New York Institute of Photography

Camera doesn't matter, but your first lesson is using a slow shutter speed and using depth of field so a point and shoot will be hard but not impossible.

I started the course a few years ago and got about half way through it. (I really only stopped because I was busy having kids and stuff.) I was really enjoying it and I did learn a lot. There were some lessons that I hadn't done yet that I wasn't very interested in, but overall the part I did complete was very useful.

The only negative thing I have to say is about the format in which the lessons are presented. Unless it has changed, the videos were on VHS and the review were on cassette tape. I think it would be great if they could upgrade to DVD's. The books had old photos, but they served their purpose. Maybe they could do more through the internet too. That would sure speed up the whole course.

I wonder if they would let me finish the course after a few years off....does anybody know?

Good luck.

They have upgraded to CD's and DVD's, but the first lesson is still on cassette tape. The print material still uses older photographs---I'm guessing from the mid-to-late 70's. It will bother some people more than others. The professional course still leans to film, and you'll learn more about it than you ever wanted to know, but it's probably good to know.

I am most of the way through the NYIP course right now. I started when my wife bought it for me for Christmas of 2006. The video segments ARE on DVD now but some people may have trouble with the dated subject matter. It was definitely designed to give you a technical understanding of 35mm FILM SLR photography. They do include a supplimental Digital section as well. In my opinion the best thing you can do for your photographic technical knowledge is pick up an old COMPLETELY manual 35mm and take this course. It teaches you to think about your exposure and composition so that you get it right the first time... instead of the "spray and pray" method that is so common in digital photography. If you are looking to gain a thorough understanding of how exposure and composition works, this is a great course to take. You just need to make sure you are committed enough, since the subject matter can be a bit dry at times.

You are given 3 years from the date of sign-up to complete the course... and if you have valid reasons (money, work, family, etc.), you can email them and request an extension.

Hope this helped a little.

-Derek

i got to unit 4, on portraits and i froze. i thought this would get me past my anxiety on the situation, but i just kept putting it off. their explanation of depth of field and hyperfocal distance was done in a way that made it easy to understand. i've had some financial issues, and medical, but i might sign back up for the digital program. my opinion, i don't think you are ever finished "learning" with photography.

Reminisce wrote in post #3538940
NYIP is actually really good considering its "distance learning". You get a TON of materials, including color illustrated booklets with all the lessons in them, VHS video classes, audio tapes, a small shoot-through umbrella, a head mannequin, and a press pass (i may be missing some other stuff here).

The best materials are the illustrated booklets, each one is a Lesson, and they are really straight and to the point with a lot of examples of the techniques involved in the lesson. You get a lot of one-on-one feedback from the professor you are working with, and you have the materials you need to get the job done.

I took mine like 2-3 years ago, and they were just introducing a Digital class, but I was already enrolled in the regular one. If you know what you're doing, its a waste. But if you want to learn a lot about shooting techniques, the technical aspects, lighting, etc.., its a really stellar school.

I do hope you're kidding!

VHS and Audio Tape? Good thing I didn't sign up. I don't have a single VHS or cassette tape player, I don't even know anyone who does come to think of it.

Come to ACC (Austin Community College). We have a great program here, and you'll learn a lot of different things, including how to retouch your own image, learn about the business, lighting techniques, and you'll get instruction from pros who are ACTUALLY working as photographers.

And I used to be the same way about film, the idea that it was "the" medium. There are so many things you can do with digital, that film simply cannot do, and vice versa. I prefer digital, simply because I like the flexibility and ability to use quicker and faster tools to get the images I want.

Let's face it though, film is on its way out the door, pretty much. It still has its uses, here and there, but for all intents and practical purposes, digital is here and NOW.

Zansho wrote in post #5919002
Come to ACC (Austin Community College). We have a great program here, and you'll learn a lot of different things, including how to retouch your own image, learn about the business, lighting techniques, and you'll get instruction from pros who are ACTUALLY working as photographers.

And I used to be the same way about film, the idea that it was "the" medium. There are so many things you can do with digital, that film simply cannot do, and vice versa. I prefer digital, simply because I like the flexibility and ability to use quicker and faster tools to get the images I want.

Let's face it though, film is on its way out the door, pretty much. It still has its uses, here and there, but for all intents and practical purposes, digital is here and NOW.

Does it have a remote learning program? 1) I'm in New York, 2) I travel a lot so traditional schools are pretty much out.

Digital is best for most color pictures but if you do arts or B&W film is still king.

Learning film as well as digital is like learning to drive a car with a stick vs. an automatic. You avail yourself to a far wider variety of cameras (or vehicles) to suit a far wider variety of shooting circumstances than would be possible within the confining limits of the APS-C/FF dSLR. (And you get to rent less expensive rental cars when travelling outside the USA, when you know how to drive a stick.) To ignore film is like learning only a fraction of the available knowledge base.

i am actually on the final unit of the nyip course
the info about film is admittedly outdated but the real value of the course is teaching you about how to make great pictures 'developing your eye ' so to speak
you really learn a lot because you have to submit photographs which are then critiqued by professional photogs

does it matter what camera you use???
yes it does
in the course they tell you it does not matter
what they should really say is it does not matter what slr you have
a point and shoot will not workyou definitely need a slr

Somewhere else to look is betterphoto.com. The offer distant learning classes and seem to be a little more "up to date". They offer a slew of classes that you can mix or match.

Plus, they show you the prices up front. I thought NYIP was kind of shady by not giving you the costs up front.