done any course in photography & left school 20yrs ago!) and it's brilliant, if not a bit stressful at times :bonk:

Sounds interesting. What college did you end up going to? (You say you took a course in a college accredited by Chester Uni). I'm interested it looking into it too. Although, I'm not sure if I could do that much part time. If I was contracting I might be able to do it, but I work a 5 day week. I think it would be quite difficult to try fit in a course that time heavy. I'm intrigued as to how the ones that work do it though?

Out of interest, how many photos did you take with you as part of the interview and of what standard were they? Links to some would be great!

 

[munchycarrot]

I ended up at Mid-Cheshire College.

I took 5 pics at 18x12 and a smallish 5x7 book with about 20 pics in. I can share some of the pics as soon as i get my Mac back from Apple, i'm using the lappy while it's away.

They were nothing special looking back, at the time I thought they were of course I used a variety of landscapes/portraits and little duck shots which i'm a bit emabarrassed about now

 

[karmagarda]

I ended up at Mid-Cheshire College.

I took 5 pics at 18x12 and a smallish 5x7 book with about 20 pics in. I can share some of the pics as soon as i get my Mac back from Apple, i'm using the lappy while it's away.

They were nothing special looking back, at the time I thought they were of course I used a variety of landscapes/portraits and little duck shots which i'm a bit emabarrassed about now

You shouldn't be at all embarrassed, it got you a good foot in the door for the course . My photos aren't anything spectacular, and I'm sure I'll look back some day and thing, gawd... I was crap back then .

That course at Mid-Cheshire looks quite interesting too. I might look into something similar closer to London in case I do consider changing to contract work.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[munchycarrot]

you're very welcome - good luck

 

[RichM]

You shouldn't be at all embarrassed, it got you a good foot in the door for the course . My photos aren't anything spectacular, and I'm sure I'll look back some day and thing, gawd... I was crap back then .

That course at Mid-Cheshire looks quite interesting too. I might look into something similar closer to London in case I do consider changing to contract work.

Thanks for the feedback!

Oh, i never thought to mention this

I also looked into a foundation degree at a local university. They were willing to accept applicants that were over 21 whom didn't meet the necessary qualifaction requirements if they had a portfolio of work and maybe some experience working in the field. Unfortunately i don't tick those boxes (I'm under 21 and a complete amature) but if you do, have a look into it.

 

[karmagarda]

Oh, i never thought to mention this

I also looked into a foundation degree at a local university. They were willing to accept applicants that were over 21 whom didn't meet the necessary qualifaction requirements if they had a portfolio of work and maybe some experience working in the field. Unfortunately i don't tick those boxes (I'm under 21 and a complete amature) but if you do, have a look into it.

Excellent, thanks for the heads up! I don't have any work experience, but I definitely tick the "over 21" box

 

[oskanoears]

I may be at risk of creating a stir with my thoughts on this one... iv read through the posts and wanted to try and understand a few things and also cast some light on others.

Let me start by noting my longterm girlfriend is a professional photographer with a masters degree obtained some 9 years ago, she works as a medical photographer in a large hospital taking pics of surgery skin disorders etc along with a specialism in eye photography doing flurosines and stereo imaging... whilst the degree furnishd her with the pre requisites to get the job and as a senior and being in post 9 years it yields a reasonable salary and one 3 fold that of working for the likes of venture.. the reality is its me she comes to for help when were out shooting in our own time in terms of how should I compose this and what settings should I use etc... my training in photography consists of reading a few magazines watching a few free tutorials on you tube and lots of picture taking til I figured it out, coupled with going out with anyone that knew more than me as often as i could.
I personally cant condone paying someone to look at my work and give me their personal (art is subjective view) thus I have no desire to pay to submit to exhibition or to spend money on courses when I can get stuff for free on the web or spend a few quid on a magazine... Be aware that doing a course or degree in photography doesnt mean youl get a job doing it and even if you do it looks like this... venture £12k to 15k a year/ medical photographer 15k-33k (very limited jobs) or you join the thousand other photographers out there and do weddings... and if you good at it and with some hard work you could touch the 25k mark a year but be mindful this is an extremely saturated market place and growing... even the pros say if they were starting out now they wouldn't stand a chance, stock agencies sell work for pennies if at all because they can find shots for free on the web... My aim here is not to discourage anyone from reaching their goals and dreams in life but neither would I want someone to spend £5k on a qualification that guarantees nothing and ultimately doesnt make you a good photographer... if it did, by applying similar thinking wouldnt all taxi drivers be wonderful drivers?
5k would buy some very nice camera kit especially in the second hand market and theres no substitution for getting out there and doing it and that doesn't cost anything but petrol or shoe leather.
focus on imaging is on at the NEC again this year in March seminars are run by pros either for free or very little pennies and you can book them on the site. The show is I think a tenner to get in you can speak with pros to your hearts content and gather more info in a few hours than your gonna get from a lecturer at a uni following a syllabus in 3 months.
Just mt 2 pence worth here and in no way is this meant as a put down or criticism its just my thoughts.
Andy

