New York Institute of Photography

[LaiLai]

I've noticed a lot of adds in PoP Photo, Outdoor Photographer etc. for NYIP. Finally I sent the flyer in and got back a large pamphlet letting me know the course and how it basically works and how long it takes. It looks quite legit, and also comes with a hefty price tag of almost a grand. Since there really isn't many options as far as schooling goes around here, I am wondering if it is well worth the money. Has anyone attended or graduated this course :?:

[Jemmind]

I have not taken the course, but I would like to tell you that if you don't sign up for it, then later they will send you another brochure offering the course at a lower price. At least they did for me. I still didn't sign up though. You should check out your local community and technical colleges or schools, alot of times they will offer classes, much cheaper.

Julie

[Wickedfn4u]

I also talked to my local shop and found a person there that held a weekend class every week. Come and go as you want depending on topic or your schedule. The group is usually 4-9 students and it is a great place to ask and compare.

TC

[LaiLai]

Well the reduction in cost is a bit of a relief. As for local colleges, I'm not in Seattle anymore, around here in ND things are more scarce than one thinks. The local college classes aren't very good at all, so this in my opinion looks to be the best bet. I just don't want to get 'hosed' :!:

[RbnDave]

When you say ND do you mean North Dakota? Cuz if you mean North Dakota I feel bad for you. I lived in Grand Forks for 5 years. Got out in '99, but I still have flashbacks and nightmares..

[cmM]

By total accident, I found on my local photo store's website that they host seminars every ones in a while. Some are free, some you have to pay for ($35-$50). I signed up for a seminar already, haven't attended any yet, but I think it will be very educative.

[Malok]

RbnDave,

Are you saying that Ohio is any better??? :shock: I'd take the open plains of North Dakota to Ohio anyday. :lol:

[RbnDave]

Can't say ohio is better. Except November through April. And there are some girls in Ohio. However, speeding tickets in ND are much cheaper.

I have been planning my escape from ohio all afternoon. Hopefully I'll only be stuck living here a few more months. :lol:

[LaiLai]

Yep, North Dakota, UFF DA! The plains are nice, but they just keep rolling....and rolling...yeah, after a while it gets old. Lol.

[Tom W]

Yep, North Dakota, UFF DA! The plains are nice, but they just keep rolling....and rolling...yeah, after a while it gets old. Lol.

Not just old, but COLD as well!

Old saying: "Why not Minot? The freezin' is the reason."

[robertwgross]

I don't know if this is of any interest to you, but there is the Rocky Mountain School of Photography. Billings, Montana, I think. That's only a hop, skip, and a jump from ND. I only did one weekend seminar with them, so I can't say very much.

---Bob Gross---

[LaiLai]

Scary, 'Why not Minot' is on a local license plate, which is our city motto!

[Tom W]

Scary, 'Why not Minot' is on a local license plate, which is our city motto!

Truth be told, my sister and Brother in law were there in Minot for a few years - USAF. I got to visit once, back in the summer of 1988. They used to say that then - I guess the locals adopted it. :)

[LaiLai]

It's a great place for kids to be raised, but boring for adults!

[BigRed450]

I will vouch for NYIP.. I personally took the course 20 years ago and highly recommend it. However, you must be serious about Photography, it is a fair price to pay if you just do this as a hobby.
IMHO the course they offer is quite superior to any courses offered by community colleges in that they prepare you for the world of a working Photographer. NYIP's instructors are working professionals in their specialized photography fields, they know all the ins and outs of the buisness, so they really know their stuff.

I enjoyed the course and went on to run my own Photography Buisness for over 10 years...

[leony]

NYIP is a good school, and unless you can go and assist a photographer for a few months, this is the best way to learn.

The main premise is that you will be forced to take pictures, look at them, think, then take more pictures. Repeat as necessary.

Progression of a photographer
1. You start out with very little knowledge
2. You start doing research and realize it is much more difficult than you imagined.
3. You begin to pick up knowledge, the technical side of things.
4. You begin to use the technical knowledge and it works.
5. You start to feel as if you are mastering the technical
6. You begin to feel you know a LOT.
7. You start posting images that you are proud of.
8. You KNOW your images are better than much of what you see.
9. Family and friends start to oooo and aaaahhh at your images
10. Pro's don't seem to acknowledge you.
11. You think it's jealousy.
12. You reach a valley in your photography. You are starting to notice that your images aren't quite what you thought they would be.
13. You start to notice that, in your images, the models hands, the composition, the depth...isn't quite what you wanted.
14. Even your very favorite photograph isn't as good as you once thought. "I should have . . . "
15. You are now completely dissatisfied with everything you have ever shot.
16. You begin to realize that your photography is NOTHING compared to the masters.
17. You begin to see the differences in your photography compared to what you see published.
18. Now you are beginning to learn.

[phili1]

Its been around for over 30 years. Leony is right on the mark. I took it a long time ago. Its made up of professional photographers who walk you thru the coarse. You get expert opinions and they teach you to see what you are doing, with different eyes and outlook. A photograph is made up of subject matter and they show you that you can look at it in many different ways. Photography is 80% visual and 20% mechanical. That 80% makes one picture stand out over others.

