I'm just curious as to how many people here have gone to school for photography versus how many have been self-taught. The reason I ask is because I've just recently gotten back to photography and am trying to build my portfolios. But, I tend to get stuck. I look at other people's galleries and I often wonder, "How'd they do that? What techniques? What lighting?"
I have a few books on photography and I hunt the web for info all the time. Currently work full time at night and just went back to college (I won't tell you how long it's been since high school ops: ). I am debating on whether I should keep going to get an associate's degree with a concentration in photography or if it would just be better to try and figure out what I'm doing on my own. Sometimes I just don't get what's written in the books though. I want to ask for help and advice, but I'm intimidated by a lot of you :? I don't have the money to buy any equipment or attend workshops and I'm trying to do what I can with what I have. So...here's me asking, humbly, for a little guidance.

Thanks,
Shannon

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Way back when, I majored in journalism and worked with a lot of photojournalists at my college and local newspapers. A lot of what I know came from observing them in action, both in the field and darkroom, and from using their images in my page designs.

But...most of what I know comes from trial and error and reading the forums. I wouldn't have a clue about what I was doing, if it wasn't for the people who share their knowledge and experience on the forums. I also attend photo shoots with local photographers, the Ballyhoo get-togethers sponsored by Lucky Oliver, and will be attending the once-in-a-lifetime free seminar Laurin Rinder and Bobby Deal are hosting in February.

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Pretty much self-taught, with a couple of courses, and some great mentoring from a couple of good people; Keith Skinner, Jodie Coston, Laurin Rinder and one or two others.

My dad was pretty good with a camera - amateur but had some pro equipment. I guess it's just in my blood

If I were starting out as young person, I'd probably opt for some sort schooling. You can learn so much when there's someone whose 'been there, done that'.

Well, don't be. Everyone starts somewhere, and if you don't ask, you may never have the answer to your particular questions.

There aren't any stupid questions (except maybe "where do I find the shutter button" or, one that Laurin Rinder got that made me laugh "why is the camera black"). The only stupid part is not asking when you don't know.

None of us here (and almost none of us) at SS would bite your head off for a question...now, Laurin can get a little grizzly everyonce in a while...that's part of who he is, but if you are really willing to listen and learn, he's more than willing to share.

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I have a BA in Graphic/Info Design, so I was required to take one real photography class. I goofed off, and still got an A in that...but the teacher also let us use a point and shoot, understanding that not everyone could afford an SLR or DSLR. So, I really didn't learn much about manual shooting. I picked up a little bit, but moreso that class helped me with my composition. We learned the rule of thirds, a little bit about lighting, etc etc.

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Im totally self-taught, I got my first ever SLR from a friend who did a swap for my microwave oven lol. It was an old Russian Zenith which was totally manual. I taught myself how to use it, took out lotsa library books, learnt exposure, light etc etc. Its taken ten years for me to get to where I am

Now I am totally new to the digital era, used to think noise was a music file I sent by accident with my images lol. But slowly through discussion forums like these I am getting there.

LOL, that's awesome! I had no idea what noise was either. Kinda thought my pictures were just too loud :lol:

Thanks for the info guys. I've picked up a few more books and now that I'm on break from school, I've finally got some time to get things together. Going to take a few regular classes and maybe a community class or two for the spring semester to get the gears turning.

Shannon

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I can relate to the feeling intimidated part, I used to feel just like that. But as Gracey stated everyone has to start somewhere.I was always afraid to ask incase someone thought bad of me. But that's the only way we can learn, by asking. Sometimes other peoples experiences can teach you alot more than textbooks. I would attend your course if I was you. Its nice to have some sort of diploma or degree under your belt. What equipment do you have? I always used to think that to get good lighting indoors I would have to remortgage my house lol. But that is another area where you can be as innovative as you want, for as cheap as you can.

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A little of both actually. I was mostly self taught but did eventually take the New York Institute of Photography home study coarse. This was several years ago and long before digital but it did broaden my knowledge in a lot of areas that I did not understand at the time. I would love to take some kind of digital course covering PS techniques some day though. I used to make beautiful slides but my digital work doesn't please me as much but I suspect it is because I don't fully understand how to enhance them in PS.

Good luck and never be afraid to ask questions. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask!

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I would say still learning rather than self taught When someone asked how noisy my camera was earlier this year I answered noisy enough to scare the birds away when using it - well, it did. I have learnt a lot this year !!

Christine

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LOL, yup Im still learning too, it seems the transition from using film SLR to Digital is quite a learning process. In one way I prefer the digital as theres no more worry about experimenting with lighting without knowing how it will turn out.you can immediately see what needs changing so you can correct it then and there.Also no more shouting at lab assistants saying the automatic processer didnt do it's job right lol. (Or was that just me :roll: )

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