Being
attentive and having a keen eye for detail is important in photography. However,
some careers also require a photographer to have formal education in
photography. Photography enables people to create images of life events,
wonders of the world, historical moments, scientific and medicinal wonders, among
other things. Photographers apply
creativity and technical skills to capture events and create wonderful
memories. Many photography careers do not have set requirements, but formal
education increases job opportunities and helps the photographer earn
lucratively.
Many
people want to capture moments and create lasting memories, which leads to a
high level of competition in photography. Therefore, the photographer needs to
possess certain technical skills. They need to be creative, imaginative and
stay in tune with emerging technological trends in order to succeed in the
photography industry. Photography also means they deal with people. Therefore,
good customer service and excellent interpersonal skills are paramount.
At one point in their careers, many photographers
have wondered if they should get a formal education in photography. This may be
because they would like to specialize in a certain
field like sports, photojournalism, portraits, wedding events, fashion arts,
wildlife, or architecture. Every one of these areas requires special
skills and equipment.
Most
photographers are leading successful photography careers with only skills and experience.
However, those who choose to specialize in scientific, photojournalism, or
industrial photography do so by taking undergraduate programs.
Let’s
look at certain things to consider before you make that ultimate decision on
whether to enroll or not.
What is
the Financial Implication?
When
you’re pondering over the decision to enroll for any course, one of the
determining factors is usually cost. Tuition fees worldwide, for any course,
are relatively high. This is also the case with a photography
course. Trying to move around funds to accommodate your photography
course can be a challenge, especially if you are paying for it yourself. For
students who have their parents paying for them, it can be a real struggle
trying to convince them to pay as most traditional parents view it more as a
hobby.
There
are also relatively cheaper options. You can enroll for a short-term college course
where you learn the basics and thereafter, transfer the credits when attending
a higher institution.
There is
Much to Learn
Going to
photography school will enable a photographer to learn things they wouldn’t
learn by themselves. A tutor will teach on all the details of photography,
making a student become an excellent photographer. The competitive environment
in the classroom also enables a photography student to strive to be the best at
what they do. Fieldwork involves real shoots and photography projects, which
prepares the photography student first hand on how the industry is.
It is
also important to note that it’s not all fun and games. Most schools will
require a paper writer to do
the same courses as those taking other arts. A photography student may find
themselves taking Math and English units. Some of the photography programs emphasize
technical skills thus students end up doing some chemistry or calculus. This
means that one needs to do their part in research on what every course entails.
Evaluate all the photography courses to avoid getting to class and having to
drop out.
The
Opportunities that Become Available to You
The goal
of attending photography school is to make it in the real world as a
professional photographer. Not to say that there are no opportunities available
for those that decide to not attend school, but your opportunities broaden when
you attend school. A School grows your network and one gains contacts, which
may be crucial in the future. A school has a way of providing its students with
opportunities to work with professionals and big names in the industry. This is
an opportunity of a lifetime that enables photography students to have
professional photographers as mentors.
Some
established photographers didn’t get a formal education on photography, so you
don’t have to go to school to have a photography career. However, some clients
will decide whether to take you up on a project based on that. They might think
that you’re more qualified once they see that you have a specialization in that
field.
Your
resume showing that you attended or graduated from a certain school proves
dedication and commitment to your art.
How to Balance
Work, Life, and School
Most
photographers do photography on the side as freelance. While still
maintaining a social life and working to support a family. Going to school
would mean sacrificing some time, and this is hard, especially if you’re not a
young student. This is another thing to consider when deciding on whether to
get an education on photography.
If you
have found yourself wondering whether to attend a photography school for
whatever reason, you need to decide whether it is worth it. One thing is for
sure, to be a good photographer, one needs to be creative, have the technical
know-how, and possess business and interpersonal skills. Most photographers
have obtained these skills from real-life experiences without going to school,
while others have had to learn these skills from school. Whichever route you
choose, we hope that you become an exceptional photographer.