 

[shootmoi]

yeah a foundation at a university would provide the best facilities I believe they are free if you are a certain age but you would have to be around a bunch of 18-20 year olds all day so maybe a private course might be better for you

 

[oskanoears]

Morning!

I've been looking into doing a course in photography and in the search I've come across the photography course via the Open College of Arts. After a quick search on the forum I've seen some fairly positive feedback on this course and it's structure. So it's looking like the course I may do if I choose to do one.

One part that interests me is how the APEL part works to get some credits towards the course. Have any of you used this way to get a head start in the course? And what did you have to submit? Was it just a link to a page (e.g. flickr/website), or did you have to write up a full portfolio and explain what your thoughts were behind each shot?

The reason I'm considering this approach is that at least 1 of the starter courses covers a lot of the stuff I've been learning myself using other resources. Things like composition, light, colour, etc covered in the "Art of Photography" for Level 1. I've even dabbled with things that are covered by others, such as People and Image Processing, but I would intend to take some of these courses to get myself off the ground.

I know a few people on here have done the course so, even ye that started it from scratch, what do you recommend? Is there anything in the first "Art of Photography" course that is worth spending £600~ that I'm missing?

Also, any other home learning or part time courses you can recommend?

Any other thoughts or advice is much appreciated!

Thanks!

Hi Karma iv put a lengthy post in the thread but forgot to ask why you want to do a course as really thats whats important in your choosing here and how your pennies can best be spent in obtaining your goal.

 

[karmagarda]

yeah a foundation at a university would provide the best facilities I believe they are free if you are a certain age but you would have to be around a bunch of 18-20 year olds all day so maybe a private course might be better for you

I don't mind being around the 18-20 year olds, even if it did get a tad annoying after a while! If anything I was more mature when I was 18-20 than I am now, so I might just fit in

I may be at risk of creating a stir with my thoughts on this one... iv read through the posts and wanted to try and understand a few things and also cast some light on others.

Let me start by noting my longterm girlfriend is a professional photographer with a masters degree obtained some 9 years ago, she works as a medical photographer in a large hospital taking pics of surgery skin disorders etc along with a specialism in eye photography doing flurosines and stereo imaging... whilst the degree furnishd her with the pre requisites to get the job and as a senior and being in post 9 years it yields a reasonable salary and one 3 fold that of working for the likes of venture.. the reality is its me she comes to for help when were out shooting in our own time in terms of how should I compose this and what settings should I use etc... my training in photography consists of reading a few magazines watching a few free tutorials on you tube and lots of picture taking til I figured it out, coupled with going out with anyone that knew more than me as often as i could.
I personally cant condone paying someone to look at my work and give me their personal (art is subjective view) thus I have no desire to pay to submit to exhibition or to spend money on courses when I can get stuff for free on the web or spend a few quid on a magazine... Be aware that doing a course or degree in photography doesnt mean youl get a job doing it and even if you do it looks like this... venture £12k to 15k a year/ medical photographer 15k-33k (very limited jobs) or you join the thousand other photographers out there and do weddings... and if you good at it and with some hard work you could touch the 25k mark a year but be mindful this is an extremely saturated market place and growing... even the pros say if they were starting out now they wouldn't stand a chance, stock agencies sell work for pennies if at all because they can find shots for free on the web... My aim here is not to discourage anyone from reaching their goals and dreams in life but neither would I want someone to spend £5k on a qualification that guarantees nothing and ultimately doesnt make you a good photographer... if it did, by applying similar thinking wouldnt all taxi drivers be wonderful drivers?
5k would buy some very nice camera kit especially in the second hand market and theres no substitution for getting out there and doing it and that doesn't cost anything but petrol or shoe leather.
focus on imaging is on at the NEC again this year in March seminars are run by pros either for free or very little pennies and you can book them on the site. The show is I think a tenner to get in you can speak with pros to your hearts content and gather more info in a few hours than your gonna get from a lecturer at a uni following a syllabus in 3 months.
Just mt 2 pence worth here and in no way is this meant as a put down or criticism its just my thoughts.
Andy

