Photography courses.

[adelp]

Photography courses.

I'm researching courses and can’t decide.
The National school of photography is freaking expensive. But is it worth it? Plus you have monthly expenses amounting to R 1 600.
Then there is the photography institute, an online course. Much better priced but again worth it?
I need to do this part time.
Any advice?
People are also referring to an NY institute of photography but they focus a lot on film and not digital.
I’m lost. I want to do this but I do not need to have my fingers burned.

 

[bwana]

What sort of skill level are you at right now and where are you hoping photography will take you? A career or more of a hobby?

I took photography back in college and I'm still drawing on those lessons today but back then we didnt have the internet and the vast array of related sites at our disposal.

Photography is the sort of field that an impressive portfolio will take you further than a piece of paper.

 

[spiderz]

What camera you using?

 

[koffiejunkie]

Don't be put off by courses concentrating on film. As far as shooting goes, there's very little you'll learn in film photography that doesn't apply to digital.

 

[adelp]

Casually doing work functions parties and events like spring day at universities clubs and stuff. Did some weddings for friends to but do i do not ask money i feel i do not really have the experience or papers to back me.
I use a Nikon D60.

 

[adelp]

I just got an reply From pictureperfect.
They also do an online course.
Have anybody heard of them?

 

[adelp]

So i'm going to post lots.
The guys name is
Jaco Wolmarans.
Search him on google and you get lots of hits. He sounds like the real deal but what i want to know is is any of these online courses worth while.

 

[spiderz]

No a bad camera. [http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond60/page30.asp]
Bought myself a Pentax K10D a year or 2 ago. Also promised myself to do "some sort of course" to really learn the camera. I still think it's the only way to get the full potential out of the camera. Wanna do that before getting the big lens and flash.

 

[iDenTiTy]

Some camera shops bundle photography classes with cameras sold...

What you could do, is go to such store, and inquire about the course sold with whichever camera...

Presto! Phone the company teaching the course etc...

You can try the Sony Digital Experience in Fourways Crossing (assuming you in JHB...)

Where do you stay?

 

[adelp]

JHB...

 

[spiderz]

Found this one 2.
http://www.photocollege.co.za/

hmmm, they're quite pricey...think i must rather read all that photography eBooks i have...

 

[iDenTiTy]

What about the National School of Arts in JHB?

Speak to them about a photography course. They might be helpful...

 

[slayerza]

Giving the ebooks a browse might not be a bad idea. Then you'll be able to ascertain the value of the course from the contents. So far I have found that a good book, a great forum and a load of practice is the way to go, that is if this is not for professional (read career) use.

Cheers
Slayer

 

[spiderz]

Giving the ebooks a browse might not be a bad idea. Then you'll be able to ascertain the value of the course from the contents. So far I have found that a good book, a great forum and a load of practice is the way to go, that is if this is not for professional (read career) use.

Cheers
Slayer

I agree with slayerza. Some course i did (IT courses), you could just as well have learned the study material. Course added no extra value.
1st. Find some nice photograhy ebooks/books [check the library for books.]
2nd. If ur going profesional, find out what/who give the best course. [ask the pro's where they studied]

my 5cents for today :d

 

[sproetniek]

Photography courses

Hi guys

Picked this up way after the fact. I am Jaco Wolmarans, and I can assure you my courses are the real deal. I have hundreds of students who are repeat customers, and have become personal friends, people who have turned pro after completing some of my courses.

Anyone wanting to do a course, contact me for a chat and I'll give you the content and screenshots of the various courses at www.pictureperfect.co.za

Cheers

So i'm going to post lots.
The guys name is
Jaco Wolmarans.
Search him on google and you get lots of hits. He sounds like the real deal but what i want to know is is any of these online courses worth while.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Well its nice to have a person who actually does the courses on here...

Welcome Jaco...

 

[sproetniek]

Thanks. I hope I'm not punting too shamelessly. That's not the intention. I feel for those photographers out there who get flamed around every corner with courses and e-books that promise the world and don't deliver.

I went to one of those courses in Cape Town years ago. Out of the 13 evenings we attended, we took two pictures per night. Out of the 21 that started, 12 finished. You do the maths.

After this I started studying hard, while earning a living as a wedding photographer, and started writing my first course based solely on experience. It took three years to complete, and then to be revamped, thanks to my wife, who is a lecturer at UCT. She taught me how to set up the assignments so that you learn in stages by self-discovery. Sounds a bit fluffy, but it works.

So now these courses all follow the same style and technique - you're obliged to sit with your camera on your lap, to point it this way and that way, and twiddle the knobs, change the settings and watch the camera respond. They're designed to get you familiar with your camera fast, not to be scared of it, and to be at one with it to get the shots when it really counts.

I don't try and teach high-faluting theories. Just the basics, shooting on manual, learning how the programme modes work and when to use (or NOT to use) them.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Well looking at the cost of the Digital Course you have on your site... does the course work for all brands of camera... or have you tailored it to a specific make?

 

[sproetniek]

The Digital Course is aimed at DSLR users, but I also give special tuition to compact owners. These cameras are perfectly suitable for the course, provided you know the manual workaround with setting f-stops for depth-of-field exercises. Most compacts won't allow you to change the aperture in manual, for some silly reason. So to answer your question, the DC could be for absolute entry level or reasonably advanced.

Then the Weddings Course - this is most definitely more advanced, and presupposes you've done some manual shooting, are OK with using fill-flash and own a proper flash for your DSLR or film camera.

The same goes for the Home Studio Course - it assumes you have your own studio lights or access to lights, and a suitable room.

I do a regular newsletter for subscribers too, aimed very much at the DIY enthusiast, in which I give tips on how to prepare the studio, what colour to paint the walls and ceiling, how big it should be, how to make your own bounce boards etc. So there is something for everyone. You can sign up at http://www.pictureperfect.co.za/diy.html

 

[ToxicBunny]

Ok thats pretty awesome to read....

I do applaud you for trying and will investigate this further in a few weeks I think.

Of course, I would suggest not punting too much on here because we are all a sensitive lot, but we love our photography.