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Photo Forum / General Photo Topics / General Topics / May 2008Photo Classes or NOT?
Should I take Photography Classes? This is a question I see on all the major sites in the "question & answer" areas. Oh Yahoo questions there are always nurmerous posts about this topic. Well, here's my take on it...and even though I'm an online photography instructor (http://www.roushphotoonline.com) I'll try to give an unbiased opinion. Through the years I've taught students at many different skill levels, lots of amatuers and a fair amount of "wanna be pros". The thing that is common among all of them is the their lack of the right knowledge to grow photographically.. It's not that they can't expose properly, it's not that they can't operate the camera. Knowing how to use all the components that are available to us and how to apply them to different shooting situations, different lighting environments, and effectively delivering a message in a visual format is where the "lack of knowledge" becomes evident. Most studentes look at a pro photographers photos and say "I want to do that!". Well, to DO "that" it takes a very complete understanding of lens choice, speed choice, Depth of Field choice, and then be able put this together in a properly and powerfully composed visual layout and design that impacts the viewer. That's where most photographs fail. When I critique portfolios, and I critique hundreds, it's always the same ... the same reasons and problems in the execution of the principles of design in photography. So, yes, photography classes will enlighten you to things you might not know about, and things you need to do each time you shoot, and important things you need to think about when doing photography. Jeff Roush / instructor RoushPhotoOnline http://www.roushphotoonline.com - online photography classes and courses. > Should I take Photography Classes? > This is a question I see on all the major sites in the "question & > answer" areas. Oh Yahoo questions there are always nurmerous posts > about this topic. Well, here's my take on it...and even though I'm an <snip> I do think Photography class does help and a good idea, and I would recomment something like local Community College over online. >> Should I take Photography Classes? >> This is a question I see on all the major sites in the "question & [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > I do think Photography class does help and a good idea, and I would > recomment something like local Community College over online. Seconded. (especially over some yahoo that needs to advertise his classes on Usenet) Even though most of the instructors I had at the local community colleges were generally incompetent; I learned a lot, mostly about how not to teach though. :-) The biggest issue is the diversity of student levels you have at a community college photography class, which to be blunt, I found frustrating. Instead of learning I wound up teaching. The cash flow seemed wrong from that stand point... -Jim >>> Should I take Photography Classes? >>> This is a question I see on all the major sites in the "question & [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >seemed wrong from that stand point... >-Jim I attended a macro photography class this past weekend. I hesitate to call it a "class", though, since it was put on by a member of a camera club, and he is not an instructor; just a member who does a lot of macro work. He provided some useful tips on macro photography. Also, he brought along an extensive array of equipment and gadgetry that I had not seen "up close and personal". It was interesting to actually handle, look through, and see the results of some things that I've seen advertised but never tried. He also used some lighting techniques that I'd not considered before. Some of the useful tips that I came away with came from other members of the club. Things that came up during the presentation and in the critique following the presentation. (The meeting was held in a nature park, and - after the presentation part - we all went out and took some shots to be reviewed later.) These live lessons are better, in my opinion, than any online course because of the interaction of the group and the ability to handle equipment.  SignatureTony Cooper - Orlando, Florida > On Mon, 19 May 2008 08:50:51 -0400, "jimkramer" > [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] > > - Show quoted text - Tony, I have to agree. THere is nothing like a hands-on classroom/group environment to learn. I teach College level Digital Photogrpahy and certainly understand the benefits of that. For someone limited on time an online class is the next best option. Online classes differ in many ways however. I keep the student / teacher relationship at the forefront, feeling that making it more of a one-on-one situation allows the for a better focused situation for the student. > >>> Should I take Photography Classes? > >>> This is a question I see on all the major sites in the "question & [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > because of the interaction of the group and the ability to handle > equipment. Live lessons and many different techniques from different students with many different backgrounds are the great benefit of regular class over online class. About Macro Photography, I am not an expert on macro photography but do