Guide to an Online Photography Education
By Jessica Ponden
PhotographySchools.com Contributing Writer
July 31, 2006
Anyone with an interest in photography will hear a lot about having a good “eye." This, of course, has nothing to do with one's eyesight - though that is a prerequisite for the job. Rather, having a good eye means being able to capture an image in a way that conveys, well, a thousand words. With that in mind, is it realistic to learn something like photography online? Can a good eye be taught – and can it be taught without direct, personal interaction with teachers and classmates? Well, there are a few schools out to prove it can, but they are few and far between.
“I think you can learn some skills online,” said Jason Cox, a full-time photojournalist and freelance event photographer in upstate New York. “But you miss out on bouncing ideas off other people, working with your classmates, and making those connections.”
But for those with talent, it can work, he said.
The Schools and Programs and How They Work
Those looking at studying photography online will find a dearth of classes available, from beginner to advanced. However, those seeking a degree may have some trouble.
It is possible to earn a diploma from a professional school. Currently offering programming for aspiring photographers is the Professional Career Development Institute, Penn Foster Career School, and the New York Institute of Photography. All three specialize in distance learning, so all students will be participating via the Internet.
Through the Professional Career Development Institute, the photography diploma program includes step-by-step lessons and hands-on projects. Students receive a fully illustrated textbook and other materials through the mail, which they can use to study at their own pace. Similarly, students of the Penn Foster Career School can fit study time around their individual schedules, with most completing the program in a few months. Topics of study include camera basics, lighting, digital and video photography, printing color and black-and-white photographs.
The New York Institute of Photography offers similar courses. Established in 1910 as a residence school, NYIP has offered home training since 1922, and it has been exclusively for distance learners since 1975. The school has more than 20,000 students in the U.S. and abroad ranging in age from teen to seniors. Again students can work at their own pace, so the program can take anywhere from six months to more than a year.
The Norwich School of Photography, based in England, also offers distance learning for those looking to specialize in wedding and portrait photography.
In addition, if you are interested in trying your hand at photography simply for personal growth or entertainment, or to see if you want to invest in a full-time university program, there are many other options available online. The following sites offer more information:
When trying to decide on a program, take a close look at the topics to be covered. The following are essentials for those who want to make a career in photography: parts of the camera, how to choose the right camera and lens, exposure, aperture, focusing, principles of lighting, properties of color, composition techniques, using filters, and darkroom skills.
Costs
Costs vary depending on the program. Some, like Afga, offer classes online free of charge. Meanwhile, MLKstudios charges about $200 for an eight-week course, and the School of Photography charges $279 for their basics of photography class or $135 for special sessions like black-and-white or landscape photography. Others, like PCDI, charge nearly $900, but price breaks of several hundred dollars are often offered to entice new students. Payment plans are also optional at many schools. Check with admissions officials for details about scholarships, grants, and discounts for those who are currently employed.
Employment
There are many specialties in the field of photography, including photojournalism, wedding and event photography, medical and scientific photography, commercial photography, and portrait photography.
Of those who work in a salaried position, most are employed in portrait or commercial photography studios. Others work for newspapers, magazines, and advertising agencies.
It is also common for photographers to be self-employed. In fact, U.S. Department of Labor statistics show more than half of working photographers were self-employed in 2004.
The Department of Labor reported there were a total of 129,000 photographers at work that year. Of those reporting self-employment, many had contracts with advertising agencies, magazine publishers, or other businesses or they were operating portrait studios.
The number of employment opportunities is expected to remain healthy in the coming years, but also note that photography is a competitive field. However, now is a good time to be in the field, and it's only getting better, according to Chuck DeLaney, Dean of the New York Institute of Photography and author of “Photography Your Way: A Career Guide to Satisfaction and Success.”
He recently told Shutterbug magazine, “The power of the photographic image has never been greater than it is today.”
Summary
Photography is fairly unique in that no formal education is required. Essentially, your work has to speak for itself, so your portfolio is the key to getting work. And to build a good portfolio, a classroom environment may not be necessary -- but dedication is.
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