Debating on going back to school for design/photography....

I've been doing photography for a few years now, and I have a pretty good eye and think I have a solid creative leg on me. I spend most of my time reading books, tutorials, articles, practicing stuff online. I don't think I get out there enough and shoot on my own.
That being said, I'm thinking about going back to school and taking some photography classes, but I feel that the traditional university curriculum may bottleneck my creativity and my work might look like the cookie-cutter stuff I see from new graduates.

I don't see a photog course being a challenge for me, but it will help get me off my ass and force me to do something productive. Being the new year I'm hoping to get out of the unproductive rut I was in last year. Thoughts?

If you already know what you are doing with photography, researching online will probably do you better than going to school for it. What are your future intentions? In order to make a career out of photography you almost always have to make your own business out of it. By the sounds of it, you aren't motivated enough to be successful on your own in photography. Maybe its better suited as a hobby for you?

I agree with Illusion at the motivation issue.

I would never disparage further education, but it's the type that you really need to consider. Perhaps some seminars, exhibitions, teacher led workshops or other live/online tutorials may light a bit more of a fire for you. What types of things do you like to shoot? Do you see anything in your area that could be a motivational project for you?

I enjoy urban landscape work. As such, I'm always keeping my eyes open for new construction projects with interesting light and composition. These are the sorts of things that motivate me and have provided a good deal of excitement for years. Here is an example of what I mean:

http://pearlphoto.blog​spot.com …fly-innerbelt-bridge.html

There is always something new going on at a place like this and plenty of opportunity to hone the craft .

I think you need to figure out why that is?
I'm stuck in a rut. Any ideas?

If were to choose now I would choose going to school for business and marketing to help my photography business.

The reality of today's marketplace is that there is a higher than normal failure rate on persons succeeding at making a paying career in this field. I'm not saying that you should not give it a go but you seem to have some issues that you need to battle first. You can be the most creative person in the world but if you don't have customers you are apt to fail. What about a backup plan. I think that some college in business/marketing will serve you well and can also serve as a backup plan as well. You seem to have put yourself on a pedestal thinking that you are already too good for university but by your own admission you haven't gone out and done much. I would really get out there and experience the real world before you make a final decision that this is your given career path. Many find that they love the photo end of the business but can't handle the business end. I think some college/university would give you an insight into this.

Svetlana wrote in post #13637090
If were to choose now I would choose going to school for business and marketing to help my photography business.

This, for sure, although I'd do it at a local community college that teaches small business courses rather than the "corporate cog" business courses taught at most universities.

Nothing wrong with school and an education, but it should be for the right reasons and thinking it will help motivate you to go out and take photographs, I would think is not one of them. I agree with others on motivation and operating your own business vs a hobby.

I may have misspoke when I alluded to the fact that I hoped going to school would motivate me to shoot more (re-reading my post it is pretty blatant though lol). I've taken college courses for a few years and changed around my major so many times I've lost credits and I stopped going to work and save money.

I identify perfectly with Winston Churchill's quote: "Personally, I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like to be taught."

Maybe that helps put my brain in perspective lol. But regardless of the motive for going back to school (it's not quite clear yet why I might want to go back yet), what would the harm be in taking a class to help motivate myself?

Sapearl probably made the best point so far. I haven't yet gone to a teacher-led workshop for photography, although I have gone to several NAPP led photoshop seminars and loved them. Hell if they weren't 100 bucks a piece I'd go to more of them. I guess I'm just paranoid that if I HAVE to go and shoot, like for homework (as opposed to getting paid for it), that I won't enjoy doing it as much. I've never really been a school type of person, so maybe I'll give the workshop idea a try.

I appreciate everybody's input! I can always rely on POTN to give legit suggestions and feedback

If it helps at all, I decided to go back to school this next semester to help with my photography. I'm going taking Small Business and Accounting classes. I don't see myself getting any benefits from a state-college level photography course. But there are many more aspects to running a business (which, most photographers are their own business) that I could use some education in.

take the money that you would have spent on tuition, buy some sick gear and get out there.

some things are best learned in a formal "classroom" environment, but I do not believe photography to be one of them.

I too wonder about the benefits of a return school/college.

I left school at 15 and haven't been interested in any subject since that made me consider this...

I have progressed pretty nicely without it, as, like You, I have a world of internet reference in front of me here.

I do think that being in an environment with like minded people and the opportunities of enhanced networking (previously known as meeting people) could be invaluable for the future...

Only trouble for Me is my nearest college would be a daily 3 hour round trip...

Good luck with the path you choose,,,

charro callado wrote in post #13644569
take the money that you would have spent on tuition, buy some sick gear and get out there.

some things are best learned in a formal "classroom" environment, but I do not believe photography to be one of them.

Yes and no, it all depends on the individual and how they learn, as well as the quality of a given program. Some people learn best in a classroom in combination with doing. Others learn more through self teaching ie. the doing, reading, videos etc. The key is for the individual to identify his/her needs, understand how they learn best and goals.

JackFlash19 wrote in post #13633903
I've been doing photography for a few years now, and I have a pretty good eye and think I have a solid creative leg on me. I spend most of my time reading books, tutorials, articles, practicing stuff online. I don't think I get out there enough and shoot on my own.
That being said, I'm thinking about going back to school and taking some photography classes, but I feel that the traditional university curriculum may bottleneck my creativity and my work might look like the cookie-cutter stuff I see from new graduates.

I don't see a photog course being a challenge for me, but it will help get me off my ass and force me to do something productive. Being the new year I'm hoping to get out of the unproductive rut I was in last year. Thoughts?

I don't think you'll know if the traditional curriculum will bottleneck you until you try it. You clearly want to do something, going to school is a good idea. Do it.

I'm in the same situation. I finished undergrad in 2010 with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology. I had every intention of following through with a Masters Degree in Human Performance (I'm a runner) and then possibly a Ph. D, but have now been rethinking that decision. I never really considered exactly what I wanted to do with the degree, I just liked learning about the science to apply it to my training.

Photography has been a developing passion for me, and I actually see myself more involved with it as a career than anything else at the moment. I've considered going for an MBA, and most likely will at some point. However, right now I believe the most important thing is first hand experience to develop technical competence and an understanding of the business side of the field. Therefore, I'm in the process of reaching out to professionals in the area to intern/assist/2nd shoot, etc.

I considered the idea of photography classes as well, however I'm much better at doing research in specific areas of my interest on my own, rather than being force fed a curriculum. I'm also much better at learning through hands-on work than a classroom.

There's no real right or wrong, it just comes down to what you believe will motivate and benefit you most. Good luck!