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Your thoughts please!!
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Hi everyone :)
I’m very seriously thinking about doing a Diploma in Professional Photography correspondence course which awards a Dip. Pro.Photo. (Inst. P.P) on completion. It’s run by the Institute of Professional Photography (http://www.inst.org/photography-courses/become.php) and apparently is
fully accredited by ASET, and on completing it you get an award equivalent to Level 4 of the National Learning Framework (post A level/HNC/HND standard). ASET is a national Awarding Body recognised by the Department for Education and Skills and by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in Britain.
The reason a correspondence course appeals to me is because I work full-time from home on my parenting website plus I have three young children, one still a pre-schooler so I don’t have the time (or energy) to do part-time study at evening classes just now. Also, my local college doesn’t offer a local course that appears suitable unless I travel to one of their other campuses which just isn’t realistic for me at the moment!
I’d love to eventually get some recognised qualifications as I really want to pursue a career for myself in photography so I wondered if this was a good path to follow!!
Any advice truly appreciated :)
Thanks, Sinead
Hi Sinead,
I looked into this before myself and the main things to consider are the course content and the qualifications.
Be sure that the qualifications are recoginsed both here and abroad.
Be sure the course content is what will cover your requirements and if it is advanced or not enough for you!It was a while back when I was investigating it and I cannot remember my findings,
May do something for the winter.Just my thoughts,
Alan
Thanks Aoluain,
I appreciate that. From what I can tell the course seems pretty comprehensive and student testimonials on the whole are very good. They also offer a 30 day, no questions asked money back guarantee which speaks volumes! However, although there are student testimonials I can’t find much else about the course on the web so it’s hard to tell the whole story…
I have done quite a bit of research and I read through the courses forum on this site and looked into some of the suggested courses but the main setback for me was the travelling aspect. I’d love to get a bipp qualification at some point in the not too far off future but I need some sort of formal qualification in photography to apply…. Just very confused about which way to go at the moment!!
Sinead
Hi Sinead (is always a little weird when you meet someone with the same name!)
Have you looked at any of the courses that are available in Lurgan College?
I will be going into year 2 of a HND in Sept. Some details here http://www.studyphotography.org/index.html
There are a couple of ways of doing the course, full time, part time or cyber. I’m doing the PT we have classes every tues and the course is run over 3 years.I think the course is excellent, we have 3 Tutors, one is an artist, another a landscape photographer and the other a pro wedding and portrait photographer. The mix is excellent, they all have different views which is great, means you not being led in any particular direction.
There also is the option of an A Level course, but I bumped into a few of the Alevel student in the darkroom a couple of times and they were really struggling with trying to get time with the tutor…
Anyway, maybe something else to think about.
Sinead.
Just wondering – would a brilliant portfolio not be of a lot more advantage to someone than a college degree???
Just speaking for myself here, A brilliant portfolio would be an advantage, but I doubt I’d have much of a chance of putting together any sort of portfolio without learning some of the stuff I’m learning at college.
I had a quick look at your website, some brilliant stuff there. I also saw that you are accredited to quite a few associations… Just wondering if you need any qualifications to do that?
Sinead.
Sinead, what does it cost?? I recently did a 2 year City & Guilds course at Newtownabbey and I’d highly recommend it. I know it’s a long way for you, but you don’t have to attend every week. And there could be a college doing the course closer to you. The course I did was really great, as the tutor gives you lots of snippets of local knowledge. The course has also produced some great local NI photographers. In fact there’s some on this forum.
Here’s a couple of past students sites: http://www.standinbinireland.com http://www.sperringsphotography.co.uk It has also produced last years Sports Photographer of the Year, Ireland or UK not sure which and dozens of wedding photographers.
Also, you don’t really need qualifications to get a job in photography, though it won’t hinder you. What you need is, drive, commitment, thick skin, balls and be able to work with people. Also, have you looked at doing a LRPS with the RPS or LSWPP with SWPP.
Thanks everyone for the advice :) Quite a bit to think about there… I like the idea of doing the Lurgan HND course online. It certainly sounds very interesting and I know I’d have the determination to see any course through as I’m a qualified teacher by trade ;) Just not teaching at the moment and not really sure I ever will again to be honest!!
Like Sinead, I feel I’d like to learn more about photography in general rather than just having a portfolio – qualifications speak volumes when you’re trying to get the job and they’re good for the old cv and self-esteem too!!!! Although I do know a few photographers who’ve just jumped in at the deep end and seem to be doing okay. For me though I want the qualifications to give me the confidence in myself to do the job first…
Brian, the course costs around £535. I have heard the City and Guilds course is fantastic but I don’t think anywhere local is offering it. I really couldn’t travel too far as hubby doesn’t finish work until 7.30 pm every evening and I’m shattered by the time he gets in. I also have to leave the kids to and from school every day so travelling is out of the question just at the moment.
I’m really hoping to get some qualifications and build up a decent portfolio over the next few years so that when the children are all more independent I can start to get out and about working at something I love and getting paid for it :)
I have been looking into the LRPS and LSWPP but they seem to require you to be either an experienced photographer or to be on a course heading in that direction. I did notice the RPS offer associate membership which I’m trying to find out more about at the moment.
Anyhow, I’ll keep researching and have a good look into the HND and C&G courses as those are more appealing to me than doing another A level!!
Sinead xxx
I looked into this through a flyer that was in the mag I buy every month, the course was broke down into about 7 levels and it was about £800 for each level, you had to do them all to get your diploma……. I would say the one youa re looking at is a better looking offer, I might even be tempted myself
Wow that seems a lot… it doesn’t seem to bad now when I see what some are charging :shock: I do still like the look of it and for convenience it certainly works. I just need to see if there’s anything more appropriate first before I make up my mind. Let me know if you do go ahead!!! That would be quite funny actually if I got info first-hand from someone doing the course and taking all the risks for me! lol tee hee
Sinead
I don’t know how good this is, but might be worth a look – the Open College of the Arts courses in photography.
http://www.oca-uk.com/courses/photography
Thanks Bertie. It’s funny but my husband had mentioned OCA a few times but I hadn’t really looked into it. Now I have and it looks very promising. Another one for me to consider strongly and it seems to cover all my requirements :) Thanks so much!
Sinead
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