Where should I start?

~RainbowRabbitPhotos Jul 31, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

I love photography, especially nature and animals. Bla, bla bla, and all that other stuff I'm sure you all hear all the time. Here is my question:

My mother gave me a decent camera for Christmas because she knows I love photography and I wanted to throw my old cheap bright pink camera -that takes worse pictures than my phone- into a brick wall. Of course, I started going picture crazy for fun, but also to get used to the new camera. Then my friend told me how her aunt became a decently-known photographer without going to school; she just had the skills and used them. I believed her based on my personal family heritage of what I call our "photo gene." However, as far as I know, my family was educated, but I thought I'd dream for a bit anyway. My parade was rained upon over and over, but I was getting mixed reactions. "You're good!" "You're a natural!" "Your work is beautiful" "You have to go to school." "You won't get anywhere without an education." Yes, I know there is much more to photography, but is it really necessary to go through formal education? I've heard mixed opinions from several people in several professions, including photography, but what does the dA community think?

Now, take what you were going to say and add a twist-

I am legally blind. I do not see this as a hindrance to my work, but I do to my education. I've always had a hard time in school, and lack of transportation doesn't help in the least.

So, now answer my question if you can. What would you suggest?

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Devious Comments

`FallisPhoto Jul 31, 2012

Once you have learned the basics, don't bother with photography classes. It won't help. However, you most certainly will need a few other courses: Business management, accounting, marketing, advertizing, office management and etcetera.

~Svenler Jul 31, 2012 Professional Photographer

For the most part, going to school for photography is a waste of time and money.

If you want to want to be a professional photographer, it's about 80% business skills and 20% photography skills. The photography skills you can largely teach yourself or by attending workshops.

~easwee Jul 31, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

To make a good photo you need a good idea, know how your camera works and how/when to do a good looking composition - all this can be learned by yourself by reading a few books or if you are smart enough by using some basic logic.

And if you want to earn/live from it it's all about promotion - I've seen some glorious works sit in the drawer of very good photographers that just don't care exposing their art - and I've also seen common everyday pictures being promoted as "amazing" on exhibit.

If I had to make a choice I wouldn't go to photography school - I would rather save that money and buy myself some decent equipment. But that's just my opinion.

~RainbowRabbitPhotos Jul 31, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

Thank you for responding! That is always how I have felt, but people keep stressing how important education is. I also like to think I am a good writer, but again, the school argument. Luckily, I have a family friend who happens to own an art shop and would be more than happy to display prints of my photography. I've just been so self-conscious and let down, that I haven't bothered. We all start somewhere, though!

~easwee Jul 31, 2012 Hobbyist Photographer

Don't get me wrong - education is important - I just wouldn't go for a title in photography - rather choose a school that will guarantee you some monthly income (unless you are a photography natural born genius and will sell your first photo for 1k$ and just grow from there, don't expect to earn much from photography).

I like photography a lot and wouldn't mind if it became my main business, but still - I work as web designer (which pays much better than if I had to struggle by trying to sell some photos to any agency and be unsure if I can pay my bills next month since my lens just broke down). I still find time for photography - and the best is that for certain clients that need photo service I can even offer them if they are satisfied with my skill (happened only once tough - people don't really wanna pay for photos on the page - they rather take them themselves for free).

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