Avoid Photography Schools - Never Take Photography Lessons!

http://martinhurley.com - Never take photography lessons? And avoid photography schools?

What the..!?

I personally never really immersed myself into taking photography lessons or going to swanky photography schools. I looked at how others took their shots (especially the masters) and then I got out there and furiously practiced...

I ended up amongst 10 million other people in 30 square kilometers at the Kumbh Mela holy festival in India...

(Only happens once in every 12 years).

And found myself smuggling my camera inside steel walls to photograph massive ships being dismantled piece by piece, on the shores of the Bangladesh oceans... (Batiary ship breaking yards).

Of course, that doesn't make me an expert... but it sure makes for an interesting lifestyle!

To learn photography skills, I went and explored new lands.

My own photography technique was 'have camera will travel.'

You can do this too...

If you like the 'sell photos online' passive income idea, or have toyed with starting up your own digital photography business, then I would say to you this...

ACT on your dreams!

Go and make it happen...

The world wants to see what you can create...

So then... what's your next step? Start learning...

http://martinhurley.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• learn
• photography
• schools
• digital
• photograph
• technique
• photo
• lessons
• how
• to
• sell
• photos
• online

[purefilmphoto]

Very cool video and very cool photography...I liked the story behind it...

[thehurley]

Thanks I really appreciate that. Your thoughtful comment has inspired me to make more videos and also to tell a story behind each video I create. Thanks so much... Wonderful.

[unrescued]

Because you give a man a hammer does not mean he can build a house.

[Ngushuephoto]

I strongly STRONGLY disagree. There are way to many people out there who try and be photographers, who think that they are "deep" or just a simple professional because they own a camera. Even if you read a book or two on photography, it doesn't make you good, or special. Going to photography school gives you a better understanding of everything you need to know in order to come up with your own personal style, the one that makes you special.

[sumocomputers]

1. The video slideshow has distracting transitions, the content is not exciting, and the quality is poor (240P). If this is your dream, I feel sorry for you.

2. Your website that you link is littered with ads. You don't care about helping people. You just want clicks so you can make money.

3. I find it funny that all the YouTube overlay ads on your video are for Photography Schools, which you rail against. If you were true to your philosophy, you would host the videos elsewhere.

[uglyd0g]

Good photographers go to school. The best photographers don't need school because they're motivated to learn on their own.

The same applies to many artistic fields.

[KingKassius]

@audiofreeq i agree

[KingKassius]

@santed The camera comes with settings so you can use them if you want . You dont have to take every photo in manual . Moving a light around is not very technical either . Photography should be what you want it to be not what others have told you it should be. Everybody can be a photographer if they want .  Why not???? Oh yeah because everybody cant move a light around or turn the white balance up or down .

[KingKassius]

it looks like alot of students in here are upset because he didn't take the picture like your teacher said he should. This is his vision and what he has seen . Try looking with an artistic point of view and not a technical eye . If life is not perfect ... why would your photograph be perfect ?

[KingKassius]

@Ngushuephoto what about the fact you all go to the same schools and learn the same lessons and shoot the same photgraphy. I think learning on your own may be harder but your photographs will be more from your own vision and not just a teachers point of view or some technical tips and tricks.

[stobarticus]

If you had lessons in photography you would have more than 2 good shots in that whole montage.

I don't mean to sound rude, but most of the images youve shown here feel very amatuer..

My best advice is DO lessons... lessons that'll take you through the whole film process.. yes, film is gradually being faded out, and no, you probably wont shoot much film, if any, afterwards.. BUT you WILL understand the fundamental principles of manipulating light in photography, which you seem to be missing

[jackies35]

These images in the video is ok... I think going to school and learning the basic will help. Go ahead and learn photography. You can take free class online, read books, or take a course in a school. My job will pay for me to go to school for photography. I need help with lighting and composition.

[omarisquin]

Those pics are quite boring. You have one or two a little interesting.

[agun17]

Lot's of those photos have overexposed backgrounds.... or at least the video makes it look like they are. And the composition isin't that good.

You don't need to take photography lessons to take great pictures. But you need to know the basics of composition, light, etc.

These can easily be learned on the internet. And personally i find it much more entertaining than anything that can happen in a classroom. Apart from the teacher having a seizure and bouncing of the walls to roll on the floor.