Best photography program in Toronto

[telles75]

I did my homework and did some Googling and forum search and I came down to the following 3 colleges:

- Sheridan
- Humber
- Ryerson

In the POTN forums I heard lots of praise about Sheridan College being the best school for photography in Canada; but I heard in person the same about Humber and Ryerson. I am a Sheridan COllege alumni (from Computer Programmer), so going back there will be familiar to me; while I studied there I always heard about how great the Animation School was but never heard anything about Photography, hence I have my doubts.

Any fellow POTNers want to give me a hand and express your opinions? If you took courses at one of these 3 colleges your feedback will be greatly appreciated.

[telles75]

I keep reading Sheridan is the best option, yet the curriculum in Humber looks more interesting. Any comments?

[Rubi Jane]

I know one Sheridan grad and he rates the curriculum very highly, but would also tell you it's a lot of hard work. I have heard from numerous sources it is VERY heavily skewed to commercial although I have no first hand experience.

I couldn't enroll in a F/T program, nor did I want to, so I opted for picking up the two photography certificates Mohawk College offer, Applied Photography & Art Photography certificates. They are CE certificates and totally attainable working a F/T job.
http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/__shared/assets/Creative___Applied_Arts1990.pdf

[notapro]

From my understanding, some programs focus more on making you ready for the professional world of photography, while others are strictly about the art, and I'm sure there is quite a range of in-betweens. So I don't know that anyone could soundly say that one college or another is the best for everyone and anyone. Look closely at the curriculum and decide which one will give you the tools and skills you want to have at the end. Maybe Humber is better for you if the curriculum is more appealing to you.

One thing Ryerson offers is the ability to impress. it's generally seen as a very difficult school to get into with a solid and demanding curriculum. sheridan and humber will not offer you that.

[telles75]

Thanks a lot for the comments guys, I willgive it a shot to Humber first, starting this May but if things don't look promising I will have a look at Ryerson and Sheridan more carefully...

[Blender7]

I didn't know Mohawk had a photography course. I hate Mohawk though it's a stupid school so don't come. Stick with Sheridan.

[Zvon]

I'm currently taking the CE courses at Humber, they have some very talented teachers with substantial background teaching you, which is great. I don't know much about the FT program, but I can say I'm quite happy with the CE courses so far.
Humber is a pretty grimy school as it's quite old, so far the equipment hasn't been very new, we were using studio lights that must have been 200 years old, but they did work haha

Sheridan also is very reputable and I don't think you'll have a problem with them - they are probably the most respected school in Toronto area for arts and such. For a full time program I would suggest Sheridan.

[telles75]

I was thinking of taking Continuinng Education (CE) courses at either Sheridan or Humber at night. I cannot enroll to full time programs due to my day job. After all photography is a hobby and passion for me; I do not pretend it to be my career per say, but who knows.

So ZVON, it looks like I will be taking your same courses in Humber. I know that Humber has older equipment and that they are more Nikon oriented (they use D200 and D300), and Sheridan is more Canon oriented and have nicer lights and new equipment. I really don't care much about this since I already have nice equipment of my own, and they both allow you to use it in the classes.

Humber Certificate in Photographic Techniques:
- 6 courses to get the certificate
- 2 mandatory courses (Digital Photography 1 and 2)
- 4 elective courses (I like Portrait Photography 1, 2,3, Photographic Lighting, Fashion Photographer)

Sheridan Commercial Photography Certificate
- 10 courses to get the certificate
- 4 mandatory (Photography Digital Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Theory and History of Photography)
- 6 elective courses (I like Picturing People, Portraiture and Algonquin Digital Workshop; I don't care much about Wedding Photography so it will be hard to chose the other 3).

So the PROs of Sheridan for me:
- I am an alumni there so I am familiar with the college
- Davis campus is the closest from home
- Cheaper individual courses
- Better equipment and Canon oriented

CONs of Sheridan:
- Trafalgar campus is quite far away from my home (and it's sure I will need to take some courses there)
- 10 courses to get the certificate which means more money at the end
- Only 3 out of 6 electives sound appealing to me, plus 1 compulsory (History of Photography) sounds like a very empirical course.

