I am having a Dilemma!!

[sbadawi]

I am 23 years old and I have always been interested in photography. I don't know much about photography and I am just a begginer...not even. I was wondering should I take a class or go for a degree in photography. My husband tells me that I should go for a degree so I can learn a lot more from it. He says it would be worth the money to go for a degree than just taking a class and spending money on one class and also a new camera. I dont know what to do.


I need advice so please voice your opinion. Thanks!!

[zarquon]

I'd start with a class at a local college or art guild, make sure it's something you really want to do. Get a used dSLR (around $250-350), and just go out and have fun with it. You'd be surprised at how much you can learn from those local classes, and they can help you figure out what you like best. Then, if you get a degree, you can focus on that.

[Murtasma]

Photography is one of those areas where the quality of work you produce really has nothing to do with what school or classes you took to learn about photography. There is tons and tons of free information on the web and a step up would be purchasing some good photography books. Your own personal vision has a ton to do with what your final image will look like if you have all the technicals down. Perhaps a photoshop class would be worth looking into.

Getting yourself behind the camera frequently and seeking input from fellow photographers is a good way to initially start. This will let you know if this is really for you with out too much investment in time and money with school.

Many great photographers never went to a photography school to learn. It really depends on how you best learn. I'm personally self motivated and have no problem seeking out the information I need without the help of a structured class. I can't speak for everyone but the first photography class I took was little use to me, but I had already been researching and learning on my own the past two years so this likely has a lot to do with it.

[dcclark]

Murtasma said it -- I'd do some research, get a camera, and then go spend time with it. Read up and educate yourself a bit as you go. See how your work improves, or doesn't. After a while of doing this, you may decide that a class is right for you -- if so, go for it! But you may also (like me) decide that it wouldn't help, and might just end up being a boring waste of time. In that case... well, keep working on your own.

[sbadawi]

Thank you so much for the advice. I think I am going to just take a class in my area (community college) or something and now I am gonna have to search for a dslr camera. Thanks again it helped a lot!!!

[RustySterling]

I agree with so many others here. A degree will involve a major commitment that not only will get you the coursework in Photography but also a lot of other coursework that will be entirely unrelated. So taking some classes to learn some of the basics of photography and composition won't hurt. Combine that with just plain old shooting and you will probably get what you need.

That said, everything also depends upon your career goals. If you want to get into photojournalism, for example, some editors will want to see the degree along with a good portfolio. Other editors (and a distince minority) won't care at all about the degree but will focus entirely on your portfolio.

For advertising like photography, your portfolio is going to be much more critical than a degree.

Good luck and keep on clickin'

[private]

One thing that you will need to do is take some business classes. You need to learn HOW to run a business if you plan on making any serious money. I spend more of my "free" time running the business than taking pics. And in the beiginning, I suspect its the same way with everyone.

[oldwolf]

Originally Posted by private

One thing that you will need to do is take some business classes. You need to learn HOW to run a business if you plan on making any serious money.

Couldn't have said it better. Knowing how to take great pictures and/or post process them is one thing but knowing how to run a business is its own animal. You can also get with the small business association in your area and they can help you out as well.

This website can give you a starting point for what you'll need to start a small business.

http://www.sba.gov/index.html