Toronto Photography Meetup Group

So I just applied to Humber for their creative photography course. My Interview/portfolio presenting is on Jan 12th. Has anyone here attended this course? How do you/did you like it? anything I should prepare myself for before I go in? Any tips suggestions or pointers would be greatly appreciated! I'm kinda nervous to show them my pictures gahh..

Thanks ahead of time!


Tyler

I say don't worry about the pictures, they've probably taken people with way worse your waterfall stuff is good. As for creativity, I think it is something you're born with, yet occasional (censored) might help boost it a bit. I would say the best creativity feed is thinking outside of the common concepts. And occasionaly go through some Flickr people who are really inspiring. Can't say anything about the school, I am self-taught.

The thing I dislike about the courses I've read about from their descriptions they only concentrate on creativity with Photoshop, which is fine if that's what you're interested in.

It's like attending a workshop in the old days on creativity and they only teach you how to be creative in the darkroom.

Hmm yeah I definitely wonder about the ways in which 'creativity' is taught.. creativity isn't in photoshop or in the darkroom.. creativity exists in how you take photographs. I was researching Franscesca Woodman last night and read something that really hit me - "it's not about technicalities, it's about ideas" and it just hit me that I've forgotten that over the years. I think some of the most insightful and interesting photographs I took when I was just starting out, using a 2MP point and shoot I found and had absolutely no idea what ISO or shutter speeds meant... those photographs aren't technically perfect, they aren't sharp, and they aren't even necessarily well-exposed but there are ideas there and raw emotion. Anyone who tells you creativity comes through photoshop certainly has a definition of 'creativity' that differs from mine.

Honestly, I am pursuing a degree in Environmental & Resource Studies and Women's Studies while working part time as a self-taught photojournalist for a student publication... the two series of mine that have been gaining the most notice/shows would definitely not exist were it not through my BA education. Through this education I'm gaining ideas and theoretical frameworks that inspire creative works.. over the winter break when I *finally* have some spare time I am going to be shooting the dozens of conceptual pieces I have sketched out.. most of which are self representations informed by what I've been learning.

One of my good friends has like a show every month, reviews in many magazines... she's never taken a photo class, she just bought her first DSLR (a rebel xt with a kit lens), she doesn't have the technical aspects down pat, but goddam she is smart and takes creative photographs that express the genius in her mind.

Anywho. This course might give you the opportunity to exercise your creative muscles, but it will only do so if you have an instructor that's pushing you to express yourself and intelligent concepts... not make your photos more 'creative' in photoshop. You should figure out how they intend to teach you creativity before you spend a penny.

Uff I'm supposed to be writing a paper right now on women's photographic self representations and am totally just writing this long of a response as a form of procrastination. I hope you found it useful, at least.

Sounds like more of a technical graphic arts class then a creative photography course. Nothing wrong of course but creativity in photography really has very little to do with PS.

IMHO PS is really an extension of photography, it is not the basis of creativity in photography.

To be honest I can't remember which of the (local) continuing education catalogues I've read it in, but it always got me perturbed that they called it a creative photography course, and it only focused on Photoshop.

If you're just creating in photoshop, that is more of a design than creative photography. As others have said here already, it's in your mind, your ideas are what creativity is all about. Creativity is doing something no one thought of before or at least done. Watch some of the more creative works by others and go do something beyond yourself

Certainly a lot of speculation about what the course /should/ be about... so my advice to the OP is to remember that the interview is a two way street. Go prepared with questions about the course and ask /them/ what the course can do for you.

I've only attended a Humber course as part of the continuing education program, and it was an initial Digital Photography 1. Going back next year for the Lighting course.
While there was an introduction to PS during the course, the focus (forgive..) was much more on actually using your camera etc. OK, it was only the introductory course, but the main emphasis seemed to be on knowledge, not technical manipulation/post-production skills.
But whatever, ask your questions. An interview is a 2-way exchange and your opportunity to make sure it's right for you.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in much appreciated Im nervous on what kinda things there gonna ask etc etc apparentlys its a very highly competitive course

You've got the skills already from seeing your work. You're well ahead of a lot of people. There's nothing you should be worried about. Like others have mentioned, ASK questions and voice your concerns so you know what you're investing into. If it's not what you like, there's nothing to be gained from signing up for it and just walk away.

