NCTJ photojournalism

Does anybody know much about the nctj photojournalist/press

photograhy course (national council for the training of journalists)

 

I was accepted to study photography at the blackpool and fylde

college of art and design to study for a ba hons degree in

photography with the hope of specialising in editorial/documentary.

 

I decided to defere my entry at blackpool so I could really decide if

this was the right course for me as I know it is mainly a

commercially based course.

 

About a month ago I went to look at the documentary course in Newport

and this course has really impressed me but the only problem is I

might not get in and i will have to cancel my place in blackpool.

 

Very recenlty I have been looking at a course run by the nctj in

photojournalism/press photography, apparently this is the only

qualification recognised by the newspaper industry and is highly

rated within the photo agency world. This course only lasts for a

year.

 

My old college art and design and photography teachers are a bit wary

of this course saying I can do better and also it is a shame that

someone who is as keen on photography as me should give up and do a

course that they do not know much about, but I know that from all the

editors I have spoken to, they will only employ me if I have this.

 

And as for me carrying on my documentary photography, is there

anything from stopping me doing this whilst working as a

photojournalist with out a degree.

 

I know I sound mixed up but I am 20 now, and I want to get it right.

 

My main aim is to be a docuemntary photographer, but I still need to

work.

 

Any siggestions, has anybody on here heard of the NCTJ with regards

to photojournalsim???

 

thank you

 

geoff

<i>"Very recenlty I have been looking at a course run by the nctj in photojournalism/press photography, apparently this is the only qualification recognised by the newspaper industry and is highly rated within the photo agency world. This course only lasts for a year."</i>

 

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<i>"My old college art and design and photography teachers are a bit wary of this course saying I can do better and also it is a shame that someone who is as keen on photography as me should give up and do a course that they do not know much about, but I know that from all the editors I have spoken to, they will only employ me if I have this."</i>

 

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I would start by going to my library to find a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0452278015/"><u>Ask the Headhunter</u> by Nick Corcodilos</a> and by visiting his website, <a href="http://www.asktheheadhunter.com/">http://www.asktheheadhunter.com/</a>. No, it doesn't apply specifically to photography, but get past that. There's a lot of sage advice to be had.

 

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I would question your quote above about it being the *<strong>only</strong>* recognized qualification. Target a few hiring managers that you would love to work for. Call them up. Don't ask for a job. Ask if they have 15 minutes to spare to help give you advice. After all, the people most qualified to give you advice on what makes you a better prospect to hire are those people who will be hiring you.

 

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That said, I would also listen to your current teachers. Don't discount their advice immediately, but don't assume they know everything there is to know about getting a job in the real world, either. :)

 

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--<br>

Eric<br>

<a href="http://canid.com/">http://canid.com/</a><br>

A broader education, not a more focused one, will do you more good as a documentary photographer.

 

Geography, histroy, economics, anthropology or any other humanist oriantation will give you the tools between the ears to do your work, including the needed communication tools that work hand in hand with images. The journalistic training can be done as secondary courework, if you are not pursuing an arts degree. If you are doing an arts degree, do lots of social science course to back up your craft-intensive training.

NCTJ is virtually (BUT NOT ALWAYS - see below) a must for a "new" journalist in the UK that wants to work for one of the major papers or broadcasters... that said, it is not a course for everyone.

 

NCTJ courses are examination based courses and cover a number of fixed areas - in the case of photojournalism only a very small part of which will be actual photography skills (if any) - the thrust of most NCTJ courses is in ethics, law, shorthand ability, dealing with public bodies and the courts, short reportage (writing) articles and feature writing, and several other areas. The fees for NCTJ training are not remissible either (if you are low income) and are fixed by the examining body... normally ca UKP 1000 for the year + any college specific add-ons.

 

This year, however, and in recognition of the limitations of the NCTJ course also taught at L'pool, Liverpool Community College (starting in Sept 2004) and possibly some others around the country, is working with a brand new 2 year "alternate entry" course (to journalism). They are calling it "broadcast journalism" and teaching the substantially same syllabus as the NCTJ (law, ethics and shorthand, ect,) in yr1; with practical skills in yr2 - including specific practical training directed at new media (web) broadcasting + radio broadcasting + television broadcasting. Students will NOT sit the NCTJ exams, however, but it is expected that they will be employable in the industry. My understanding is, further, that in future should someone completing this course choose to sit the NCTJ exams that may also be possible as most of the NCTJ material will be covered to the same standard as the NCTJ course (excepting one or two specific elements)

 

As a secondary note to this whole business of choosing between fine arts photography in college and journalism training in college NEITHER of which necessarily provides what a "practical" photographer needs - I am also aware that some public service organisations are teaching a 14 week (28 class days x 8hrs per) certificated (by the Open University ?) practical photography course. Recently, such a course was on offer in Liverpool by a charity organisation open to all applicants and specifically, in that case, in B&W photography - covering landscape; cityscape; people; abstract; and portrait photography - heavy on practical presentation and darkroom work as well. Some colleges offer similar courses on a certificate level - not necessarily a degree level.

 

There are more then just a couple of ways into the field of photography - especially on a practical level - so don't limit yourself to either the fine arts sector (limited to fine arts photography - with a stong emphasis on the word "art") or the journalism sector (limited in other ways but mainly for journalism training NOT training in photographic skills)- where perhaps neither will provide the training your really want.

 

Just something to think about.

Are you options limited to England only? What about schools in the rest of europe. I heard that photo schools in Germany are Great and highly regarded. Someone also told me that if you get in to the school it is free tuition. Is that true? Even though you are not a citizen to that country? I don't know I'm in America and you have to pay for everything.