Did anyone here go to Photography class?

george m w wrote in post #9108158
I have found that I get more out of videos than workshops. Most of the workshops/classes I've attended have had a heavy focus ( oh...bad pun..) on the idea of just shooting photos that can be sold. I'm not against making money, but personally, I'm looking more for info on how to get better at the creative side, and not how to snap cookie cutter shots that folks buy just to pass out to their relatives. They can get those shots at JCPenney.
A video series I get in the mail is from photovision. I'm getting a lot out of it, and it was $40 for one year ( 6 DVD's). Multiple videos on each DVD with different photographers.

I agree George. I've always liked the Photovision DVD's, although I don't find them to be consistently good. There are many that I thought were somewhat boring and a waste but others were quite good.

I wish I had time to take a class...medical school/residency has put that one on hold for the next decade. : /

I agree. One of my favorites is Kirk Voclain. He's quite animated and makes his shoots a lot of fun for the clients. He's a real character. If you all want to see some cool photos, check out his website. Cool website too if you enjoy sites that are flash and have sound.

eye2i wrote in post #9103825
If not, how did some of you become so good at this? trial and error?

I see some of the pictures posted here and some of you guys are better than Pro's haha. Ive been shooting for about 3 months, and its quite frustrating sometimes when you dont get the results you want.

Self taught but also attend seminars. Not sure where you are located but if you get the chance, Texas School is a great way to learn more than you ever dreamed. It's coming up again in Dallas on May 2-7.

It's funny, I took photography every single year of high school (mainly darkroom work for the first two years), but I didn't have a clue what aperture was when I graduated. I was always a lazy student. Ended up buying a camera a month after I graduated and now it's my #1 hobby. Anyway....

I've been doing this since 1966 and for the most part I'm self taught. I took some classes at the Community College level after Vietnam but most of what I know has come from lots of reading and lots of practice.

The learning process never ends and since the advent of the digital revolution, I've almost had to start at the beginning again.

The learning process never ends...

For me I'm self taught through trial and error. And like the good old days I still go through trial and error with film =]

george m w wrote in post #9105897
I've been doing this for 40 years....still ain't no good at it !

JWright wrote in post #9108993
The learning process never ends and since the advent of the digital revolution, I've almost had to start at the beginning again.

The learning process never ends...

OP- I've been into photography for over 30 years and still stink...

We hope our posts encourage you... LOL...

First DSLR Camera: $1000
Macro Lens: $800
Photography School: $32,000

Learning all you need to know here: Priceless

AmandaMarie wrote in post #9115970
...
Photography School: $32,000
...

Just think how much kit you could have for that much $$$$$

I learned the old fashioned way, I worked for a photolab through college, hung with alot of starving pro's. break table was my classroom. 20 years later, I took a couple of classes to get going with the digital aspects. Funny thing, it really hasn't changed that much, I can still blow a shot cuz I forgot to set the aperture or that I was set up to ISO 800 and went outdoors or just plain forgot how to handhold. The basics are all you need to get going, the learning comes from staying at it.

I couldn't afford a camera in high school, but once I got to college, I took one photography class. Intro to photography. My teacher was phenomenal and extremely hard on us. Always pushing me to push my own limits. I HATED developing film. So then I sold that SLR, saved up some more and grabbed my current 400D and the rest is history... well 2 years of history, but it's history none the less haha.

These days it's trial and error and also this forum has helped incredibly. Sometimes after I read what someone wrote on here it's like I have an epiphany and I finally get the concept, I apply it, and what do you know.... it works lol.

I just finished a 13 week class (evenings, 1 session per week). The good thing was that all students (bar one thatwas using a Nikon FF) were using Canon EOS models, so we were all on the same page in terms of settings etc.

I agree with DerekW; taking a class keeps you motivated, and if you've just picked up your first DSLR, it's a really neat way to get your creative jiuces flowing.

With obtaining the shot you want.. thats practice.
I wanna take some classes to learn more about posing. What exactly i need to keep in mind when I position people...
other than that.. I'm good

I don't know how much you've learned.. but my eyes were opened BIG time when I got my flashes and umbrellas.. so look into strobist

JWright wrote in post #9108993
I've been doing this since 1966 and for the most part I'm self taught. I took some classes at the Community College level after Vietnam but most of what I know has come from lots of reading and lots of practice.

The learning process never ends and since the advent of the digital revolution, I've almost had to start at the beginning again.

The learning process never ends...

You can say that again!

You can say that...

Lucky for me I started with digital. I am old enough (34) to be a past film camera user, but I never took photography seriously till after the digital revolution (I kept waiting for Kodak to bring out a decent camera, but they failed me) .

Ironically, my brother (a soldier in the Australian army) was more into photography for me in the film days. He had a Minolta. I was more into videos and looked down (up?) in destain at mere "still" photographers! I mean where's the challenge in that?! They don't even have to worry about sound!