Rate the Course

[yakamoz]

Hi,
I am seriously thinking about registering for a photography course because I've exhausted all of the "free information" available on the web about how to take good photos.

For years I had a cheap digital point and shoot with an annoying 2-second shutter delay and (horror of all horrors!) digital zoom. When I decided to upgrade, I went the whole way and invested in a Nikon D-70. It's a sweet camera, but I am like a 5-year-old playing dress-up with her mommy's shoes. It's time to grow into the camera I bought. I'm ready to go beyond the rule of thirds and move beyond the auto settings. When I see a full orange moon rising over the city at dusk, my auto settings just don't cut it (e.g. the city looks great, but the moon is overexposed)--but I don't know enough about lighting, aperture, shutter speed, etc. to configure everything manually. In fact, I know almost nothing about these topics.

As I've seen some other users say in this forum, the price of this course is right. For the price, obviously I am not expecting the equivalent of a BA in photography, but I do want something that goes beyond the basic little online workshops many camera companies design for point-and-shoot consumers.

I'm looking for a course that will NOT assume I already understand photography terminology and will explain things like F-stops in a way that is easily understood (I've heard the term, but really have no idea what it's about). As this is not a classroom course where I can dialogue face to face with the teacher or immediately raise a question to ask for clarification, this is essential.

For those of you who have taken the course, could you please comment on the following?

--Clarity of instruction

--Level of course content for someone who already knows how to take very good photos with a point-and-shoot but wants to go deeper and learn photography terminology and how to make a digital SLR sing in manual mode (way too basic, perfect, or way too complicated)

--Quality/effectiveness of teacher feedback

--On average, per lesson, how much time do you invest in the course?

--Any additional comments you may have for someone sitting on the fence? Words that would sway me to register or words that would cause me to keep on looking for a different course....

Thanks so much! :)

[gjtoth]

I've just started this course and I must say, it WILL get you beyond point & shoot. I'm really surprised that I picked up some stuff even in the BASIC section that I wasn't aware of. I probably would have stumbled across it eventually but they were pointed out and clearly defined.

The instructors are readily available and answer any/all questions straight-forward and succinctly. For $86, I don't think you'll find a better deal.

[Snappers]

Hi, And welcome to the forum. It's great to have you with us. I'll attempt to answer some of your questions.......



As this is not a classroom course where I can dialogue face to face with the teacher or immediately raise a question to ask for clarification, this is essential.
Although this is not a classroom course, you have the advantage of this forum where by you can seek the advice of everyone on the forum. This gives you a much wider knowledge base than you would have in the classroom so if you are not sure of anything, or just want to comment on something, then please feel free to use the forum, this is what it is here for:)



For those of you who have taken the course, could you please comment on the following?

--Clarity of instruction

--Level of course content for someone who already knows how to take very good photos with a point-and-shoot but wants to go deeper and learn photography terminology and how to make a digital SLR sing in manual mode (way too basic, perfect, or way too complicated)

So far, I have done the first three lessons and I must say I am very impressed with the level of detail that they go into and also the clarity of instrutions given. One of the benefits with this course is that there are not time restrints either so if you are not sure of something, you can always go back and read it again, let it sink in, take time to practice the lesson etc,etc. Once you are happy with what you have learnt you can move onto the next lesson.



--Quality/effectiveness of teacher feedback

As I have only done the first three lessons up to yet, I have only had one feedback from the teacher but I was happy with both the speed at which my pictures were assessed and the quality of the feedback given.

I would also add that you can (if you want) submit photos in the Photo Critique section at the bottom of this forum for other people to add their comments on. You may find this usefull for getting more than one persons opinion on your photos.



--On average, per lesson, how much time do you invest in the course?
Again, that entirly depends on you. Once you have read through the lesson, you then can go out and practice and then submit your assignment work. As there are no time restraints on the course, I intend on taking my time in order to get the most out of the course. For example, I went out the other day to do Assignment three. This is not a graded assignment and does not need to be sent into the teacher for apraisal, however, I spent a good 2hrs outside, practicing the technique that had been covered by the lesson. Once I got home, I went over my Pictures but I am going to go out again soon to pracatice some more before I move on. The thing with photography is that the more you practice the better you become. (I feel anyway)




--Any additional comments you may have for someone sitting on the fence? Words that would sway me to register or words that would cause me to keep on looking for a different course....

