Is NYIP a good choice for me?

<p>I'm 18 years old, graduated high school last year and have been looking for an effective photography course. I took one year of Photography in High School so I know that basics about developing B&W film, printing B&W photos, and the basics on composition, shutter speed and aperture. I recently got a digital camera and am starting to work more on digital photography, although I am still more comfortable with B&W.</p>

<p>I would be willing to put in all my time and effort into the course. Then I want to hopefully start working directly afterwards. I want to eventually open a photo studio for portraits and head shots. Maybe do some wedding/event photography on the side of that.</p>

<p>I'd heard nothing but good feedback of NYIP untill I came on this site so now I'm back on the fence about it.</p>

<p>Here's the PDF Catalog<br>

http://portal2learn.info/pdf/nyip/dp_cat.pdf</p>

 

<p>I have no experience with NYIP, but you may want to consider F.I.T.'s photography program if you need to be in the NYC area. It's a SUNY school, so tuition is rather affordable.</p>

<p>See: <a href="http://www3.fitnyc.edu/photography/index.html">http://www3.fitnyc.edu/photography/index.html</a></p>

<p>This topic has been beaten to death in this forum. I think all education is a good thing even NYIP. My personal view is that NYIP improved their courses. Of course some might have argued that they only had one direction to go, which was up. To be blunt I am not impressed with the cost/benefit ratio.<br>

For less money you can get hands on experience with some face to face time with instructors at your local community college or adult school. Most junior colleges are a third of the cost NYIP, this of course depends on the state you live in. What NYIP cannot challenge is the one on one real hands on experience of a junior college. You pick up cameras and you can talk to an instructor in person. One of the offer advantages of a junior college is that you do make a commitment of time, you have to study and you have to meet a deadline.<br>

There are somethings I will point out in the PDF that you linked that I notice.</p>

<p>First thing that is a red flag to me is the press card.<br>

<em><strong>By wearing this press card you may be able to gain access to “pressonly” areas at sporting events, political rallies, concerts, and other news worthy events.</strong> </em><br>

No one should be issue any type of a press card without having some sort of training in journalism ethics.<br>

And to pitch this is like saying your getting free access.</p>

<p>This one is just silly.<br>

<em><strong>"Your NYI Photographic Umbrella</strong> </em><br>

<em><strong>This basic tool for serious portrait work is yours at no additional charge. You are trained to use this umbrella to produce truly professional portraits—in your home or studio—whether you’re photographing family or friends...or clients." </strong> </em><br>

A umbrella without a lighting system is like buying tires and trying to find a car to fit them.<br>

I would say that NYIP is better than nothing, but they are not at the top of my list.</p>

 

<p>UPDATE:<br>

Thank you that does put it more into perspective. Supposedly the Press Pass is offered after the 4th lesson and images have a possibility of being in their magazine. And I agree about the umbrella, but it would be one less thing to worry about.</p>

<p>I come from a photojournalist background. Here is my concern on the press pass. If all that magazine does is act as a dumping ground for photos to justify the press pass then that is a major ethical issue. If they are teaching how gather information, how to relate images to a story, how to create a story from images and the ethics of journalism then a press pass makes sense.<br>

There are many colleges with outstanding publications, that does this teaching. </p>

<p>You're absolutely right. I don't know exactly what the magazine is like, but I doubt that every single person that takes their course needsa press pass or will use it properly. I'm sure that they use the magazine as more of an advertising technique. I know that when I first saw that they basically give away press passes I started thinking of all the places I could get into and the things I could do.</p>

<p>55 years ago, I did the NYIP - and then apprenticed myself to a well known studio. That was my beginning, and a long time ago. Things have changed since then. But apprenticeship has some merits. I would second the suggestion above regarding the benefits of the junior college. Hands on and the ability to consult with a qualified instructor are valuable. Then working with a willing pro has much to gain. <br>

...my thoughts...</p>

<p>if you are not from NYC or the NY area and need to find a place to live near the school, it can be<br>

terribly expensive siuation. lt wsould be better to live in the suburbs where you can easily commute by bus or train.be better,<br>

