Degree courses in photography online

The Freeman

Hey Guys,

First time poster over this side of boards.:D

Tried doing a bit of research via google and local colleges in the west here and came back with some interesting results on courses but nothing too academic.(introductory courses) I would be interested in doing a degree course in photography if the option was available but unfortunately I am based in the west and the Degree course that I am aware of, can only be done in Dublin.

Would any of ye guys or gals know of any online reputed institutes that could provide a possible option through online classes or distance learning at all?


Cheers in advance

challengemaster

Why (specifically) do you want to do a degree course or feel the need to do one?

The Freeman

challengemaster wrote: »

Why (specifically) do you want to do a degree course or feel the need to do one?

I feel its something i have a talent for and could be very good at give the professional guidance, am in an opportunity with the current economic status that i could get funding for a degree course. Just seeing what my options are is all.

BlastedGlute

Practice to become a great photographer and do a degree course in business so you can apply that to making a living from it. Your portfolio represents your experience as a photog, not a degree.

sineadw

Something I've noticed here is how whenever anyone asks about doing a degree in photography, people tell them not to bother, to practise from tutorials from the internet and teach themselves. And it's never anyone who's actually *done* a degree in photography.

Your portfolio represents your photography. It's something that you hone, and it's a *lot* easier to hone it when you have professional teachers there to help you achieve your best, how to use equipment properly, whose work you might want to study, the history of the medium and how to *actually put a portfolio together*. Being a good photographer is *not* always about how to make the best money from it. And any degree course I know of includes business management and entrepreneurship anyway, specifically aimed at visual artists.

So, OP, I'm sorry I can't help with the online bit (TBH I don't nkow anywhere offering distance undergrad, though there are a few masters options I think..), but please do look at courses. They're terrific and enjoyable and imho absolutely worth the investment

dave66

Sinead, it's nice to hear from somebody who has done a degree course, thanks for sharing.

OP, I came across a course from a UK based University, looked interesting but I couldn't afford it, I'll see if I can dig out the details.

Here is one you might want to look at:

http://www.oca-uk.com/distance-learning/photography

Perhaps look more at Distance Learning than Online, just a suggestion.

The Freeman

Cheers for al the posts guys its greatly appreciated. I don't have the option to do a hands on degree course so i will just do courses, mini-diploma and workshops. I only started taking pics a few weeks ago when i picked up a 300d and took to it like a duck to water. It reminds me very much of learning the guitar.
It massages that 'arty' side of my brain and gives me a great sense of satisfaction with learning.

there is so much info online to learn about how to achieve different pics its fantastic, really enjoying it.
If any of ye guys recommend any specific websites that are very good for beginners to learn please feel free to post on this thread.

BlastedGlute

Well Freeman, I guess we're kind of coming from the same background here, I have played guitar on and off for many years, here's a video from a couple of years back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPeVAZ09X0Q

So I know how you feel about it being a bit of art therapy. I paint to: http://sicsidefx.daportfolio.com/gallery/515004

And the camera just really fills that space in the most comforting way. It's one of the better hobbies I've picked up. I'm around 5-6 months in and my stuff is looking kind of ok so far. I've seen people who've been at this for years and years and as an artist I'm able to critique it for what it is. A lot of people have cameras but it seems like not everyone has that imagination to really use it. I honestly think you should just give yourself time. Get on sites like 500px.com. The photographs tell you everything you need to know about what was involved to get the shot, you just need to know how to look at the stuff I guess.

Bottom line is just enjoy it, find a topic that interests you and go with it. If you still feel like you want to do a degree course then by all means do, but it will be expensive and time consuming, and you could spend that money on kit and the time shooting photos, and crush on with whatever else it is you enjoy doing.

Goodluck with whatever you do anyway!

paulocon

BlastedGlute wrote: »

Well Freeman, I guess we're kind of coming from the same background here, I have played guitar on and off for many years, here's a video from a couple of years back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPeVAZ09X0Q

So I know how you feel about it being a bit of art therapy. I paint to: http://sicsidefx.daportfolio.com/gallery/515004

And the camera just really fills that space in the most comforting way. It's one of the better hobbies I've picked up. I'm around 5-6 months in and my stuff is looking kind of ok so far. I've seen people who've been at this for years and years and as an artist I'm able to critique it for what it is. A lot of people have cameras but it seems like not everyone has that imagination to really use it. I honestly think you should just give yourself time. Get on sites like 500px.com. The photographs tell you everything you need to know about what was involved to get the shot, you just need to know how to look at the stuff I guess.

Bottom line is just enjoy it, find a topic that interests you and go with it. If you still feel like you want to do a degree course then by all means do, but it will be expensive and time consuming, and you could spend that money on kit and the time shooting photos, and crush on with whatever else it is you enjoy doing.

Goodluck with whatever you do anyway!

Great advice there. Not wanting to hijack the thread but I'd never heard of 500px.com. Had a quick look and it looks great. Would be great to have a thread of useful sites.

genie_us

Hi OP

I'm also a complete beginner but always loved photography, so I decided to do a course with the Photography Institute to try and learn the technical side to it. I'm half way through it now and really enjoying it, learning loads. Feel free to PM if you'd like any further info on it!
http://www.thephotographyinstitute.ie/