Is a degree really necessary for photography?

[neilwood]

Ive heard quoted (on other forums) that the business of photography is 80% business and 20% photography, so my guess would be try to get a course mix that matches that.

Bear in mind that im not a pro and i have no photography qualifications but i think my experience in other walks of life will translate into photography (its just another business at the end of the day).

Otherwise, try to join a pro as an apprentice (old school term for trainee) and learn as you work. It might mean doing menial tasks but i reckon you will end up better for it. You will get far more practical experience in the day to day operation of a business than any college will ever give you

With refards to Steev's post - i think most people would agree about the rules. But its only through knowing the rules, that you develop an understanding of how and when to break them.

[MtnTopRebel]

Yes you can break the rules, sometimes it's because you have no choice, sometimes it is to make a point, but before you go breaking the rules you need to know them. If you go look at the history of photography, you will see some pretty sick concepts of rule breaking. A good example of this is in the portraiture field. For example, a young lady comes for her senior portrait, the current fad is to wears some funky glitz jewelry, and she does her photos in that stuff, a few years later, that fad is out, and is considered not cool, so now her pix are dated in a negative light and she will hate the picture. The responsibility of the photographer is to take these things into consideration. He/she can photograph the glitzy stuff and the current fad if requested but you should also tactfully offer to do the more traditional images, as in most cases they will stand the test of time, and most often when viewing the proofed images, they will choose the traditional in the order. With 50 years of photography under my belt, believe me I have seen a lot of things come and go, and mostly go. A photographer is much more than just a camera operator, you must understand people, what they need, what they think they need and what you need to offer, all these with respect and tact. You basically are a mind reader in order to meet their needs in a way that satifies the customer.
About35 years ago I signed up for some livestock confirmation classes at a local college. I had no animals, but wanted to have the knowledge as I lived in a agricultural area, and owning a full service studio I felt I should be somewhat qualified regarding what is good in confirmation of livestock. We were taught what a judge looks at when judging, what is a good looking horse,bull, sheep etc. What do you do when asked to go photograph some prize bull for breeding etc. If you don't know whats good and or bad you will not know how to compose to minimize a defect or show a strong point. What lens length do you need. Well for horses people are concerned about the length of the neck and back, two short a lens will distort this and a longer lens shrinks the length, which do you want, or is everything just right? Well the same thing exists with the human body, you have a subject who is sensitive about his/her nose, they probably are not going to discuss with you, " hey I have an ugly nose, I feel very sensitive about it, can you hide it?" no the judgement will be made when it is time to order, they will not tell you why but will tell you no with a non/small order. Do you know how to move the lights to minimize the problem, turn the head to subdue the problem,while not breaking the rules of confirmation and what is a healthy natural position? These my friends are not things you just figure out over night, in time you will figure it out, or move on to some other trade, but hey you need to survive while your learning. These are all rules and techniques you need to master.
From the the livestock classes the instructor was a Pro Rodeo bronc rider. He was the coach for the college rodeo club, he wanted photo's and I got started doing that, I found shooting in the arena with the bulls and broncs was a kick, that and climbing fences quickly a exciting. I even got into the horse racing photo work once, made a bunch of money on that one. I shot a lot of rodeos, before moving to a new area to start a new studio. I also got involved in horse shows which I still do from time to time. If you are into horses, and love cameras, it is a fun way to get involved in photography. Back when I started there was no digital, and the problem was the participants were gone before you could get proofs to them and unless you caught them at another event, it was a lost sale. Now, my wife and I and usually a granddaughter work as a team, shooting, with a pocket of memory cards, I keep swapping cards they are downloaded to the computer on site, a proof of all the pix are printed, and a second computer plays the galleries of pix in a slide show. And we have a computer and printer linked to print the finished print on site, and offers for shirts mugs Big prints, etc., that can be ordered. It is also a good way to become acquainted with the stock people in your area for on site photography of their ranch and stock. I throw this as a suggestion, it was a blast to do, and there is money in it. But, believe me, you have a young lady and a high dollar horse, they both gotta look good as "THEY" perceive themselves to be, in order to get that sale, and grow your respected client base.

[MtnTopRebel]

www.ppa.com/
The PPA provides a lot of services, including photo training, certifications, competitions, judging, training in photo business and marketing etc. It is a way to gain mastery w/o a university or school.

Professional Photographers of America began providing education and a sense of community to the photography industry since 1880. To those offerings, the association has since added business and personal protection, business discounts, professional recognition, and more. Today, PPA is the world’s largest not-for- profit association for professional photographers, with more than 18,000 members in 64 countries. It is an association that seeks to increase its members’ business savvy as well as broaden their creative scope. It aims to advance their careers by providing them with all the tools for success.

[MtnTopRebel]

For those who want to go to photography school, and want the very best let me assure you there is none finer that Brooks Institute. Congratulations to DPS for having them and thank-you Brooks for your support. From a son of an early student of Brooks Institute.

[windrider86]

Altho I do not condone what i did as a teenager but I did drop out of school in the 8th grade. As time went on and I had a small child to raise Idecided I didnt like being a welfare case so I went into the field of property mananagment where I quickly became the marketing director for a national company and also did motivational training and speaking around the country for them. All of this was done without a degree. My photography career is now booming and I have no formal training. BUT,keep in mind if the people I had worked for hadnt known me so well i would have never and i repeat never gotten to where I was without a degree, the same goes for photography. Freelance I am doing well but to go to work for someone without any sort of degree I would probably fall straight on my behind.
It all depends on what you want and what you are willing to do to get there.

[MtnTopRebel]

For those who want to go to photography school, and want the very best let me assure you there is none finer that Brooks Institute. Congratulations to DPS for having them and thank-you Brooks for your support. From a son of an early student of Brooks Institute.

[Pasq]

Originally Posted by mattdm

Here's another thing to think of: unless you are very lucky, you really need a college degree to get any sort of decent job. But it doesn't usually actually matter what degree — just that you've got one. So, might as well focus on something you enjoy.

very insightful Matt!

i work for a major telecommunications in the states. they spend tons of money paying full tuition and fees for their employees. they place no cap on the money, and no restrictions on the degree, except no Phd's.

to use myself as an example: i hold a BS in Elem Ed and a MEd in counseling and development. i just sent my "letter of credit" to the Academy of Art University for a MFA in photography. What does any of those degrees have to do with telecom? nothing.

[Pasq]

Originally Posted by MtnTopRebel

www.ppa.com/
The PPA provides a lot of services, including photo training, certifications, competitions, judging, training in photo business and marketing etc. It is a way to gain mastery w/o a university or school.

Professional Photographers of America began providing education and a sense of community to the photography industry since 1880. To those offerings, the association has since added business and personal protection, business discounts, professional recognition, and more. Today, PPA is the world’s largest not-for- profit association for professional photographers, with more than 18,000 members in 64 countries. It is an association that seeks to increase its members’ business savvy as well as broaden their creative scope. It aims to advance their careers by providing them with all the tools for success.

Thank you so much for the heads up!!!!! i bookmarked the site!

[Liz Caldwell]

A degree isn't necessary, but it is helpful. I'm also making photography a career, and am in school. I decided to go with a major in photography, and a minor in business. I've already taken quite a few photo courses, and each one has taught me so much, even if you don't go for the degree, the classes is fun and worth the time

[southernbelle]

I second what Liz said. A degree is definitely not necessary. However, as with all trades, training always helps.