Top Ten tips for Success in the Classroom…

This weeks post comes from one of our other Alumni, P. Seth Roberts. Seth graduated with his BS in photography back in October of 2014. You can check out his website here.

Hello! My name is P. Seth Roberts, owner of PSR Images, and a former student from AIO. I have since graduated in October of 2014, with a Bachelor’s degree in Photography. I have been asked to create what I believe to be the top ten things to consider for success in the classroom. My list contains technical, academic, and personal considerations. I am honored by this request, so, I humbly submit the following list.

Be Open / Be Humble

When I first joined AIO, I already had several years of professional filmmaking under my belt. I wasn’t sure what, if anything, AIO could offer me. However, I also knew that if I had entered my studies with anything but a complete willingness to learn, it would ultimately prove futile. I learned more about capturing images through my complete commitment to studies than I did in my experience as a film director. My time at AIO not only made me a good photographer, but a much better filmmaker.

Also, remember, this isn’t a competition between you and your classmates, or you and the Professor. It isn’t whether your images are the best in class, but are your images the best they can be, for the sake of the assignment.

Criticism isn’t Mean, it is Critical

Learning to take criticism is part of the student process. Let’s face the truth of it, you will never impress or get everyone to like your work. That’s life, you have to learn to deal with it. People will love or hate your work for various reasons. You take it, and you move on.

However, criticism in class is NEVER meant to be destructive. I remember several classes when I did what I thought was my best work. I was ready for the shower of praises I felt was sure to come once I posted my assignment. Then, when I logged in and saw this litany of criticism from Professors and peers, I was devastated. I questioned whether or not I even belonged there.

Having the wrong attitude toward criticism will inhibit your growth as an artist, professional, and human being. I had to determine that I was going to be a photographer, and that meant putting on my big boy pants, growing thick skin, deeply considering the criticism, then making the changes that were necessary to my growth. Don’t let personal pride get in your way!

Breaking Away from Safe

By nature, I am a very introverted individual. New people worry me, crowds scare me, and the world to me is a dark and dangerous place.  With that said, my introverted nature was actually hampering my ability to perform as a photographic student, it can also be contradictory to the very practice of photography. Unless I was going to simply photograph my walls, I needed to go against the grain and step out into the world. It was uncomfortable, it was challenging, and at times I hated to do it.

However, once I took the step, and I adhered to the requirements of my assignments, (shooting in manual only, etc…), I noticed an enormous increase of skill and understanding of the science behind picture taking. We don’t get better by doing what we’ve always done, we get better, we become masters of our crafts, by doing the things we haven’t, the things that challenge us to depart from our very natures.

Owning a Camera, does not a Photographer make

Your Professors will say this over and over again, and it may become so repetitious that it becomes annoying, but ask yourself these two questions: 1. If it weren’t so true, so important, would so many Professors say it so often? 2. What does a photographer do, if he/she does not take pictures?

Taking pictures is what we do folks, and if that annoys you, then perhaps being a photographer isn’t for you. I get it, I understand, believe me. I have been sick, tired, stressed, all of that. Realize this, that only through practicing your craft, experimenting with equipment and light, will you ever become a professional photographer. Take pictures, take thousands of images.

Technically Speaking, Can You Do It Again
I remember several classes both for outdoor and indoor shooting when we were required to record all of our camera settings, for each shot. This included, lighting scheme, ISO, shutter speed, white balance, color setting, and more. This was done for two reasons, first to make you think about what you were doing and why. More importantly however, I feel it is to help you understand how you were able to create an image.
We’ve all been there, when we snap 400 images, hoping to capture the one that will be what we wanted, what we were hoping for. Not only does that waste time and energy, but it shows a serious lack of understanding about the science and aesthetics of good photography. That doesn’t mean you won’t take 400 images of a subject, however, knowing how and why things work will ensure that many of those images will be what you are looking for. Learn you camera, learn your light meter, and learn those pesky little settings, and you will see the quality of your work improve greatly.

Attitude and Habit Follow You Out The Door

Consider this, and if it makes you mad, well…. perhaps you should reconsider your attitude. Your approach to your studies, and your assignments will be the exact same way you operate as a professional photographer. If you are lazy and late, only do half the research, or try to fudge your way through your assignments, not only do your Professors know, but you will do the exact same thing when you open your own shop.

Your time at AIO is there to teach you not only the craft, but the professional habits and actions of a successful photographer. Treat each assignment, even written assignments, as if you’ve been approached by a client. While granted, some of the images I had passed in were a disaster, I put my best effort into each and every one. Only through risk and hard work, was I able to grow and become a success.

Communication

Talking with your Professors is paramount to your success. These highly trained and experienced experts are photographers that currently work in the field, and make money at what they do. If there is something, anything you do not understand, they are the BEST source of knowledge you will have far beyond anything you could learn in a text book, or from fellow students who are learning right alongside you.

That isn’t to say text books aren’t important. To the contrary, they are very important to building a solid foundation of understanding. With that said, books can’t directly answer question, but your Professor can. Reach out to them, it is after all what they do.

This should include times when you are confused about your grade, struggling with deadlines, or any other issues you may have.

Obstacles Are Nothing More Than Challenges To Overcome

I live in Maine and come from a small town, so there were two big challenges for me to overcome to meet several assignment requirements. These particular challenges were weather and a small population. It was often difficult to shoot in snow, and to meet particular assignments because we were far from any real large city or population center.

Do not let this become a stumbling block for your success. There are always ways of overcoming anything that gets in your way. It is times like this that you must learn to think outside the box. These challenges, whatever they may be, are not to be feared, but embraced. They will make you stronger and more effective as a professional photographer.

You will learn to do things you would never have thought of if these challenges hadn’t arisen. Believe me when I say, challenges will come with every shoot. The last thing you want is to be on a professional shoot, have something occur, and be unable to come up with a solution.

Study, Study, Study, then Study Some More

Studying is the very essence of learning and truly comprehending your craft. Fudging it, plagiarism, and trying to sneak your way through is unacceptable. It goes back to who you want to be as a professional. You must have a firm foundation of your art, if you truly expect to be a recognized contributor to photography.

Yes, there are so many text books, and so many chapters, and so much information you are expected to have, however, without it, you’re just another person with a camera, that can take cute pictures. To be successfully active within your field of study means that you have a firm grasp of the science, history, and aesthetics of the program.

On another note, many students attempt to enhance their images by “breaking or bending” the rules of photography for the sake of art. STOP right there. Before rules can be broken or bent, you must first have a clear understanding of the rules, why they are there, and how to “break” them in order to create the best image possible. Breaking or bending the rules of photography, especially as a student does not show a deeper understanding of art, rather it shows an ignorance of professional camera use.

Put It Into Practice

As I have stated earlier, your Professors are experienced professionals, currently working within the field of photography. When they give you pointers, PAY ATTENTION, and put it into practice. They know what they are talking about, and coming from someone who was a fellow student, it works.

This includes carefully constructed portfolios, well-made and functional websites, the proper use of social media, a smartly crafted artist statement, understanding context versus content, business plans, dealing with galleries, and methods of marketing. IT WORKS!!! Regardless of your brand, there is something in their wisdom and lessons for everyone.

These 10 methods worked very well for me, and while I could go on and on with many techniques that helped me to graduate with Dean’s Award, we could save that for further discussion. Each one of you has something unique to contribute. Don’t give up, don’t give in, believe in yourself. You will find your voice, I promise.
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