Your Thoughts on Art Institute of Dallas/Houston

[BlueNoteBelzy]

Hey all,
thanks for all your help so far. I was just curious, what thoughts you all might have about these Associates Degree's at The Art Institute of Houston and/or Dallas, as far as taking my photography to the next level and trying to get a foot in the door to be able to shoot weddings, photojournalism, sports, WHATEVER!!

Thank you,
G

[ChrisReyes]

I went to the Houston one way back then, it was ok at best, but not too great. You can spend significantly less for training elsewhere in my opinion. Hell, I have a degree in graphic design from there and I work for an oil company and I'm taking photos of projects and installs on a global level, executive portraits, etc. No formal training required. $86,020 is quite a bit for a BFA in photography from there...

[txphotog]

I had a former boss tell me once that a person can have all the photography degrees in the world but if they dont have the eye or passion for it those degrees are worthless.

[Tom]

Big fat waste of money.

Go to workshops, Texas School and practice.

Get a degree in business or marketing from a state school like UH, TAMU, UT, UTD for 40k. Spend the rest on camera equipment, books and get real experience.

[hbwise]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

Big fat waste of money.

Go to workshops, Texas School and practice.

Get a degree in business or marketing from a state school like UH, TAMU, UT, UTD for 40k. Spend the rest on camera equipment, books and get real experience.

x2

[utdbear]

x3

[toverman]

I agree with Thomas.

Out of the areas you mentioned, though, studying photojournalism has some practical value ... it's not just about the photography, but also about storytelling and gathering information. If you still feel you have to study something, a good photojournalism program will expose you to many different aspects and subjects to shoot (particularly if the program is linked to a quality student-run publication). But maybe minor in business or marketing, because outlets at which to practice print journalism are quickly going away. Get lucky and land a staff job, and soon after end up as a freelancer anyway.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

go to a 4 year collage with a journalism program
Bachelor in Photojournalism page 3

[Tom]

I wouldn't get a degree in photojournalism, either. (I have a B.S. in it.)

It is a dying field with little upside, especially financially.

Get a business degree of some sort. If you want to study photojournalism, take it as an elective and work for the school newspaper. I learned far more about journalism by working at the student daily than I did in class.

[janikphoto]

There are a couple advantages to going to the AI (there is on in Austin, too... BTW). One, they have a VERY aggressive placement program and will provide the support you need when it comes time to find a job or internship. Two, they require their instructors to be active in their field, so it isn't like going to another school with out-of-touch professors.

Now, you still need to be proactive about things. You need to get to know the professors and get them to like you, since they may be your reference when you interview at a newspaper or studio or wherever.

And the AI career services dept requires you to do some work... they won't spoon-feed you and baby you. They will HELP with your job search, but you can't just sit on your butt and wait for employers to call. With that being said, I know that some schools have a 90% or better placement rate. You won't find that kind of after-graduation support at a state school!

[biggin]

I am very split here...

I spent 2 years at AI, and 6 years at other universities...

In the 2 years at AI I learned hands down more actual useful information, that to this day is very handy.

BUT...it is very expensive for what you get.

The professors knew what they were talking about...however, I was recently at an AI event and was surprised that there was a sharp decline at the Dallas school, the website alone tells me they have forgotten what they are there for. I fear they are the same as the rest of the universities and other schools of "learning" and are just here for $1 and those who are willing to pay it, are not much better off looking else where.

And as said, if you do no already have an eye for it, the school is not going to teach that.

In 98 when I was looking for a school, I almost did not get into the program I wanted because I was not willing to to keep a journal and draw some stuff out. 12 years later, I understand why it was important, and what made it different, and wish I would have listened to some very smart people when I had the chance.

I doubt it is the same now.

[dminton]

Greg I gotta question. I saw from your profile that you're in your late 20s. Have you already gone to college and now that you've become interested big time in photography and just want to learn how to be a better photographer?

[janikphoto]

Originally Posted by biggin

I am very split here...

I spent 2 years at AI, and 6 years at other universities...

In the 2 years at AI I learned hands down more actual useful information, that to this day is very handy.

BUT...it is very expensive for what you get.

The professors knew what they were talking about...however, I was recently at an AI event and was surprised that there was a sharp decline at the Dallas school, the website alone tells me they have forgotten what they are there for. I fear they are the same as the rest of the universities and other schools of "learning" and are just here for $1 and those who are willing to pay it, are not much better off looking else where.

And as said, if you do no already have an eye for it, the school is not going to teach that.

In 98 when I was looking for a school, I almost did not get into the program I wanted because I was not willing to to keep a journal and draw some stuff out. 12 years later, I understand why it was important, and what made it different, and wish I would have listened to some very smart people when I had the chance.

I doubt it is the same now.

I think what you are seeing is happening at ALL colleges right now. Due to the economy, they are all dropping their bar a bit, to make up for lost income. And EVERY college will have a handful of people who shouldn't be wasting their money, because they'll never learn their major well enough to get a job... no matter how many classes they take. As others have pointed out, you need some sort of basic talent to be nurtured and grown.

I have met a lot of good, qualified people in the industry today that have graduated from AI in the last few years. Sure, it is expensive as hell, but you get what you pay for... The head art director at The Dallas Observer is an AI grad. I just found that out the other day. So are the publishers of Living and... I forget the other pub. Sorry.

[toverman]

Some (I'd say many) traditional schools experience just the opposite in a down economy. More people are turning to school because jobs are harder to find, and more are opting to slide directly into grad school rather than hit the job market. That's been the trend during the past several economic downturns, particularly at larger state schools where there are more opportunities for grants and scholarships.

[dbphotos]

Originally Posted by thomas campbell

go to workshops, texas school and practice.

Get a degree in business or marketing from a state school like uh, tamu, ut, utd for 40k. Spend the rest on camera equipment, books and get real experience.

+1