Blog #10 Self Improvement, Formal Study in Photography Part 2

September 07, 2015  •  Leave a Comment

Blog #10. This is part 2 of another part with the same name. For Part 1 Please go here: http://jeremyhgreenberg.zenfolio.com/blog/2015/8/blog-7-self-improvement-or-how-to-make-mind-blowing-images

There, I discussed my plan to take up some formal study in photography. So for this week's blog I will share what happened.  I did (am) taking up formal study in photography but not from SCAD as I previously planned. SCAD is terrific, except for the times. Their classes are almost entirely scheduled twice per week in the early or later afternoons. With my other work commitments, there was no way I could attend even one course this term. I will try again next term to see if their schedule is more conducive to working with my other commitments. I also work as an educator and administrator and teacher trainer in an international school on Hong Kong and teach a class at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. More on SCAD can be found here: http://scad.edu

I'm the kind of person that when I make up my mind about something, I will go and get it, plain and simple. So once I had made up my mind about pursuing formal study, It was just a matter of time (and a little money) before I got started. I quickly sought out online options and landed back where I stared from (quiet literally the place of my birth) in New York City. The New York Institute of Photography quickly revealed itself as a great option. NYIP is a one hundred year old institution that is accredited by the New York State Department of Education and rated one of the best (if not the best) online certificate program in professional photography in the world.  I love that they assign a pro as a mentor for the duration of the course.  The entire course is online. There are about 40+ learning models across about six different areas. Pretty much everything is covered from camera basics, to composition, to marketing, post-processing, and much more. There are hands on projects with dialogue from the pro mentor instructors. It takes most people 6-12 months to go through the program according to NYIP website. 

So there it is! I'm off. I'm in. I'm doing it. The information so far is very clear and a bit review for me but I expect that to change so enough. I'm four modules in at the time of this blog entry. Wish me luck! NYIP is here: https://www.nyip.edu/courses

There are three ways to educate oneself in the complicated and vast universe of photography, mainly.  There are:

  1. formal study in the traditional sense that may lead to a bachelors or masters degree in photography or fine art (i.e. B.A., B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A)
  2. Paid online course through NYIP like I've enrolled in, that will lead to a certificate
  3. Free online or self study. 

There are countless options that are paid online or free.

Here's a good paid and inexpensive option that I will likely try as some point: https://www.udemy.com/a-room-for-improvement-the-art-of-figure-to-ground/?couponCode=adammarellino2

Here are a plethora of free options to keep even the most devout student of the arts busy for long while: http://petapixel.com/2014/07/03/best-free-online-photography-courses-tutorials.

Even our photography friend Eric Kim has shared his 103 tips about street photography after a long time of dedicated self study: http://digital-photography-school.com/103-things-ive-learned-about-street-photography. 

So which will you choose? Whatever it is, you will need training and mentorship just like in an other educational, trade, scientific, or art. 

Good luck! 

jhg

New York Institute of PhotographyNew York Institute of Photography

 


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