Anyone done the photography degree online thing?

Been seeing them pop up everywhere.Even on here. So my question is, has anyone done the program? If so, was it worth it? The main two I have seen are the Art Institute and the Academy of Art University

Part of what was important to me and I didn't realize how important until years later is the interaction with other creatives everyday and the personal relationships that can be life long. I don't think you get the same experience on line....

I second the pp's statement, the interaction with others and the group critiques are some of the best learning experiences, I don't think you would get that from an online course. I'm studying photography, (in my 3rd year now) and it's certainly an experience..

Why do you want a degree?

Photography isn't something you need a degree in unlike other fields. It's about experience and talent. How many brides ask if their photographer has a degree? They don't care; they look at your portfolio. Spend your money on gear or travel to get better.

goldboughtrue wrote in post #14998932
Photography isn't something you need a degree in unlike other fields. It's about experience and talent. How many brides ask if their photographer has a degree? They don't care; they look at your portfolio. Spend your money on gear or travel to get better.

For the most part many of the more lucrative areas of photography aren't weddings and for many of those positions a B/A is a min requirement along with a strong portfolio and experience.
Heres a recent example.
https://performanceman​ager4.successfactors.c​om …fuhbmjx98HuGeLf​QdBCA9A%3d

I wouldn't be as successful or working in the field I am now working in if not for my degree. I don't deal with the general public. I deal with other visual professionals. The right school will push you into areas outside your comfort zone and do it for the knowledge not the paper because mad skills and understanding how to use visual language are going to be what separates you from the herd and will help you be able to deal with those people I mentioned. In the future in the more lucrative areas of photography its those things that will help determine whether you will be able to make a real living.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #14998990
For the most part many of the more lucrative areas of photography aren't weddings and for many of those positions a B/A is a min requirement along with a strong portfolio and experience.
Heres a recent example.
https://performanceman​ager4.successfactors.c​om …fuhbmjx98HuGeLf​QdBCA9A%3d

Errr, that posting specifically says that you don't need a degree if your portfolio is strong. I tend to agree with goldboughtrue on this one, in that a degree is not necessary, much like most creative professions. Having said that, I don't necessarily think education is a waste of time either - I think in the end, if you have the money and the time, then do it. If you're going to end up in debt or would struggle to find the time, rather leave it. Education is never a waste but it's not very often a requirement either.

I've made a very successful career in the visual effects side of the film industry for many years now, having worked with some of the top studios in the world. And I have no degree; I just worked my ass off.

onona wrote in post #14999060
Errr, that posting specifically says that you don't need a degree if your portfolio is strong. I tend to agree with goldboughtrue on this one, in that a degree is not necessary, much like most creative professions. Having said that, I don't necessarily think education is a waste of time either - I think in the end, if you have the money and the time, then do it. If you're going to end up in debt or would struggle to find the time, rather leave it. Education is never a waste but it's not very often a requirement either.

I've made a very successful career in the visual effects side of the film industry for many years now, having worked with some of the top studios in the world. And I have no degree; I just worked my ass off.

No the person with the degree the portfolio and the experience will get the job....

And the catch is most people with the experience required will have at least a B/A in photography.

Many full time positions that require multi purposes require a degree.

And you shoot weddings....

and I too have worked my ass off.

If you are dealing with the general public anything goes but to make a serious living in those areas because anyone can do it will continue to become more and more difficult. I know both photographers that have formal educations and those that don't. one thing they all have in common is they all worked for successful and photographers that were tops in their fields but the knowledge you gain from a formal education is just one other way to separate yourself from the masses.

I only use educated photographers as assistants. I don't have time on a shoot to explain how to set up a low key type lighting situation that will be using triadic primary colors as the color scheme.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #14999091
No the person with the degree the portfolio and the experience will get the job....

No, the person with the best work, experience and personality is the one most likely to get the job.

Some, yes. But in most cases it's not a hard requirement. Most employers, like the one whose post you linked to, are willing to waive this requirement in certain circumstances. Frankly I'd say that only the most myopic, inside-the-box companies would refuse to budge on a degree requirement, and I sure as hell wouldn't want to work for a company like that anyway.

