Pitts. Art Institute

Hi all.
I really dont know what to think. My parents have been divorced for 14 years. I havent talked to my mom or seen my mom for 10 years. I dont know where my mom is etc. My grandmother passed away last year, no money was left. I asked my dad if I could go to the Pittsburgh art insititute. His comment was "You have no art ability". He wasnt joking, he also made the point about getting a loan and having me have to pay it back. No matter what.... it seemed like a bad/ horrible idea to him. I've been in photography for 5 years, worked for a professional for the past 1 year as a assistant, and out on the field. My nikon's Auto fucos died, now I cant sell that to get the Canon 70-200mm IS to go forward on ward to the full switch.A lot of people I meet think my dad bought me my gear, but really I worked my butt off cutting grass in 90F heat lol. I dont know what to do. SHould I wait a few years, see how things go? or should I go to a small university and take some small photography. At the small university one person tells me it's a great prgram, then my boss tells me it's a bad program. I'm lost, I was wondering if you guys could help me out.
thanks

I've thought about it for some time too.

Here's the summary:
Pros:
You get to shoot a lot and make images.
Play with gear.

Cons:
You probably won't make a lot of money
Photojournalism and wedding photography are long hours/high demand
It will become just a job after some time
Photography isn't respected as much as it used to be in the film days
Four years in a university may get you a higher paying profession


So I'm shooting for pleasure and maybe will be a wedding weekend warrior next summer.

I think you should follow your dream. I work in the auto business, I make around $100k per year, but I HATE what I do. I am 42 and going back to college part time working on a degree in graphic design and it is hard to do. I didn't go to college because I listened to my dad and started working. If I could do it over again I would defnitely make the sacrafices to go to college. There are a lot of photographers that make a LOT of money. And there are lot of photographers that make a living but love what they do. If money is the only consideration then go to school and be a doctor, if doing something you truly love is very important then go for it and don't look back I am hoping to have my studio running full time and be outof the car business entirely by next years spring wedding season. I wish you good luck with whichever way you decide.
p.s. I would be searching the net for every grant and scholarship available.

Think about getting into a business management course in college. A 4 year degree in business will be extremely valuable if you decide to pursue photography and open your own shop. If not photography, then you can still make an excellent career in business.

First off, don't ever use an excuse that you don't have money and can't afford to go to college. That's a cop out, and I know. Graduating high school I had no money, hadn't seen my dad in 10 years, didn't live with my mom, so I moved in with my aunt & uncle that was barely getting by. Everyone kept telling me that I needed to go to college, but of course no one would contribute financially. Well, long story short I found out there is TONS of money for you to have when all you got to do is go ask for it. It turns out I graduated with a Bachelor of Science from one of Texas's largest university and it was funded via 90% free money (read grants) and 10% subsizidezed student loans. The worse off financially your parents are, then the more money you can get. You'd be surprised, even if your parents made $100K a year, you can still qualify from some form of financial aid.

Second, you need to ask yourself if college is right for you. We live in a capitalistic society where people can be successfull disregarding the level of education they have. Do you feel not having a degree will hold you back in your chosen field.

Third, you need to ask yourself if you want to go to a regular 4 year university, or a more specialized art school. I know, at least down here, that the Art Schools are rediculously expensive when compared to regular Junior Colleges and Universities. You'll need to ask if the premium paid in the art school is worth it, versus obtaining your degree from a university.

Fourth, is photography something you truly want to do. With the proliferation of digital SLR's, everyone is a photographer. Heck, if you got an SLR and at least one piece of fast glass, then you are a wedding photographer. Don't believe me, go look at the Wedding forum. How many people you think doing wedding photography actually went to a university, let alone majored in some photography related subject. What this means for you, is that 4 years from now when you graudate, you will be competing with some Joe Blow off the street that picked up a SLR for snapshots of his wife and kids, but then decided he wanted to do wedding photography.

Last, I think one of THE most important things you should remember is that MONEY IS NOT EVERYTHING. While that my be hard to believe, it is true. Upon nearing graduation, naturally we started having job fairs. The most interest seemed to be in the companies that paid the most. I know alot of guys that took higher paying jobs for positions that they knew they'd hate. However, they didn't care as the money was right. I wonder how long they lasted. If you find a job that you TRULY love....then you'll never work a day in your life. You'll find that how much you make is not important, when you consider the satisfaction your receive from the job. Do you think teachers are in it for the money? So, when you are planning your career, let your passion drive you.

Look, college is not easy. If it was, then everyone would have a degree. College takes alot of hard work, determination to get thru it. Plus it can be a huge financial hit. You are now an adult, and faced with some big decisions that could change the directions of your life.

Amen to that. College is harder than a couple full time jobs.

