New York Institute of Photography (NYIP)

[RinkRat]

Yes, I have searched & searched & searched AND searched information on NYIP, on numerous boards, & with the help of Google.

I was just wondering what you would do, if you were me.

Background:
I have been involved in photography for almost five months now, and want to improve my "skills", and learn more about my new hobby.

The local community college offers two classes:
Basic Photography & Photography as Self-expression. Both seem rather limited, and require me to drive 45 minutes each way. I am not too fond of the drive, and neither is my wife and newborn.

I have checked out, & read virtually every photography book at my local library, and cannot find any local photography clubs.

[Vegas Poboy]

Went though the same thought two years ago and ended up in college. I'm still attending and having a blast @ the age of 40 8). the professors is pushing me towards a degree but I'm having fun and this is only a part time gig but full time hobby for me. I started with the basic beginning class that included wet lab B&W developing, it all helps in understanding photography.
1) One on one interaction with a pro.
2) Learning all areas help create a better understanding of what photography is about. (Lighting - business - creativity - Photoshop)
3) Student Discounts on equipment, seminars & shows.
4) Using thier equipment it saves you on buying stuff you don't need or want to try out.
5) Depending on how far you want to go the school credits help turn into a degree.
6) Referrals to jobs, some business look to the schools for photographers to give students a break into the real world.

Plus many more advantages. I'm sure that with a little time into you'll look forward to going to school than going online to see the next chapter.

Hopefully this info will help & good luck

[Harry Settle]

I took their course back in the 70's. It's great for learning "all" of the basics. Speed, aperture, camera control, lighting, business, glamour, portraits, scenics etc. . . .

[sGu]

Ever checked on Brooklyn Institute of Photography? They are one of sponsors of sportsshooter.com, a lot of good things beings said about them.

[RinkRat]

Went though the same thought two years ago and ended up in college. I'm still attending and having a blast @ the age of 40 8). the professors is pushing me towards a degree but I'm having fun and this is only a part time gig but full time hobby for me. I started with the basic beginning class that included wet lab B&W developing, it all helps in understanding photography...

Hopefully this info will help & good luck

Well, looks like I'm a bit late to enroll for spring. What I think I will do is, Sign up for NYIP in December, and see how far I get, until it is time to sign up at the college.

I think you reminded me that interacting with live people will go a long way.

Thanks.

[RinkRat]

Ever checked on Brooklyn Institute of Photography? They are one of sponsors of sportsshooter.com, a lot of good things beings said about them.

Do you mean The Brooks Institute? They are located in California, and I do not see anything related to online courses. I have heard many great things about them, and would like to have them as an option but...

That would be one heck of a commute from Philadelphia. (2800 miles!)

Thanks for the suggestion.

[Vegas Poboy]

Went though the same thought two years ago and ended up in college. I'm still attending and having a blast @ the age of 40 8). the professors is pushing me towards a degree but I'm having fun and this is only a part time gig but full time hobby for me. I started with the basic beginning class that included wet lab B&W developing, it all helps in understanding photography...

Hopefully this info will help & good luck

Well, looks like I'm a bit late to enroll for spring. What I think I will do is, Sign up for NYIP in December, and see how far I get, until it is time to sign up at the college.

I think you reminded me that interacting with live people will go a long way.

Thanks.

Not sure about the East Coast but here signups for spring is all the way until January.

[sGu]

Ever checked on Brooklyn Institute of Photography? They are one of sponsors of sportsshooter.com, a lot of good things beings said about them.

Do you mean The Brooks Institute? They are located in California, and I do not see anything related to online courses. I have heard many great things about them, and would like to have them as an option but...

That would be one heck of a commute from Philadelphia. (2800 miles!)

Thanks for the suggestion.

:oops: got the name wrong, you can tell I ain't American, can't ya? :p

[Vegas Poboy]

Ever checked on Brooklyn Institute of Photography? They are one of sponsors of sportsshooter.com, a lot of good things beings said about them.

Do you mean The Brooks Institute? They are located in California, and I do not see anything related to online courses. I have heard many great things about them, and would like to have them as an option but...

That would be one heck of a commute from Philadelphia. (2800 miles!)

Thanks for the suggestion.

:oops: got the name wrong, you can tell I ain't American, can't ya? :p


Yeah & from what I hear Brooks is close to $23,000.00 per a year

[Persian-Rice]

Believe it or not, I have heard some good stuff about NYIP from my school.......

Great for both continuing education or just learning the basics.

[chops]

I can see taking classes if you are wanting to work with film and develope your own prints, or want to learn Photoshop at a seminar. Sometimes it's better to learn that kind of stuff on-hands instead of reading it in a book or on the internet.

But as far as taking pictures, I don't think you need classes for that. If you have a good eye for seeing a great shot and being able to capture it, then photography is for you. If not, then classes won't help.

It's a little thing called talent, something alot of these so-called "weekend photographers" today seriously lack. Alot of them have taken classes, and have invested enough money in camera equipment to pay for a new car, but they don't know anything about their equipment and can't take a picture to save their lives.

Most of our very successful pro customers got there without ever taking a single photography class, one of which that grosses $40k a month! YES, you read it right, $40,000.00 a month!

I see it this way, photography is probably the only profession out there that you DO NOT have to go to college for or have a degree to become a successful professional.

Hopefully, I'll be at that point or close to it one day. 8)

[Harry Settle]

I can see taking classes if you are wanting to work with film and develope your own prints, or want to learn Photoshop at a seminar. Sometimes it's better to learn that kind of stuff on-hands instead of reading it in a book or on the internet.

