Have any of you gotten a BFA in photography?

[SamStewart]

Well, it's that time in my life where I have to begin thinking about what I do next after I graduate high school. I think I'd like to start with trying my hand at art school and getting a BFA in photography. I dont really want to be a wedding photographer or something similar so thats why I'm not going to community college and getting a diploma. Later in life I think teaching would be a nice path, but thats later.

I have a few questions about portfolios and applying for schools. I figured I might as well see if you folks had any knowledge on the subject.
I've heard that I should include things like drawings and paintings in my portfolio. But even if I am applying for photography?

 

[kbg32]

Find out the specific portfolio requirements for the program at the school you want to apply to. Some do want to see a general portfolio, some just a portfolio for the program you want to enter. Ask former graduates. Check the alumni.

I have both a BFA and a MFA in photography. You can email me privately if you like. I will get back to you as soon as I can.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I did. I have a BFA from Indiana University in photography. My advice is to major in something else unless you are wealthy enough that you will not need to work for a living. Unless you major in graphic design, a BFA makes you almost totally unemployable in todays economy. I learned the hard way that employers will not hire art grads, ever, unless they need a graphic designer. There are about 500 graphic design degree holders graduating every year for every job opening, so even that's a gamble.

If I were you, I would go to a state university that offers a good art/photo program and double major in both art and business. The business degree will make you employable so you can eat while you work on your art and build a following. The schooling will take a couple yrs longer but will be VERY worth it. No one that I graduated with EVER found any kind of job, not even at McDonald's. They all live with their parents or sponge off a husband (not an option for us guys). I am doing ok now, but I came very close to starving and even today my health is badly damaged by years of not eating right. My family didn't care if I lived or died. Will yours feed you for years if you apply for hundreds of jobs and don't even get called for interviews? That's what you'll face unless you have a degree in something employers respect.

 

[Roger Hicks]

When I applied -- four decades ago -- I had to prove I could draw (they weren't worried about painting) as well as take pictures.

But I chose to read law (effectively a degree in BS) instead, on the grounds that I could always learn photography in my spare time.

I have never regretted the choice, though I have never earned a penny directly from law. I have however earned a modest living from photography and writing for most of my life to date.

EDIT: Chris knows what he is talking about...

Cheers,

R.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Damn, boy. That is a cold splash of water chasing a dose of reality. Your photography kung fu is good though.

I went Roger's route, except that I do practice law. Not enough time for photography, but that's a trade off I made with open eyes.

Ben

I did. I have a BFA from Indiana University in photography. My advice is to major in something else unless you are wealthy enough that you will not need to work for a living. Unless you major in graphic design, a BFA makes you almost totally unemployable in todays economy. I learned the hard way that employers will not hire art grads, ever, unless they need a graphic designer. There are about 500 graphic design degree holders graduating every year for every job opening, so even that's a gamble.

If I were you, I would go to a state university that offers a good art/photo program and double major in both art and business. The business degree will make you employable so you can eat while you work on your art and build a following. The schooling will take a couple yrs longer but will be VERY worth it. No one that I graduated with EVER found any kind of job, not even at McDonald's. They all live with their parents or sponge off a husband (not an option for us guys). I am doing ok now, but I came very close to starving and even today my health is badly damaged by years of not eating right. My family didn't care if I lived or died. Will yours feed you for years if you apply for hundreds of jobs and don't even get called for interviews? That's what you'll face unless you have a degree in something employers respect.

 

[SamStewart]

Oh, I should also mention I've managed to have free schooling.

Some schools I am thinking of offer a BFA then you can teach a year program(full 12 months) and that gives you a BA in education. I was considering that as well.

Hopefully my parents will support me when I'm poor.

oh no, what to do. I didnt see this coming.

kbg, i'll send you an email in a bit, thanks a lot! i appreciate it
and thanks for all the replies!

 

[aperture64]

I think I'd like to start with trying my hand at art school and getting a BFA in photography. I dont really want to be a wedding photographer or something similar so thats why I'm not going to community college and getting a diploma.

A lot of people with BFA's become wedding photographers.

 

[patois]

I'm in the MFA application process so I feel your pain. What I can tell you about the process is regardless of what you do, do NOT go to a for-profit school. You get out of what you put into college but a big percentage of your success will be not about how good you are as a photographer but how well you can network.

