Taking a class perhaps?

[rbiemer]

I have been looking at all of my photos(not just the few I have in my gallery here)and have been thinking that I need some direction, I guess is the best way to put it.
Since I don't think I can afford to hire an editor, I have been checking out the small offerings of photo classes at my local colleges.
There are two schools here and one only offers "photo 101"--basic B&W devlopeing and printing. Which would be fine, but that course is only given once a school year. The next time will be spring '07 :bang:
The other school offers more choices but the times are not going to work for me--I have a bit of wiggle room in my work schedule but not enough.
So I'm considering some other options: an art class like "beginning drawing", some kind of "visual design" class, or something along those lines.
Print-making maybe?
Any thoughts, folks?
Rob

 

[Doug]

I think Drawing would be a good one for composition and line. I took several classes including calligraphy, graphic design, art history, color theory... all useful stuff.

 

[rover]

I have taken a number of photography classes at local community colleges. A 101 class which includes darkroom work seems cool, but my guess is that it will tend to be more technical and basic regarding the use of the camera. My point is that if you are looking to improve your photography, that may not be the class to do it in. Any time you can get into a darkroom though is a good thing.

The CC I have gone to has topic specific classes too, portraiture, urban photography, nature photography....The also have a credit class that you can take as a non credit program, but it is a big investment in time.

Do either locations you looked at have a photography club open to the public? Is there a general photography club near you? A club may be a place where you can get some constructive criticism and ideas of how to improve you work.

 

[jlw]

What you learn in a pure design class will apply to every kind of artistic activity, and will be your "best buy" -- if it's a good one. I was an art minor in college, and got more utility out of "Design 111" than any other class I took.

You want to check it out beforehand, though, to make sure it covers the general principles of design (which deal with how to decide the placement and relationships of the elements in a graphic composition) rather than being specific to a particular area, such as publication design or textile design.

If possible, you might also want to track down some previous students of the particular instructor and find out if they felt the class was worthwhile. One problem with art schools in general is that some instructors actually teach the subject matter, while others (and this doesn't exclude "big-name" instructors!) use teaching more as an opportunity to ventilate their egos or to recruit groupies.

 

[rbiemer]

Thanks guys!
Rover,
My interest in the photo 101 class is primarily the access to the darkroom and secondarily the association with some other people who have at least some interest in photography. No photo clubs close by--that's partly why I hang out here so much, sorry folks! 😀 I also figured that time spent with the basics wouldn't hurt me. And something specifically photographic would be my first choice. And maybe not the best choice--a few years ago I broke a leg and was out of work for a long time. While I was idle, my dad(retired now, always an avid reader) brought me books. Lots of books. And lots of titles I would never have picked for my-self. I found several authors/subjects that I now look for which I wouldn't have considered before.
jlw,
Good suggestions about what to watch out for--there is a "textile Artist" who comes in to where I work fairly often(restaurant/bar) and, based on things she has said about what "Real Art" is, I know I won't be taking any classes she might teach--not likely anyway as she teaches specifically fabric and textile classes. And she is almost humorless from what I've seen. That can't be good.
Doug,
I think you make sense here also. In combination with jlw's advice I have a better idea of what classes to look at more closely.
Thanks, all!
Rob