8 posts tagged “diploma”
I now have just seven working days left before saying farewell to a more than two-decade-long career in journalism and embarking on a new chapter in my life. It's getting exciting, and quite intimidating at the same time. But at this stage I'd say the excitement outweighs the nervousness that results from a midstream career change. I am raring to get stuck into my photographic studies.
I received a letter from the head of the photographic school at UCOL at the end of last week impressing upon me the fact that, with 12 papers in the first year, next year is going to be a busy one. Of course, having worked in newspapers for many years, I am no stranger to being busy! And seeing that I did earn a four-year bachelor degree before, I know that fulltime tertiary study is no breeze. But I believe I am ready.
This will probably be my last post for this year, so let me take the opportunity to wish all the readers of this blog a very blessed Christmas. Be safe and remember the reason for the season! See you on the other side.
Here is my current main kit. I really cannot wait to begin the diploma! At this stage, I have 15 working days left, as I leave my job on New Year's Eve. I plan to use the equipment quite a bit between ceasing fulltime employment and the start of my studies on March 1, so hopefully I'll have some good photos to share and also be fully accustomed to the camera by the time I start at UCOL.
This morning I took another big step towards my career change.
During the morning I received notification from UCOL that I had been formally enrolled and was sent the invoice for my first year of the Diploma in Photographic Imaging. So I took the plunge and handed my resignation letter in, informing the company that I would leave on December 31.
In a sense, it is quite a relief now that it is done. It's public now, and my colleagues have been informed. So I can spend the next few weeks without the burden of keeping it secret.
Phew! Things are moving.
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 wait was shorter than I expected. I received a letter from UCOL today stating that I had been accepted into the Diploma in Photographic Imaging programme.
So from next year I shall be a fulltime student again. It has been a long time since I last studied fulltime (I was at university from 1987 to 1990), but I am very excited about it.
The dream is coming true!
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.
I had to submit two 8"x10" prints of my photos with my application to study. The ones I chose appear here (low-quality versions, and the prints did not have the watermark, of course).
Both photos were taken in South Africa - the one on the left outside Johannesburg, and the one on the right in Pretoria. I am hoping they are decent enough to convince the staff that I at least have some raw talent and that I can benefit from the programme.
After spending about 20 years in journalism in South Africa and New Zealand, I decided recently to change careers to follow my dream of being a professional photographer.
I applied to study fulltime at UCOL here in New Zealand, towards the two-year Diploma in Photographic Imaging, and am at present waiting to hear whether my application has been successful.
The aim of this blog is to provide a chronicle, recording the progress of my studies, the evolution of my photography, and, God willing, the development of my new career.
I hope you enjoy the ride!