Don't worry about employability, from my experience managing hiring in my office the majority of people who apply to jobs are not employable.

 

[jsrockit]

I have a BFA in photography from Mason Gross at Rutgers. I didn't apply out of high school though. I took some community college coarses, built a portfolio, and then applied. Basically, I went to the school, showed my work, and then received an acceptence letter later. I wouldn't worry about the job part of it... just graduate. Jobs, even non-creative ones, will be available (as long as you live near a big city), so don't stress that part.

 

[jsrockit]

but a big percentage of your success will be not about how good you are as a photographer but how well you can network.
.

Unfortunately, this is how I see it as well.

 

[aperture64]

Unfortunately, this is how I see it as well.

It is the same with the film industry.

 

[Tim Gray]

It is the same with the film industry.

It's the same in many lines of work.

 

[venchka]

A BFA, or better yet an MFA, is a nice hobby. Can you learn how to weld?
Seriously. Welders can travel anywhere and find work. Live out of a pick up truck towing a small trailer. Periodic changes of scenery and seasons will do wonders for your photography. Nurses can do the same.

 

[SamStewart]

For those of you who have applied/gotten in, what did you use in your portfolios? Completely photographs? Mainly photos and a few paintings/drawings/sketches/whatever?
Some people have told me a need to do the latter, I'm not really sure.

 

[SamStewart]

Funny, I was thinking about underwater welding today...

A BFA, or better yet an MFA, is a nice hobby. Can you learn how to weld?
Seriously. Welders can travel anywhere and find work. Live out of a pick up truck towing a small trailer. Periodic changes of scenery and seasons will do wonders for your photography. Nurses can do the same.

 

[PKR]

Most of the professional photographers I know didn't study photography. A few studied Art and were Painters. One that is very successful, and works all over the world, spent 3 years in the Navy Post Grad school in Montetey CA studying languages. He's fluent in 4 or 5 and it's a great help in his work. If you're going to work for your self, take a couple of general business courses. Learn some math, at an engineering level. If you're interested in computer graphics.. we all use this stuff, study robotics and the human interface. A knowledge of all this will round you for what's coming. If you're interested in Fine Art.. look at the Bios of the successful artists today. You can tally the number who have BFA or MFA degrees. I don't think you can be taught art. You can, however, learn to be good at it if you have some talent and interest. my 2 cents..p.

 

[Roger Hicks]

It is the same with the film industry.

Quite unlike publishing, then...

Actually, I suspect that most jobs are like this.

IF you want something badly enough, make sacrifices, move to the Big City, and devote a lot of your time to meeting the right people. That way, even if you are of average intelligence and have the social skills of an internet nerd, and are totally unable to sustain an enjoyable adult relationship, you'll have twice the career opportunities of someone who decides that they don't need to 'get a life' because they've already got one, and that they'd rather live somewhere more peaceful and not work as hard.

Of course, not all Big City types are like that. But I've described a recognizable type, all the same. If you actually have any talent and social skills, you can do even better in the Big City.

Cheers,

R.

 

[---f]

I live in a major city and work in the ad biz. Many of the top photographers I know are not making a living taking pictures. The current economic climate along with a paradigm shift in the commerce of picture selling has drastically changed the market. Most pro-shooters need to teach classes on the side to earn a living. So I would recommend a double major as previously mentioned in photography and business or do the minor in photography followed by the 1yr teaching certificate. As a shooter, your clients won't care about your schooling, they just want to buy talent. Your business degree will help you make money.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

For those of you who have applied/gotten in, what did you use in your portfolios? Completely photographs? Mainly photos and a few paintings/drawings/sketches/whatever?
Some people have told me a need to do the latter, I'm not really sure.

Ask the school. Some only want photos, some want a variety of media in your portfolio.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Don't worry about employability, from my experience managing hiring in my office the majority of people who apply to jobs are not employable.

So, you advise him to join the ranks of the un-hirable? Competition for jobs is fierce and only getting more so. Companies in the past would hire someone with a bachelors degree no matter what it was in, except for specialized fields like nursing or engineering that required specific degrees. Today, thats not true anymore. There are huge numbers of applicants for every opening so the companies are demanding specific credentials. To tell someone to 'not worry about work' is criminal. This is a person's life and future we're talking about. I stand by what I said: if you're wealthy, do it. If not, major in something else and do photo as a second major. Starving and living in your car are not fun.