university or apprentiship??? need some help please

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chris_tim

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Chris
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alright people

basically my head is a mess!! haha starting my 2nd year of a level photography and i want to carry it on further. i would liek to go to uni to meet new people and move out etc, gain some proper life experience!

im stuck as i dont know which uni/course to apply for, i want to do a more practical course that goes in depth with studio darkroom and journalism type of photography. some people i have spoken to already say that it wasnt worth it as alot of the people that do it are art students that dont actually know anything about photography. this would annoy having to run through the basics when it is completely unessesary.


i would like to hear some views and opinions from people who have completed a degree course. where have you gone from it? was it worth while? did you gain large amounts of knowledge?

on the oposite side to the scale would i be better off trying to get on helping a local tog and pushing my work out there myself and learning from a working tog?

basically any people on the forums that shoot proffessionally or people that have completed a degree could you give me some advice and recomend some course's/unis that are worht looking into?

at the moment i only know of portsmouth and rohampton but if i went to uni i kind of want to get away from home abit more as they are both driveable distances from me.

many thanks

chris
 
I've not done a degree in photography but I can't recomend University enough it's a once in a lifetime oppertunity and I would say you'll regret it if you don't go, as a life experience very little can compare.

From the photography perspective i'd try and double up there is no reason you can't be getting experience and getting stuff pulished while you carry out your studies. I can't even see any reason why you couldn't run a reasonable size photgraphy business while at uni (thinking wedding/portrait).
 
a1ex2001 said:
I've not done a degree in photography but I can't recomend University enough it's a once in a lifetime oppertunity and I would say you'll regret it if you don't go, as a life experience very little can compare.

From the photography perspective i'd try and double up there is no reason you can't be getting experience and getting stuff pulished while you carry out your studies. I can't even see any reason why you couldn't run a reasonable size photgraphy business while at uni (thinking wedding/portrait).
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yes i really would like to gain the uni experience!

ive got some contacts for work etc so doing jobs wouldnt be too big a deal so that would be easily possible. i guess that could also benifit as i will have studios and darkrooms readily availible.

anyone else have any input ?

cheers
 
cheers eyespy that looks like a really good course!

please keep it coming anyones input is greatly appreciated!!!
 
eyespy said:
This is supposed to be the best place in the UK if you want to get into documentary type photo journalism: Newport School of Art Media and Design - check them out.
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Maybe the best place for the course but I would not recomend spending three years in Newport to anyone, 3 hrs is too much for most. It is truly one of the most helish places on earth and still the only place I've seen bouncers at the mega bowl to try and cut down the number of stabbings.
 
If you want to get away from home, meet people, get drunk and shag, then uni has to be the best bet by far.

If you want to learn the snapping trade, build up contacts in the industry and open up a route to good career, try and get an assistants position at a well known commercial studio. It's not easy and positions are harder fought for than uni places by miles. If you can make it happen though, it's the best way to learn.


..... and you might still get a bit of time left for drinking and shagging. ;)
 
If you're purely in a position where you want to work on your photography, then work for an apprenticeship. If you want ANYTHING else, go to Uni. You'll learn less about photography, but far more what I shall diplomatically call 'transferable skills'.
 
Go to uni, it doesn't matter what course you do, just go to uni, and take a degree that interests you. I've been working as a trainee wood machinist until now and am now at uni, that experience will open doors that you can never open yourself.

Just take the chance, and if necessary keep togging as a hobby whilst you're there, hell you could even do work for the student newspaper, which allows you to join NUJ as a student member and provides a reasonable starting point.
 
If you want to be a freelance photographer something like business or marketing at uni will probably be more use in the long run, clients don't want to see a certificate or letters after your name, they are interested in the pictures. But from what I've been told being freelance is as much about running a business as taking pictures...
 
a1ex2001 said:
I've not done a degree in photography but I can't recomend University enough it's a once in a lifetime oppertunity and I would say you'll regret it if you don't go, as a life experience very little can compare.

From the photography perspective i'd try and double up there is no reason you can't be getting experience and getting stuff pulished while you carry out your studies. I can't even see any reason why you couldn't run a reasonable size photgraphy business while at uni (thinking wedding/portrait).
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I hope it's not an English degree you've got :lol:
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I hope it's not an English degree you've got :lol:
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no way and besides I used spell check and a proof reader (my dad) on all my uni work neither of which I can be bothered with for forum posts, it made snes and the OP got my meaning. at least you didn't go through correcting it all in red like some petty school teacher.
 
Craikeybaby said:
If you want to be a freelance photographer something like business or marketing at uni will probably be more use in the long run, clients don't want to see a certificate or letters after your name, they are interested in the pictures.
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My thoughts exactly. Unless you do a specific course, I think a degree in photography is a waste of paper / your money.
 
Craikeybaby said:
If you want to be a freelance photographer something like business or marketing at uni will probably be more use in the long run, clients don't want to see a certificate or letters after your name, they are interested in the pictures. But from what I've been told being freelance is as much about running a business as taking pictures...
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Yes, while this is true, University is a great place to be around like minded people, giving and sharing inspiration, being taught techniques and stuff

Im personally looking at this course for september 09

Visual Communication - Birmingham institute of art and design (Birmingham City University)

The facilities and campuses are unrivaled (central st martins, central st SHMARTINS)

I highly recommend going on an open day here!
 
cheers ill check probs head up to look at birmingham aswell as newport.

ive found a few commercial studios in the local area which i am going to ask about becoming an assistant for june next year. cheers for the help people my mind is in two halfs right now! i have so much to think about before i decided!

cheers
 
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