As I said before you can question the value of a lot of degrees but if you are going to spend your cash do it on something creative.

Bit lost by this? What do you mean Dion?

Anyways, I most certainly agree that photography courses should be more up to date, on a technical, business and practical level. A lot of courses (including mine at Trent) are overly theorectical so there are a lot of poorly constructed pictures with meaning of a devine intellect. After 3 years of listening to excess wind (where elsewhere I learned more on a week intensive lighting course) I became rather exhausted of all that postmodern verbiage that always has to come with images resembling last night’s reheated pizza with huge dollops of mayo.

I live in near Newport and having always been told that Newport is The Mysterious Cities of Gold, I was surprised just how remarkably awful the photography was there. Beth is right; it’s full of Martin Parr and Salgado wannabies, too much talk about the idea, and maintains elitist attitudes. The work was too gallery inspired, and let’s fact it, the gallery is a place where friends turn up for Tesco Value wine and pretzels saying the pictures look great.Of course they will say that, who would after all tell their girlfriend that she’s gained weight?

My advice to any one applying to art school is to research the course first. Most are over subscribed, with tutors either engaged too much in their own practice, or otherwise don’t want to be there. There were a few great tutors, but only a handful. For me I was quite independent and networked with different depts, even different schools. In the end, it’s up to you to get off your butt, and demand what you’re paying for.

I live in near Newport and having always been told that Newport is The Mysterious Cities of Gold, I was surprised just how remarkably awful the photography was there. Beth is right; it’s full of Martin Parr and Salgado wannabies, too much talk about the idea, and maintains elitist attitudes. The work was too gallery inspired, and let’s fact it, the gallery is a place where friends turn up for Tesco Value wine and pretzels saying the pictures look great.Of course they will say that, who would after all tell their girlfriend that she’s gained weight?

My advice to any one applying to art school is to research the course first. Most are over subscribed, with tutors either engaged too much in their own practice, or otherwise dont want o be there. There were a few great tutors, but only a handful. For me I was quite independent and netowrked with different depts, even different schools. In the end, it’s up to you to get off your butt, and demand what you’re paying for.

@JonathanJK – I didn’t expect anything to be spoon fed to me as you put it, but a more emphasis on those things that are important. I agree though the teachers should leave you alone for your own analysis and taking – but when in class it should be relevant. Previous to University I had learnt darkroom technique and didnt need to again in 1st year, yet it was part of the course. Its neccasary in a diploma I believe but not a degree surely?

I’m not saying I havn’t got freelance work since coming out..I’ve done a lot like yourself with equipment purchased with the loan – yet approaching companies they ask for online portfolio’s, not silverprint folders and prints that take time & cost money! That, I suppose angered me when I came out.

But coming up with the amount of effort I put in and receiving a third- there are other factors I won’t discuss here and are personal within the last year. I’m not sure which side of photojournalism you specifically want to travel down..which is another question. Which type of photojournalist does it cater for? Media, Pap, NGO, conflict? online journalist..all of them?

I don’t think you can take your own model for money saving and apply it to other people though! We all got the same loan agreed, and each had jobs…but projects, exhibitions, travel and extra costs can fluctuate. Thats my argument. I loved the course but I wished it had focused on the current market. Paul D was superb and a great mentor. How does Newport defferienciate from ours though..what do they teach that we didnt have, or what do we have that they don’t teach?

Out of my class not many are still doing photojournalism.

I suppose what would everyone have on a degree course that they would choose. Looking at the current climate I’d start with multimedia.