Photography interview

MariaC14

I'm hoping to start a photography course in September but I'm going to be called for an interview, does anyone know what kind of questions I will be asked?

Alanstrainor

What college? Do you get to bring in a portfolio?

MariaC14

Waterford college, ya it said on the application form to bring pictures to the interview, I'm not sure what kind of pictures though like a mixture of everything or should it just be one theme like landscape or portraits I'm not sure

CabanSail

Do you specialise or have a general interest?

MariaC14

General interest but I want to become qualified and have a career in it

Alanstrainor

MariaC14 wrote: »

General interest but I want to become qualified and have a career in it

I would say you should start work on building a portfolio before September. Read up as much as you can about photography, about framing, composition and just get out and shoot. I reckon you should walk into that interview with your 20 best shots printed. Summer is a good time for almost all types of photography, plenty of daylight hours to work. As for what you should shoot, it's entirely up to you.

CabanSail

I agree with the post above.

If entry is by interview try to get a selection of images which demonstrate your imagination. You will probably have technical faults in the images but they would be better than images with less faults but are boring or cliche.

flyingsnail

When I did mine in Limerick the college specified the max number and size, if in doubt contact the college and ask. Present them nicely, a nice album or portfolio case shows you care. I have seen people go in with a stack of 6x4 and it is not a great first impression. I would bring a selection of images 3-4 Portraits, 3-4 landscapes ect....

Long time since I did my interview but here are a few bits I do remember,
how did you get into photography, favourite things to shoot. Are you a member of any clubs or have a magazine subscription.

What do you hope to gain from the course? : You don’t say if it as 1,2 or 4 year course. Likely they will ask if you intend to go straight from the course into employment or if you intend to progress to further education first.

Finances: They made a point at the interview that the photography course had more ongoing expenses than other courses, film / film development, darkroom paper, digital prints plus the normal college going expenses. There was also a compulsory overseas tip and annual exhibition that you had to provide two framed pieces for.

Gear: On my course it was compulsory to have a film and digital SLR and I was asked what I had at the interview. Others I know didn’t have both and were just told to get them when they started so don’t over think it. Specialist gear like medium and large format were provided by the college but we had to supply the films.

If I think of anything else I will post back again later.

MariaC14

Thanks for all the info, it's great, I bought a canon powershot bridge camera a few months ago because I was doing a part time beginners photography course in Kilkenny, I need a 35mm camera for Waterford college but I'm saving now to buy a canon EOS 750D, is that a good camera for the course?

flyingsnail

MariaC14 wrote: »

Thanks for all the info, it's great, I bought a canon powershot bridge camera a few months ago because I was doing a part time beginners photography course in Kilkenny, I need a 35mm camera for Waterford college but I'm saving now to buy a canon EOS 750D, is that a good camera for the course?

A 750D will be fine, as would pretty much any current DSLR but I would stick to the bigger manufactures like Canon and Nikon because there is a greater chance of other people in the class having the same brand and you can swap / borrow lens and accessories ect.

If you do end up needing a 35mm film camera they can be easily got second hand on adverts.

MariaC14

Ok that's brilliant thanks so much

Alanstrainor

You can get your DSLR second hand as well, good deals out there on 700d's and 650d's. As they are expensive to buy new.

MariaC14

Ya I might look into the second hand ones

thebaz

second hand good film cameras are cheap , and great value.

Bring a sample of your work , cause really that will determine your entry/suitability to course - in a way you can then shape the interview, if it it becomes difficult or hard - your photographs will set the foundation - good luck.

ED E

For the price of a 600D new you might get a 5DMKII 2nd hand. The older unit has its limitation but not being a crop sensor could be considered a big plus. Just something to consider.