Photography education - feedback

Thank you to all those who responded to my recent post regarding education and in particular photography. The comments and suggestions have been most informative. I was a little disappointed that no full-time educationalists were able to contribute to the discussion as I feel their viewpoints and position are critical to how the industry/education responds to the new demands being placed upon it.

From the feedback I received from students, professionals and part-time lecturers(photographers), there seemed to be a consensus regarding the following:

- teaching of core camera skills and work-flow practices
- a need to develop a far greater understanding of the business elements of the industry
- realistic views and goals of student progression into the photography industry

and also
- students should be prepared to work far more independently at higher levels
- less 'spoon feeding' of students in regards to ideas and responses to briefs/assignments
- less able students should be 'allowed' to fail

I know some of these comments are extremely controversial in the current academic environment but many industry watchers perceive a severe dilution of the current academic awards and a reticence amongst many institutions/exam boards to be realistic about students' true level of  competence/ability.

Many of the students who respond were already despondent about how their qualification was perceived by industry even before completing  it and many felt the award was 'not worth the paper it was written on' in respects to their future employment. Also they felt that many of the briefs/assignments they received bore no relationship to the requirements of the 'real world'.

Personally I feel they should be a balance struck in the structure of higher level courses between the real needs of industry at the moment and also the development of the individual as both a photographer and image producer.

I don't feel that there is an easy answer  but with the coming increase in students fees and the vast reduction in education spending (reduction both in teaching hours/resources), I feel that this conversation needs to be held.

Following my previous post, I will try over my next few educational posts, to try and include feedback and views from those in the graphics/advertising industry.

For those with a keen interest in the photography education sector, Skillset have posted several reports on the industry and education:

www.skillset.org/uploads/pdf/asset_9291.pdf

If you have any comments, I would be delighted to hear them especially those of full-time academics. 

Richard Southall

www.emphasis.biz
www.richardsouthall.co.uk