If you're looking at taking the course to get a diploma or certificate to say that "Hey, I'm a certified photographer" then you're in it for the wrong reasons IMHO. Trust me, there are a LOT of non-certified, self-educated professional photographers out there. A piece of paper is useless compared to a a great portfolio. When our art directors flip through portfolios etc and interview photographers for upcoming shoots, the last thing they ask is "Oh are you certified?" Just some food for thought but I'm not saying that you won't learn something new. Just don't go in thinking that a piece of paper will make you a better photographer.

No honestly I want to take the course to learn what I'm having a hard time learning on my own .. I dont have any close photographer friends who can help me out at all and If I want to learn the math of strobes/flashes and how to use the equipment and learning more about photography. So I want to goto school for that I don't care about a piece of paper I just want to broaden my skills and learn more .. Thanks for the kind words though much appreciated

there are even successful professionals with very mediocre results, go figure I guess, I have to kill the perfectionist nature in me

LOL, well said.

if the course is popular and over enrolled the portfolio interview process is to ensure all entrants have common knowledge level. You with photo experience, owning a camera, and specific subject interest have high probability of acceptance as the college also sees you as high probability of successful graduation.

High attrition rate courses are problematic for education institutions, and students' greatly varying degree of experience causes high attrition.

It's also stressful for faculty when their attention is disproportionate to the few newbies, and then one or two experienced students complain to the dean.

Talked to the guy offering this course at Henry's show, I remember he said this course was highly oriented towards business photography, not exactly boosting creativity, which is I think you're looking for. I decided not to waste my money and bought a couple of L lenses instead (well I do have some creativity to start with) it's up to you, I know I can just watch some shit on the net and go try it

I was very fortunate and my grandfather setup an resp for me (registered education savings plan) So I have the money and I figure I want to put it to good use on what I love to do. I think working with more artistic photographers will help me aswell instead of trying to do it all on my own you pick up things being around other photographers

Just curious, have you look at other universities/colleges photography courses? I have this impression that OCAD and Ryerson lean more towards the artistic side while Humber and Sheridan are more towards commercial side.

Check with other schools, because I tell you the Humber course is all about commercial side of photography, not creative, don't let the name mislead you

I think you hit the nail on the head. Humber and George Brown are very commercial oriented.

I cant get into Ocad lol I tried I wasnt that great in highschool lol Ultimately I want to learn studio lighting/off camera lighting thats my main goal for the future

Unless you want a piece of paper, for lighting there are other sources like the TDSB, or even private courses like Studio204 (although they're currently moving), SchoolOfPhotography.ca (they have some open houses coming up), or Creative Image Studios (they have a few basic workshops on lighting a year, they have a taking flash off camera course next week).

The public library also has videos on lighting which may get you started.

Totally agree with Mike on this one. With the workshops, it's usually a lot smaller group (6 or less) and you get more personal attention. They'll cover everything you want to know about studio lighting in a single workshop and then some and they'll answer any questions you may have. With GB, I noticed that there wasn't much instruction with regards to controlling light, use of modifiers, what lighting looks good for which theme, lighting ratios etc. It turned out to be a free-for-all shoot each week. I think my bro-in-law, myself and one other student ended up teaching the class on lighting techniques than the instructor did.

There seems to be a fair amount of confusion here. Is it creative composition or technical lighting or ... that is needed?

A bit more thought about your long term objectives will allow you to take the right courses saving you time, money and frustration. Give some thought to why you didn't excel at high school and decide what type of environment, structure and the type of teaching will fit the way you learn. I can't believe any accredited course doesn't at least have a full description in the school calender.

I never heard about the Toronto school of arts perhaps they have what you are looking for in a school.

http://www.tsa-art.ca/Courses/Discipline/15

Note most schools will allow you to skip the introduction level course if you prove you are already beyond the course.

*I* was replying to the post right above my reply...next time I'll quote.