Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

Grattitudes Photography · **Texas School of Professional Photography? -** 09-03-2008, 11:09 AM

Has anyone attended the Texas School of Professional Photography? I'm interested in attending in May 2009, but wanted some feedback and opinions about the program.

Also, does anyone have a recommendation for obtaining a degree in photography or good online classes to take?

I have been taking pictures for years, but most everything is self taught, other than the courses I took in high school (so long ago). I'd really like to learn from the beginning again. I have a ton of books, but I think some "class time" would be good for me, unless someone out there is willing to teach me ;-)

Thanks in advance! I always appreciate the input!

Andrea

Shelby Lane · 09-03-2008, 12:16 PM

Texas School is usually well worth the money. You'll spend all week with one instructor, so you have to choose wisely based on their experience and your interests, but overall the school has a great reputation. My best class was a week with Bruce Hudson, who was not on the instructor list for the past couple of years. I did not go last year, but I'm planning to be back in 2009.

Wes · 09-03-2008, 01:10 PM

I think Don Barnes teaches there. I could be wrong, though.

I've heard very good things about it.

PIC · 09-03-2008, 02:47 PM

The Texas School is not considered a main player but its a local more like jr colleges ...

There are 170,000 Pro Photographers in US per Dept of Labor.
There are millions more part time and wantabes esp those on forums ....
Brooks {Calif} is under class action lawsuit for over representing creative photo market.
The Golden ICON Days of photographers are gone with the wind and the mass oversupply of the digital revolution.
Many Photo schools inc underemployed photographers are after your money and sell wantabe dreams.

Do the math ...

I did a BS in Pro Photo at RIT {'78} then switched to Technical photo engineering.
If you want 6 figures plus try it ... but nursing or IT or business or graphics is better

Measure twice ... cut once ...

EL

Jeff_Green · 09-03-2008, 11:00 PM

One thing I would suggest is to not take education advice from someone who insults an entire group of people suggesting that people who post on forums are wanna be photographers.

BS degree... somehow I highly doubt that means bachelors of science in this case.

prncfarquad · 09-03-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PIC

The Texas School is not considered a main player but its a local more like jr colleges ...

There are 170,000 Pro Photographers in US per Dept of Labor.
There are millions more part time and wantabes esp those on forums ....
Brooks {Calif} is under class action lawsuit for over representing creative photo market.
The Golden ICON Days of photographers are gone with the wind and the mass oversupply of the digital revolution.
Many Photo schools inc underemployed photographers are after your money and sell wantabe dreams.

Do the math ...

I did a BS in Pro Photo at RIT {'78} then switched to Technical photo engineering.
If you want 6 figures plus try it ... but nursing or IT or business or graphics is better

Measure twice ... cut once ...

EL

Wow...while I am sure there may be some facts in your statements, that is kinda harsh for someone wanting to improve and set off on a carreer.

My dad gave me a book when I left for college "do what you love and the money will come" I do what I love and the money is there (not photography btw).

I feel like if you have the passion and have the desire to take it to the next level, go for it. If you are in something because it is a money issue only, the passion will never be there to excel.

robert t · 09-04-2008, 12:12 AM

Seems to me that everyone is a "want ta be" or they wouldn't be doing what they do. Some of the great photographers we study and some we were taught by never took a course in photography but just had an interest and a passion for the art. Seems there was a lot of on the job training.

I think I understand what "El" was trying to say (I hope), maybe it just came across wrong. I certainly hope it was not meant as a us vs them statement.

We all know there are those who order a dslr and the next week are hanging out a banner or running a Internet ad proclaiming to be a pro. Then some end up in the news after taking peoples money and not delivering the product promised. However just because you don't have a degree or certificate to hang on the wall, in no way means you can't produce exceptional work, run a business or get a job doing what you love.

Jeff_Green · 09-04-2008, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert t

I think I understand what "El" was trying to say (I hope), maybe it just came across wrong. I certainly hope it was not meant as a us vs them statement.

You don't understand him correctly. He has made it known publicly that anyone who uses an SLR camera is not a professional photographer and just a wannabe. Professionals only use MF according to him.

Ahh! · 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PIC

The Texas School is not...

The largest one week school of full time and retired full time photographers teaching full time professional photographers in the country?

Let's see. 995 students. 34 classes. 33rd year of people drinking koolaid?

You won't be a rocket scientist after attending. If you want to go from the beginning, that is a different kettle of fish. Can't help you there. But Texas School will drag you along, even at that level.

"We report. You decide." Now, my opine:

My money was well spent on Texas School. Two of us went on my dime. We learned alot. We had excellent, no, world class, instructors. We also had fun. I'm pleasing my clients with skills we learned at Texas School. My mentors have learned alot, I have learned from what they have learned, and have been encouraged to share with others as a result of involvement in Texas School. I help my classmates with questions (one email came last night).

Christopher Mac · 09-04-2008, 04:07 AM

It's a lot like the FL School of photography, which I attended for a couple of years. Same or very similar list of instructors in most cases. That's where I learned on the fly off camera lighting and wedding posing techniques that really helped me along in my business.

I was very good friends with a guy that had a 4 year degree in technical photography. If you've ever eaten at Darden restuarants, you've seen some of his work in their menues. Going to the FL school for 4 days was like getting a couple of semesters of lighting education. Those are his words, not mine.

I'm planning on going in 2009 either to FL or TX or both. Not sure what class I'll sign up for yet.

Chris

Grattitudes Photography · 09-04-2008, 07:39 AM

Thanks for all of the input, positive and negative. I don’t want to go to school because I need an education, I already have that; I want to go to school because I have a love for photography and God has blessed me with the ability to see things differently, as many other photographers do. I tell a lot of people that I see the world in pictures. Everywhere I go my eyes are scanning for the next photo opportunity. Anyone with a decent camera can take good pictures, but not everyone has the talent to turn good into great.

I want to learn. I want to become a better photographer. I want to share my gift with others. I’m not a crook or someone claiming to be something I’m not. I’m just me.

Thank you for responding to my post. I appreciate the feedback and I look forward to more advice from each of you in the future.

Shelby Lane · 09-04-2008, 07:52 AM

One of the things that impresses me about Texas School is that the instructors I know talk as much about business as they do about photography. While this may not be true of everyone, most of the time the education you're getting isn't always JUST about lighting and posing and technique... it is also about how to succeed in business.

robert t · 09-04-2008, 09:14 AM

Go for it Andrea! I know I would like to. Thanks Jeff for clarifying that. Well I guess I stand corrected. I never had an auto focus lens until about 19 years ago when I got My Elan. I shot with a Ashi Pentax, with a 50mm, 28mm and a 200mm and my hands smelled of D76 and other assorted chemicals. Of course there was no such thing as an auto focus lens when I started out, I did have a light meter.

TxManx · 09-04-2008, 09:21 AM

Wow - I had no idea something like this was available... all I have seen to date is NYIP and a place out in CA...

This is considerably less expensive than some of the weekend seminars I've seen!

Thanks for the heads up, folks!

Shelby Lane · 09-04-2008, 09:29 AM

It's a little more focused than taking a college semester, because you'll take a week long class that has a "concentration." Here's the list of classes and instructors from last year:

http://texasschool.org/classes.html

The first year I went, we one person in class who did not even own an SLR yet, which surprised me because of the financial commitment in tuition and hotel costs. Some were still shooting film, and most had been in business for a few years. And some were 25 year veterans in the business. The learning that goes on with the instructor is well worth the investment, but the learning from your fellow classmates is a wonderful added bonus.