<p>Hi, I am wondering what are some good schools for photography in California. I'm more into fashion and commercial photography than I am fine art or photojournalism. </p>
<p>I'm open to any suggestions for art schools, state universities, community colleges, etc. etc. </p>
<p>Money IS an issue for me, so I'd like some ideas on maybe some cheaper alternatives to schools like CalArts. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Also, I know that photography is something that is based on talent and connections and not where you got your education from. However, I think that by being somewhat close to LA would benefit me because I could be making connections in the industry while still in school.</p>
<p>College Confidential is so much more than just the discussion forums. Have you tried this fantastic tool to help answer questions like you have?</p>
<p>[College</a> Confidential Supermatch Tool](<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_search/]College”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_search/)</p>
<p>I did try that, but I was wanting actual opinions about different schools!</p>
<p>look into art center in pasadena, that school caters to commercial fields of study like fashion photography. if you’re not into fine art photo then i’d advise against calarts, ucla, and sfai which are the only other options in cali if you want an education in photo but they lean more, if not completely, towards fine art. the other alternative to art center is maybe something like brooks. with commercial what you want to develop is your technical skills and both art center and brooks and even any community college will train you in a vocational manner where technique is the emphasis and not necessarily concepts. art center is pretty expensive though. ultimately though, if you’re serious about being good at commercial photography i’d still consider fine art programs because it’s possible for them to inform your commercial practice and make you stand out. however, most of these programs are very independent and minimal in terms of teaching technique.</p>
<p>Do you know anything about the community colleges? I have looked into East Los Angeles College, Los Angeles City College, and Los Angeles Trade-Tech College. However, I don’t know which would be the best. Money is kind of an issue. I’d rather go really cheap. I know that getting into the field is based on talent and skill, so I wouldn’t mind a college that focuses mainly on technical education. I’d like to eventually transfer into a school like UCLA and get a degree in something for a fall-back, like marketing or something. Thanks!</p>
<p>If you’re looking at community colleges, Santa Monica College is definitely the way to go. I’m pretty sure their photo department rivals most undergrad schools in the whole country, at least in the technical resources that they offer. I know that classes all around are pretty impacted though, but if you wanna save money and transfer into somewhere like UCLA, SMC is the strongest place around.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information! I’ll be sure to check out SMC. </p>
<p>Does anyone else have any other advice?</p>