Photography courses

The goblin

The goblin

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Marsha
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Hi

I'm reaching that point now where I feel I need to do a course to really understand more about photography and my camera. I have seen this:

http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/t189.htm

and was wondering if any of you have done this course? I have studied with the OU before.

I have two young children and a husband away a lot so time is precious! Any recommendations or advice welcome.
 
Hi. I think you might get better value signing up for a 10 week adult ed course and being in a classroom/going on assignment and mixing and talking with people rather than distance learning. Would be cheaper too, probably.
 
Photography is one of those subjects where one of the great benefits of studying it with others is the interaction with other students. I am not sure what an OU course could really offer that you couldn't get for free via other methods, apart from a more structured approach to your learning.

The BTEC level 3 course is one evening a week and is very comprehensive and very good value for money if you have a local college that does it.
 
A couple of pointers for you...

1. You can pay for this OU course in Tesco vouchers. 1 Tesco pound voucher = £3 in OU vouchers. I have paid for the course in this way. I am registered to start the course in May. Once you have your student number you can apply for an NUS card (£11). I have read that many people have used this card to purchase Adobe Student versions of their software - Photoshop, Lightroom, etc - for much reduced prices. I intend to try this myself.

2. I have also registered at my local high school for a night class. It lasts 2 hours and is taken by a local photographer. It costs £68 and can be funded or part funded if you qualify for assistance. Not sure how that works in England, but we have ILA here and the course can be paid for by the government if you qualify (I don't personally).

I have done the night class before and had good results with it. Good to have instant feedback and also to get out there and take pictures on a regular basis.

3. I have also signed up for the Practical Photography Boot Camp course. It is free to join in and is run through their magazine. Currently they are offering 6 editions of their magazine for £10 which will cover the duration of the course. If you use a site like TopCashBack - you can get £6 of that subscription back. This is what I have done, 6 magazines for £4! Can't be bad.


I am sure all this, for me, is overkill but heyho, any practice will help improve my skills! As I said, I have already done a nightclass and this has been priceless in helping me grasp the settings. I did photography at school many years ago and this has proved a great refresher, but others on the course who were completely new to the DSLR were struggling to grasp it all in the 12 weeks.
 
Hi Vicki, Thanks for drawing attention to the Practical Photography offer - sounds too good to be true - but its not! Cheers, Hugh
 
Could you give me more info on who you signed up with via topcashback? I can't see the £10 offer on the website. It sounds great though. Thanks for the tip :)

NM - Found it, thanks.
 
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vixmix said:
3. I have also signed up for the Practical Photography Boot Camp course. It is free to join in and is run through their magazine. Currently they are offering 6 editions of their magazine for £10 which will cover the duration of the course. If you use a site like TopCashBack - you can get £6 of that subscription back. This is what I have done, 6 magazines for £4! Can't be bad.
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Same here..... thanks for this.

Just ordered the magazine & course having clicked through Quidco.... so £10 for 6 months mag and the DLSR course, then £5 cashback from Quidco... MADNESS! :cuckoo:

But good! :lol:
 
Thanks Vixmix,

The information you have provided has been a great starting block for me.

I finally think i've found some thing worth while to spend my tesco club card points on. :)
 
I went to a course once at college. It was ok, didn't teach you much but took some good photos.
 
i think i will be getting in contact with my local college...thanks for the info.
 
Signed up for mine this morning when I read this thread. Just over £6 back through TopCashBack, happy days! Pity the mag's not out until 23rd March though :D
 
ViRMiN said:
Signed up for mine this morning when I read this thread. Just over £6 back through TopCashBack, happy days! Pity the mag's not out until 23rd March though :D
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Signed up last night through TopCashback . £6.06 confirmed already.
Great deal - looking forward to the course.
 
i'm trying to find this thro quidco but aint having much luck, can anyone point me in the right direction please
 
I cant find this offer in quidco what merchant have you lot looked for for this?

Cheers,
Will
 
found it, search quidco for great magazines . co . uk then follow to there site and search for the mag and then see all offers
 
Perfect, I was searching with a space thats why I could not find it :)
 
thanks for mentioning the Practical Photography Boot Camp course Vikki! Gonna def take a look at that.
 
hevinha said:
thanks for mentioning the Practical Photography Boot Camp course Vikki! Gonna def take a look at that.
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My first issue of the magazine arrived yesterday, but the boot camp doesn't start until next month.... think I dropped a b@llock when choosing which issue to have delivered. Ah well, i'll just have to go to the shop and buy the 6th instalment. :bonk:
 
Me too, enjoyed the Mag though hope they've got the 3 mags for 3 quid deal going on when the subscription ends. Looking forward to the course starting next month, don't really know what to expect but Hey Ho.......!
 
Richiex1 said:
Lesco, I'm booked on one of the courses at the Blackthorn in March. Which ones have you done and were they any good??
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Hey Richie, yes I did the beginners part 1 and 2 and they were very very good, well worth the money, they have a very good set up and its a really nice atmosphere to learn in.

Im going to book some more when I can get some time off work.
 
I think you can just sign up, that's what I did and I've only read the last couple of issues.
It should be good. I think it starts right from the beginning and they teach everything needed?
 
I forgot to say as well, theres a member on here who runs very good begginer courses from his home village in Hampshire, he is James Oliver Stone, Im not sure when he will be running more courses but he is a very, very, good teacher.
 
joeteds said:
Is this the right Practical Photgraphy course that your talking about ?
http://www.photoanswers.co.uk/Bootcamp/
I dont quite understand it, Have I needed to get the previous months mags to learn it and then it actually starts next month ? or can I sign up now and the whole thing starts next month ?
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Yes, this is it. I've signed up, we don't get the first mag until next month but quite looking forward to it.

jovialjester said:
In gonna sign up to topcashback, anyone want to refer me? I think you then get £2.50
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I'll refer you if you want to PM me your email address?




Lesco said:
I forgot to say as well, theres a member on here who runs very good begginer courses from his home village in Hampshire, he is James Oliver Stone, Im not sure when he will be running more courses but he is a very, very, good teacher.
Click to expand...

This sounds good, Hampshire isn't too far from me!
 
Lesco thanks for that I'm on the beginers 1 next weekend and am looking forward to it. I live in Cricklade so don't have far to travel.
 
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