What do you look for in a photography school?

RDelean wrote: Come to think of it....I received a letter that with my kit that said they were on backorder or something and I'd get it when they had more. I never did get that....

I'm sure NYIP will be reading this thread and remedying that situation.

How can a online school be back ordered? Heck I like the idea of everything accessible on my computer or iPad.

CanonKid wrote: How can a online school be back ordered? Heck I like the idea of everything accessible on my computer or iPad.

Maybe the books or CDs could be on back order, but ....... ?

No, I'm sorry I wasn't clear.

They were waiting for more monopods to arrive and then they sent it to me.

When I received my kit, because I paid in full, I received EVERYTHING at once. It was like Christmas! They don't just send books and CD/DVD's but you also get a lot of equipment that is helpful with taking your class. Some of those items were shipped seperately a they were backordered.

I received a white diffuser umbrella, a large bag for equipment, a large 16x16" microbfiber photo cleaning cloth, a monopod in carry case (Yes, I did find it. I received it seperately but it did come. I hadn't even opened it yet, I'd forgotten all about it. My apologies to NYIP!!) a rather large portable collapsible silver reflector (which I'm not going to open to measure because you should see me try to close it. NYIP even has 2 step instructions on-line for that, thank God!) and a 2.0 flashdrive!!

RDelean wrote: No, I'm sorry I wasn't clear.

They were waiting for more monopods to arrive and then they sent it to me.

When I received my kit, because I paid in full, I received EVERYTHING at once. It was like Christmas! They don't just send books and CD/DVD's but you also get a lot of equipment that is helpful with taking your class. Some of those items were shipped seperately a they were backordered.

I received a white diffuser umbrella, a large bag for equipment, a large 16x16" microbfiber photo cleaning cloth, a monopod in carry case (Yes, I did find it. I received it seperately but it did come. I hadn't even opened it yet, I'd forgotten all about it. My apologies to NYIP!!) a rather large portable collapsible silver reflector (which I'm not going to open to measure because you should see me try to close it. NYIP even has 2 step instructions on-line for that, thank God!) and a 2.0 flashdrive!!

When I took the course, the cleaning cloth was on back order but I never got it. It's ok, I mean it's just a cleaning cloth. The reflector took my husband and I couple of tries to figure out how to get it back together, into the bag. But now it's a snap to get it together.

Baydream wrote:

CanonKid wrote: How can a online school be back ordered? Heck I like the idea of everything accessible on my computer or iPad.

Maybe the books or CDs could be on back order, but ....... ?

it's not really an online school. I would call it more of an at home school. As everything is mailed too you and you work at home. You can take the written test either online or paper. And you print/send your photos into the school. There is no emailing the photos.

Any of the books, CDs, monopods etc.. can be on back order. Because well, a company had to make all those items, which gets shipped to NYIP, who then ships it to the student. Just anything else, if NYIP doesn't have the item...then it's back order.

RDelean wrote: Well, you guys sold me. I actually signed up quite some time ago but because of an illness/surgery/recovery I just got a good start on my courses. That was the first plus for me. I have 3 years to complete the Professional Photography Course plus I can get a year extension for free if needed. ALSO, my husband is active duty military SO....I was able to use MyCAA spouse entitlement to pay because you guys are so awesome you accept that!! Thank you!

The teaching method is great as well. I have homeschooled our 3 children from 4th - 12th grade and I know what works. Your method of using colorful, bright, updated texts and well as CD's plus feedback from the instructors on the Photo Assignments is really efficient. NYIP also supplied me with a lot of equipment I didn't have; if only a camera was included. lol! I still need a better camera....working on that.

All that and your website too, which I've still not been able to fully explore. I think it all works well and you guys have everything I need in a package that makes it most convenient for me. I'm love my course and hope to do the Photoshop one next.

Thanks for the kind words. We're proud of our convenience, as we hear stories like this all of the time. Hope you're doing well and good luck with the remainder of the course!

RDelean wrote:

crystal wrote: I took NYIP...October 2010 graduate.

I haven't reached a film chapter but I do see a book called Darkroom. I sure hope there is not a Film Photo Assignment as I don't have a film camera anymore. Hopefully that chapter is all reading & CD's. I have always wanted to understand how a darkroom works though.

We don't force anyone to do any work with Film. But we have decided to keep that part of the program intact just for that reason, so that anyone who wants to know how it all works, can.

Thanks!

crystal wrote: One thing that is nice that NYIP does is they give bonus gifts. Which includes a monopod, that I lost. I accidently left it where I was shooting. I went back the next day to where I left it, and it was gone. 24hrs later and someone had to steal it.

By any chance would NYIP send me another monopod?

I'm not the one to say yes or no to that kind of request. But I can say that the people on the phones are very forgiving and if you explain your situation to them, you never know.

It doesn't hurt to ask.

CanonKid wrote: How can a online school be back ordered? Heck I like the idea of everything accessible on my computer or iPad.

We're certainly not an online school, in that sense. We're a home-study school. We're proud of the quality of our Course materials, and we still send everything out through the mail. All of our tests are done online, and we use email to send back teacher critiques and evaluations. But there's just something to be said about learning from books and CDs and DVDs. It's up to each individual to decide what type of education works best for them.

After reading the NYIP vs MLK thread, I have very mixed feelings about the two.
I generally want to learn more about a particular area of photography, not a "soup-to-nuts" education. I would prefer course offerings in say macro or studio lighting or HDR - sort of like a college continuing education college curriculum where you can choose what courses to take.
I do not want to spend a thousand on a full-blown photo education or half that on a "zen" methodology. I have things I want/need to learn and will look for ways to learn them without buying the "whole enchilada".

Baydream wrote: After reading the NYIP vs MLK thread, I have very mixed feelings about the two.
I generally want to learn more about a particular area of photography, not a "soup-to-nuts" education. I would prefer course offerings in say macro or studio lighting or HDR - sort of like a college continuing education college curriculum where you can choose what courses to take.
I do not want to spend a thousand on a full-blown photo education or half that on a "zen" methodology. I have things I want/need to learn and will look for ways to learn them without buying the "whole enchilada".

You should check out Better Photo.com for that. I have some friends and family who have taken courses from them. They liked it. They're not for me but you may love their site.