Do you or would you help others with their photography?

[ABERS]

I wonder if he mentions "Stan from DCM" forums - lol

I have to say, I'm guilty of letting Stan get away with much more than he should over at DCM.  To be honest some of his posts had me in stitches.  To all he offended I can only apologise. 

Be interesting to hear his take on last night's Commons vote!

[ABERS]

Just to resurrect this theme for a moment.

If you can't find help with your photography, have a look at this, the BA Hons degree course offered by the O.C.A.

http://www.oca-uk.com/creative-arts-degrees/undergraduate/ba-hons-photography.html

All this for just a mere £7,925. 

It may not improve your photographic skills, but you'll be able to 'talk' a good photograph. 

[ABERS]

I know, I know, here we go again.

I've resurrected this thread because I've just read the blog of a person who has been taking the OCA Bsc degree course for some time and who appears to becoming somewhat disillusioned with it, in as much as the course seems to be aimed at 'finding yourself photographically' and 'being able to express your inner feelings photographically', whatever that means.

Having read this thread through again, perhaps the question that should have been asked at the beginning was, Can Photography Be Taught?

Apart from the basics i.e what the camera does and how to compose a picture my answer would be NO.

Answers on a postcard please. 

[Reinardina]

I'm trying to 'find myself photographically,' but without spending a lot of money. A short course here, some advice from friends (here and) there, and a lot of photo taking/making.

Spent time this morning playing with an umbrella, to see if I can get an image I like. (That was before the heavens opened thank goodness.)

I do not want to 'express my inner feelings photographically.' I'd rather keep them to myself.

[Oldboy]

Answers on a postcard please. 

Haven't got a postcard, so on here will have to do! 

Having read this thread through again, perhaps the question that should have been asked at the beginning was, Can Photography Be Taught?

Apart from the basics i.e what the camera does and how to compose a picture my answer would be NO.

I disagree. Photography can be taught, as can painting or/and drawing. After all, photography is only painting with light. This doesn't mean that the photograph they produce will please everyone. When Jackson Pollock first produced his paintings most people thought it was rubbish, I still do, but today he is regarded as a great artist. Even great masters like Vincent van Gogh failed to make much money from art, yet today his painting sell for millions. Our eyesight remains the same today as it was in 1870's, yet we look at his paintings differently now than the people did in the 1870's. This doesn't mean everyone who is taught how to paint will produce great art likewise, people who are taught photography will produce great photos. 

[StephenBatey]

I'm in the "photography can be taught" camp - both the technical and the artistic sides, for both theoretical reasons and practical experience.

On the specific question that forms the thread title - I used to try to help others until I became totally disillusioned. Now I wouldn't raise a finger to help people in general (as on a forum) but will attempt it for specific people if I know and trust them.

[Beaux Reflets]

I'm also in the "photography can be taught" camp, remembering that even the very best of and or recognised photographers, always remain in the constant discipline of learning (lest they become dissatisfied and or disillusioned with the Art through not moving on).

I rarely try to rate myself or compare my efforts in relation to other's work, taking good critique and complement with humbled joy, and any bad critique truthfully proffered, as a way forward (part and parcel of trying upon such adventure).

I also believe that sharing images on-line is part and parcel of offering help to others especially when it is within the realms of a good and open forum as we have here at CC, and very often I see images on here that inspire me towards new hor  izons.

[ABERS]

Has anyone here been taught photography?

I would hazard a guess that the majority have been taught the basics of producing a photograph, what is needed to compose an image that is a recognisable record of what was in front of the camera when the button was pressed. In addition they have been taught that there are different genres of photography and perhaps, dependant on the level of instruction, been encouraged to look at as many photographs as possible, those deemed to be examples of photographic excellence.

Has anyone here been taught golf?

How to grip the club, what each club is designed to do, what stance to take for each shot. How to play a links course as opposed to a parkland course, how to read a green, watch the masters play, see how they swing the club.

Like photography, that is being taught the basics, the grounding that is necessary before you begin to hit a ball or press a button. The basic mechanics of the sport or artistic pursuit.

That is where the teaching ends. Photography is much more than a mechanical process.

My contention is from there on in you are not taught but you 'learn'. You learn by developing your own style, by trying different methods or approaches, by bending the rules and most of all by making mistakes, and plenty of them.

Asking for advice on the work that you produce will be counter productive if you heed it. You will turn into the person that gives the advice! The classic problem with club photography is listening to club judges passing comment on your work. Try to conform to that advice in order to get higher marks next month and you will quickly become a staid 'club photographer', in other words one who conforms to the rules and is not recogniseable from the rest.

So I concede you can teach someone to take a photograph but you can't teach someone to be a photographer.

