[AquilaEagle]

Hi All, LONG time no post. Been a very busy guy the last few months. Anyway I want to get back into using my camera and I have just bought a couple of new lenses for my 30D. (I probably had the 350D last time I was here!!)

I'm the kinda guy you could say "All the gear, no idea"

I learn best by doing, and by being shown things, practicality rocks, I get bored quickly by reading and then trying things, so I was looking for a photography course - how about a section / sticky with any recommendations?



TIA
Ian

[Dabhand16]

I think this is a difficult one. Broadly, courses fall into the evening/day class that you can get from schools and colleges, and these can either be formal - City & Guilds, or informal, that is with no qualification at the end. In either one, the tutor can make or break the course. Angela started one, 12 weeks, but gave up on it as it was not very good. So these sort of courses are very much pot luck, so would not be able to be recommended across the board. Our UK membership is spread across the British Isles, so someone who has done a good evening course in, say, Northern Ireland would not know if it was even available in your area. If that course was posted in a forum, someone else looking for one in that area might find it has been discontinued within a very short time.

The courses you see advertised in the mags are, you would hope, be more consistant, albeit more expensive. There could be some merit in a good report on one of these, but I'm not sure if a dedicated forum would be appropriate, even if it were feasible.

Courses can and do change over time, so I think the better bet is if anyone is interested in doing a course is to do as you have done in your other thread and ask if there are any currently available that others have tried, or name a couple to see if others have any comments on them.

This way if you do get any responses they will be up to date.

[bbarny]

The Open University have one. Digital Photography:taking and sharing better photographs (T189). I have asked for an application form and will report back on how good it is, if I don't miss the April 17 closing date that is.

[AquilaEagle]

I've seen the OU one, but I would prefer hands on 'teaching' and practical experience, rather than reading and distance learning, I would do a lot better that way

Thanks for the replies

[LadyStardust]

Hi there AquilaEagle. I'm just about to start my last term on the City & Guilds 6923 Level 2 Progression Award in Photography. It's one evening a week for 36 weeks and is hard work - but I've enjoyed every moment! The modules we've covered are:

1. The Principles of Photography
2. Exploring Colour Photography
3. Black and White Photography

We have had days out as a group and learnt theory, how to use the camera, lenses, about famous photographers, how light and colour works, depth of field, how to develop film etc. All those things that I had an idea about but wasn't quite sure how it all fitted together. Last weekend I cut and mounted a photograph that I'd taken for my portfolio and I can't tell you what a good feeling that is. Also, I've found new friends and it's so good to talk about your favourite hobby without the other person dropping off or glazing over after a few sentences!

I wouldn't underestimate the amount of work there is to do though. I work full time and have spent a lot of time in the evenings and on weekends doing homework - as well as getting out and about taking pictures, of course.

If you really want to learn more - and meet some like-minded people - and can commit some serious time to this every week for nearly a year, I would heartily recommend it.

By the way, there is a Digital Imaging module as well - I think it depends upon the College.

Good luck!

[AquilaEagle]

Thanks Lady