What Did College Do For Me?

I’ve been invited to return to the college where I studied for my Photography HND to talk to current students. The subject of my presentation? To talk about the benefits of studying photography at the college. Indeed, what did college do for me?

My college journey began after a long period of illness. I’d left my civil service career as a result, and was reassessing life. Photography had been a hobby since I was old enough to hold a camera. When I was ready, I decided to attend a college open day to find out more about the course. Fast forward through one successful application and interview process later, and I was enrolled as an HND Photography student.

Studying at college meant having access to a huge range of equipment. From a fully operational darkroom, to a very well equipped studio, we had everything we needed to help us learn. We practised setting up lighting arrangements and took turns posing for the camera. Being able to use (and borrow) kit as part of our course was a big help to us all. In photography, whether you buy or rent equipment, it’s never cheap. Trying before buying was a bonus we probably didn’t appreciate fully at the time.

It wasn’t only the equipment which benefited us. The well stocked library offered a range of reference materials including books, periodicals, and DVDs. These were useful not only for assignment work but in helping us to develop our thoughts on what to do after our course.

Setting up a business is a long process. It is resource intensive, and the journey can be lonely and frustrating. Using the two years at college to form initial thoughts, meant that we did not face these early stages on our own. Many of our tutors ran photography related businesses, and they were always ready to share knowledge and experience.

Being at college meant learning with like-minded people. From the day we started, we all had one common interest. Photography. And we supported one and other through the course, to the final show and ultimately, graduation.

Towards beginning our professional journey as photographers, college provided a safe environment in which we could experiment with our own artistic styles. Combining theory with practical studies, we began to develop as individual photographers. The qualification wasn’t designed to teach us how to use our cameras. It taught us how to challenge the way in which we used them. To move beyond the simple settings and adapt how we worked to suit our evolving styles. We discovered where our boundaries were, and the tutors encouraged us to push beyond them. To set ourselves ever higher targets. The staff believed in us, and we began to as well. This support cannot be gained through online learning. Or self-teaching and learning on the job. The staff were, in effect, our cheerleaders throughout those two years.

Studying isn’t always easy, but studying something you are passionate about can be an incredible experience. Had I tried to go straight into business, I would have struggled. I had a range of experience from the civil service, but nothing relating to setting up and running a business. College provided the foundation not only on which to build my business, but to further my knowledge as a photographer. I enjoyed researching photographers and their techniques. Learning about the continuing evolution of photography helped broaden my understanding of the role of photography in the modern age. Which in turn, helped me to form a better appreciation of my own role as a photographer.

Would I recommend studying photography at college? Definitely, if you have the opportunity. Don’t expect to learn the basic functions of your camera. Do expect to be challenged to learn how best to use your camera to create your own visions. Be open to being encouraged to do better. Not because what you’re doing is no good, but because seeking improvement is part of your artistic development. Ask questions, and ask questions of the answers you receive. Be willing to learn, and to form your own opinions. Find your own style, and prepare for this to evolve during your time at college. Make the time count, because at some point, you’ll be on your own. Just you and your qualification. But more than this, you will be setting up with experience which matters. With the foundations on which to build your first full chapter as a professional photographer.

*The headline image shows me at our end of course exhibition. My first exhibition!