NYC is not sa particularly safe place to be.and<br>

it was oce said " small crimes are free" meaning muggings thefts and things like grabbing your camera and film. are not serious and often not followed up by the police.<br>

they are so overwelmed. not that they don't care They DO,.</p>

<p>I completed the NYIP course April 2009. My situation: I work full time, have a family (I'm 49 yrs. old) and the nearest college is 45 minutes away. The photography course offered at the college was Tues. & Thurs. in the late morning. No way I can do that. I had already taken the community college photography intro course five years ago, and that is all they offered. For me NYIP fit the bill. The 1st few units were topics that I already knew but it made for a nice review. The remaining units were informative and I did learn a lot. My instructor was fast with the return of assignments and reply to e-mails. True, there is no 1 to 1 contact. The questions you must ask yourself are: Can you work alone ? Is there a school close enough to take advantage of the 1 on 1 contact ? Are you disciplined enough to complete the work and stay focused ? NYIP isn't a bad school. If fits into peoples lives that don't have any other avenue for a photography education. I have just started a photography business, have 3 weddings lined up and a few beach portraits as well. For me, it was a good investment. Is it for you ?</p>

<p>I know this will likely be the minority and least popular post, but I would consider doing something else for a living. Keep photography as an intense hobby or something. I enjoy photography and always dreamed of getting that one good, million dollar shot. So I set out every weekend and day off I had trying to do just that. It became a second least favorite job. I put the camera in the bag and left it in the closet for while and one day, the bug hit again, now I shoot purely for the fun of it and if I get that million dollar shot, great, if not.. so what.. I have fun shooting the camera. I may take the NYIP course just to enhance my skills and further the hobby. But in no way would I do it as a career move. Not on your life. I work in surgery and I love it. I grab the dlsr and shoot whatever is available and I love it too.</p>

<p>Jesse, I can't agree more. I'm a professional firefighter and will soon retire in three years, ending a twenty-five year career. My plan is to have photography as a business after I retire. I'll have a pension check in my account every month and the photography gigs will be icing. If I had to rely on photography as a business, I would be better off dealing cards in the Borgota Casino. As a part-time business, as it is now, photography is a dog eat dog business. There are many photographers in my area, southern N.J., and I manage to grab a few weddings each year and some family portraits. I also do other events, school sports, children recitals, stuff like that. If I had to put food on my families table via photography, I'd be on food stamps.</p>

<p><strong><em>Opportunities multiply as they are seized. - Sun Tzu</em></strong><br>

Hello Jesse,<br>

There is a reason I am a photographer, I couldn't make it as a punker. You have as great a chance of success as a photographer as any other profession. Right now is one of the best times to start a photo business with great opportunities.<br>

It's great there are so many photographers to shoot with and against. Imagine how boring it would be without other shooters. Competition builds strength, and raises prices. I hardly ever shoot weddings, I now mainly commercial and editorial.</p>

<p>It is not about the million dollar shot but building business releationships, and servicing your clients. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>Paula, if you want to end up in wedding/portrait industry, my best advise, as an educator in film and photography (since you already have an understanding of exposure <- I'm guessing here) contact your local photo wedding studio(s) and see if you can get a job with them. There's more to the business then just shooting thus you'll get an opportunity to learn the business from <em>inside</em> and improve your photography skills.<br>

Good Luck<br>

Adam</p>

<p>Caution !!!</p>

<p>I've enrolled with them on January 11 2011, Its been over two month I still haven't received any letter or material from them !!! They charged my credit card straight away.. quoted in the enrollment email<br>

"In a few days you'll receive your actual Student ID Card in the mail along with the NYI Welcome Booklet that will tell you more about the school, our procedures, and what you can expect during your training. Shortly after that, your Unit One package will arrive. Since packages take a little longer in transit, please be patient."<br>

It being over two month I haven't received any. I am starting to get discouraged with the whole NYIP experience. Who ever is think about NYIP please think again!!</p>

<p>Zen Liu student number 178453</p>