M.F.A question?

Question

I want to go to college for Photography and Sculpture/Ceramics. The only way that I can take these is if I go for a B.F.A or M.F.A, and all the fine arts courses involve painting and drawing, well here is my problem, I am horrible at drawing and painting!! Is that bad? What should I do if this is what my college choice is?

Answer 1

I have the highest regard for fine art photography and sculpture but I might add that a M.F.A. probably won't help you much out in the real world unless you intend to teach or hold down some underpaying job unrelated to your skill level. There are a lot of M.F.A.s out there working wherever they can find work. You'll find them in jobs ranging anywhere from your local MacDonald's to manufacturing.

Go for the B.F.A. The important thing, in regards to photography, is the learning of the technical aspects of the craft. Vision and originality can't be taught or learned in class. What this basic degree will do is open doors to paying fields of photography. A Masters degree won't open the doors any wider. The way of thinking of the people hiring you is something like this: If you didn't learn what you needed to learn in the first four years of school to be a fashion photographer (as an example) you certainly wouldn't have learned it by taking two more years of school.

As to the non-photography related classes you'll be required to take I doubt if any of your professors will expect you to be the new Rembrandt or Dali. What they will want and expect is some enthusiasm. After you've taken these art classes and you've fulfilled the requirements then you can op for other elective non-art classes that interest you. I suggest you take at least one business class because you're going to need it.

Good luck. And have fun.

Answer 2

Here's the deal (in general) If you don't already have a BFA, then don't even worry about an MFA yet. And if you did have a BFA, you'd already know what I'm about to tell you.
O.K, so let's say you enroll in a college with the intention of being an art major. Most colleges have art classes that are intended for non-art majors as well as those who want to be art majors. Usually, students will go through a series of "foundation" studio class that will help you get ready for a "portfolio review" which usually occurs after a year or two into the program. This review must be successfully passed before you are accepted into the art program as an official art major. The thing is, ALL art students will have to take these foundation drawing, painting, ceramic, photography etc...classes at some point to fulfill the degree requirements: even photography/ceramic majors. So, it matters not what your major will eventually be. Everyone takes these courses. The good side is that you will have the opportunity to improve in your weak areas by taking these courses. Drawing is about more then making a great picture. It's about re-learning how to see a 3D object: shape, contours, value-scale, texture...a lot of things are helped by becoming better at drawing and painting.Good luck.

Answer 3

I congratulate your intrest, Don`t fear anything you can carry on in that subject, when you came intrested yourself..but one thing it's not only in arts field, you can achive in any field.