Photography School

Photography Schools, Are They Right For You?

Let's be honest right up front here, we can't really tell you whether or not attending a photography school is the right decision for you. We can tell you the difference between community colleges and more prestigious schools, what a photography school can offer you. We can tell you what kind of courses you can expect to take, what you can hope to achieve when you arm yourself with the right education, but we can't tell you whether or not you need to attend photography school, and we especially can't tell you whether or not you want to attend photography school.

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We will tell you one thing though: If you hated school as a kid, don't let that be a deterrent. There's a big difference between having to go to school, and studying a bunch of subjects that don't really interest you, and wanting to go to school, and studying just one subject that you love.

We can also tell you this: Whether you're just a hobbyist, or you're looking to make photography your profession, that doesn't make much of a difference, either. A solid education can be immensely rewarding even for an amateur, and there are plenty of professional photographers making good money who've never attended a single photography class.

So we've made it clear that only you can decide whether or not photography school is the right choice. You may also need to to search the web for the best digital camera reviews. Now then, let's get on with what practical advice we can offer...

Community College, or Prestigious School of the Arts?
A community college course can teach you the basics of composition, exposure, lighting, and things like that, and for many photographers, the basics are all you need to get started and develop your own style. A prestigious private school will offer more in-depth courses, and you'll be able to come away with a more complete knowledge of the history of the craft and the technology, you'll be able to name a hundred Pulitzer winning photojournalists off the top of your head, and you'll have a great detail to put on your resume if you ever decide to become a professional photographer.

So what can I Expect to get out of a Photography School?
What you can learn from a photography school, you could also learn from any good book on photography. Here's what you'll never get from a book though: Proper guidance, and a sense of community. The college experience isn't just about learning the basics, it's about showing your work to a trusted expert and receiving constructive criticism and feedback. It's about sharing your ideas and your photographs with other students and influencing one another. This can do a lot for both your enthusiasm and your learning experience, and it's not something you'll get out of a book. And this really is the heart of the college experience, the sense of community, the sense of belonging, being around people who share your interests. You can get this experience from a community college or from a prestigious university (maybe even from a local shutterbug club), but you'll never receive constructive criticism from a book.

And remember, a college education doesn't guarantee you work as a photographer. It can be immensely helpful, but a degree is just a piece of paper if you don't have the skills and the ambition to seriously pursue a career in photography. A real love of photography is needed before you consider photography school.