Hey everyone, Well I'll start with saying, my highschool years are coming to an end, I'm a 17 year old photographer, who's really thinking of making photography my life. But I'm now faced with a decision.. To go to college for photography, OR go for graphic design, and do photography on the side. I'm more steering to going for photography,and going full out to be a photographer and be most successfull.
Some issues that scare me are, Are they going to be teaching things that I really already no so basically I'm wasting my money? or is it time/money well spent. I've been looking into Algonquin in Ottawa for a college and by the looks of things they have a good 2 year course going on.
What are your thoughts about this whole situation. Thanks so much.
Joel
I can't comment on the difference between a photography and graphic design degree since I majored in neither of those fields, but I can address the notion that taking a class that teaches you what you already know is a waste of money. I disagree. First, any class you take will probably provide you with at least some bit of information you didn't already know, whether obtained through a lecture or your assigned text. Secondly, not every class at college will be interesting or even relevant to your degree. One main reason that people go to college is to get a degree, and having the degree is by itself a marketable asset regardless of the individual coursework along the way. So paying money to obtain the degree is not a waste.
If you know you want to be a photographer, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get a photography degree. However, investigate the school and what it offers. I'm betting that photography as it exists today will continue to die, and simultaneously explode, as a field, and be replaced by who knows what within a decade (3D? Video? Something nobody's thought of?) We are in very interesting times, but if you're looking for a lot of the jobs that existed in the 1970s, I think you will be in for a surprise.
That said, I'm a firm believer of having as many irons in the fire as possible. Try to go to a school that can offer you a variety of courses. I think it's going to be nearly impossible to be successful in the future without some proficiency with graphic design in general, not to mention video, and various other forms of media that will likely be integrated into the photography business. I'd also strongly suggest taking accounting and business classes.
Whatever you do, make sure you get good, and develop those auxiliary and periphery skills that make you more valuable to yourself and anyone who may hire you.
I doubt photography will die. The disc camera, 110 film and APS failed to kill it.
That said, I'd go for a BUSINESS degree with a photo minor. The business degree will help you in ways you never imagined. And it can apply to photography or any other business you wish to pursue.
I agree with FSJ_Guy. A business degree makes a lot of sense, maybe a double major with photography. I think college offers a lot more than just knowledge in your field of study. You will make a lot of contacts there that will help you later in life. You never know where life will take you and a college degree will almost always be helpful.
FSJ_Guy wrote:
That said, I'd go for a BUSINESS degree with a photo minor. The business degree will help you in ways you never imagined. And it can apply to photography or any other business you wish to pursue.
My college kid is majoring in art & art history and minoring in museum & gallery management. That includes business, ethics, finance and accounting. Seems very worthwhile.
Photo school is fine as long as you are doing it for your personal enjoyment and as a chance to further your skills. The degree is pretty worthless in the practical sense.
That being said you will learn more in the real world assisting for pro's than at school. If you have interest in graphic design get a degree in that and then intern/assist for photogs (and maybe minor). You will give yourself a wider array of job opportunities.
As a college Professor in a field unrelated to the arts, I would encourage you to go to college and get a bachelors degree in something... whatever you like. A major in the arts where you can do photography as part of your education will allow you to advance your knowledge base and work towards that degree. I cannot comment on whether having a college degree will help you as a professional photographer (perhaps a business degree would help). However, having a degree will give you more options if photography does not pan out for any reason. It is usually harder for someone to go back to school and get a degree once being out in the work force --- so do it sooner rather than later. Even if you do not use it-- it is a great accomplishment and will make you and your family (perhaps someday) proud.