The Art Institute of Pitt. has a good program in photography and is probably going to tweak your skills more as opposed to a university, larger or smaller. Since you have some experience, you might be able to get the 2-year associate of science degree and use your skill to land the job you want and grow into it to the point where your employer doesn't care if you have a 2, 4, 6 etc. year degree. That's what I'm doing right now.

I started off at the Univ. of Pittsburgh in studio arts, then transferred to the Art Institute of Pitt. to finish my degree. Although I went to school four years, I ended up with an associates degree. I'm a very happily employed graphic designer now (who shoots every possible second I'm not at work) and I've found that a specialized, focused study school like the Art Institute really helped me prepare for the reality of my field WAY more than U. Pitt was.

Let me start by saying... I don't have a single friend who has put their degree to use. Meaning no one is doing what they studied in college. Now that doesn't mean they didn't get a decent job due to having a college degree.

I think higher education no matter what the form: trade school, junior college, university, apprenticeships etc are extremely valuable and should seriously be considered. To not go on to further study after high school is a big mistake. A person cannot be completely learned at such a young age.

On the other hand, I think to go into extreme educational debt for a profession that cannot promise a big monetary return is foolish. Most of my friends/colleagues that were/are photographers or another type of artist did about two years of art school and then went on to intern/apprentice. They felt they'd learned the important stuff within the first two years. In the art world a degree is not as important as talent but general education can only make you a better person.

Good luck to you.

My friend Called me. Soem how him and his drving teacher came into a conversation about me. Hi driver trainer said he fired 3 people, all who ent to the institute. The reason they were fired was becasue they did not capture the picture, they all did wide angle shots and could not catch the emotion the Brides face. He said at Pittsburgh they teach them to all do wide angles etc. My friedn also said he did not go to school for photography, like my boss, they are both doing good. Personally most likely I go college to get a degree in buisness and keep free lancing, and we all know why I will go $10,000 in debt.....a white lens and maybe a "marky" . In years to come I'll find out if I made the right move
Thanks all for the feedback.

first... I would not make any career or educational decisions based on a conversation someone had with their driving teacher. You don't know all the back ground, and who knows if this teacher knows what real photography is. Last point on that, and art school can teach technique but they can't give you skill or an artist eye... it is just not that simple. These people might have been hopeless for the start. Blow that whole conversation off.

Second - don't spend 10 grand now on any equipment. Apply and get into a college studying whatever. Then work for the schools newpaper or year book using their equipment. First rule of business is don't spend any money you don't have too. You get that lesson down, your off to a good start. It called cost containment, it you don't know that yet, you will soon. Additionally, the equipment is going to change a ton over the next few years while you study. Let the school buy the stuff... then when you are ready with and want to go into business, then buy what what you NEED.

Everyone would love to have that 400 - who wouldn't. But go over and spend some time on the Dave Black photo site. Ready what he is using for his shots. A reasonable number of those shots are done with a d200 - a non-pro body. Don't get suckered into the "I need pro-cost equipment to start"... .work into it... spend wisely. And get your education. Your dad might be right... probably not.... but he may... and you may find yourself needing a day job... just like the Drivers Ed dude.

*Raises hand*

Too bid and useless. 400/5.6 on the other hand... maybe.

To you maybe useless - to thousands of other photographers... they have figured out how to take advantage of its capabilities. I really have no problems with him wanting one... just when and how is the question.

I would say go to school in business and take photography as a minor. I plan on eventually moving towards a career in photography, and I'm confident that in the reasonably near future (6-18 months) I'll have the skills to do so. Truth be told though, I would say a big part of what made me want to pursue this was my business diploma I completed in college. I'll never be unemployed, because I have something to fall back on if I'm not enjoying photography as much as I thought I would. Without that business diploma, I'd probably be alot more hesitant to move into something as unsure as photography though.

It has to be reiterated though, to do what you love. By the time I get my photo studio off the ground I could likely be making over 60K doing the career I went to college for (alot for a 23-25 year old in my opinion) but truth be told I've made my decision that I would rather be eating dehydrated noodles half the week, taking public transit and doing something I love than living comfortably and only really being happy with my life from Friday night to Sunday night.

Well... I don't shoot birds or sports... I also don't do surveillance...

So there's really no point for ME.

I agree with Ellen. I have a B. Science that I've never formally used, but the general knowlege has been a big help.

Rich makes an excellent point, too. Wish I'd taken some business classes.

You said, "I've been in photography for 5 years, worked for a professional for the past 1 year as a assistant, and out on the field.", which is a good way to start & find out what you want to do. So what did you learn from that? What type of photography did the pro do? What type of photography do you want to do? Did you learn enough to go out on your own & take some business classes at a community college at the same time?