French Documentary | Photojournalist teachings

<p>Hi.</p>

<p>I am very puzzled right now and have somewhat of a hard time with my research. </p>

<p>I am not a studio, props, commercial or fashion type of photographer. Nothing appeals to me in that type of photography.</p>

<p>I like photos that speak. That has emotions; that tells a story. I like being abroad. </p>

<p>I'm 34 years old, so somehow my choices of school institutions seems to be affected. Many schools out there seem to have a maximum age barrier set. I.e. max 25 yrs old. </p>

<p>Anyhow, I came across the Bachelor of Science in Visual Journalism at Brooks institute. The program seems very interesting, except for 2 things: I'm still somewhat technical and I get the feeling this program lacks the tech part of photography. Can anyone out there confirm me otherwise for this particular program? Secondly, well.... the 36 months long degree would cost me 90,000 USD! Ouch.... And that's without the cost of living!</p>

<p>So anyways, I'd like to find something similar to that program and school, but possibly even in a french country? France, Switzerland... where ever. <br>

Would anyone out there have suggestions, leads or something?</p>

<p>Thank you so very much... <br>

Patrick</p>

<p>May I also add.... one of the thing which I did like about brooks inst. is that the program also included video. This to me is also appealing because we all know photography is hard to pierce in... Guess I'm looking to open up the more doors possible. </p>

<p>Cheers! Pat</p>

<p>Where are you from? I did some quick research and you have posted from India and Myanmar but I don't see where home is...</p>

<p>I am making no judgment on Brooks but it is only a candidate for accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. This is critical should you want to transfer any credit to an accredited school. Further. There is no assurance that they will get accredited.</p>

<p>More to the point though. You have to ask yourself if a photojournalism degree is worthwhile at all. Do you know what the AVERAGE photojournalist earns? Not much. I can tell you that. Staff photographers are hard to come by as they are losing their local and regional jobs to GWCs (guys with cameras). Every local editor is besieged by folks walking in and asking to be credentialed in exchange for providing free photography. Most locals are making greater and greater use of freelancers. The bottom line is that you would be very hard pressed to find a photojournalist outside the rarefied atmosphere of a national outlet earning over about $35K per year. (Have fun repaying those student loans and living expenses back on that.)</p>

<p>The bigger question however is whether you should major in regular journalism instead. My opinion is that that journalism is the way to go. WHILE you are taking journalism at a good college or university, hone your skills in still and video photography on the side. It is not at all hard to do. Be the person who covers everything for the school paper. Intern with the local paper. Freelance and develop a portfolio of PUBLISHED photos. Pound it out. You will be far more valuable to an outlet if you can post a story with pictures instead of just uploading the pics. And as you can do this at a local college or university it might be considerably cheaper.</p>

<p>I don't want to rain on your parade but while there are glamorous staff jobs from the ever shrinking news departments of large publications it is highly unlikely that you are going to get one right out of a private and currently unaccredited PJ school. (Or right out of any school for that matter.) You are going to have to grind it out for years to build your portfolio and make the contacts needed to get work.</p>

<p>If you have tons of money then you could move somewhere exotic and perhaps hang out your shingle as a freelance. Still it would be far better if you can write the stories as well as shoot them so the journalism degree is cool.</p>

<p>My advice is that you is to consider this quote from the Houston Chronicle:</p>

<blockquote>

<h2>Starting Salary</h2>

<p>A survey published by The Wall Street Journal found that photojournalists earned a starting salary of just $16,000 a year in 2010 — $20,000 less than the national average for all photographers. Those working in TV, on the other hand, averaged starting salaries closer to $23,600 a year, reports the Radio Television Digital News Association.</p>

</blockquote>

<blockquote>

<h2>Press Salaries</h2>

<p>As expected, earnings for photojournalists tend to increase with experience. In 2010, a mid-level photojournalist — one with three to five years of experience — averaged $28,000 a year, notes the the Wall Street Journal. The top-level salary for this occupation was $60,000 a year. Those working specifically in TV earned an average of $34,700 annually, with the highest salary reported at $110,000 a year, according to the RTDNA.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>There is no pay higher than doing what you love. But if you are going to chase your bliss you should do it with your eyes wide open.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Hi Rick.</p>

<p>Thanks for this very elaborate reply. You are not the first one to mention going on a journalist degree instead of photojournalist...</p>

<p>I think I've got it all wrong in my head. You see... I really dislike politics, religion, etc. For this reason, I always thought I wouldn't be interested in "local" journalism. I really just couldn't care less to go shoot our Canadian prime minister shaking hands with some other president... (I'm from Ottawa, Canada). I actually find that idea very depressing really. However, put me out here, such as in India where I'm at right now, and ask me to try to get some shots from within the shipbreaking yards of Alang. Now THAT, turns me on!! I've been trying for the past few weeks to get in... ALMOST succeeded, but my visit got canceled on a last minute due to an accident... Anyways, back to the subject.</p>

<p>I guess I like the idea of going where people don't go! I'd want to shoot what few people shoot. I like challenging myself, give myself very specific goals...<br>

Perhaps (probably!) I'm just seeing too high to start with...</p>

<p>This is also a bit why I like the more "documentary" approach of Brooks. Well, if I understand its program properly. <br>

Perhaps I'm just fooling myself here. On top, how can one possibly hope to be able to travel and document the world if he's stock with a miserable 20K annual salary with some local newspaper...</p>

<p>Shit me. Feel like I was born in the wrong era... or just woke up way too late :(</p>

<p> </p>