Taking a photography course = Will it help with DSLRs?

C

Cieloent

Well-known member
SLightly off topic but I had no idea where to post this. Hear me out on this one people.

My job right now is basically shooting Music Videos for local artist and business has been on and off with some good jobs and not so good ones. Also my hard work has paid off and I am slowly gathering the attention of other ( descent famous Music Video Directors ).


I have an eye for location, angles and more importantly I know how to put it all together. I'm thinking about going to school for possibly two things and need some feedback on this ( mods are welcome as well )


I would love to incorporate Motion Graphic Animation into my Music Videos as well as better Photography. Ideally I would love to study both, but for the time being can only take one program.

Motion Graphics can help me with a lot of cool things I like doing with texts, logos, special fx and green screen work.

Photography can help me by understanding better angles, capturing perfect moments, understanding lighting, finding great locations, what makes great locations , color correction and overall I believe setting "Moods" that I could incorporate into my Music Videos & ultimately since I am using a DSLR for filming and photography why not.


I know how to edit, I know how to shoot, I know how to create a story so going to school for film is not something I want to do ONLY the two things above which I mentioned.



So can someone please give me your thoughts and opinions on this. Should I go to school to learn motion graphics or go deeper into studying photography which is not Video but I can incorporate it into my videos since basically it's moving pictures.


Please discuss
Thank You
 
I've been able to find more people to learn photography from than motion graphics. Based on resource scarcity, I'd be more likely to take motion graphics courses than photography courses. But that might not be the case for others.
 
Cieloent said:
Should I go to school to learn motion graphics or go deeper into studying photography which is not Video but I can incorporate it into my videos since basically it's moving pictures.


Please discuss
Thank You
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I shoot live, but have been working with 3dsmax for 6 years. I started because It was costing me too mush to hire CGI companies. It's amazing and required in every project. School is great to get started, but you will need to dedicate yourself for a long time after. I'd get some software and just start. You will find a lot of friends on line just like here that can direct you to additional training programs. Go for it, you'll never look back.
 
A photography course could be helpful but keep in mind a good portion of photography
will not help you with video / film making as it does not deal with change in composition over time.
Maybe a cinematography course not a photography course?

Remember too that full frame is the holy grail for still photography work and aps-c (1.6 crop)
is much closer to the film size that cinematographers use. Shallow dof often works against you.

I think that sitting down and studying and breaking down great films is really really helpful.
In particular a great one is the behind-the-scenes for el Mariachi. Also I love studying anything by
Roger Deakins, love his compositions and lighting set ups.

Here's one of my fave compositions with the frame in thirds , from The Reader (menges & deakins)
3850134382_441b8c6505_o.jpg
 
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coddida said:
I've been able to find more people to learn photography from than motion graphics. Based on resource scarcity, I'd be more likely to take motion graphics courses than photography courses. But that might not be the case for others.
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+1

for what you want out of a photography course, you could probably learn out of a book/online.
 
It depends entirely on the teacher and their curriculum.

I've taken two photography classes--one shitty teacher didn't know how to run a class, but the other was taught by a seasoned photojournalist who gave in-depth lessons and assignments. As a DSLR user for video, I found his photojournalist class to be an invaluable resource for becoming well acquainted with DSLR cameras. Most of the info you learn in a good photography class can be directly translated into cinematography, as long as you keep an open mind.

I've also taken two motion graphics classes with After Effects. I learned a good amount, but it's difficult and time consuming for a teacher to instruct and troubleshoot a class full of kids. You can learn ALOT about motion graphics through online tutorials, but it's nice to have a teacher to sit down with when you have questions.

In closing... it totally depends on who's teaching. If you're not fully acquainted with your camera yet, a good photography class will probably do you well.
 
I served my Country ( Us Military )and I am able to go to mostly any school I want to for free. They will pay my tuition and give me a housing allowance monthly as stated in the Post 911 Gi Bill.


I know school takes time and dedication and I am ready to learn. I actually learned how to shoot from reading online and applying myself so ultimately what I learn in school I could learn online. The thing is though that the military will pay me MONEY to go to school. Nothing serious but about like $400 a week.

So I'm thinking that $400 a week will be enough for me to pay my bills and at the same time I can continue to build my name and perfect my craft. I have been in college before so I know how it is. Being in the military ultimately prepared me in life not to fear anything and tackle my dreams.


So now onto peoples thoughts it seems like some say learn motion graphics and others say if you get a good professor then a photography course can help. I'm still up in the air and do not know what to choose, if someone can please give me some more insight it would truly bless me.


