I want to be a Photographer?

Question

I want to be a Photographer what program should I be looking for when I search for a college?

I found one college with a course that has Photographer as one of its listed professions. It is under the Art & Advertising Design, I looked for more info on Photography being part of this group but got nothing.

Any clue if I will learn how to become a Photographer under this program.

Answer 1

There are a lot of great answers here. But to make it short, you should be looking for a fine art or studio art program at the university you are interested in. Then you should find out what concentrations fall under the fine arts program. Some schools have concentrations that range from glass blowing, to woodworking, to ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, painting, and of course photography. Usually most Photo programs teach you from the ground up. Basically starting with film and then moving your way up which can be crucial in learning all the facets of photography, not just the digital craze that is going on now.

Answer 2

In photography you do not have to go to formal school and have a degree to be a photographer but that sounds like what you want to do anyway.

Have a look at this website:

http://www.photographyschools.com/

(The below information is repeated since it has been asked before).

1. You should learn the technical aspects of photography and your camera (composition, shutter speed, depth of field etc), once you understand these you will be able to create better images.

2. Shoot in "M" (manual mode) because you will have more control over your camera and not the other way around. When you are in one of the "Auto" modes the camera will just read the highlights and shadow areas and try to get you a picture. The camera is not smart enough to know what you are shooting.

3. You can start reading all kinds of books on this subject and get information from the internet. This includes web based classes, manufactures web sites to personal blogs.

4. Buy the best DSLR camera that you can afford this also includes good lenses. Take out your camera and manual sit down and go over all the buttons and knobs etc.. this is the best way for you to learn what your camera can do.

5. Start shooting with your camera to get practice and from what you are learning from reading and doing you will get better. Practice does make perfect. Take notes while shooting and then look at your photos on the computer find the best one from that set and see what you did to get the shot.

6. You can get yourself a job as a photographers assistant (be it payed or free) and learn from that person.

7. My suggestion is to find a part of photography that you would have an interest in and point in that direction.

Hope this helps,
Kevin

Answer 3

It would have been good to know the name of the collage and city.

Generally speaking if they don't offer a B.A., or are a reputable Art school is not worth it.

Look for a collage that has many years on the Art department.

Avoid collages that offer little information.

Check the curriculum, if they have too much theory or no photography related classes and no practice then it means they are just trying to fill the curriculum with air.

If they have no "dark room" to teach you how to develop and print Black and White photography then it's certainly not worth your time.

If they say "you don't need to learn about 35mm or any other film, we use digital" then get out of there and find a real photography school.

Ask to other graduates from that collage.

Answer 4

avoid any programme that says too much about photoshop or mentions Automatic anywhere - except to say they teach you not to use it

Hopefully Photoace answers you he knows all the schools, im not in the states.

Any course that will teach you how to read and use exposure and light is on the right track.

As well as learning technique, marketing is useful.

In my country its called Batchelor of Art and you major in photography.

I didnt do college (american english, university where i am) but i have done numerous night courses and went to a photgraphy school for two years, and Television Broadcasting school for a year (TV Camera Operating)

Your on the right track, the art side is easy its the science part most people dont get or dont even know about.

Contact the governing body for Professional Photographers in your country, search the net for them, they will point you in the right direction



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Answer 5

look for a college that has a photography program not just classes in photography. also try to find a college that has a digital photography program unless you really want to learn all that film stuff that you'll prob never use.
good luck!
sorry i couldn't be more help but you don't stay where you are and if you want to stay in that area.

Answer 6

Art was for painting,drawing and sketches ,Advertising Design was for Magazines,buildings and construction works,they weren't related to photography.

Answer 7

Photography!

Answer 8

You didnt mentioned your home city...

Anyways, you can still search 'photography institute' as keyword. Mean while you search you please download... magzine 'pbase' from www.pbase.com and enjoy the tricks and other related things.