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Photography College

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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 72
Let me just start this by saying I'm not sure if I should post this in NSG or here. I figured I would get more helpful feedback from "media and arts" rather than NSG also, let me know if I'm wrong. Well, I want to start off by saying I'm only a sophomore in high school (so yes I'm only 16). I'm completely in love with photography right now and it's a serious hobby/ passion. I've loved photography ever since five or six years ago when my mom let me use her little point and shoot. Now I'm looking into colleges (I figured it's never to early to start looking right?) because I'd love to take photography as my major. I've been getting a lot of small jobs around my town and would love to have a good college backing to help. My question is this; Should I go to a college thats strictly Photography or should I go to a normal state school and take photography as my major? I live in Massachusetts and was looking at the New England School of Photography. Does anyone else know any good photography schools to look at? I'd love to travel to go to a good school but I really can't afford anything wicked expensive. Thats why my parents are just pushing Umass or something along those lines, but I really think a good school would be really beneficial for me. Thanks any feedback is appreciated.
May 24 2011 10:05AM
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bitchtitsbob
Posts: 167 - Karma: 25
You said you're looking at NESOP, and I would go there if I were you. I don't personally go there, but my best friend does, and her photos are just unreal, and she just continues to get better. And I've been to NESOP, and school is awesome, their facilities are fantastic. However, it is a shit ton of work, but it's all worth it in the end.
May 24 2011 11:45AM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
Check this forum out:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=85d05976962f8aa23e7286ad64c120ee&f=23

It's truly a Canon forum.. but the business section always has threads and information on people who are actually living that life, so you'll see what you could eventually expect to get yourself into. As far as schools go, I have no idea. Sorry, can't help you there but hopefully that link will provide some insight.




May 24 2011 12:11PM
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.jr
Posts: 5313 - Karma: 356
Can you link me some of her work? Or maybe some way to contact her?
May 24 2011 1:51PM
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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 72
Thanks for the help guys. I'm now taking NESOP into serious consideration. I have to talk to my parents about it and see what our money options are (basically whether I'm paying for all of it myself or if they'll help me at all). It's great to know that the school is a good school though. Thanks microcosm too I'm about to check out that link right now.
May 24 2011 3:44PM
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MAC.D
Posts: 5654 - Karma: 345
Not really sure where you are academically, but here are a few:

Rochester Institute of Technology
Syracuse University
Ithaca College

May 24 2011 4:49PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Take photography night classes or seminars and do a business degree, seriously. I paid for two years of "Professional Photography" college classes myself; learned a lot in the first year and very little in the second.
May 24 2011 5:09PM
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screamin_seamen
Posts: 619 - Karma: 551
Go to state school studying photography on the side and being able to hang with normal kids. Experience is much more beneficial than paying a shit load of cash for a "photography" school. Im about to finish up my first year at AI, complete waste of money. Experience is everything if you push hard at something you love to do theres no reason not to fail.
May 24 2011 5:25PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
Sorry man, but the reason you hate the AI is because for the most part, they suck. AI schools are basically trade schools, they are formulaic and unorganized, generally don't have a permanent staff and generally aren't teaching theory or expanding your personal horizons so much as teaching you "the right way to take photos/paint/design/cook (etc.)"

Specialty schools are great if they are a good school. When I was choosing a college, I looked at schools in NY, RMCAD, Otis, Cranbrook, etc... They are really cool if you want to completely immerse yourself in art, and always be able to be in the company of people that are going to push you and work hard.

I decided to go to a State School - namely the U of Utah - because I wanted to be able to have a more normal life outside of school, a more diverse group of people, and ski/be involved in the ski industry. Sometimes I look back and think that I really could have benefitted from a design specific school, but I'm ultimately glad where I am.

Remember two things. First, school is what you make it, you can't take the classes and expect to be spit out awesome. Plenty of crap comes from specialty schools and plenty of amazing work comes from state schools (even though it generally seems the other way around)
Second, most art specific schools have a specific teaching method and direction in the work that people there produce there that's specific to the school. I don't know much about photo schools, but I would imagine it's the same, so look into it.


May 24 2011 7:17PM
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michelle
Posts: 6290 - Karma: 428
Oh hellllllllllloooo. I go to NESOP! It's a fucking awesome school, but not for everyone. You know what, I'll just PM you.
May 24 2011 8:01PM
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michelle
Posts: 6290 - Karma: 428
Weird, small world. I know Steph! Made the connection since you posted on a picture I took of her. Love her, she's awesome.

Okay I'll stop post whoring this thread.
May 24 2011 8:02PM
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Snowgoner
Posts: 5047 - Karma: 965
rhode school of design is the best art school in the country, but you're gonna have to be really really good in order to get in. my suggestion would be to get a normal degree and pursue photography on the side.
May 25 2011 7:26AM
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BryantPhoto
Posts: 1574 - Karma: 891

RISD is very good, but "best" is a strong term. Depends on what you want. If you want to go for photography, go for photography. If you're willing to give up a photo school for other kinds of friends/experiences, then you really aren't as devoted as you say towards photography. Immersing yourself around artistic people that only focus on photography will have a large impact on your learning. I'd look into Brooks and Hallmark as I know a few professors at both, and have sat in on classes.

Bottom line. Go to a photo school for photo. Go to an art school for art. Go to a college for everything else. Otherwise the schools funding isn't aimed towards your interests.

May 25 2011 10:45AM
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