Comments on: Why a Degree in Photography Gives You an Advantage http://www.smashandpeas.com/why-a-degree-in-photography-gives-you-an-advantage/ Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:50:37 +0200 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: XposurePro Photography Community http://www.smashandpeas.com/why-a-degree-in-photography-gives-you-an-advantage/#comment-5498 XposurePro Photography Community Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:06:30 +0000 http://www.smashandpeas.com/?p=2301#comment-5498 a large % of photo students have dreams of owning their own portrait studio .. this is where the photo degree kills them. They come out after 4 years (in American universities) with training that could have been obtained through a 3rd party in about 6 months. Totally in debt and without a clue of how to actually run a business. These represent the majority who start businesses after college and fail within 12 months .. now in even more debt with their dreams crushed. That why those of us who have been working professionals for decades tell people ... learn photography on your own and go to college as a business major. 4 yrs will pass and you will not only be a better photographer but you'll be one that actually knows what it takes to build a successful business. a large % of photo students have dreams of owning their own portrait studio .. this is where the photo degree kills them. They come out after 4 years (in American universities) with training that could have been obtained through a 3rd party in about 6 months. Totally in debt and without a clue of how to actually run a business. These represent the majority who start businesses after college and fail within 12 months .. now in even more debt with their dreams crushed. That why those of us who have been working professionals for decades tell people … learn photography on your own and go to college as a business major. 4 yrs will pass and you will not only be a better photographer but you’ll be one that actually knows what it takes to build a successful business.

]]> By: Jeffrey Byrnes http://www.smashandpeas.com/why-a-degree-in-photography-gives-you-an-advantage/#comment-3859 Jeffrey Byrnes Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:35:44 +0000 http://www.smashandpeas.com/?p=2301#comment-3859 This past year I was accepted into The Art Institute of Boston. I began studying in January. By March I realized that the program I was in was nothing more than a continuation of the education I had received while getting an Associates degree in Photography. I strongly feel and think an education is important. My goal, even though I left The Art Institute of Boston, is to obtain an MFA in Photography. I am taking a break from education at the moment to establish a business. But one thing I would like to add is, there is a difference in education when it comes to choosing a school. A degree in anything, especially photography means so much more than a certificate does. Schools that offer certificates manufacture students to enter the industry with a limited skill set. Where as getting Bachelors of Fine Arts is a complete education in not just the areas of Photography, but general classes that further enhance ones knowledge. Having a BFA also represents you have a working knowledge of the arts and not just the ability to turn a camera on press the shutter to make an exposure. That is my thought on education. Some photographers are self taught, some have gotten degrees, and some have gotten certificates. Each one has it's own meaning. This past year I was accepted into The Art Institute of Boston. I began studying in January. By March I realized that the program I was in was nothing more than a continuation of the education I had received while getting an Associates degree in Photography.

I strongly feel and think an education is important. My goal, even though I left The Art Institute of Boston, is to obtain an MFA in Photography. I am taking a break from education at the moment to establish a business. But one thing I would like to add is, there is a difference in education when it comes to choosing a school. A degree in anything, especially photography means so much more than a certificate does. Schools that offer certificates manufacture students to enter the industry with a limited skill set. Where as getting Bachelors of Fine Arts is a complete education in not just the areas of Photography, but general classes that further enhance ones knowledge. Having a BFA also represents you have a working knowledge of the arts and not just the ability to turn a camera on press the shutter to make an exposure. That is my thought on education. Some photographers are self taught, some have gotten degrees, and some have gotten certificates. Each one has it’s own meaning.

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