I can give you what they do in a simple task. Find a subject, shoot from high up, low down. With a wide lens a medium lens and a tele. Shoot it lying down and then standing up. Put them on a board and evaluate them. Can you tell which is the best, most appealing and which one will sell to publishers. Thats where they come in they teach you that as well. On your own it could take 10years to learn what they teach you in a couple.

[johneo]

I am wondering if it is well worth the money.

Haven't taken the course but, as you did, I also inquired about it. I got the package telling me all that was involved etc ...

I put it aside (holidays were nearing) and by the time I was ready to pick it up and check it out I had an offer to take $300 off the cost.

Decided to get the pros and cons of NYIP and got the impression it is OK but also seems many think you can learn the same going to the library and getting other photographers to critique your work (even family and friends that you can trust to be truthfull)

I decided that almost $700 could be better spent on "L" glass :D

Do a search in Google Groups.

OK, now I'll go read what everyone else says :oops:

my edit: :wink:

Having read others that HAVE been, do remember that, and for what it's worth, the info I had read (as mentioned above) was not from ONLY previous students. To me, it still looks pretty interesting.

I'll should also mention that it very much so, ticked me off that had I signed up right away I would have been screwed out of that $300. Somehow, I doubt they would have sent it back to me. (kind of reminds me of a guy I work with ... bought his wife a new car. Two months later the dealer wanted to clear the lot (overstocked???) and knocked $6,000 to $8,000 off the "left overs" ... wanna see someone ticked off? LOL!!! :evil:

[phili1]

Well lets see, you can learn computers from books but can you put one together or develop a program. Answer no you need to learn from the pros the in's and out of doing it.

Photography is the same way, you can learn on your own but to learn it properly you need some dirction from the pros. Thats what it give you.

You learn prospective/Composition/Lighting/Exposure and the most important thing which you cant teach your self and that, is vision. The way we look at a subject and the way a good pro does is what makes one picture better then another.

[kahfluie]

I sent away for info... didn't respond and just last week got another envelope with the reduced rate. Still considering it, but not sure I can part with that much money at this moment. Looks like it would really be beneficial, though.

Cheers,

[jboyd]

I sent away for the info also, and got the offer for $300 off because I did not respond right away. I want to do it. My husband thinks I have already spent enough on my photography "habit," as he calls it. But, reading their course descriptions it sure seems like there is a lot to learn. And, I want to learn it! But know, I got a mailing for thier digital photography course also. It is a bit different from the "general" photography. I guess there is always something new.

Maybe they will consider a "group discount" if all of us register together!!! :D It's worth a shot!!

Jackie

[robertwgross]

It is important for each individual to know what modes of education work best for them (before investing money into it).

Some people do best in a conventional classroom with a teacher. Some do best watching a video tape. Some do best with book. Some like to browse the web and learn on their own. Some simply read a camera's manual and think that is the best way to learn the application (I don't agree). Some just learn by practice on their own. Some do better with group exercises.

You must know how you learn best before you jump into it.

---Bob Gross---

[Mikesht]

NYIP is a good school, and unless you can go and assist a photographer for a few months, this is the best way to learn.

The main premise is that you will be forced to take pictures, look at them, think, then take more pictures. Repeat as necessary.

Progression of a photographer
1. You start out with very little knowledge
2. You start doing research and realize it is much more difficult than you imagined.
3. You begin to pick up knowledge, the technical side of things.
4. You begin to use the technical knowledge and it works.
5. You start to feel as if you are mastering the technical
6. You begin to feel you know a LOT.
7. You start posting images that you are proud of.
8. You KNOW your images are better than much of what you see.
9. Family and friends start to oooo and aaaahhh at your images
10. Pro's don't seem to acknowledge you.
11. You think it's jealousy.
12. You reach a valley in your photography. You are starting to notice that your images aren't quite what you thought they would be.
13. You start to notice that, in your images, the models hands, the composition, the depth...isn't quite what you wanted.
14. Even your very favorite photograph isn't as good as you once thought. "I should have . . . "
15. You are now completely dissatisfied with everything you have ever shot.
16. You begin to realize that your photography is NOTHING compared to the masters.
17. You begin to see the differences in your photography compared to what you see published.
18. Now you are beginning to learn.


Darn well put, darn well. Agree 100% I am going to steal this and use in conversations, if you dont mind :-)

[LaiLai]

:D
I've decided that I am going to wait for my discount to come in the mail and then I am going to go ahead with the schooling. I am really excited about the courses. This is my dream job, and I am willing to do what it takes to be successful in this field. Thanks to all with your comments and replies :!:

[Burninfilm2]

N.Y.I.P is a good school, but like any other type of education, the benefit will be proportional to the effort. I am a grad of NYIP, who decided to take the course after many years of photography, learned from it and endorse it. The photo editor and others (all photojournalism grads) at the newspaper where I work don't think much of NYIP, but what I learned studying with NYIP helped me compile a portfolio, which combined with my other education & experience, got me hired as a shooter at a pretty large paper (300,000) circulation. The course also gave me the confidence to shoot freelance for other publications as well. I shot enough jobs in a very short time after graduating, to pay for the course, and a big upgrade in equipment. In short, if you are a serious amateur, or a wanna-be pro, you should consider it. Good luck with your decision..Bob <><

[DragonflyMisty]

Can you do the monthly payments on the reduced rate they send later on?? How much later do they send it??

