I Just ran across and funny picture on 9gag.com. I didn't go to school for photography so it's easy for me to pick on the system. What do you guys think? Is paying to go to school for 4 years to learn photography worth it?
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I went to Kelby Training College
Can't teach talent. True. And I'm not a fan of college, especially when it comes to the arts. However, I understand the importance of having a working, practical knowledge of whatever it is you're doing. There's a lot that goes into photography-so, if no formal classes are involved, then you better damn well have a good teacher or take the initiative to LEARN for yourself. This is a whole new age where just about EVERYTHING is available somewhere on line. (The FSTOPPERS site alone being an obviously great resource.) Having a mentor, being able to intern for someone, actually learning your camera and shooting on the regular will build your knowledge and help you along the way far more than classes. It's a commitment. I was fortunate after 13 years or so of not being in touch, to connect with one of my best friends from high school who turned out to be a pretty successful fashion photographer - Chris Militscher. Had the luxury of learning some things and being guided by him for less than a year until unfortunately......memorial day weekend 2010...he died. One of my coolest, best friends ever. His passing was devastating. We had JUST re-connected, coincidentally around the time I picked up a camera and began shooting. He was a great person, good friend and a talented photographer. Life is strange. With Chris gone, I was left to figure out everything on my own. In the short time we did hang though, I learned a lot and it helped to steer me in the right direction.
This is a really interesting topic. It's an odd one though. Who's to say that there is a direct path in a creative yet still extremely technical field such as photography. If you want to be an engineer, you need those papers. If you want to be a nurse or doctor, you need those papers. If you want to be (considered) a professional photographer, you need that portfolio. After touch skills can be taught in a classroom, or at home through practice and the infinite number of tuts available for all levels.
Your pictures represent your skill. I know that shooting waist height looks better. It just does, for me, and my height that is. I learned about the principles related to shutter speed, fstop and ISO in one afternoon. But I'll spend the rest of my life learning how to apply them. A piece of paper with a few words about what course you completed won't stand a chance next to a powerful image.