Hello,
Sorry if I posted this in the wrong forumm- but I'm interested in enrolling in a bachelors photography program because I am interested in doing high-level documentary photography. I'd also like to be versed in lighting people and post processing.
Here are just a few, I'm about to graduate with a Bachelors from San Jose State University
Western Kentucky University
University of Ohio
San Francisco State University
Brooks Institute of Photography
San Jose State University
Remember that school is what you make of it. If you want to do high-level documentary work, you're going to need to push yourself, most of which you don't need a program to do.
Those are just a few examples of schools, others will probably be able to chime in. Take a look at Sportsshooter.com and search for photo schools and you may be able to find some threads on the subject too.
My advice is to not waste your money paying to learn photography. You can "assist" a photographer and get paid to do so. I wasted a lot of money at RIT just to find out that I needed to be an assistant anyway before going professional. I would recommend going to school for business or something else just to fall back on. It is not easy to make a living in photography.
People that are suggesting an online route or just assisting need to realize that he is taking a documentary approach to photography, not a traditional art route. The techniques and knowledge from a hands on program will greatly help him, experienced photojournalists as instructors and as guest speakers will also help. My suggestion, start shooting, enroll in a program and get internships. The community is small, everyone knows everyone, attend workshops and meet people. Be a good person.
Sounds like you want a career in documentary photojournalism. Carrying lightstands and camera cases will not teach you that. Go to school. Out of the schools on that list, I would recommend Ohio. It's a solid school and I know many grads and wish that I had gotten just half the schoolin' they got compared to what I got at my alma mater.
It amazes me how many community colleges continue to require a film camera for Photography 101. Their marketing often implies that to learn about light and basic photography you need to start with film. I think they are just trying to get more use out of their darkroom equipment.
nathanlake wrote:
It amazes me how many community colleges continue to require a film camera for Photography 101. Their marketing often implies that to learn about light and basic photography you need to start with film. I think they are just trying to get more use out of their darkroom equipment.
5 or 10 years ago, I might agree with the "film" sentiment, but now, what's the point?
Sure the fundamentals are the same but NO ONE will be using film (except hobbyists) and why on Earth should a student be required to buy an obsolete camera off of the bargain shelf when it will only be used for a semester?
Just because the previous generation had to deal with fixer and photo-flo doesn't mean the new generation HAS to.
Are the typing classes using IBM Selectrics? Should the copies be made on Ditto machines because that's what we learned on? Rotary phones? Shall I go on?
Getting that first undergraduate degree and looking for the right next step into "high-level documentary photography" is not unlike where I started nearly half a century ago. My advice is to follow your general interests and let them "inform" your decisions and paths. So, if you'd like to end up joining a video production unit, gain your chops and then strike out on your own, that's one path. If your writing interest is stronger, then head towards a journalism major with a video production minor. If you're more interested in the business side, then make that your major.
The other important step is to make sure you get your education where you can also get practical experience; think intern, gopher, freelance, etc.
And last, but not least, be flexible. You never know where your initial interest and education will take you. I started off thinking I wanted to be a photojournalist and ended up being an ad agency partner and a (reserve) military PR officer, after living the dream of being a photojournalist and realizing that it wasn't the end all and be all for me. Good luck!
