Photography degrees...

So now I'm thinking about what I want to do at Uni.At the moment I want to do Animation but my aunt (a Uni lecturer in Art) suggested a photography degree...is it worth doing? I do love photography, its probably my favourite hobby. Has anyone on here done a degree in Photography/ have any comments

A degree is only good if you wish to work for someone else. If your thinking of selling your photos or photographic services a degree doesn't mean squat.

I thought that (thats why I hadn't considered it before). Thanks Bob.

To be honest I would choose a degree that you want to do - 3 years is a long time if you don't enjoy the course

A degree will give you theoretical and experiential credibility within that particular field. I have a couple of degrees and they are an outward demonstration of my knowledge and dedication to that specific field - which incidentally is the one I work in.

i do agree, if you choose to do a degree, it involves lots of time and commitment, so make sure it is one you will enjoy.

I'd love to do a photography degree!

If you have a natural talent then there is no point in wasting time at university. Some of the most successful people in business have no qualifications at all.

As an employer, if 2 people applied for a job, one with a degree and the other with experience and a proven track record, which would you employ?

Bazza

There would be a total disparity - the assumption would be that the one with experience and a proven track record would be older than the one with a degree?

I interview & employ at least 20 staff a year - for me, whilst experience is subjective and rarely verifiable, the degree is tangible and says more about the discipline, credibility, and intellectual capacity of the individual.

I find Bazza's response is typical from those who haven't achieved a degree.

Polo, if you want to study photography at Degree level then go for it! But, if your heart isn't 100% in that choice, then choose another subject.

If Animation is where you think your heart is , then maybe you have already made your choice


Good luck with whatever subject you choose xxxx


Lorna is studying Photography at Degree level, so give her a PM

I'm in 2 minds about doing a course or degree in photography.

I have a geology degree and before i started doing it i LOVED geology, i had all the books (well the best ones), and knew a lot before i went to uni, but doing it constantly for 3 years, 5 days a week, i learnt that it was more of a hobby and i couldn't wait to complete the degree and get out into the world.

Ok so i now do photography full time, but it is my own business and i do mix it up with running the snowpaw store and mix in graphic design, and custom art pieces and also vary in my type of photography too... one week dog events and another a family photoshoot etc.

You have to decide whether a degree will help you in the long run, whether you can do 3 years studying and still want to do it at the end of the course!

I think you'll find it does, there are so many people who do photography now, you're competing against the whole world and his brother, a degree not only teaches you techniques that most amateurs wouldn't even dream of, it also gives you access to contacts and gives you the opportunity to develop not just as a photographer, but as an artist.

Most successful, as in the most successful at what? And if you don't get lucky and get a commission handed to you, (I'm talking a big commission, a shoot for a magazine, a personal exhibition at a well known gallery) then how are you ever going to be recognized? You could end up being very talented, and working in a totally un related field to your passion just because you don't know the right people! The one I'd employ, the one with the best portfolio and if you've been doing something non stop with not only a photographic but an academic eye, for 3 years, which do you think will be more successful?

Its a good job really - I'm spending a lot of my own money to get this degree.

In response to your question, completely personal preference, I'm 23 and I've gone back to Uni to do my degree in Photojournalism, its where my heart lies. If your heart doesn't lie with photography, don't do it, there is a lot of work involved, and unless you're going a digital media degree there is a lot of darkroom work involved too, which is amazing fun, but you have to be passionate, and get used to justifying your work, it looks nice isn't enough. My commercial work (stuff on here and on other online communities) is very different to the work I generate for uni and for personal projects.

IT IS EXPENSIVE! Very very very expensive, I've had to pay my own tuition fees, something you probably won't have to do if you haven't already been to uni. But a pack of fibre based paper, for 100 sheets cost me £45. Thats one pack, of one kind of paper..... but to me, its worth it. I adore it.

If you think your heart is with animation then do that, whatever you do, make sure you adore it. Photography is the rest of my life, I'm happy with my choice. Good luck with yours.
Lorna.