New to the forum, thinking of taking the course

[zukki]

Hi everyone, I'm new to forum and just wanted to formally introduce myself. I have a few questions as I am thinking of taking the online photography course. I am hoping most of you are taking the course and can help me out with the questions:
1.I am a beginner in terms of photography but I have a strong passion, does the course really help beginners get a grasp of things?
2. Is the tutorial all online resources or do they send you books etc
3. I dont have a SLR camera just a regular compact digital camera, will that be good enough for starts
4. I have no knowledge of photoshop or any other processing softwares, will the course teach me or do I have to learn this on my own.
5. what kind of qualification do you get at the end of the program?
6. is the school accedited?
I'm sorry to ask so many question, but I emailed the school yesterday and no one's gotten back to me yet.
thanks alot for the replies
Zukki:)

[dkippen]

Zukki -

1. Yes, you will get a better grasp since you complete assignments, thus giving you practice.
2. All online - they do not sell/send books.
3. Many have regular compact digital cameras and take very nice pictures.
4. Learn on your own - there are many resources on the web to help with this. There are many free post-processing applications such as Gimp and Picassa if you're not ready to jump into Photoshop or Elements.
5. You get a certificate - Jerry just got his.
6. Don't know.

You'll find us to be a very friendly bunch. Feel free to ask questions -someone will always jump in with an answer. Look forward to your posts and pictures.

[gjtoth]

Zukki -

3. Many have regular compact cameras and take very nice pictures.



I'm sure Peter will clarify this but, I'm pretty sure your compact must have at least a Program mode if not all the PASM settings. What camera do you have?

[zukki]

thanks alot Debbie and Gary for your replies. very helpful. yes Gary my digital camera has a program mode. I have a Sony cyber-shot DSC-W50

[Snappers]

Hi Zukki,
Welcome to the forum,
I think most of your questions have been answered above but I would just like to add that the forum is also a great source of information. Especially for things like post processing where by people will give you tips and advise on your photo and also sometimes recommend software which will help you on your way.

Hope you enjoy your time here.

[admin]

thanks alot Debbie and Gary for your replies. very helpful. yes Gary my digital camera has a program mode. I have a Sony cyber-shot DSC-W50

Hi Zuki, welcome to the forums! I had sent all the answers on your email before I saw this thread in here, since you contacted us through email. Let me know if you need to discuss it in more detail. I'd be more than happy to do that.

[zukki]

thanks admin and snapper for your replies. Yes, admin I just got your email, it was very helpful. I will get back to you if I have more questions. truly appreciate this.

[dkippen]

Zukki -

My last camera was/is the same as yours. It's a nice little camera. I let my grandson use mine when he comes over. I'd like to be able to share this new passion with him and get him excited about capturing moments in time.

[jerryph]

Let me see if I can help:

1 - It covers the basics clearly and consicely.

2 - It is all online, but you can print out or save to file each module as they are available in PDF format.

3 - Yes you can, however it helps if your PnS has a manual or semi-automatic settings

4 - The course covers only the basics of photography. However, I had a realtively advanced question about post processing, and Peter took the time OUTSIDE of the course to not only show me an example, but sent me detailed procedures on how to do this. They really do try to help you out, even if it is outside the scope of the course. Post processing is a VAST field, often not easily covered even by one single 600 page book, much less an online course. Not to worry, though, there are tons of resources online that can help you. Without the basics, though, none of it will help you.

5 - There is no official qualification received at course end, but you do get a certificate of completion. I like it, and plan to frame mine soon. Now... as someone that has 27 computer industry certifications, let me tell you that certifications do not the professional make (I speak to industry certified professionals that could not techie talk their way out of a wet paper bag!). You will see that even us, as a generally less inexperienced group, often show some amazing pictures. More often than not, knowledge, experience and passion will get you further than certifications.

6 - No. For the price of the course, there is no business or accredited educational institution that could ever survive. However, these very same basics that they also covered over and over at these "accredited schools", are touched on here, and they will offer you a strong base in photography to start from. The course is a course of basics, and with them, you will be able to take and run with on your own.

I hope that helps.

[gjtoth]

5 - There is no official qualification received at course end, but you do get a certificate of completion. I like it, and plan to frame mine soon. Now... as someone that has 27 computer industry certifications, let me tell you that certifications do not the professional make (I speak to industry certified professionals that could not techie talk their way out of a wet paper bag!). You will see that even us, as a generally less inexperienced group, often show some amazing pictures. More often than not, knowledge, experience and passion will get you further than certifications.


From a voluntary non-certified professional -- Amen!

[LensBaby]

I really like how this course is easy to understand. Sometimes I find that when I am reading a book about photography, it just does NOT make sense!

[Zoot]

I signed up for the course last week. I have read through 6 of the 13 lessons but have not had the opportunity to accomplish any of the homework or photo assignments yet.

From what I have seen so far, the assignments are very practical and should be good practice for the lessons. The lessons themselves are in plain language and very easy to understand. This is the perfect jump-start for any beginner and good refresher for amateurs looking to improve the quality of their photos. Don't expect to get everything you will ever need, but it will give you the basics to take better photos.

For me personally, it's a bit too basic, but I've been photographing for over 20 years and making the switch from film to digital. I especially enjoyed the "advanced lighting" site in lesson 6. It was a great link from the course materials.

I'm looking forward to practicing some of these techniques and completing the assignments for critique. It's nice having the support group and your personal tutor that will help as needed.

For the money, it's worth it - designed especially for beginners.

Enjoy.

[jerryph]

You really should try to not move on until the assignments for each module are completed. This forces you to concentrate on each goal and get the most from every lesson. :)

If you are finding it basic... feel free to take pics of examples that take it to the next level!

Even the best in any field review the basics. I am a classically trained musician and would also consider myself an advanced martial artist (over 25 years in each). I still practice scales on a regular basis and one still warms up using the most basic of exercises before a fight. I would hope that a photographer constantly reivews the basics of composition and creativity else they fall into stagnation... 20 years experience or not. ;)

[Zoot]

I tried not to move on, but I work from 2pm to 12am in a secure office building without windows, so basically I have 10 hours by myself in front of a computer with nothing but time on my hands. So, although I don't have much time to actually "get-out and practice" with the assignments, I do have all the time in the world to read.

I just finished the last chapter today and I do plan on going back to the assignments, re-reading the chapters and submitting my photos for critique. After all, isn't this one of the best features about the course?

I also agree with you about the basics. I wouldn't have purchased this course if I didn't feel I could use a refresher of the basics. My problem is, with my current situation, I cant make the time to practice as much as I would like, so all the theory in the world will not make me a better photographer.

[jerryph]

I agree. All the theory in the world won't make you a better photographer, that is 100% true. I cannot watch someone fight and become better by just doing that, but there is an element of learning.

There comes a point that you are moving on without having done the hands on, and all it does is become forgotten or conflict or add to something that you do not understand concretely. This is why I suggested not moving on until you completed an assignment. Of course, how you want to do it, is totally up to you, I just felt you were kinda cheating yourself.

Anyways, as long as the course benefits you and you do what is needed to get your moeny's worth out of it, thats all that matters.