Hi Karma iv put a lengthy post in the thread but forgot to ask why you want to do a course as really thats whats important in your choosing here and how your pennies can best be spent in obtaining your goal.

You're not stirring at all! I'm open to all opinions. I suppose I was considering it for a few different reasons.

Firstly, I've only been doing this for about 7/8 months now. So I'm very much beginner/amature. This lends me to a couple of reasons to do a course. Firstly, I want to learn quite a bit about this, and secondly I wanted a qualification under my belt. So I thought how about kill 2 birds with the one stone.

To add, most of the photographers I know actually do have qualifications of some sort. There's an odd few that were good with a camera and either had contacts, or talked their way into a job someway or another. I thought if I'm going to have a stab at maybe making a career out of this having a qualification under my belt would be money well spent? Although, on saying that, I don't know how people hiring photographers shortlist "beginners" or "trainees". If they look for some qualification then how do you get that initial experience under your belt? i.e. when starting afresh without any paper to say you're probably capable of X/Y/Z?

There's a couple of problems I suppose. 1 is I lack contacts. So I need to figure out someway to get my foot in the door. I see a course as an good way to learn, get a qualification under my belt, and maybe make a few contacts in the process.

I also lack the experience.

Does that make the slightest bit of sense? :bonk:

 

[RichM]

I may be at risk of creating a stir with my thoughts on this one... iv read through the posts and wanted to try and understand a few things and also cast some light on others.

Let me start by noting my longterm girlfriend is a professional photographer with a masters degree obtained some 9 years ago, she works as a medical photographer in a large hospital taking pics of surgery skin disorders etc along with a specialism in eye photography doing flurosines and stereo imaging... whilst the degree furnishd her with the pre requisites to get the job and as a senior and being in post 9 years it yields a reasonable salary and one 3 fold that of working for the likes of venture.. the reality is its me she comes to for help when were out shooting in our own time in terms of how should I compose this and what settings should I use etc... my training in photography consists of reading a few magazines watching a few free tutorials on you tube and lots of picture taking til I figured it out, coupled with going out with anyone that knew more than me as often as i could.
I personally cant condone paying someone to look at my work and give me their personal (art is subjective view) thus I have no desire to pay to submit to exhibition or to spend money on courses when I can get stuff for free on the web or spend a few quid on a magazine... Be aware that doing a course or degree in photography doesnt mean youl get a job doing it and even if you do it looks like this... venture £12k to 15k a year/ medical photographer 15k-33k (very limited jobs) or you join the thousand other photographers out there and do weddings... and if you good at it and with some hard work you could touch the 25k mark a year but be mindful this is an extremely saturated market place and growing... even the pros say if they were starting out now they wouldn't stand a chance, stock agencies sell work for pennies if at all because they can find shots for free on the web... My aim here is not to discourage anyone from reaching their goals and dreams in life but neither would I want someone to spend £5k on a qualification that guarantees nothing and ultimately doesnt make you a good photographer... if it did, by applying similar thinking wouldnt all taxi drivers be wonderful drivers?
5k would buy some very nice camera kit especially in the second hand market and theres no substitution for getting out there and doing it and that doesn't cost anything but petrol or shoe leather.
focus on imaging is on at the NEC again this year in March seminars are run by pros either for free or very little pennies and you can book them on the site. The show is I think a tenner to get in you can speak with pros to your hearts content and gather more info in a few hours than your gonna get from a lecturer at a uni following a syllabus in 3 months.
Just mt 2 pence worth here and in no way is this meant as a put down or criticism its just my thoughts.
Andy

Hi Andy,

Thanks for that informative post it's much appreciated. Where i stand at the minute is this:

I am 19 years old and lack the necessary qualifications to get on a "standard" college or University course (i have no background, other than GCSE's in anything creative) but am very keen about my photography. I would like to turn my hobby into my occupation and i REALLY dont mind what i'm doing as long as i have a camera in my hands.

