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G'day all,

just so you don't think I'm only ever on about gear...

I'm looking to do a photography course. I'm a decent photographer, but no more than that. I want to get better.

(Please, nobody just say "go out and shoot more". That's well and good if you're practicing the right things, which I probably am not

I've got a decent handle on the basics, and even of using flash well. (Highly recommend the Strobist Lighting Seminar DVD set, BTW.)

But I need to be pushed to be better, to learn more, to develop. Not just shoot sport and basic portraits, I want to become a better all-rounder.

A good mate at work is doing the course at Photography Studies College and reckons its great. He says I'll be bored for the first bit, but is still worth it.

Anyone got any comments or suggestions on the above or any other options? I've seen a couple of other places in Melbourne but they look sub-optimal.

Ta.

(Please, nobody just say "go out and shoot more". That's well and good if you're practicing the right things, which I probabyl am not

(in relation to me)

I would also be interested in courses (preferrably available in syd)

I look forward to responses

To declare my bias: I lecture at Photography Studies College, teaching Lightroom, Photoshop, and colour management in their Advanced Diploma of Photography course. I've been teaching there for two years now.

The structure of many of these courses seems a bit artificial to some: with specialisation in one of 3 streams in 3rd year (Commercial, Art, or Photojournalism). But even if you feel your own photographic interest doesn't neatly fit into one of those categories, they're not bad high-level groupings. The course is designed to develop your technical skills as well as your creative skills and business development. Obviously I'm a bit more familiar with my subjects than all the others, so don't expect me to give you in-depth analysis of the course as a whole.
I know some students who have picked just a couple of modules out of the course to fill what they perceive as gaps in their knowledge, but those are unusual.

Mikey, have a look here: http://www.cameraaction.com.au/vip/ws/VIP_ws.asp
Shelton is a friend of mine and I have done several workshops with him. He has a great style to help you improve your people shooting. Workshops are generally around $200 and include lunch.

...perhaps go out and shoot more...?

when you say "a better all rounder", what are your gaps/weaknesses? for me, sometimes I try to focus learning time on things I cant do, and want to, rather than sit through edutainment courses to be bored 80% of the time, waiting for the 20% of the material that applies to my needs/wants.

Johnd gave me some good advice some time ago, and said get the scott kelby book, and dedicate time to going through the tutes/exercises.

consider participating in Redbubble competitions and workshops, there are a few groups in Melbourne that are active.

do you have a budget in mind? consider buying gear instead of tuition, then hire a pro to have one on one time. I reckon a lot of the gaps you want to learn could be covered by that.

two bob...

 PSC is looking like the go - I'll chase them further.

photograham wrote:Mikey, have a look here: http://www.cameraaction.com.au/vip/ws/VIP_ws.asp
Shelton is a friend of mine and I have done several workshops with him. He has a great style to help you improve your people shooting. Workshops are generally around $200 and include lunch.

Thanks for that. I've signed up for the weddings one in November - I would have done the people one as well this Saturday, but I'll be flying back from Perth when that's on, and the 3-hour time difference kills you

Oz_Beachside wrote:...perhaps go out and shoot more...?

Why, you...

when you say "a better all rounder", what are your gaps/weaknesses? for me, sometimes I try to focus learning time on things I cant do, and want to, rather than sit through edutainment courses to be bored 80% of the time, waiting for the 20% of the material that applies to my needs/wants.

Fair question. I need to get the basics more firmly implanted, and I really need to be stretched creatively. I need to learn to use light better. (Because that's a fairly important part of the process

Johnd gave me some good advice some time ago, and said get the scott kelby book, and dedicate time to going through the tutes/exercises.

Which book?

consider participating in Redbubble competitions and workshops, there are a few groups in Melbourne that are active.

Yeah, good call. Never really looked at RedBubble, will go look now. (Hey, nothing's happening in footy.) Any group recommendations? (Already joined a couple...)

do you have a budget in mind? consider buying gear instead of tuition, then hire a pro to have one on one time. I reckon a lot of the gaps you want to learn could be covered by that.

Budget is not fixed, more of a 'whatever it takes' setup, within reason Not so sure about the 1-1 stuff - I've met a lot of good snappers who can't tell you what they're doing or why

the book was for photoshop, "The Photoshop CS2 Book for Digital Photographers" by Scott Kelby. or more recent CS versions.

redbubble as a Melbourne Group which seems quite active.

since budget is "whatever it takes", perhaps I can help

more seriously, I can recommend a good educator, PM "antsl"

photograham wrote:Mikey, have a look here: http://www.cameraaction.com.au/vip/ws/VIP_ws.asp
Shelton is a friend of mine and I have done several workshops with him. He has a great style to help you improve your people shooting. Workshops are generally around $200 and include lunch.

Brilliant suggestion. I went to Shelton's wedding photography seminar yesterday, and it was awesomely good. Shelton is a great teacher, even for someone as ADD as myself

Well worth the $200. WELL worth it.

Thanks for that.