Once again thank you everyone and my apologies if this is off topic, but this is a major career move on my part and I need all the guidance I can get


Thank You
 
I'm going to go with motion graphics. Not that a photography course isn't valuable, but you can definitely pick up as much by asking people and by practicing yourself as you can in a class.
 
I think all budding videographers and cinematographers can benefit from a basic photography course or workshop regardless of what kind of camera or medium you are shooting in. The fundamentals of light, color, exposure, lattitude , dynamic range, aesthetics, and composition apply across the board. You may apply them differently, but fundamentals are, well, fundamental.
 
Razz16mm said:
I think all budding videographers and cinematographers can benefit from a basic photography course or workshop regardless of what kind of camera or medium you are shooting in. The fundamentals of light, color, exposure, lattitude , dynamic range, aesthetics, and composition apply across the board. You may apply them differently, but fundamentals are, well, fundamental.
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agreed; i graduated from (self taught) photography, to teaching a few photography courses, and felt motion was the next logical step (and more challenging, which is mostly what i was after).

i would also try to focus a bit on the technical side of the equipment, ie sensors, how they function and benefits/limitations, codecs/colorspaces, and audio at the same time, as well as lighting principles.
 
Zissou said:
agreed; i graduated from (self taught) photography, to teaching a few photography courses, and felt motion was the next logical step (and more challenging, which is mostly what i was after).

i would also try to focus a bit on the technical side of the equipment, ie sensors, how they function and benefits/limitations, codecs/colorspaces, and audio at the same time, as well as lighting principles.
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:lipsrseal

Wow it looks like it's leaning towards photography now... Ultimately going to school and studying something is better than nothing. I feel blessed to have that chance to study what I want but just wanted to make sure what would be benefit me.

Photography is easy money, motion graphics requires a lot more work. I have done both so I know. I already know audio as I have a degree in that already, so I understand everything about the principles of sound.


Thank you everyone for your input in this matter, I would love this discussion to continue so I can understand professionals more and their life experiences


Thank You
 
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Cieloent said:
:lipsrseal

Wow it looks like it's leaning towards photography now... Ultimately going to school and studying something is better than nothing. I feel blessed to have that chance to study what I want but just wanted to make sure what would be benefit me.

Photography is easy money, motion graphics requires a lot more work. I have done both so I know. I already know audio as I have a degree in that already, so I understand everything about the principles of sound.


Thank you everyone for your input in this matter, I would love this discussion to continue so I can understand professionals more and their lie experiences


Thank You
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dont underestimate your own abilities; some people learn best at their own pace or on their own. you obviously have a good footing with editing and audio; dont focus on it in terms of education then, focus on lighting or other weak spots. i lost patience in the photography courses i took in high school and dropped them (film at the time, 1998 or 1999), later in college, with no formal training but having spent 2 years intensely honing my skills with a DLSR, i ended up being offered a teaching spot. i tend to favor independent learning, my suggestion was aimed mostly towards learning the other skills, lighting, technical (sensor type limitations and benefits, workflows, codecs, all the messy bits) towards independent study. do what you have to for classes, but learn WHY on your own. this is one thing you really CAN answer your own questions on. You are approaching this with a reason and idea in mind; focus on what you want out of it if you do take classes; maybe speak with your potential professors about that; they'll respect it. i had one student who worked for a newspaper shooting sports, all she cared about was action footage under various lighting, so i gladly let her focus on what would enable her to further her career.

when i was first messing with DLSR's i had NO IDEA what an f-stop was, i just thought it limited light input like an ND filter, until i spent a day playing around with JUST aperture control and lenses, same with ISO/noise, shutter speeds and water, fireworks, etc; its a learning process. education gives you a jump on it and a piece of paper, but not necessarily the experience you get OUTSIDE of a classroom. if you have a grasp of the fundamentals and the dynamics of how they interact already, and a profound interest in the subject, you might not want to take classes.
 