PROs of Humber:
- 6 courses to get the diploma so cheaper at the end.
- I like all the electives (I would even have to decide 2 between Lighting, Portraiture 3 and Fashion Photographer)
- Closer than Trafalgar campus.

CONs of Humber:
- Older equipment and Nikon oriented.
- Farther than Davis campus.
- More expensive individual courses.
- A little bit less reputation than Sheridan in the Photography program (but this could be for the full time diplomas and not the CE certificates).

So having evaluated all the PROs and CONs, I decided to give Humber a shot. I talked to the program coordinator and even if they promote Nikon more, he said I am welcome to bring my Canon 40D and learn with it (there is no way I am switching to the darks side just for the courses..LOL).

Sheridan might have a more recognized full time program for photography but CE courses might be different. Like I said having being an ex-alumni there and having been in full time and CE courses I can attest that the quality of teachers you get from full time programs to CE courses is night and day; so that made it easier for me to decide upon Humber.

[Rubi Jane]

Rafael, I think for CE courses the concern shouldn't be too weighted toward the reputatio of the schools' programs if the certificate is to satiate your hobby. If you plan to indulge in a career at some point you'll still have some formal learning along with real life experience which can be just, or more valuable. I wouldn't worry about the Nikon propensity at Humber, just kick a** with your Canon gear ;) You're right about the History course...Mohawk has a requirement for the same and although I came away with a better understanding of the evolution of photography it was a **YAWN** and I know I would have enjoyed my Sundays far more outdoors shooting. At least I took it during the winter semester.

Sounds like Humber has some outstanding instructors - got there, listen, learn & most importantly "experience" it and come away with what you need.

Good luck!

[telles75]

Thanks a lot for the advice Lindsey. Well I wasn't so much talking about reputation just because of the name of the College but more about the quality of education. But having only 3 courses out of 6 that sounds interesting to me at Sheridan kinds of defeats the purpose.

Plus I believe that real life experience is the real deal in learning any trade, be it engineering, computer programming and photography probably even more; but its nice to have solid knwoledge base.

[telles75]

I forgot to say Lindsay.. I will definetly kick some **s with my Canon gear :)

[Rubi Jane]

I forgot to say Lindsay.. I will definetly kick some **s with my Canon gear :)
Glad to hear it! ;)

[telles75]

All setup for Humber. Starting classes in May 5th, I hope I did the right selection. At least I can still cancel before the 3rd class in case I found the first 2 classes a joke, or the instructor a rookie.

[Calbeee]

i support ryerson, cuz i go there :D
not that program though

[Zvon]

All setup for Humber. Starting classes in May 5th, I hope I did the right selection. At least I can still cancel before the 3rd class in case I found the first 2 classes a joke, or the instructor a rookie.

which class did you end up signing up for?

[NZDoug]

Ryerson photo course has been around since the 60s.
Most grads end up as sales reps for Father Kodak (old days) or Electronic flash distributers.
Get their hair cut and get a real job.... ;)

[telles75]

I am going for the Humber Certificate in Photographic Techniques (6 courses to get the certificate). So I enrolled for Digital Photography 1, which should be a breeze since I have been learning on my on for about 2 years now, reading books and getting feedback here at POTN. Unfortunately its a pre-requisite for the courses I am really interested in which are: Portrait Photography 1, 2,3, Photographic Lighting, Fashion Photographer.

I am studying photography just to have a solid knowledge base and to learn technique. This is a hobby and a passion to me, not for changing my line of work. Apart from the big shot photographers of important magazines or recognized studio owners I seriously doubt I would be making more money than I am doing with my current job; so I am not planning to quit anytime soon...LOL...

[Zvon]

Rafael,

I am just finishing up the Digital 1 class and its good, but it was a breeze - almost boring at times. The photoshop basic techniques are absolutely torture to go through as I've been using photoshop for almost 10 years and was hoping for something of a challenge, but it is an "intro" course so good luck and probably see you in one of the other classes you mentioned (Zvon is the real name, so you should easily recognize me)

[telles75]

Thanks for the heads up Zvon. And yes may be I'll see you in the Portraiture classes.

[dredwings3119]

Hi, I am new here.. I am also wondering about photography schools in Toronto.. I have went online to check them out and I would like to do some CE courses because I also want to work part time and stuff...... Anyways my question is with Humber College you have to take 6 courses to get a certificate..

