Do I
need a Camera before joining a professional photography course?
Most people would think this is a trick
question as without camera, how can one learn photography?
You could not be more wrong! The mistake most people make is to buy a DSLR
and try learning themselves through YouTube or Google or the so called teaching
Apps available today.
But when they practice what they have
learned online, they realize that the results are not what they expected. Some
even blame the camera! Now in self doubt
and thoroughly confused, their next step is to go to a photography institute
for learning and then they realize that they bought a wrong camera!
If you want to learn professional
photography then you should not buy a camera at all.
You
need to first decide upon an institute, visit them and discuss with their faculty
what your interest are, your previous experience if any, your objective in
learning photography etc. You should also talk to their Placement cell to
understand which course and what line of photography is in demand currently,
how well they can train you, will it help in your hobby or career etc. I would
suggest write down your questions before you talk to the institute. It will
give you clarity of thought and actions.
Camera comes last. It’s just equipment, the
real doer, the magic happens because of YOU. A bad photographer with an expensive
camera can shoot a horrible picture versus a well trained photographer with an
ordinary camera. That’s why the faculty and institute are important, not the
camera.
Once you have decided on the institute and
the course, you can discuss with the faculty and research online the right
camera for you. Because every course would have different camera lens
requirements. Remember, you can learn professional photography and be an
excellent, trained photographer without an expensive camera! What’s important
is the course you choose, the institute and its faculty and the objective of
your learning. You can always use the institute’s camera in the beginning and
once you graduate, can always buy one at your leisure.