The way i see it is, if it means me investing this money into my hobby and gives me and excuse to take pictures and spend time developing, while at the same time, working towards a formal qualification which may open up some occupational opportunities for me, i don't have an issue doing that.

I still read photography books and magazines and will continue to do so but i think this course could benefit me in the long term. At the moment i'm working with an average 9-5 job which i don't particularly want to do forever. Even if i earn 15k a year as a photographer i would be happy with that as a starting point.

I think it's a case of working out what's beneficial for you, personally. For me, although my photography is a hobby now, i would like to make it more so i think this course might just suit me.

 

[oskanoears]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for that informative post it's much appreciated. Where i stand at the minute is this:

I am 19 years old and lack the necessary qualifications to get on a "standard" college or University course (i have no background, other than GCSE's in anything creative) but am very keen about my photography. I would like to turn my hobby into my occupation and i REALLY dont mind what i'm doing as long as i have a camera in my hands.

The way i see it is, if it means me investing this money into my hobby and gives me and excuse to take pictures and spend time developing, while at the same time, working towards a formal qualification which may open up some occupational opportunities for me, i don't have an issue doing that.

I still read photography books and magazines and will continue to do so but i think this course could benefit me in the long term. At the moment i'm working with an average 9-5 job which i don't particularly want to do forever. Even if i earn 15k a year as a photographer i would be happy with that as a starting point.

I think it's a case of working out what's beneficial for you, personally. For me, although my photography is a hobby now, i would like to make it more so i think this course might just suit me.

Well I cant fault that at all In this instance I think your doing the right thing to follow your passion... when I was 19 I left my day job to return to college to follow my passion... ultimately its not what I ended up doing mainly because it didnt pay the bills however If I could go back id change nothing..I wish you the very best of luck with your application and hope you get where you want to be.
Cheers Andy

 

[RichM]

Well I cant fault that at all In this instance I think your doing the right thing to follow your passion... when I was 19 I left my day job to return to college to follow my passion... ultimately its not what I ended up doing mainly because it didnt pay the bills however If I could go back id change nothing..I wish you the very best of luck with your application and hope you get where you want to be.
Cheers Andy

Thanks a lot Andy, it's actually very encouraging to here someone tell me i'm doing the right thing. So far most of the responses have been more along the lines of "PHWOAR that's expensive!"

 

[Vic]

I dont know much about this particular course but for whats it worth Rich I also think you are doing the right thing. I was in the same boat as Andy and left a day job when I was 23 to do the photography course I am doing now and there are absoloutely no regrets. The things I have learned are invaluable not only technically but creatively. You'll hopefully meet some cracking people in the same boat (face to face as opposed to the net!).

I wish you all the luck

edit: I totally lost track of who was the OP so karmagarda this applies to you too!

 

[RichM]

I dont know much about this particular course but for whats it worth Rich I also think you are doing the right thing. I was in the same boat as Andy and left a day job when I was 23 to do the photography course I am doing now and there are absoloutely no regrets. The things I have learned are invaluable not only technically but creatively. You'll hopefully meet some cracking people in the same boat (face to face as opposed to the net!).

I wish you all the luck

Again, i can only thank you for the encouragement. I'm not going to be leaving my day job, since this course can be bent to suit me but i will be sinking the majority of my income into paying for it. It's nice to hear about others who made a decision and don't regret it.

EDIT - Yeah sorry for hijacking your thread Karma

 

[oskanoears]

Thanks a lot Andy, it's actually very encouraging to here someone tell me i'm doing the right thing. So far most of the responses have been more along the lines of "PHWOAR that's expensive!"

