4 posts tagged “course”
Since the photography equipment arrived, I have not had much opportunity to take serious photos because of work commitments, but I have been learning as much as I can about it all and have played around a little to familiarise myself with it all.
I am very impressed with both the camera and the lenses, and what little fiddling around with the flash I have done has impressed me too. I'll post some photos as soon as I have some time to do some serious shots.
In the meantime, I acquired, today, some new photography books I thought I'd mention. They're hardly professional, but they do offer some nice tricks and tips in a nontechnical way. I am looking forward to getting into them. They are a three-volume set by Scott Kelby and come highly recommended.
So far I have just browsed through them, and they certainly look promising - easy ways to get great pics without all the jargon that you read in so many other photography books, of which I have plenty.
I have also taken out a subscription to Practical Photography magazine. Can't do enough reading and learning ahead of the course next year!
A very good friend, who is also a professional photographer, has given me some good advice following yesterday's post on choosing a camera.
Among other valuable insights he offered, he said the following:
"I know the 5D would be a great camera to get ... but my recommendation would be to consider the 500D and buy two really good quality lenses and possibly a hotshoe flash with the rest of the money ... The general feeling is that you will always be buying new camera bodies, but a good lens can last a lifetime so make the investment in the lens rather than the body."
I take his advice seriously, because he is a good photographer and knows his business.
The 500D it is!
I contacted UCOL to ask what equipment I would need for the diploma programme.
The information I received was to get my own camera, and the Canon EOS 500D was recommended.
I had for some time been eyeing the 5D, which is a considerably more expensive camera. The best price I could find was a 5D Mark II, body only, at NZ$4,495, still a hefty price tag. The best I could find for a 500D body was NZ$1,205.
That's quite a price difference.
Decisions, decisions.
I still would want a camera along the lines of a 5D, but there are other factors to consider at present. Price is important given that I am not going to have an income for two years. Whatever I spend on a camera now will affect what lenses and other equipment I can get. I certainly would need a wide-angle lens plus a versatile lens, say 18mm-200mm or something along those lines. Plus a decent flash and whatever filters I would want.
So I am leaning towards the 500D, which will allow me to spend more on other equipment. I could always use my initial income from photography to invest in a better body later, but the 500D will at least suit me for diploma purposes.
What do you think?
The course I have applied for is the Diploma in Photographic Imaging at UCOL. It is a two-year course and covers a good range of subjects.
Seeing that I am still awaiting the result of my application, it may be a bit optimistic of me, but the electives I want to do are:
Year 1: Interactive/Web 1B
Year 2: Interactive/Web 2A
Compulsory subjects are:
Year 1 (Semester 1): Photography 1A, Design 1A, Creative Processes 1A, Digital Media 1C, Photographic Imaging 1C.
Year 1 (Semester 2): Photography 1B, Design 1B, Digital Imaging 1B, Digital Media 1C (cont), Photographic Imaging 1C (cont), Photographic Portfolio 1B
Year 2 (Semester 1): Photography 2A, Digital Imaging 2A, Business Studies 2A, Image Analysis 2A
Year 2 (Semester 2): Photography 2B, Image Analysis 2B, Major Project 2B
I really appreciate the fact that business studies is included as a subject - I am sure that will help immensely as I seek to build my own photographic business after graduating.
