I want to improve my skills and understanding of general (not u/w) photography and would like to get some tips / instruction from someone who knows what they are talking about. I know that in UK there are quite a few 1 day / weekend courses available relatively cheaply around the country but sadly location makes that a tad tricky for me.
I have seen several online courses advertised and the idea of a semi-structured course with feedback, critique and advice appeals to me. if nothing else, there will be targets and deadlines to meet forcing me into action
I wondered if anyone has done something similar and could recommend one.
Thanks in advance,
John
p.s. before anyone comments, I know that this isn't an U/W photograhpy topic but I would hope that any improvement in my meagre skills would result in better U/W pics too.
Thanks mate but I'm after a general photography course not just u/w. I've found a few but have no idea which if any are of any real use.
When I get to the stage that I think I know what I'm doing, I'll book a day with martin Edge for the U/W stuuf (then find out that I don't know anything )
Read some of the reviews and whilst a few had praise there were a few that weren't, like
The one big drawback to this course is the non-involvement of tutors, or as they're referred to on this course, moderators. When I say non-involvement, I mean that they do not provide the essential professional critique of the work submitted, that's left to the rest of your cohort. Now I know that the OU believe that the instruction provided about critique for beginners is sufficient for this course to be an invaluable tool to help your reach Licentiate level with the RPS, I personally doubt that this is the case and it could use a more disciplined, hard-hitting professional to dissect the work.
It's also very disappointing that after building up to providing a portfolio of work for the final exam, the results are returned without feedback on your work. This I feel is a great let down as a lot of time and effort went into producing that portfolio and to then not know why you lost marks in the final analysis in no way helps you to advance further as you naturally think that was your best work. To improve beyond that needs a more complete artist than yourself to provide the feedback.
and
To say I was disappointed with this course - the only OU course I have ever taken, and the only OU course I will ever be bothering to take - would be a bit of an understatement. I honestly feel it is a clever way for the OU to squeeze as much money out of people as they can for the same content you would get in a couple of issues of a decent photography magazine. I work in education and would be *ashamed* if I was responsible for this course.
I was a keen amateur, and wanted something that would help me develop my photography. What I got was a series of badly made video tutorials, a *horrendous* web interface (How about stepping into the C21 with a VLE???) and no feedback. Well - okay - four words of feedback on my final assignment, with no explanation. (I passed with a good mark - I am not typing this because I am bitter!)
If you want to read a series of web pages of little practical use to developing your technical knowledge and skill at photography, complete some dull assignments which are only looked at and critiqued by people as clueless as you are in the first place, critique other people's photos because there is no input from a tutor and get 10 easy credits, then go ahead.
If you are actually bothered about developing your photography, either save yourself some money, join an online photography sharing group and subscribe to a photography magazine or spend your money on a course where you will actually have access to a tutor who is able to give you advice and feedback.
The feedback from a tutor / professional (rather than other students) is what I was after (I think) so these commenst put me off the OU aswell as the cost (as a non UK resident it's £420).
Have you thought about going to a local photographic society?
I was in the same boat as you all i was ever using was auto mode, i wanted to learn how to use my camera to its full potential and how to take and present better pictures.
I saw an exhibition done by my local PS, got details of there meetings and went along... the people there were friendly and a wealth of knowledge only prob i found was that in the club there was no one who did underwater photography but they put me in touch with someone in another local club. But for general photography and even specialised stuff like potrait i feel its the way to go.
Hope that helps, if you have difficulty finding a local club do a search for RPS (royal photographic society) there should be more links on there
Just show interest by email for now, wait for 2 months and you should get a good discount, cant really comment much as I havent finished it yet, only done 2 modules
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