Rich I think at 19 its important to do what you want to do in life and more importantly your driven to achieve those goals, sure youl make mistakes along the way but thats the good stuff that teaches you the most.. what I would advise on are the following things... before you commit to spending all your money think long and hard about the area of photography you want to work in and ensure there isnt a shorter and cheaper route to your goal... if you want to do venture or even your own studio or weddings then the letters ba hons after your name could be pointless and a solid portfolio of your own crafted images may keep you in better stead and in better graces with the bank manager!
and you could try applying to jobs like this now... if your met with resistance and the feed back when you ask is as follows "Rich we think your perfect for the job, but alas you lack the relevant qualification and if you had that the job would be yours" then model your finest threads and go and see the man at the bank.. if the resistance is related to your standard of work then save your money and force yourself on as many grade A togs you can find demanding they teach you all they know and youl come on as many outings with them as you can...buy or download some photography books and dedicate very waking hour to making your next pic be better than your last.

 

[karmagarda]

taking over my thread... *grumbles*

I'm in a slightly different boat. I'm working full time, I'm well over 19 *cough 30 cough*, so it's a bit of a bigger step for me to jump out of my career!

I won't be ditching my day job yet. Can't afford it right now, and have too many commitments to take a pay drop like this just yet. So initially it's going to be more of a gentle move if it ever happens at all. If the gentle move goes well, then it will be a decision to drop all and make a right go of it. But there's a lot of things to set in place before I can even consider that.

Anyway, I'm kinda going the opposite direction now. Not sure I'll do the course afterall. After reading through the material I might just plod along the way I have been! I might look into something smaller like a photography club or similar. We'll see.

 

[gabe]

A friend of mine has just finished a distance learning beginners' course with DMC digital photography college. He was very impressed. The tutors are professional photographers, and the course cost, if I remember correctly, around two hundred pounds. I was thinking going on one of them at some point when I've got a bit more time.

I'd be wary of some of these online schools. I notice that many of them don't seem to tell you who the tutors are. And many of them are over priced!

 

[karmagarda]

A friend of mine has just finished a distance learning beginners' course with DMC digital photography college. He was very impressed. The tutors are professional photographers, and the course cost, if I remember correctly, around two hundred pounds. I was thinking going on one of them at some point when I've got a bit more time.

I'd be wary of some of these online schools. I notice that many of them don't seem to tell you who the tutors are. And many of them are over priced!

Yeah, I did a good search of this forum before considering the OCA course. Seems it got good reviews so can't seem to fault it so far. My delimma now is how much a qualification is looked at in the photography profession. If it doesn't have as much pull then it mightn't be the best approach for me at all.

 

[RichM]

I thought i'd update this old thread with some new information i have, if anyone is interested.

I'm now enrolled on the OCA Photography 1 course. So far it's brilliant. They sent me the course materials out within 2 days of enrolling, they provide a folder with all of your work, to work though at your own pace, you can email your tutor at any time (mine replied the same morning) and you can work through the course at your own pace.

Courses are available all the way up to a BA Hons with Buckinghamshire University and with the way things seem at the moment, i might well follow the route all the way. You are provided with instruction manuals, get access to an online forum to speak to tutors and pupils and can get to work straight away.

Also, you get a student card!

Photoshop CS4 for £150? Yes please

 

[EdMoss]

I ended up at Mid-Cheshire College.

I took 5 pics at 18x12 and a smallish 5x7 book with about 20 pics in. I can share some of the pics as soon as i get my Mac back from Apple, i'm using the lappy while it's away.

They were nothing special looking back, at the time I thought they were of course I used a variety of landscapes/portraits and little duck shots which i'm a bit emabarrassed about now

Andy White still teaching there? He was my tutor when I was there, don't think he really liked anything I did....

 

[hewhoknows]

I thought i'd update this old thread with some new information i have, if anyone is interested.

I'm now enrolled on the OCA Photography 1 course. So far it's brilliant. They sent me the course materials out within 2 days of enrolling, they provide a folder with all of your work, to work though at your own pace, you can email your tutor at any time (mine replied the same morning) and you can work through the course at your own pace.

Courses are available all the way up to a BA Hons with Buckinghamshire University and with the way things seem at the moment, i might well follow the route all the way. You are provided with instruction manuals, get access to an online forum to speak to tutors and pupils and can get to work straight away.

Also, you get a student card!

Photoshop CS4 for £150? Yes please

Hi mate, im enrolling on the OCA course this week so i can kick start my learning in January. How have you found the course now that you have been studying for a decent amount of time?