So you have decided to take the plunge and develop (pardon the crude pun) your career in photography. So what's the next step? Where do you go next and what qualifications are relevant? In the olden days (the 80's), our career choices were much simpler and straight forward. You were presented with 2 options - one to go straight in the industry as an assistant for a GP photographer where you would spend 2-4 years gaining a range of skills that would enable you to progress to either the role as a second photographer or self employment or you could consider a college/university course which then lead to 2nd or 3rd assistants position in an advertising or commercial photographers studio before progressing up the career ladder.
In those days there was only a handful of photography courses nationwide offering a combination of HND or degree qualifications. If you were intending to enter the industry as an assistant, the then obvious choice was newly devised HND qualification which offered a combination of practical skills tuition combined contextual studies and theory.
Today, at the last count, there were 285 HE photography courses on offer nationwide to prospective students. This can seem quite a daunting array to the perspective student and can lead to obvious confusion as to which might be the most suitable for them. I am often asked by students how to approach this choice and which university/college is the best. To this, I can only respond that the selection of a course is very personal choice and you must be sure what you are try to achieve through the course, matches your long term aims. By this, I mean, there is little point joining a fine art course if your intent in 3 years time is to become an advertising photographer.
With this in mind and given the rising cost of education, it is key that you make the right selection for you. Research towards your future course is vital so as avoid future disappoint and frustration and I would advise you consider the following while making the selection:
- where do you see yourself in 5 years (working as a photographer, assistant, re-toucher, lab technician etc) or stacking shelves at Tescos :)
- do you see your self in a far more specialised role (fashion, advertising or documentary photographer) and does the course you wish to select offer this specialism.
- what are the courses facilities and resources like (studio space, darkrooms, computers, cameras, lighting, software). If resources are limited, are you prepared to wait 4 weeks to use the studio space or darkroom?
- Who is teaching the course and what is their experience of working in industry? Have they ever worked as a commercial photographer? or if not, does the course have visiting lecturers who still practice in industry?
- What is the course content? Are the tutors prepared to show you current briefs and projects and do they have any relevance to real life commissions?
- Speak to the current students! Don't just go to the Open Day. All will seem rosy and perfect then but on a normal working day, you will see the facilities in use and be able to speak students who experiencing the course at first hand. If the course 'ain't any good', they will soon tell you!
- I would encourage you to visit the 'end of year' shows. This is a good way to monitor the quality of the output of the current students and whether good trade craft is being taught.
- Ask about the successes of 'past alumni'. Any good course will be able to real off a list of successful practicing practitioners who have passed through their doors.
- Ask how many hours of contact time you will have a week. I am hearing of horror stories of 2nd and 3rd year degree students only having 30 minutes contact time a week and one optional 1 hour workshop a week (more to follow in a forthcoming blog).
- What links does the course have to industry. Is it affiliated to the AOP or the BIPP? Does it offer an additional optional PQE (Professional Qualifying Exam) qualification at the end of the 3rd year?
- Is 'Beyond the Lens' (professional business skills) being taught throughout the duration of the course and is it linked to individual practical modules?
- Are you encouraged to assist and develop further links with industry practitioners during the period of the course?
- Do they ask to view your portfolio prior to making you an offer of a place?
Please remember, having a degree in photography is not going to get you any work, you will be judged on your folio of 12/15 images. Use your time at college/university to learn the essential trade skills you will need and use the facilities to craft the set of images you will need to further your career. The only time anyone will ever ask to see your certificate is if you intend to go back into education to teach.
I am not trying to be disparaging about any course or the value of education but as a potential customer of these services, I would urge you to choose correctly when making your decision. Remember the typical photography student today leaves university/college with a debt of £24,000 and this is soon to rise again significantly. Around 5000 photography students 'qualify' every year, but only a handful have the requisite skills to survive and prosper. Please use this opportunity to make the right choice for you.
Richard Southall
www.emphasis.biz
www.richardsouthall.co.uk
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