have some macro gear as well as I do enjoy macro images. The problem that I am a little too old (and have had foot problem in the past 2 years) to carry heavy tripod to photograph tiny insect as little as the tip of a toothpick. >> >>> Should I take Photography Classes? >> >>> This is a question I see on all the major sites in the "question & [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] >am a little too old (and have had foot problem in the past 2 years) to carry >heavy tripod to photograph tiny insect as little as the tip of a toothpick. At the session I attended, the equipment the club members had ranged from simple to extensive. One guy was shooting with a tripod that could have supported a VW Beetle and with a precision rail attached. One guy was shooting with a bean bag and manually focussing. The problem with the tripod and rail was that it took him too long to set up. The subject, if it was alive, was long-gone before he was ready to fire the shutter. He did best with flowers and inanimate objects. The bean bag guy could flop down and snap off a shot of a mobile subject like a Damsel Fly. The best tripod for field work seems to be a Gorilla pod http://www.joby.com/ because it's light, sets up quickly, and can be carried attached to the camera and the photographer can still shoot hand-held. Not so good, though, when the subject is too far off the ground and there's nothing near to wind it around. SignatureTony Cooper - Orlando, Florida <snip> > >> I attended a macro photography class this past weekend. I hesitate to > >> call it a "class", though, since it was put on by a member of a [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > hand-held. Not so good, though, when the subject is too far off the > ground and there's nothing near to wind it around. Well, if you do macro photography on large insect (fly, dragonfly, spider, grassshopper etc.) with fast moving then you may want to long zoom macro like Sigma 150mm Macro which allows you to capture a large insect or object from good distance. But if you do macro photograph on almost non-moving (too slow to make a big difference) like some insect you hardly be able to see with naked eye (small as small dirt), or the distance between the object to the lens can be more/less 1" to 1-2" etc. then not only tripod but either multiple flashes or macro flash. And I don't think the Joby tripod is for me, it can be light to carry around but I don't think it's worth the trouble for using it. Or if the light tripod can do the macro photograph then I would rather get some cheap light weight tripod than dragging the big tripod along. > >> Should I take Photography Classes? > >> This is a question I see on all the major sites in the "question & [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > seemed wrong from that stand point... > -Jim I don't take any photography class especially at local Community College, but I can see what you mean. Me? few months ago I started doing some research about welding, and specially trying to find some place I can buy scrap metal which is very very hard to find these days. And because I already have some experience with ARC stick welding (not an experted but ok) which I haven't done much for around 25 years. Last year I bought a MIG welder and I am thinking of signing up for few welding class at local Community College to have a little more practicing on MIG welding while saving on material as well as finding place to get cheap crap metal etc.. and I see lot of non-credit photography class. About Photography and Photo Retouching, I have been doing as professional for several decades, so I don't think I can benefit much from non-credit class. > jro...@roushstudios.com wrote: > > Should I take Photography Classes? [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > I do think Photography class does help and a good idea, and I would > recomment something like local Community College over online. I do agree that there is nothing like a real classroom situation to learn, photography or otherwise. For those that done' thave the time an online class is the next best option. I also teach at a University and completely understand the benefits of such an environment. >> Should I take Photography Classes? >> This is a question I see on all the major sites in the "question & [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > I do think Photography class does help and a good idea, and I would > recomment something like local Community College over online. We agree, well almost. Some of my friends have gotten a lot out of courses at our local community college. For someone who needs to learn fundamentals I would highly recommend that. One might also consider joining a local camera club. Most, mine included welcome beginners and invite you to some down and see how comfortable you are with the members. Most of the members are more than willing to help, provided you show some effort to show you want to learn. If your budget (and significant other,) permits, you might also consider an intensive course such as the one I took last year at the Maine Media Workshops. I am taking another workshop there this year. Other workshops are given at different locations and you should find one that fits. http://www.theworkshops.com/ I have no connection except that of a satisfied participant. SignaturePeter |
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