Weekly Poll: Self-Taught or Organized Photography Education?

[Marmalade]

I took classes back in high school, I learned about color ,composition, developing, and even how to use a box camera. This was all pre digital cameras so I now have to learn everything all over again.

[Taallyn]

I've taken no classes ... yet. So, everything I've learned has been by reading and taking pictures. Yesterday I had a good photo outting with my son, but it still reminded me of how much I still have to learn.

[snowpeace19]

although it was all self-taught till august but after that i have joined oragnized photgraphy institute and i don't think i am enjoying this organised course...It was fun for me to learn at my own..but now i have to do it with my course....trying to enjoy it

[JAHphoto]

Learned 75% of what I know from just playing around on a Nikon FM2 and later an Elan 7. Learned a bit from talking to other photographers, and about half of what I know about flashes from a small workshop.
Reason why I'm self taught, is that for a while I really didn't know I would ever be this serious about it... and now I find myself knowing a lot, and not really needing a photography class. I would probably take a class at school, but my high school doesn't offer them (oh well, probably wouldn't learn anything from a beginning course anyways)
I might try to take a class somewhere this summer, but I'm not sure.

I think being self taught has worked out pretty well, I think if you learn something by yourself on the camera you're a lot more likely to remember it than if you learn something from a teacher. I can still remember how to use the focusing system on the FM2

[peeperita]

i am a self educated ignorant......

and that's soley because i am my mother's daughter......as cheap as they come......

my husband has been on this ride with me the last 24 years, always encouraging....ever patient.....and with him came his gifts of critique and literature......and to him i owe this huge debt of gratitude.....

thanks....

peeper

[tjwExperience]

Self taught in the beginning. I have recently enrolled in the New York Institute of Photography......

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by tjwExperience

Self taught in the beginning. I have recently enrolled in the New York Institute of Photography......

This course has come up on the forum a couple of times with people asking about it, hopefully you'll come back and post what you thought about the course

As a total aside, I got an e-mail from CNet today about one of the free courses they offer, this one is on photography in case anyone is interested (Digital Photo Pro Secrets). I'm sure a lot of it is the very basics, but hey, it's a free online course

[TW1NS]

i answered self taught - when it comes to photography
even though i have a degree in TV Production -
but I am finding that there are so many differences between moving pictures and still pictures...

[wulf]

I think the advantages of following a course are that it forces you to consider things you would have skipped on your own and that it puts you in touch with other learners.

Of course, neither of those is guaranteed for any given course and you can get much the same on your own if you read widely and make an effort to try new things out. Personally I am self-taught although recognising that this label doesn't preclude me from wide reading and interaction with other photographers (including this site); it just means that I've had nobody forcing me to cover the breadth of a carefully worked out syllabus.

Wulf

[Quo Fan]

I'm self taught. I did have a photography class while in junior high (showing my age now). I've learned quite a bit during my time here. I'll muddle through something, and ask a question if I get stuck.