Photography Degree/School- Do you have one?/Did you attend one?

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Photography Degree/School- Do you have one?/Did you attend one?

(11 posts) (8 voices)

Started 3 years ago by poster
Latest reply from ted2001
Related Topics:
1. What Photo School Did You Attend?
2. New to world of photography- need advice on picking up a long term dslr Help!!!

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poster

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Hi folks,

This question of whether pursuing degree in photography has been bugging be more lately. I am of conviction that portfolio and job experience counts more than photography degree. I have alway thought that a self thought photog can be as cable and marketable as a student with photography degree. However that's just me and my assumption. I want to know you opinions.

Did you attend a photography school? Do you have any kind of photography/art degree? Has it opened any doors for you that otherwise for somebody who didn't hold said degree could never have?

Would you recommend attaining said degree?

Of course all of these questions wouldn't mean much if I would not specify what types of photography I am looking here at pursuing.

I am interested in documentary, photojournalism and street. Granted I would take "few" classes just to get a more specific idea about the technique for photo documentary and photojournalism (classes focused more also on the "philosophy" of being a photojournalist rather than anything else such as technicalities etc)

Would getting a degree help one land a job as a photojournalist at your local/city paper as opposed to a person without it.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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I'm also very interested in this topic. Photography means a lot to me, and before I know the time will come for me to decide what I want to do with myself.

So please speak up everyone, especially you lurkers! ;^)

Posted 3 years ago #
warprints

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I did not get a degree in photography or art. I did take some photography courses in undergraduate school, and I taught some photogrpahy seminars when I was in graduate school. I think the photo courses really helped - mostly through the mentoring by the professor.

Personally, I think a good portfolio and references wwould count more than a degree in photography. If I were hiring someone (and I have on a few occasions), I didn't even ask if they had a degree.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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So you want to change majors now Poster? Last time you said there was no $$$ in pursuing a degree in photography?

Although my educational background has nothing to do with photography, mechanical engineering and message therapy, I have taken college level photo classes for fun and as electives. I was also an educator so I am aware of how frustrating and confusing it is to decide on a degree path.

The main benefit of going to a school rather than just "training" yourself is that schools provide you the opportunity to learn with various pro level equipment that you might not be able to afford on your own. Well the better schools do any way.

The School of Journalism at the University of Texas Austin has one of the best photojournalism programs.

http://journalism.utexas.edu/areas/photojournalism/index.htm

And yes I was kidding about having a degree in message therapy. It was too stressful for me so I ended up with a degree in design instead :^)

Posted 3 years ago #
soap

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While neither of my college careers were for photography, I took lots of classes. My first 4 years were at a liberal arts college, and my final 5 were at a very large state school. True to every stereotype I learned much more art at the college and much more technique at the university.

The most valuable aspect, IMHO, though (mind you this is all pre-WWW (we had email, gopher, usenet, that's it) ) was having someone you trusted on a personal and professional level available 24x7 for discussion/feedback.

There is no reason you need to spend money for that, though.

Posted 3 years ago #
poster

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Ha not at all. I got an exemption from foreign language requirement, so I have to take 12 credits worth of elective classes, and I thought that hey might want to see if it's worth looking into photography.

btw today I officially declared double major in polsci (I only needed two more classes to finish it anyway) and economics with concentration in accounting.

Posted 3 years ago #
soap

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Haha - First degree was Econ with a minor in PoliSci. Unless you plan on being an accountant you best be taking photo classes! The think-tank and NGO market is small and underpaying. :(

Posted 3 years ago #
astrophotographer

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Guess I'm the weird one. I majored in photography. But found computer programming a more reliable income.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Poster then it would help to know what the photography program at your school looks like. What photo courses do they offer? Most require a lecture and lab so is that going to interfere with your major's course outline for the semester?

Lab assignments can be easy or they can be complex and time consuming. It just depends on the school, but more so on the instructor.

Posted 3 years ago #
nau

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Did not finish degree in International Business, degree + fuk loads of usless diplomas in IT (networks) -> not hing to do with photography was very close to switching few years ago but cant see it as a reliable income job for none bachelor(<=key word here) men : ) after shooting dozen of weddings........and all the attention from drunk "supermodels"
education vise in photography - readying random books on it web blogs sites etc etc etc

I dont really thing u need degree if you have 'it', you will do fine pro or not... yes they can teach you a lot of tricks that will fast forward in a industry but its still all about getting out and trying things

Posted 3 years ago #
ted2001

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I haven't kept up with university programs in photography, but the most prestigious for years was at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY. That's where Kodak is hq'd. For film school there's UCLA and USC. Good luck!

Posted 3 years ago #