College Confusion!!

[vaydehi_khandelwal]

I am a 20 year old photographer and have completed 2 years of Diploma in

Photography from a Photography School in India.

But now i feel i need to go for higher studies in the same field, do more of

commercial stuff than fine art.

Have been looking at photography schools all over...but the fees is just tooo

much!!.....and on top of that one doesnt even know whether its gonna be worth all

the money being put into it or not!!....do you think after learning for two years, its

actually necessary to go for a degree or assisting someone will be a better

option...or the money to be put in travelling and learning through experience??

Incidentally, I have had two solo exhibitions and four group shows and my work

has been well received and I have even made four sales!

What I really would like is some sort of advice from the fraternity of well settled

photographers who probably know what I am talking about?

And yes, the idea to intern with someone who likes fine art photography plus does

commercial is something I am not averse to. It is just the matter of keeping the

mind and the body together!

 

-Vaydehi.k

[robert_hall2]

College is probably not the best place to learn photography, unless there is an

exceptional program in your field. Hallmark school in Massachusetts is good,

but expensive. Photojournalism (still photography) is a dying field but will

always be there. Few people "make it" in fine arts, and if they do, it is a

financial struggle. I consider advertising photography to be a fine art. It is

a difficult field to master, if master is the right word. One route: find an

excellent school that does exactly what you want. Then get a job. Practice,

practice, practice.

[elnoralouisa]

A lot cheaper alternative might be something like take some courses at www.ppsop.com. Don't know if that is something that would help your career or not.

[vaydehi_khandelwal]

so, you think that travelling and doing residency programs to get exposure and experience is a better option??

[lenstolife]

I've always found that the best learning experience will come from an internship or on the job. You'll probably get more from practical application than you will sitting in a class room. I have a 4 year degree in Photography and my schooling started all over the moment I entered the professional workforce. That being said, everyone learns differently. I guess I'm just more hands on.

[vaydehi_khandelwal]

Thanx Keith....yes...after doing very well in the college I steppped out into the real world full of confidence and fell flat on my face the first day of my internship !

It is true that hands on experiance and interaction withpeople makes you the photographer you are.And the exorbitant and prohibitive cost of higher education took mybreath away.

Anyway, you being more experianced will be able to tell me .....is itokay to take up residencies around the world and gain experiance...and then take it from there?

And do you know of some good residencies in Europe.

I did apply to some in the US but I need sponsorship letters for the US Visa ...and I didnt know anyone to sponsor me so...maybe when I become famous!!!!

Anyway thanx a ton and do check my website www.camerawaali.com and post your comments