Thanks so much! :)

Well, I was in a very similar situation to yourself. I had been looking for a course for some time but nothing quite caught my eye. The college courses did not offer me what I wanted and some of the online courses were in excess of £500. I was about to embark on one course which was going to cost about £350 but I stumbled across this course. For 86dollars I thought, what the heck. I'll give it a go and I am very pleased I did.
You have this forum here where you can make friends and discuss your experiences with other like minded people and you have fantastic tutors who are only a PM away. It is well worth giving a go and then once you have done this course you can always move onto other courses should you need to.

Hope this helps. If you need any more info, please dont hesitate to ask.

Andy

[admin]

Thank you guys very much for your endorsements and recommendations.

[gjtoth]

Thank you guys very much for your endorsements and recommendations.

The truth comes easy when you use a good product. :)

[Snappers]

http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/88.gif

[pipedesign]

It is GOOD and well worth the money - as long as you don't start reading and say "Oh I know that" and stop.
Go out and practice what is discussed and I bet money you come back with questions and/or something learned.

I quite liked the photo's I was taking and got compliments on them - but that doesn't mean I don't have a lot I could learn, and I am.

Participate and enjoy

[pentaxian47]

I see the majority of the comments here are from a few years past, except for pipedesign's, which was about a month ago. I have some of the same questions and hesitation as yakamoz so would appreciate a little current feedback about the program/course. Also, I note there has been a price increase from the $86.00 mentioned in a couple replies. Is the course worth the current discounted price of $145.00? Thanks for any quick replies as the price may increase tonight at midnight.

[judyg0313]

I see the majority of the comments here are from a few years past, except for pipedesign's, which was about a month ago. I have some of the same questions and hesitation as yakamoz so would appreciate a little current feedback about the program/course. Also, I note there has been a price increase from the $86.00 mentioned in a couple replies. Is the course worth the current discounted price of $145.00? Thanks for any quick replies as the price may increase tonight at midnight.

I am on the last two classes of this course and I highly recommend it. It is well work what they charge and probably worth more. I was having a hard time learning how to use my Canon Rebel Eos t2i before my course. I understood a little about f stops, shutterspeed, etc. But not enough to know what to do. I started shooting everything in manual and still get it wrong some times but not like I was doing. I have better learned how to use my camera and I will have to say that even my photos are turning out better and better. I also took the HDR class and understand it much better. I had a friend who thinks HDR is the only way to go and he had me so confused. Now I understand HDR better. My teacher is hard and doesn't give out high grades for nothing, but his critiques are nicely done. He doesn't make me feel inadequate. He explains in a way for me to understand. And I try his suggestions and see for myself what is better. I think you will enjoy this course. I certainly have..

Good luck
Judy

[pentaxian47]

Thanks Judy, I did enroll and have been quite busy with work but have made it through the first lesson. That was quite easy for me, but I will do as suggested and not skip over anything, now need to have the time to finish the assignment. Also have not talked with my tutor yet but figure that will happen soon. With a weekend coming up, I plan to do more in the course. Again thank you for your feedback.

[nikkie]

I was a member of other forum before stating this course when I was out on my own taking photos and put them on the forum for CC time and time again I would get too soft under/over exposed nothing good was ever said. now its gee I love this great shot I love the composition nice colours nice and sharp so doing this course I have learn a lot. the lessons here have minimal but that leaves me with enough information to go and study the subject more IE: compositions ask me only a few weeks ago what are the rule of thirds I would not have known this but now I do. this course has done some amazing things for me and now getting photos that I am proud of and also print for my wall.

[learn2excel]

I wonder how is the overall content of PP Online Course. Can anyone advises me if is the same materials that I can easily find from the website or books which is very basic?

On top of the PP Online Course, which other courses are recommended too for a start without having to invest in huge amount of equipment or software when study?

N.B: Just purchased my Nikon D7000 with lenses 18-105mm & 55-300mm.

[sandrac]

I have taken the PP course for photography and now I am taking the elements course. I have taken other courses, some that cost more money but this is far better. If you take advantage of the class and the forum. Take your time and do a thorough job on each lesson. I am sure you could rush through the course and not get as much out of it. I took the full two yrs. I did all assignments like I was turning more then one shot in. My improvement is very dramatic and I was told by many I was good before. The comparison is that now most of my shots are good and I know why they turned out. If you take the course you will not regret it

[sverdloff]

Hey there,
I started the course a few weeks ago and i am getting through it slowly.
But i have learned so much in just the first few chapters my photos are massively better than before.
If like to save the 'course chapters' for the rainy days and get out with the camera when it is fine.

Plus, there are so many good people in the forums it is great to get advice on everything photography.