Zissou said:
dont underestimate your own abilities; some people learn best at their own pace or on their own. you obviously have a good footing with editing and audio; dont focus on it in terms of education then, focus on lighting or other weak spots. i lost patience in the photography courses i took in high school and dropped them (film at the time, 1998 or 1999), later in college, with no formal training but having spent 2 years intensely honing my skills with a DLSR, i ended up being offered a teaching spot. i tend to favor independent learning, my suggestion was aimed mostly towards learning the other skills, lighting, technical (sensor type limitations and benefits, workflows, codecs, all the messy bits) towards independent study. do what you have to for classes, but learn WHY on your own. this is one thing you really CAN answer your own questions on. You are approaching this with a reason and idea in mind; focus on what you want out of it if you do take classes; maybe speak with your potential professors about that; they'll respect it. i had one student who worked for a newspaper shooting sports, all she cared about was action footage under various lighting, so i gladly let her focus on what would enable her to further her career.

when i was first messing with DLSR's i had NO IDEA what an f-stop was, i just thought it limited light input like an ND filter, until i spent a day playing around with JUST aperture control and lenses, same with ISO/noise, shutter speeds and water, fireworks, etc; its a learning process. education gives you a jump on it and a piece of paper, but not necessarily the experience you get OUTSIDE of a classroom. if you have a grasp of the fundamentals and the dynamics of how they interact already, and a profound interest in the subject, you might not want to take classes.
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Thank you, and you sound look a great professor any student would love to have. Business is on and off right now and by going to school ( 4 days a week ) would still allow me to work on the weekends and get paid for going to school. I learn better at my own pace by myself, but it's either getting a regular 9 to 5 job or going to school to get this steady money to pay the bills.

One week I can have a gig and make a $1000, then I can go 1 or 2 weeks with no work at all, this is why I have to make a move and make it fast. I have work but not that constant. Regardless thank you to everyone
 
Cieloent-

Bro, if you have any questions as to how to use that GI Bill to its maximum value, hit me up. I'm an Iraq Vet and I'm still confused as to how our government could give us such an awesome benefit after years of ignoring us.

There are angles to play to get the most out of it (nothing illegal or unethical, just knowing the bill front and back) and every Vet should be helping the Vet next to him to take advantage of the bill. Because of credits I earned in the military as well as taking max credits every semester, I'll be graduating in December with a Degree in Film and Writing in addition to a History minor after only 2 1/2 years. This leaves me with around 9 or so months of additional GI Bill to put towards a grad program. Plus while you're in school you get paid more than enough to not have to work a full time job. Yay!

PM me if you have any questions!
 
Cieloent said:
Thank you, and you sound look a great professor any student would love to have. Business is on and off right now and by going to school ( 4 days a week ) would still allow me to work on the weekends and get paid for going to school. I learn better at my own pace by myself, but it's either getting a regular 9 to 5 job or going to school to get this steady money to pay the bills.

One week I can have a gig and make a $1000, then I can go 1 or 2 weeks with no work at all, this is why I have to make a move and make it fast. I have work but not that constant. Regardless thank you to everyone
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any questions or further inquiries post or PM me; im always glad to help. And thank you for the compliment.

odonnelly99 said:
Cieloent-

Bro, if you have any questions as to how to use that GI Bill to its maximum value, hit me up. I'm an Iraq Vet and I'm still confused as to how our government could give us such an awesome benefit after years of ignoring us.

There are angles to play to get the most out of it (nothing illegal or unethical, just knowing the bill front and back) and every Vet should be helping the Vet next to him to take advantage of the bill. Because of credits I earned in the military as well as taking max credits every semester, I'll be graduating in December with a Degree in Film and Writing in addition to a History minor after only 2 1/2 years. This leaves me with around 9 or so months of additional GI Bill to put towards a grad program. Plus while you're in school you get paid more than enough to not have to work a full time job. Yay!

PM me if you have any questions!
Click to expand...

odonnelly99, thank you for your service, and good luck in your pursuits.
 
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I would say that if you are able to take classes for free, why not do both? I haven't heard of many actual motion graphics classes though, i really wish my school had one when I was there. Like someone else said, there are good tutorials that you can buy online, or just search Youtube for some that people have done, that's what I plan on doing in the near future...I would definitely like to learn After Effects
 
Fahad said:
+1

for what you want out of a photography course, you could probably learn out of a book/online.
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I agree.

That being said you could learn motion graphics online as well, everything I know about videography and photography is all learnt online.
 
Sorry to kick up an old thread.. but Cieloent, have you decided which class to take? I'm considering taking a photography class but I'm wondering if it would be worth it or not.. I know that a lot of the basics can be learned online and can be self taught. But i've learned over the years that I'm not the type to learn like that and would much prefer someone to teach me in person.
 
Since you want to shoot on a DSLR, I think it would be good to chase the mastery of that instrument. I would suggest attending a school that has a lot of advanced photography classes and taking one every semester, or at least one per year.
 
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