Errr... me? No.

So? I didn't say you hadn't. My point is that hard work and a good portfolio gets you jobs, not a piece of paper.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #14999091
I only use educated photographers as assistants. I don't have time on a shoot to explain how to set up a low key type lighting situation that will be using triadic primary colors as the color scheme.

And why do you assume that only an "educated photographer" would know that?

What pointless elitism.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #14999091
No the person with the degree the portfolio and the experience will get the job....

And the catch is most people with the experience required will have at least a B/A in photography.

Many full time positions that require multi purposes require a degree.

And you shoot weddings....

and I too have worked my ass off.

If you are dealing with the general public anything goes but to make a serious living in those areas because anyone can do it will continue to become more and more difficult. I know both photographers that have formal educations and those that don't. one thing they all have in common is they all worked for successful and photographers that were tops in their fields but the knowledge you gain from a formal education is just one other way to separate yourself from the masses.

I only use educated photographers as assistants. I don't have time on a shoot to explain how to set up a low key type lighting situation that will be using triadic primary colors as the color scheme.

You don't need to have a degree to know how to do that. I learned primary colours in grade school To hire only based on education is ignorant. The way I see it, a portfolio speaks for itself. A piece of paper saying you spent 4 years to earn a degree means close to nothing if you have a weak portfolio.

2 scenarios: 1) assistant has strong portfolio which demonstrates skill and knowledge in the field you are working in but no formal education 2) assistant has weak portfolio and does not demonstrate proper skills for the job however he/she has a degree.

For formality yes, a BA in your field will help seal the deal, but really a portfolio speaks for itself. There are things that are not taught in such a program that you can learn by yourself.

This is similar to the wording of the job I got years ago. The degree, the strong portfolio and the experience got me the job and I'm sure that someone with at least a B/A got this one. And thus opened the door to the area I now specialize in. I know most of the full time photographers that work in my area that are on staff and they all have at least a B/A in photography and those were all jobs that were posted with similar requirements.

I worked full time in that position for 10 years and the contacts I made and the experience allowed me to be successful in my own business for the past 12 years but I wouldn't be working in this field or as successful as I am if not for the education, the experience and the work to back it all up. 22 years in the field....

If someone has the work, the education and the experience in these type situations, especially younger photographers, they will usually get the job because they show the potential employer they are willing to do what it takes because they did just that for 4 years.

onona wrote in post #14999132
And why do you assume that only an "educated photographer" would know that?

What pointless elitism.

The ones I hire to work do and its not elitism its knowledge thats needed to work with the people I have to work with.

Again real knowledge and hard work into todays world is elitism Please. So if you want work for me you need to know some of these things. I knew them when I graduated and I went to work full time for one of the top photographer in the area at the time the day I graduated in 1986 and have fully supported my family full time with this ever since graduating and have never been unemployed or without work.

Tony_Stark wrote in post #14999139
You don't need to have a degree to know how to do that. I learned primary colours in grade school To hire only based on education is ignorant. The way I see it, a portfolio speaks for itself. A piece of paper saying you spent 4 years to earn a degree means close to nothing if you have a weak portfolio.

2 scenarios: 1) assistant has strong portfolio which demonstrates skill and knowledge in the field you are working in but no formal education 2) assistant has weak portfolio and does not demonstrate proper skills for the job however he/she has a degree.

For formality yes, a BA in your field will help seal the deal, but really a portfolio speaks for itself. There are things that are not taught in such a program that you can learn by yourself.

No you can learn this stuff on your own but it takes a lot less time in school and I think I said the education and a strong portfolio. If you want to work for me you need to know your stuff and be able to show it. I had to...

I imagine that an online degree in photography would be a colossal waste of time and money.

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PeteD wrote in post #14998508
Been seeing them pop up everywhere.Even on here. So my question is, has anyone done the program? If so, was it worth it? The main two I have seen are the Art Institute and the Academy of Art University