I'm in need of help!

[Becca!]

Ermm, hi!

I know this post thingy is gunna sound really lame to you all (if anybody actually reads it) I just need to some help.
When i leave school, which will be in a few months, i'm hoping to go to college to study a photography a-level. The thing is, i need to compile a portfolio and i dont know what photos to include in it and i dont even know if any of my shots are good enough.

As i'm jobless and still in education and don't have loadsa money, i only have a digital camera, so i dont have the options of all these fancy lenses will this affect my chance or have a got just a good chance of being accepted?

[Woody]

Originally Posted by Becca!

Ermm, hi!

I know this post thingy is gunna sound really lame to you all (if anybody actually reads it) I just need to some help.
When i leave school, which will be in a few months, i'm hoping to go to college to study a photography a-level. The thing is, i need to compile a portfolio and i dont know what photos to include in it and i dont even know if any of my shots are good enough.

As i'm jobless and still in education and don't have loadsa money, i only have a digital camera, so i dont have the options of all these fancy lenses will this affect my chance or have a got just a good chance of being accepted?

Welcome to DPS Becca. Do you know what? You can take a great photo with your mobile phone if you want. Think about composition, lighting, the subject and time of day. these thngs all add to the photograph, but have nothing to do with a camera. So any person looking at your capabilities will not necessarily take into account whether you have a shiny new DSLR and all the flash lenses. Take some photos with your camera and post them here,(dont forget to ready the sticky first), and someone will point you in the right direction.

Mostly have fun.

Cheers,

John W

[Niresangwa]

this may seem like a common sense answer, but hat doesnt mean it doesn't have to be pointed out...

find out who is taking the A-level course and email that lecturer and ask. Not only will they give you a more definitive answer, but it's a way to get your name in front of them, and show you're thinking about this with a level head.

the sooner you get into the habit of asking questions, the faster you'll get the information you need.

Also, +1 on Woody's comment.. your camera at this point isn't a huge factor. Following basic technique with a variety of equipment is probably all they'll need. Some people are world famous for using crappy equipment and creating interesting stuff.

[Becca!]

Firstly thank you both for actually reading my silly little post, and secondly, thanks for your advice its much appreciated.
in the near future i'll upload some of my pictures for you all to see and i hope as a novice they are ok, and about speaking to the lecturer, i'll have to ring again as he never got back to me when i rang before! :O

anyway,
thanks.

[JFSanders]

Becca, Don't ring him again. He is most likely an older gentleman and as such you should communicate with him in a manner that speaks to your seriousness in obtaining the position. Write him a letter. Use proper english and correct spelling. Make sure the punctuation and usage are proper.

Secondly, you don't need a camera or fancy lenses. Find a friend that has one and ask to borrow it. Does not need to be anything special but should create a negative (digital or film) large enough to allow for a good 8X10 print. You only need between 8 and 12 prints. Anymore and it takes too long to look at and will not get the attention they deserve.

Do you have a library close? If so, go and check out books on Composition, Exposure, Lighting and artistic vision. Read them until you understand and can implement them. Shoot photographs and exercise your editor (the one in your mind). Post here to get feedback on your progress and with questions. READ, READ, READ.

As far as your confidence goes, it will grow as you do within the photography environment. Want more confidence then you have to stretch and fail. We learn from our mistakes not from our successes.

Jim

[Jim Bryant]

Becca,

Some, but not very many, photography programs have loaner equipment that you can check out for an assignment or one day. ASk questions.............don't worry about shying away from asking for the only dumb questions are the nots you don't ask.

[BexJarratt]

Hi Becca,

I've had a quick look at the photography course on some college prospectuses on the net, and it's confirmed that the starting point is much the same as about 8 yrs ago (I did photography as some modules of a course equal to 2 A levels). They start you off with black and white film and then cover digital and digital photo manipulation later. Some of the first things they teach you are the exposure triangle and basic composition, so I wouldn't panic about not having a camera or experience with lenses before the course.

I think they're going to want to see that you are interested in photography, art, and that you're creative. If you are studying art GCSE you may be able to emphasis your creativity in your portfolio by photographing some of your own work in a creative way and use a couple of these photos in your portfolio. You are probably best including a range of genre (landscape, urban/architecture, still life, portrait). Think - simple, with a strong subject. Try and make the photos fun and express yourself and your interests; if you enjoyed taking them it often shows to the viewer.

Hope that helps, and please post lots of photos, I'm excited to see what you come up with!

[Becca!]

Thank you so much Bex for your help!
I've got quite a variation of photos on my computer, hopefully it'll help! I would think of myself as creative, and I will put loads of that into my portfolio!
I've uploaded 2 pictures into the critique section of the forum, under animals and wildlife, if you want to take a look. I'm open to critisises and hints&tips! I can do with all the help I can get.
Thank you again

[Biomech]

I wouldn't panic about it, a-levels - like GSCEs - are quite a breeze, they are only really useful for moving up the ladder - Uni will won't some A levels.

In my experience the education system seems to view "photography" courses - particularly at degree level, as more art history than actual technical ability. (I've met uni graduates who didn't know what aperture is).

Don't get bogged down by people screaming about Apple or Canon - use what your have, it's good and it works.

And bear this in mind. I studied A-level art, biology (wanted physics ) and psychology. I pretty much flunked them all because I spent all my college life in the IT room being naughty or in the pub. After various jobs, becoming the UK best salesman, competition wins at local, national and global level - including a world commendation: I now own my own media company and will be published (again) in the next few months (Practical Photography Magazine; don't worry I'll post here lol).

As much as the teachers like to put the shitty stick up you. Education at school/college doesn't do a great deal in the real world. So don't worry about it

[dvtldav]

As I am sure you have done read critiques of other peoples photos in the critique section. Learn what they are doing wrong and apply their critiques to your own photos.

Dave