Black and White Photography Blog, Vol. I

Comment from joshua mahar
Time: February 19, 2008, 12:49 pm

Well - as someone without formal schooling that is trying to break into the field, I can tell you that it would be nice to have that background: it forces you to try a lot of things, helps you build a great portfolio, gives you a concentrated dose of the information you need (instead of spending hours online trying to learn it for free - or even find out where to find the information, and if the school is worth its salt, will help you get a job when its all over. Further, many of the best photographers, who have loads of raw talent, still go to school for it.
Man, I wish I could go to school…
Cheers

Comment from Shay
Time: February 19, 2008, 4:04 pm

Though I don’t believe that school is absolutely necessary, I would definitely suggest at least some schooling in regards to photography. The great thing about college training isn’t so much what you learn–though it definitely is that, but it’s more of learning how to learn. That concept might sound strange, but the reality is, you will be taught the learning process which will last a lifetime.

There are many facets to photography as far as it’s history, it’s technical side, lighting, etc. and much of that information can be obtained in the classroom. From there you can take that information and use it, change it, manipulate it how you like in the creative process, but you will have a base of knowledge to work from.

Comment from Stephen Bray
Time: February 19, 2008, 6:05 pm

The problem with the question is that we don’t know that much about Sally, and this isn’t an invitation for her to post more.

As a general principle it seems like a good idea to go to college for the reasons Joshua states, but not everyone is cut out for college.

Many great photographers didn’t have a classical photo-school education. Henri Cartier-Bresson for example studied painting rather than photography. Elliot Erwitt taught himself photography by reading the instructions of the boxes that film is packed in, more recently the British photographer ‘Rankin’ trained in accountancy rather than photography. Charlie Waite trained as an actor and became a lanscape photographer following a chance encounter with a publisher. On your side of the pond there is a photographer called ‘Nitsa’ who sometimes visits here and who eschews theory.

One photographer whom I respect very much is David Noton, a travel photographer from Somerset, England. He trained as a photographer over three years in college when he left the merchant navy. Now, some twenty years later, he has written a page about the problems photographers must face on leaving college.

http://davidnoton.com/startingup.htm

My guess is that working for a while as an assistant would probably be invaluable to any photographer, college trained or not. The danger for those seeking independence of self expression though, (according to a recent article in American Photo), is that the regular salary becomes seductive as the photographer seeks to avoid the challenges that David Noton describes.

I am unsure if any of this helps?

Stephen

Comment from Craig Holmes
Time: February 19, 2008, 9:01 pm

I graduated with a business degree, but have never studied photography. I ditched the world of commerce almost immediately, and I’ve worked as a professional photographer for over a decade now. Nearly all the photographers I know learned on the job (assistant or work experience).

Comment from dave
Time: February 20, 2008, 1:36 am

Does anyone think it’s makes sense to try and get a job as a photographer for a small newspaper, or magazine?

When I was growing up, this was the way a lot of photographers got into the business - and back then no one went to school because I don’t think photography was even taught.

Or do you need a college degree in fine arts just to get a job as a photographer for a small magazine / paper / web site.

And yes, it’s true, it would be helpful to know more about Sally before offering advise, but since this was an actual e-mail, and very typical of the requests for help that I receive - I thought I’d leave it as is.

Comment from Steve Rosenbach
Time: February 20, 2008, 1:38 am

The mechanics of photography are so simple, even discounting the digital era and the Plastikwunderkamera era that preceded it — focus, f-stop, shutter speed. For this you have to go to college??

I would suggest to Sally that the best way to learn photography is to *practice* photography. Also, go to the library and borrow some books with photos by great photographers. Maybe start with this one: http://www.amazon.com/Great-LIFE-Photographers-Editors/dp/0821228927

Then take LOTS of photos and learn from your good ones and your bad ones. Always strive to experiment and imporve.

Get a digital camera with a 1GB card - even a $150 camera these days can turn out great work by someone with a good eye.

Or, if you know someone who will lend you a good old camera, try Ken Rockwell’s “Free Full-Frame Digital SLR!” advice at http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/free-digital-camera.htm

If you must go to college, study literature, art, graphics, composition, music, etc. Use that search of knowlege and beauty to fuel your photography.

In closing, I would submit that the problem with most journalists today is that they went to journalism school, and it ruined them. Now I don’t think photography college is nearly as bad, or bad at all, just unnecessary.

Meanwhile… Dave - wonderful work as always!

Best regards,
SteveR

Comment from Craig Holmes
Time: February 20, 2008, 9:09 am

Dave…yes, that is the way I started, on a small newspaper for a while. I got the job based on a portfolio gained during ‘work experience’ on their sister paper.

Comment from luke
Time: February 20, 2008, 1:51 pm

I’m not sure what a sophomore is - grade 10? If so, that means she should have another two years of high school. (We don’t use terms like that in Canada - just what grade you’re in.)

Before making plans to study photography at a college, I think Sally should decide if she really likes photography enough to do it every day. If I were her, I would do a photo a day project. Take one photo every day to capture a sense of what that day was like. Take portraits of her friends. Experiment with different styles. If after a few days or weeks she can’t stand to carry a camera with her 12 hours a day, it’s not for her. Self-publish a magazine or book.

If she wants to be a fine art photographer, then she’ll need to do at least an MA and that means one or two universities in particular. Also, consider how much money she’ll expect to make as a photographer and see how long it will take to pay off those student loans.

If Sally really, really wants to be a photographer for at least the next 20 years, she should probably skip college. For too many people, college is an expensive mistake. They’re no closer to understanding what they want to do with their lives when they finish, and they’re saddled with huge student loans to pay off.

Comment from D. Brent Miller
Time: February 23, 2008, 12:50 pm

As a former professor of journalism and photojournalism who has advised students on studies towards a career path, there is a lot of value in what is said above … except for the “skip college.” Sally, if you are a sophomore in high school, go work for the student newspaper or the yearbook committee. This will give you practice and place your work under the supervision of a teacher who can help you with the details that may take longer to learn on your own. Similarly, many community newspapers need part-time photographers for school sports and weekend activities, and those small-newspaper editors and staff photographers are usually approachable with advise and hands-on learning.

In picking out a college, most schools–public and private–have some type of photography program. But, pick out the school for the education you can gain. I used to have students come to my office and load up on all the journalism, TV or photojournalism classes they could take, trying to minimize the other course work. If they didn’t have a well rounded education in business, sociology, history, etc., will they understand what they are writing and photographing? Secondly, in today’s photo industry, it’s not a bad idea to have something to fall back on! In my opinion, the well rounded education is more desirable to a potential employer than a technical degree that has no other education requirements.

Then, it comes down to affordability. What will it cost to attend schools A, B, & C? –DBrent