[Beaux Reflets]

Has anyone here been taught photography?

I would hazard a guess that the majority have been taught the basics of producing a photograph, what is needed to compose an image that is a recognisable record of what was in front of the camera when the button was pressed. In addition they have been taught that there are different genres of photography and perhaps, dependant on the level of instruction, been encouraged to look at as many photographs as possible, those deemed to be examples of photographic excellence.

Has anyone here been taught golf?

How to grip the club, what each club is designed to do, what stance to take for each shot. How to play a links course as opposed to a parkland course, how to read a green, watch the masters play, see how they swing the club.

Like photography, that is being taught the basics, the grounding that is necessary before you begin to hit a ball or press a button. The basic mechanics of the sport or artistic pursuit.

That is where the teaching ends. Photography is much more than a mechanical process.

My contention is from there on in you are not taught but you 'learn'. You learn by developing your own style, by trying different methods or approaches, by bending the rules and most of all by making mistakes, and plenty of them.

Asking for advice on the work that you produce will be counter productive if you heed it. You will turn into the person that gives the advice! The classic problem with club photography is listening to club judges passing comment on your work. Try to conform to that advice in order to get higher marks next month and you will quickly become a staid 'club photographer', in other words one who conforms to the rules and is not recogniseable from the rest.

So I concede you can teach someone to take a photograph but you can't teach someone to be a photographer.

[Reinardina]

I'm learning. Doing loads of different things. Experimenting. Trying to develop 'an eye,' which is a bit difficult at times, due to circumstances. Occasionally I do get a 'hit,' but I 'hit' more 'misses.'

Have learnt a lot from friends on forums, who gave tips on how to improve things, without becoming 'them.'

I have teamed up with a local photographer, who tries to get 'photographical sense' into my head. Things that have become second nature to him, but require me to stop and think. A very long way to go yet, haven't even mastered all the basics. At least they don't come natural yet.

At the moment rather taken by 'creative' editing. Not strictly photography, I know, or not photography at all, but I like to see what can be achieved by twiddling filters and sliders, and whatever else is there to experiment with.

Have definitely improved over the past twelve months.

Am I a photographer? Will I ever be one? I don't know, but as long as I enjoy doing it, I'll continue.

[spikeyjen]

I think a certain amount of photography needs to be learnt and a certain amount is an innate ability to see something and know it makes a good picture.
As for helping others, or learning from others, that is why I join a forum...
I believe that having my work critiqued will only make me a better photographer, as long as the critique is constructive and supportive. I also believe that forums like this should encourage some critique (if people want it) as some people have lots of experience and knowledge to share. I would love to have a mentor to regularly critique my work and make me a better photographer.
As a camera club member I am always teaching our new photographers the basics, I figure if I can teach them something it means that I understand it too!

[StephenBatey]

So I concede you can teach someone to take a photograph but you can't teach someone to be a photographer.

I'll agree with almost everything you said (although you seem to have a higher view of photographic societies than mine) but I still disagree with the last clause quoted above. I'm only adding this in the hope of stimulating thought - I have zero intention of giving my reasons for my opinion.

[Beaux Reflets]

I I would love to have a mentor to regularly critique my work and make me a better photographer.
As a camera club member I am always teaching our new photographers the basics, I figure if I can teach them something it means that I understand it too!

All the folk here are quiet friendly, so you could always ask members you feel may suit as a mentor on a regular basis (even if they choose to only work with you in strict confidence) by private message or email.

Personally, I would love to see a list of members in a 'CC Mentor Directory' as quite often I prefer to seek opinion relating to a particular genre rather than any stylised aspect; which was the original idea hiding behind the initial point of this thread, in hope towards encouraging more conversation and growth in this talent full forum.

[ABERS]

When I'm asked by anyone starting out in photography how they should proceed, I always advise them to join a club. Clubs vary in their facilities and in what they have to offer but for a complete newcomer there are always people there to quite readily explain the basics, or a specialised 'beginners section'.

They usually have sections that cover the different genres and photographers that specialise in those genres. Most clubs allow a possible member to attend for a few sessions before parting with any subscriptions, so it's worth a punt to see if it's for you. And of course usually a monthly criticism or judging for those that want that facility. It's that monthly judging that is usually the off putter.


Andy's original intention of setting up a mentoring scheme for CC raises the question, who on here is capable of undertaking such a task, willingly or not?

Volunteers one step forward!

[Hinfrance]

Andy's original intention of setting up a mentoring scheme for CC raises the question, who on here is capable of undertaking such a task, willingly or not?

Well, you for a start Alan, and perhaps other RPS accredited or published individuals.

I wouldn't dare to presume to comment