[johneo]

Can you do the monthly payments on the reduced rate they send later on?? How much later do they send it??

It's been awhile but I think it was like 2 or 3 months before they sent the reduced rate offer. I also recall it was a full payment upfront to take advantage of the discount deal.

[DSMITH131]

Check local camera shops and community colleges. I took a six week night class a few years back that a guy at the camera store taught for the community college. And from there i have been buying book after book teaching myself with the help of people on this board and others. all it takes is to put you mind into it and lots of reading researching. Not saying that NYIP is not worth it but there are a lot more teachers on this board than NYIP has.

[Jay J]

I took the course several years back. It gives you a good solid base knowledge in ALL types of photography and darn near all the technical aspects of photography as well. It was very well worth the money.

After taking the course I had the confidence and ability to go out and land a job at a major photography studio.

After apprenticing there I was able to start my own wedding photography business which has been very successful.

NYI was a very good thing when I took it six years ago.

Jay J

[Wspenc]

Hi, I took the course about 20 years ago and have been running a very successful studio every since. I think you would be very happy with it. As with everthing you get out what you put in it.
Walter Spencer
Treasured Images Photography

[Deckyon]

I am currently taking the NYIP Complete Photography course. It is great! I have learned more in the first few units than I had the last few years playing on my own.

The biggest plus is that the same person reviews and critiques all of the photo assignments. They are objective and forthcoming and nice about what they put down. They have a way of explaining when a photo sucks, and at the same time make you feel good about it and give ways to improve. Everything you ever wanted in a critique from online forums but never really received.

If you can afford it, go for it. Pay the money up front. I found it was cheaper than a semister in the local college for a photography course.

Yes, you can use digital cameras.

[cyclone]

Brad-

I am also in the middle of the NYIP course, and agree with everything you said - it's a great value. Out of curiosity, who's your advisor?

Cyclone

[dphotomania]

Deckyon, I have been looking at this myself and I was wondering what is the "NYI PhotoWorld Press Card". They didnt tell you much on this. Can you tell me what it is for? But this does sound like a very interesting class.

Thanks

I am currently taking the NYIP Complete Photography course. It is great! I have learned more in the first few units than I had the last few years playing on my own.

The biggest plus is that the same person reviews and critiques all of the photo assignments. They are objective and forthcoming and nice about what they put down. They have a way of explaining when a photo sucks, and at the same time make you feel good about it and give ways to improve. Everything you ever wanted in a critique from online forums but never really received.

If you can afford it, go for it. Pay the money up front. I found it was cheaper than a semister in the local college for a photography course.

Yes, you can use digital cameras.

[cyclone]

dphotomania-

NYI Photoworld is NYIP's online publication. They give you a small press card and a plastic sheath. You can put your picture on the card, and put the card in the plastic and hang it around your neck. It allows you to be associated with a publication, but won't necessarily allow you entrance to events. NYIP has stories about how students have used the press card to gain entrance into various events; they don't tell you all the times it hasn't. I myself have never tried to use it. But for the enterprising person, it can help.

Cyclone

[dphotomania]

Thanks Cyclone!!

Thats what I wish it is. I dont need it for events, But at least when I am stopped by cops in NYC, you can show them that you are student and you are some what associated with the press. I wonder if they will still lock you up from taking pictures of Govermnent building.:p

Do they expires??

I think I will sign up w/ my wife. So we can both challenage each other. She is into photography as well, but not up the photography tech. :lol:

She is still reading chapter 2 of the 20d manual, and hasnt start on the flash manual. And we are having a trip coming up!! :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[NYC2BGI]

I am thinking about taking this course also. I have been asking people in other forums if it is worth the money or if they could recommend another course.

[elkootcho]

If you can afford it, go for it. Pay the money up front. I found it was cheaper than a semister in the local college for a photography course.

I just signed up today. I received a discount offer in the mail which made the "pay in full" option $648 plus some additional freebies (books). Too good to pass up.

[dphotomania]

My wife and I will both sign up when we save enough. That seems to be a really good class, we need some other skills beside what we do.... :p

[PuR HART]

I too think I am going just ogt aome stuff in the mail with the discount and monthly payments whats 35 bucks I am the type that needs the challenges I can read and browse forums but I personally still need a little well,,,,,, ok swift kick to the butt to get me going and motivated

[JohnnyG]

I'm currently enrolled in the NYIP Digital Photographers course and I really like it. I'm having a problem staying on track because I keep reading posts on this site!;););)

I will say, if I ever finish it, it will be certainly worth it. Every lesson so far has been very thorough. They ask you to send photos in and then the instructor, who is a professional photographer, evaluates the photos and sends a cassette tape back with their comments on each photo and what I could do to make it better. Of course there is a lot of reading lessons and some written tests too so it's far more than just the photos.

Very good stuff for sure...