Online photography qualifications

[john185k]

Just after a bit of advice... I would like to add some formal qualifications to my photography CV, however due to working shifts, dedicating a day or evening isn't possible. Ideally I would like to aim for a BTEC or something equivalent.

Anyone any experience or advice?

[Dai Capp]

Hi John

I looked into this and came up with:

http://www.thephotographyinstitute.co.uk/index.cfm...

Not cheap mind but they go beyond the art and technique and discuss portfolio building getting work and setting up a studio. Looked pretty comprehensive.

Hope this is a startign point for you...

DC

[john185k]

Ta very much for the link... thats looks fantastic

[MartinP]

That looks very expensive for a 6 to 12 month course compared with my local college's prices. My level 2 City & Guilds which took 12 months to complete cost half of that.

I guess you also need to consider if you want a 'recognised' qualification, in which case I think you're limited to A-level, City & Guilds, BTEC or degree - they're certainly the ones listed by the major associations.

[CivicMan]

Quote from their website:

"The “Professional Photography Course" is delivered Online and consists of 12 modules and 12 interactive assignments. The normal time required to complete the Course is 24 weeks. During this time you will be tutored in all aspects of professional photography by George Seper; one of the top professional photographers around. His vast wealth of accumulated knowledge is provided to you together with the ways to apply this knowledge to the areas of photography that most interest you."

Try Googling George Seper - he seems a bit low key for a top professional photographer.

[john185k]

MartinP said:

That looks very expensive for a 6 to 12 month course compared with my local college's prices. My level 2 City & Guilds which took 12 months to complete cost half of that.

I guess you also need to consider if you want a 'recognised' qualification, in which case I think you're limited to A-level, City & Guilds, BTEC or degree - they're certainly the ones listed by the major associations.

Martin do you have a link to your course? And did you have to complete the level 1 first of all?

[poah]

I personally don't think they worth much. Its probably more worth while doing specific evening courses to hone your skills in certain areas

[MartinP]

City & Guilds have updated the course recently, here is the link to the details of the new version on the college web site (which doesn't give much detail really ) and I see they've put the price up too.

www.bracknell.ac.uk/_colony/courses/print.asp?Cour...

C&G level 2 is around O level (in old money) and level 3 is the equivalent to A level. You can go straight onto level 2 without any previous qualification.

My college also runs a range of 1 day and short courses covering studio lighting, wedding, wildlife, macro and so on. I'm sure most colleges with a strong photography department will do similar and you might find it easier to fit something like that around your work - anyway, its another option to consider.

[EmmaP]

One of my old students did an online photography course. All I know is that it was very expensive and useless. They gave up after a year of getting nowhere and did a City and Guilds course. They then went on to do RPS Associateship and Fellowship awards - http://www.rps.org/.

The City and Guilds level 2 and 3 courses was when I taught them (1995-2000) were one of the best courses for part-time tuition. It is very well structured, providing structured progression from basic to intermediate (and beyond depending on natural ability and talent).

Edited by EmmaP on Wednesday 9th July 00:03