So you sign up for these courses one at a time right?.. and then as you graduate from each class you move on to the next?.. I guess whats confusing me is what if they don't offer say fashion photography by the time I want to take it or it gets cancelled.. and how long do you have to complete the certificate?..

If anyone can help me with this it would be greatly appreciated :)

[Rubi Jane]

If Humber is like Mohawk there are students that take a number of years to complete the certificate courses. there was one mature student in a course I took at Mohawk and he had been at it for 10 years (he was going for both the photography certificates = 11 courses) and could only take one course per year. Mohawk told me there is no time limit to program completion with the CE certificates. Might be the same at Humber. I also think you'll find these programs are well entrenched and quite popular so the chance of courses being indefinitely canceled is slim, though they might not be offered every term.

[telles75]

In just enrolled to Humber last week. You need to complete 6 courses to get the Certificate, but you do not need to sign up for all at once. You enroll one at a time. It will take me 6 semesters (that is 2 years) to complete it. Of course if you can finish it in less time if you take 2 courses per semester (that would be 1 year).

[dredwings3119]

Ok thank you so much to both of you for the replies :).. Im thinking of going to humber as well not sure about starting in may though but its a possibility.. Oh and one last thing do you know if there is a time limit to complete the certificate there?.. Thanks so much

[telles75]

As far as I know if you do not get out of school for more than 2 semesters, they should honour the program courses for the time you enrolled to the program. I think most colleges have a 3 to 5 year limit, but don't take my word for it. I work full time so 1 course at a time is the most I can devote to my hobby, so 6 semesters for me. Let me know if you enroll dredwings3119.

[offroadaction]

Telles, how did your course go? I am looking at signing up for the same thing this fall...do the courses and get the diploma. Knowing that it was a beginner couse, and that it may be boring as Zvon pointed out, how was it?

[DocFrankenstein]

Good luck with humber.

I've heard they're updating the lights they have with broncolor. Did that happen?

[BrandonSlaa]

hello, i have a similar question, yesterday i had my portfolio interview at humber college for creative photography, and i checked the ontario colleges site today and i have been accepted, my question is:
should i wait to see if i have got into sheridan where i have also applied, or should i just go and accept the humber one and go there. i am not too sure what different things are taught at each school and have nothing to base a decision on. please help.

[Karl Johnston]

I hear good things about loyalist college near toronto. Perhaps give them a try.

[Karl Johnston]

Ryerson photo course has been around since the 60s.
Most grads end up as sales reps for Father Kodak (old days) or Electronic flash distributers.
Get their hair cut and get a real job.... ;)
I think Ryerson may be graduate students only.

[telles75]

To be honest I only went to the first 4 weeks at Humber and was so bored I decided to quit and ask for a partial refund. Since that time (about 2 years ago) I have went to photography workshops and although more costly I really learn faster and find it more interesting than regular college curriculum. I have read more than a dozen photography books in this past years as well, ranging from modeling posing to lighting. I am really excited about attending a workshop at New York this April offered by Frank Doorhof, who happens to be one of my favourite photographers. A part from that I have been doing photoshoots at least 2 or 3 times a month, so I am happy with my progression so far. I am not sure if College would had worked better or not, but at least for me I think it wasn't meant to be.

[PhotosByT]

Have you guys been to the Photographic, Video and Digital Imaging show by Henry's? http://www.henrys.ca/Photographic-Video-Digital-Imaging-Show.aspx

I'm just new to shooting non-AUTO.. :) I was wondering if it's worth going to that show next month..

[DocFrankenstein]

Have you guys been to the Photographic, Video and Digital Imaging show by Henry's? http://www.henrys.ca/Photographic-Video-Digital-Imaging-Show.aspx

I'm just new to shooting non-AUTO.. :) I was wondering if it's worth going to that show next month..
I'd stay away from henrys altogether and especially if you're new to shooting non-auto. The store and the show is designed to just push equipment you don't need and take your hard earned money.

If you have a camera, then hit the library, grab some books and shoot shoot shoot. Don't waste your time going to a show, instead spend a day shooting and reading. You'll learn more.