Photography courses?

I

idkb

Suspended / Banned
Messages
142
Name
Iain
Edit My Images
Yes
Evening,

Having read a substantial number of books and magazines over the past 9 months since I bought my first DSLR I am now considering whether it would be worth my while to try a photography course? I'm sure folks on TP have opinions and/or recommendations as to which courses are best (or not!).

I am not trying to build a career in photography or anything, rather just honing my technique to get better pictures. In the future I wouldn't mind exhibiting or selling some prints if I can improve enough.

TIA,

Iain
 
I've not done a photography course, and it think it depends on how you learn. There are plenty of long distance \ study at home courses. For me these wouldn't work, but for many they do and you can study in your own time. If you have the motivation and are working these can fit in well.

I tend to gain the most out of training with a face to face tutor who you can ask questions of and if necesary physically demonstrate the problem / solution.

You could also have a look on hotcourses et for courses in London.

Alternatively, try joining a camera club or joining a TP meet, I'd think this might get you some of the best learning you can. You're out practising, which is the main thing, and you'd be with some genuinely helpful people (I'd hope) with varying degrees of experience who no doubt would be happy to share some with you.

Good luck

al
 
Hi

I did a level 1 Btec at my local college which ran from September to May 3 hours, one evening per week. I found it invaluable to be honest. I knew absolutely nothing about photography whatsever when I started. I passed that with a merit.

I'm starting the level 2 Btec in September which runs as above. It's great having a tutor who you can ask questions. I'm one of those people who can read and read books and posts on here but if someone shows me how to do something the right way, then I take that in a lot better.

Good luck.

Lisa
 
im starting a full time NC photography with Digital Imaging Course on Monday :D
 
Just been having a quick look - as you're in London City Lit seem to do quite a few courses.
 
I did NCFE level 1 and 2 at night school.I found it helped me a lot particularly the amount of studio time.I looked at distance courses and thought it would be fine but to be honest you would get more out of going to a college if they have studio facilities.Level 3 was more business related and didn't interest me but 1 and 2 were definitely worth it.It was a good laugh as well which helped.

http://www.ncfe.org.uk/Qualinfo.aspx?qual=edb01390-5231-4bb6-855e-3d28eb3668b8
 
Ive just finished a City & Guilds Level 2 in Photo Image course and found it to be a great help, the tutor was very good and explained all the basics of the camera up to the more advanced features too, also included a section on Photoshop which was interesting :)

I passed with a Distinction and am now thinking of going on to do a Foundation Degree in Digital Photography - so am still learning and loving taking photos :thumbs:
 
I had a one to one training day - it was really good, de-mystifying some of the functions of my camera.
I was a bit disappointed I didn't get some notes as the course was £300, but the practical stuff was brilliant!
However, I'm thinking about the NCFE course at the local college as there were a few things that weren't covered, plus I'll get some notes! :lol:
 
I'm currently finishing off a Degree in photography and fully intend to go on to do a masters as well, you cannot have too much information is what i say.
 
I start a 2 year hnd photography course on Wed next week, which I hope will lead onto the 3rd year of a degree course.
 
I have contemplated doing a course and looked at a few,but found I learned more from actually doing it. I have attended a few studio days and tomorrow I'm doing a workshop with Steve Hedges from Art Escape. Hopefully it will be a good day and I'll pick up a few tips and get rid of some bad habits. Cost wise these haven't yet added up to what the 1st year A level is.
 
Does anyone know where to look for the distance courses? Thanks to the all the suggestions above I have found a fair few college-based courses. Despite the obvious benefits of having a tutor in the classroom, the nature of my job might make it easier to do a distance learning course...

Iain
 
boabbruce said:
I did NCFE level 1 and 2 at night school.I found it helped me a lot particularly the amount of studio time.I looked at distance courses and thought it would be fine but to be honest you would get more out of going to a college if they have studio facilities.Level 3 was more business related and didn't interest me but 1 and 2 were definitely worth it.It was a good laugh as well which helped.

http://www.ncfe.org.uk/Qualinfo.aspx?qual=edb01390-5231-4bb6-855e-3d28eb3668b8
Click to expand...

Not sure if their grasp of grammer is a good selling point for their study courses, what does this mean?

"This qualification is available for learners aged pre-16 and above. "
 
will69 said:
Not sure if their grasp of grammer is a good selling point for their study courses, what does this mean?

"This qualification is available for learners aged pre-16 and above. "
Click to expand...

I was a bit confused by their explanation too :thinking:
 
On the plus side their fees are low. But I wonder exactly what you can get for £38 registration + £10 for a certificate.

Are their more fees on top of this for a level 2 certificate in photography. Just how much tutor support can you get for £38??
 
I've been looking into doing a evening course myself, but my college is not helping much. There are 4 different courses and they all sound roughly the same from the vage discriptions. I was told to phone up the first week in September to speak to someone about which would suit me. They start in the second week of September and might be fully booked up by the time I phone.There solution was to book up on the courses to get a place and they will refund any I cancel. :bang:

I'm also considering a course called "Using your computer with your digital camera", because I want to learn more about processing photos in RAW. Now to me the title sounds like it won't touch RAW and is aimed at someone with a compact, but again no one at the college knows until September. :bang:
 
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has found their local college quite unhelpful in this area! I had enquired about a creative photography course that starts on the 15th September through our local college, it’s one evening a week for 2 hours and runs for 10 weeks.

The actual information available about the course and what it covers is extremely lacking so I phoned the college helpline number and was told I’d have to call back in September to speak to a tutor as they couldn’t really give me the information that I needed. I am faced with either paying the £90 and enrolling and hoping that it is suitable for me or waiting till I can speak to a tutor and then waiting to see if they run it again – if they do it won’t be till March or April next year so is a long time to wait.

I’m tempted to just take a chance and enrol anyway but it would be helpful if they could better information about it really.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top