Where to Learn Photography?

Many ask where I learned or where and what kind of educational institutions in Latvia it is possible to learn photography. To the joy, in Latvia there are several places where you can learn the photo craft and many photo courses where you can improve and develop your knowledge.

 

Introduction

Unfortunately, in Latvia there is no higher education in photography yet, because photography and photographer is "stuffed" under another curriculum, and higher education in photography is not available yet, but I hope that over time everything will improve. In Latvia, there are currently 2 places where you can get a somewhat decent "paper" and very many courses. This decent paper is the Professional Qualification Certificate from the Latvian Ministry of Education, which grants you a qualification corresponding to the second professional qualification level. This is the only paper that states that you have obtained the qualification in the profession of photographer. Such certificates in Latvia are issued by Biruta Magele's Stylist School and Riga 34th Vocational Secondary School. I recommend such courses for those who want to seriously engage in photography, because they are the most comprehensive in terms of information. At other courses, you will only receive a paper that you have attended the specific course. Such courses are worth attending to get basic knowledge or supplement existing knowledge.

 

Photo Schools

Photo schools are worth attending for those who want to seriously connect their profession with photography and want to obtain a document certifying that you are a photographer.

Biruta Magele's Stylist School

Fotoskola.lv or Biruta Magele's Stylist School prepares photographers from the very basics. The duration of training is 18 months and you can come after finishing 9th grade. During training, students have access to a photo studio and digital camera. The biggest advantage of the training is that throughout the course various photographers teach, teaching specifically the particular topic in which the photographer is strong. For example, with Oļegs Zernovs, you have the opportunity for several months to learn working in a studio and sometimes you even get to participate as an observer in magazine and advertisement shoots. Training is 3 times a week in evenings from 6-9 PM. At the end of the course, you need to pass a test and shoot a course completion work and defend it, after which you receive the Professional Qualification Certificate from the Latvian Ministry of Education. The downsides include expensive tuition and 18-month training program. But from my experience I can say, the longer the courses, the more they give in terms of information and experience. Additional information can be obtained at www.fotoskola.lv.

Riga 34th Vocational Secondary School

At Riga 34th Vocational Secondary School, Imants Adlers and various other lecturers have been teaching for 35 years already. The biggest difference from other training places is that training is free, there's even an opportunity to get a scholarship. The duration of training is 6 months. Unfortunately, reviews are not encouraging, but that only indicates that people who go there to learn are not very motivated, because if you want to learn, you need to study, not wait to be fed the necessary information. Unfortunately, it has been heard that after finishing this vocational school, students, although having attended training in a photo studio, can't set up lights because the teacher does it for them. Classes are 2 times a week from 9-12 AM. A positive thing is that willing people are continuously given the opportunity to photograph events and other things. There is a 3-month internship. For the best students, the school finds where to intern, but others have to find themselves where to get internship and references, without which you cannot graduate from school. At the end of training, you need to pass a theoretical exam and in the studio, portrait photography takes place within 15 minutes. After successful tests, the student receives the Professional Qualification Certificate from the Latvian Ministry of Education. Additional information can be obtained at www.r34avskola.lv.

 

Photo Courses

Photo courses are worth attending for those who want to improve their knowledge in a specific photography genre or get basic knowledge. I recommend photo courses for those for whom photography is a hobby and want to gain additional knowledge to raise their level. When choosing photo courses, I recommend paying attention to the total duration, from my experience I can say, the longer the courses, the more they will give you. I also recommend choosing courses based on reviews and the teacher's own photo work level. I personally wouldn't want to go learn from a master whose work doesn't appeal to me. Then over time you can lose motivation and desire to learn. And remember that the "paper" issued by photo courses won't be valid as an official education document.

Photo Club Riga

Photo club "Riga" is one of the oldest photo clubs in Latvia with its own history. Unfortunately, it's no longer as active as before, but the club leader Eiženija Freimane organizes photo courses from time to time. Photo club is located in VEF Culture Palace. Mostly courses are several months long, led by one instructor. A great opportunity to get basic knowledge without spending a lot of money. Additional information can be obtained by calling Ženija at tel.: 29239410.

Photoacademy

Photoacademy is courses with various programs for both beginners and experienced photographers. Thanks to a large range of instructors, it's possible to get superficial information in many areas. By choosing a beginner's course, you will get in-depth information about photo basics. Photoacademy occasionally organizes interesting pleinairs, masterclasses and exhibitions. The downsides include only the high price. Additional information can be obtained at www.fotoakademija.lv

Grigoriy Aleksikov Courses

If Russian language is not an obstacle and the "paper" is not important, but you want to gain knowledge, then I recommend turning to photographer Grigoriy Aleksikov. The total course consists of 3 parts, whose total duration is ~18 months, but it's not obligatory to go through all three parts. The biggest difference from other courses is that the instructor is excellent at teaching and explaining. The downsides include that the instructor really says what he thinks about work, and not everyone can endure it :). I can add that from the starting group I was the only one who held out until the end. This particular photographer gave me the most in terms of photo education.

Photocourses

Training is organized by several old masters. A great place to get basic knowledge. Additional information www.fotokursi.lv

Others

Various links related to photo training, courses and events related to photo:
Good computer courses and Photoshop courses www.datorkursi.lv
RVR photo club www.rvr-foto.lv
Every year interesting pleinairs www.anna-maria.lv
International Photography Summer School www.photoschool.lv
Bendik courses www.bendiks.lv
Courses with photographer www.portreti.lv
Links http://latfoto.lv/saites/20-fotokursi.html
 

 

Conclusion

You can of course learn from books and a huge amount of information, but it doesn't compare to what a real instructor can give.
In conclusion, I would like to say that to go learn, you need to have an inner drive that pulls you to learn everything unlearned, because otherwise you will waste your and other people's time and money. I myself have devoted ~3 years to photo education and 80% of all the colleague-students I saw who studied with me, it was only a short fascination, therefore you need to understand whether you want to connect your occupation with photography, or it's just a hobby. If it's a hobby, then several months of photo courses will be just for you, but if photography has completely consumed you, then it's worth considering one of the photo schools or even studying abroad.

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