Degree in Photography or Art?

[COKE CAN]

Hello all,

My name is Steve. I'm currently going to a technical school in my area for Network Security. I have been interested in Computers for some time, but I have lost interest. I have always loved art and drawing and just recently go into photography. I am going to finish my A.A.S. in Networking Security because I am almost done. I want to start a new major in in which I can incorporate Photgraphy and Art and make something of it and have my Networking degree as a fall back.

At a near by community college they offer Art, which inlcudes a couple Photography electives and incorporates quite a bit of graphic design. Then, they offer Photography, which can include art (graphice designs) electives.

Which would be better to persue? One is more geared towards graphic design, and one is geared toward Photography. I enjoy both.

What should I do, what would I have more success with? It wouldn't hurt my feelings to go one over the other. Help me out guys!

Thanks in Advanced!

Steve

[cactusclay]

If you want to make money, go to med school. smiles

[COKE CAN]

If you want to make money, go to med school. smiles

Not my cup of tea. Thanks though.

On a serious note, which of these 2 fields of study would be a better choice?

[flyfishnj]

Steve - Maybe you should post some of your best pictures -- As far as a career in Networking security -- It's not the most exciting IT job out there. I've been in IT for 20 years and was a Security Analyst for a bit -- pretty boring stuff. Then again I would love to be able to make a career out of photography and earn what I do from an IT job -- I'm not that good of a photographer

[12345Michael54321]

I appreciate that you don't want to hear this, but the best choice would be a degree in business management, accounting, marketing, etc., with a variety of electives in art, photography, and graphic design.

The business of photography is generally more about "business," than it is about "photography." Oh, sure, you should be a compentent photographer; I'm not suggesting otherwise. But if Photographer A has little background in the aforementioned businesss subjects, yet is a gifted photographer; and Photographer B has excellent business skills and is merely a competent photographer, I will bet on Photographer B having (by far) the more successful career as a photographer. Not 100% of the time, but it's definitely the way the smart money would bet.

I've mentioned this once or twice before on POTN. I've recounted how two fellows I know are brilliant chefs, yet each of their restaurants failed within 16 months, because they couldn't accept that running a successful restaurant is more about running a business than it is about cooking fantastic food. I know a woman who has been an interior decorator for some years, and who has done incredible work, but who isn't as successful professionally as her competition who may lack her gifts, but who have marketing and business skills she lacks. And my former neighbor's son is the finest mechanic you'd ever hope to meet - yet his auto repair business failed horribly, because he didn't know a thing about running a business; he figured just being able to fix any motor vehicle ever built was all it took.

You want a career in photography? Great. And by all means, take classes in photography and related areas. But get the degree in Business Management or Accounting, and not in Photography or Art.

Admittedly, I'm not a professional photographer. But I am a lawyer, I know what I'm talking about when it comes to why businesses fail.

[COKE CAN]

I appreciate that you don't want to hear this, but the best choice would be a degree in business management, accounting, marketing, etc., with a variety of electives in art, photography, and graphic design.

The business of photography is generally more about "business," than it is about "photography." Oh, sure, you should be a compentent photographer; I'm not suggesting otherwise. But if Photographer A has little background in the aforementioned businesss subjects, yet is a gifted photographer; and Photographer B has excellent business skills and is merely a competent photographer, I will bet on Photographer B having (by far) the more successful career as a photographer. Not 100% of the time, but it's definitely the way the smart money would bet.

I've mentioned this once or twice before on POTN. I've recounted how two fellows I know are brilliant chefs, yet each of their restaurants failed within 16 months, because they couldn't accept that running a successful restaurant is more about running a business than it is about cooking fantastic food. I know a woman who has been an interior decorator for some years, and who has done incredible work, but who isn't as successful professionally as her competition who may lack her gifts, but who have marketing and business skills she lacks. And my former neighbor's son is the finest mechanic you'd ever hope to meet - yet his auto repair business failed horribly, because he didn't know a thing about running a business; he figured just being able to fix any motor vehicle ever built was all it took.

You want a career in photography? Great. And by all means, take classes in photography and related areas. But get the degree in Business Management or Accounting, and not in Photography or Art.

Admittedly, I'm not a professional photographer. But I am a lawyer, I know what I'm talking about when it comes to why businesses fail.

Great input, thank you.

For the record, I'm not looking for millions of dollars, I'm looking to earn good money and enjoy what I do making it.

I will definetly look into the business degree.

[kellmeister]

Look into a double major if possible. Depending on how many extra classes (business + art) you need, it may be the best of both worlds.