Photography courses and orientation

iplogger1

What are peoples opinions on the value of doing a recognised
photography course (either part-time or full time and in Ireland)?

What is the reputation of the Griffith College course ? (City & Guilds)?
Anyone here been on it or know of anyone who has ?
What about DIT/Kevin Street ? Full time is going to be hard for
me as I live far away from Dublin.

I know that getting a portfolio together is a very important step
for someone considering making an earning from photography.

What other advice can folks give ?

I am an experienced IT professional but I am becoming disillusioned
of the mainstream IT/telecoms tech industry. I've a creative
side and at nearly 40 I'm looking into the possibility of developing it.
Instant profit isn't the main pressure here. I used to be the breadwinner
in my family but my wife now pulls in a very solid salary as an
experienced health care professional.

I've invested over the past 18mths in D70, 12-24mm, 17-55m,
70-200mm, SB800, 90mm Tamron, 85mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.8
Manfrotto monopods/tripod and several filters incl ND grads and polarizers.
People compliment some of my limited work so far but I am still
quite self critical and I know what pro work looks like and I am striving
to get there my own way.

I understand technique but I need to establish a style and get composition
skills more finessed. When I feel I've established a good style I may
even consider investing in higher end cam body and possibly some
studio strobes and triggers.

I feel driven about this but I'm not sure I'd have the neck to
go out on my own without perhaps some level of tutoring from
a pro or two.

not trying to be facetious here... slightly open-ended post from
someone who feels on the verge of looking for a change
in career. What steps should I consider.. or do I need a dose
of reality! eg. "you are off your head fellow!"


~ipl

Metacortex

I would say the best thing you could do is get out there and start doing your own thing. Maybe buy some photography books.
I don't see what a photography course can teach you that you can't learn on your own.
When i first started doing photography, my images were rubbish but after a while you get into it and you can develop your own techniques. I've never done a course in photography and i think im doing well.

iplogger1

Thanks Metacortix.

I took a look at your work. Nice work - especially the abstracts. You
have a good eye.

Anyone else willing to chip in and offer advice ?

~ipl

FinoBlad

i think you should forget doing the courses, the only thing you really need from them is self-confidence.

i also think you should consider doing semi-pro for a year to 18 months before you think of abandoning your job. if you have found enough paying clients [yes the f**kers will love your shots but forget to pay] then you could perhaps take a year off as a career break. dump the job then if it goes well.

Shrimp

I haven't deen doing photography long, but I think it would be better for you to develop your own style as you pregress. You can go to some courses if you feel that it will help your skills with the camera. This might help:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=287644

i'm only a beginner so my gallery (My Sig) is all my stuff, beginner stuff. I have a long way to come, but I am passionate about photography/art. I hope you do well. Post some of your stuff here, if you like.

FinoBlad

when working for clients having ones own style doesnt count for much, you're pretty much taking the shot the client wants and you're style means nothing.

DotOrg

depending on the type of photography, you can bring your own style to anything

when bands ask me to shoot them, they generally do so because they like the style of my previous work and want a bit of that for themselves

i'm another for advising not doing photography courses, instead just go out and shoot as much as possible, as many different types of photography as possible. study other peoples photos, whats good and bad about them, what you would have liked to have done differently

Elessar

As a matter of interest, how does one sell his pictures?

I've been into photography since last year and I think my work has improved to a level where I might sell some of my photos.

I've tried a stock agency but there are so many pictures around that its difficult to earn any money with them unless you have 1000s of pics.

Any ideas?

DotOrg

what kind of photos?
you can sell to magazines, newspapers, book publishers, advertising companies, PR, bands, record labels, stock agencies, sports agencies

decide what your best area of photography is. go find examples of similar work out in the public arena, then work backwards and see how they source their photos

Yv

My boyfriend's father worked for years at some sort of "average" job - by which I mean not a creative one - which was sucking the life out of him. He was very much into photography, then he took the plunge a few years back & went professional. He loves it, & is doing pretty well for himself. Granted, it's landscape photography & while a lot of it's beautiful stuff it sells well to the tourists which is probably how he keeps going financially. But the moral of the story is, if you have enough faith in yourself, go for it

Test the waters first, though, maybe approach a few magazines with a small portfolio of stuff you already have & see what the reaction is. Also I'd say do a portfolio course for yourself anyway - they really help you develop & it's great to have a good collection of your work organised together anyway, whether you pursue the career or not.