Photography Schools

You have several options when condsidering further education: Photography Schools, Continuing Education Photography Classes, online Photography Courses, and joining a local Photography Club. Subscribing to Photography magazines is another way I try to keep tidbits of information coming my way.

Photography Schools

There are all kinds of photography programs at accredited institutions. Location is probably partially a factor, so advice on which school is best for you is not appropriate. All I can suggest is that enrolment in a full-time program requires some research on your part to ensure your instructors teach the way you want to be taught.

Photography Classes

Local Colleges and Camera Stores, as well as Art Institutes provide different levels of instruction for hobbyist photographers with face-to-face classroom time. I researched some classes at my local College as part of their Adult Continuing Education program, but found the Digital Classes very basic, and quite costly. It seems that educational institutions still have a large focus on darkroom skills and film-based courses.

A local Camera Store (Henry's) had more variety in terms of digital photography courses, and even offered a course specific to my camera. Again, the cost was high, but the classroom time might be worth the price for you.

Online Photography Courses

One option that works well for individuals with a reliable internet connection and a method of uploading images digitally is an online photography course. Better Photo is the site I chose to enrol in for my online course in Understanding Exposure, as did dozens of other individuals from around the world.

The instructor was the author of a book I already owned, so I respected him from the start. The other instructors seemed equally reputable, and the courses were focused enough that I could learn a great deal. The downside is that two-way conversations with the instructor or other students are confined to their classroom forum or emails to all. The cost was slightly cheaper than the Photography Classes I discussed above, and it gave me freedom to work on weekly assignments in my own free time, rather than setting aside a particular evening each week.