But as far as taking pictures, I don't think you need classes for that. If you have a good eye for seeing a great shot and being able to capture it, then photography is for you. If not, then classes won't help.

It's a little thing called talent, something alot of these so-called "weekend photographers" today seriously lack. Alot of them have taken classes, and have invested enough money in camera equipment to pay for a new car, but they don't know anything about their equipment and can't take a picture to save their lives.

Most of our very successful pro customers got there without ever taking a single photography class, one of which that grosses $40k a month! YES, you read it right, $40,000.00 a month!

I see it this way, photography is probably the only profession out there that you DO NOT have to go to college for or have a degree to become a successful professional.

Hopefully, I'll be at that point or close to it one day. 8)



NYI's course starts you out from the beginning, working on things like lighting angles, apertures, dof etc. . . the more artsy stuff is added later, with an emphasis on how you use your camera. Sure you can pick up a camera read some books and go out and practice, but this is structured for people that want to learn the basics without having to go through the initial pain and guesswork. You send in your work and lessons and someone critiques it. There are also people available at all times to answer questions.

[chops]

I can see taking classes if you are wanting to work with film and develope your own prints, or want to learn Photoshop at a seminar. Sometimes it's better to learn that kind of stuff on-hands instead of reading it in a book or on the internet.

But as far as taking pictures, I don't think you need classes for that. If you have a good eye for seeing a great shot and being able to capture it, then photography is for you. If not, then classes won't help.

It's a little thing called talent, something alot of these so-called "weekend photographers" today seriously lack. Alot of them have taken classes, and have invested enough money in camera equipment to pay for a new car, but they don't know anything about their equipment and can't take a picture to save their lives.

Most of our very successful pro customers got there without ever taking a single photography class, one of which that grosses $40k a month! YES, you read it right, $40,000.00 a month!

I see it this way, photography is probably the only profession out there that you DO NOT have to go to college for or have a degree to become a successful professional.

Hopefully, I'll be at that point or close to it one day. 8)



NYI's course starts you out from the beginning, working on things like lighting angles, apertures, dof etc. . . the more artsy stuff is added later, with an emphasis on how you use your camera. Sure you can pick up a camera read some books and go out and practice, but this is structured for people that want to learn the basics without having to go through the initial pain and guesswork. You send in your work and lessons and someone critiques it. There are also people available at all times to answer questions.

I know all about the NYIP. My oldest brother did their coarse(s). I know what and how they teach. I'm not saying the school is useless or anything, just not needed if you are truely interested in photography, which my brother apparently was not.

[Persian-Rice]

Chops, you can learn to become a good photographer. You might need an eye to be a great photographer, but you can learn to become a good one.

Even the greatest photographers in the world developed from nothing. Courses speed the proccess up. If you take one of the weekend crash courses, you will learn quite a bit. IMHO, not enough to make a big differnce, especially if you already know your way around.

Something of a longer course, either a 2 year college certificate or a 4 year university degree will develop your teqhnique and expand your skill sets by emphasising on your weaker points.

Take a hockey player for example, they need to learn to skate and how to play the game, talent carries them to their peak. However, practice and teaching get them to a point where the only thing that counts is raw talent.

[MichaelE]

I too was considering their course... In contrast to my fees for my CISSP exam ($500 for an early registration) the course fee for the NYIP program does not seem as bad anymore.

As Chops and Harry pointed out the course seems structured. I know that despite my love for Photography and my more than able capacity to learn, I need some structure to improve. I still struggle quite a bit with many of the fundamental and have many of those Homer Simpson 'DOH' moments when reviewing photos and seeing similar mistakes happening again and again but not knowing why. (of course I can usually fix it in Photoshop but I'd rather get as close to right while shooting).[/b]

My younger brother took this course a while back now and he seemed to enjoy it... He's more into the traditional style photography than the digital side I am into....

[RinkRat]

Ok, the deal is done.

I signed up with NYIP yesterday. We will see how that goes, and I will sign up at the community college for after I'm done with NYIP.

Hopefully, I'm not too disappointed.

Thank you for the help.

[Kadath]

My night job is teaching at a local university. One of the perks is for every class I teach, I get one for free. I finally was able to get into their Photo 1 this year by registering early (they alllllways fill up), and I have enjoyed it immensely.

-Sticking to 50mm B&W really makes you concentrate on composition and other 'basics'
-I'm doing photochemical development I would never have done on my own, and makes me appreciate the luxuries digital brings
-Interacting with students 10 years younger than me is quite fun and we push each other creatively and help each other out making good choices

It's all about the feedback. I was interested in NYIP and I'm sure that their course is top rate, but there is just as much information available on the web and in books out there if you are willing to search for it, and its a LOT cheaper than what they offer.

Want a few examples?
http://www.morguefile.com/ver3/classroom.php
http://www.shortcourses.com/using/index.htm
http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/index.html
http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp
http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=academy_articles
http://www.photoworkshop.com/canon/index.html

What these DONT give you is that human element. Feedback, competition, advice, rejection, appraisal, jealousy, admiration, apathy, excitement. The whole gamut.

Sam

[JasonMX]

I took several non-credit courses at the college I graduated at. It really helped.

[Harry Settle]

Ok, the deal is done.

I signed up with NYIP yesterday. We will see how that goes, and I will sign up at the community college for after I'm done with NYIP.

Hopefully, I'm not too disappointed.

Thank you for the help.


I think it will be a big help for you. When you get done with that check out www.portranet.com a little pricey, but I'm considering.

[RinkRat]

I think it will be a big help for you. When you get done with that check out www.portranet.com a little pricey, but I'm considering.

You are correct. It is a little pricey, but it looks interesting.

Just put it in my Favorites folder.

Thanks.