<p>So I have several questions that are all sort of interlinked by photography, but even if your focus isn't on photography, any advice or suggestions would be highly appreciated. So heres the deal: I am currently a freshman at a liberal arts school, but I would like to transfer to an art school and major in photography, even though I am only in my first semester of photography ever. I took all the art classes my high school offered (only three), but despite not having much "training", artistic talent sort of runs in my family, so I think I have potential and creativity to make up for the lack of technical skills. My questions then are:
-How strong is Pratt's photography department? (I am interested in Fine Art photography, not photojournalism or commercial photography)
-I have never put together a portfolio, and my dad (who is an artist) knows nothing about photography, so what should I do?
-What are the Nat'l Portfolio Days like?
-What is Pratt like overall? How does foundation year work for tranfers?
-Also do you think that I am screwed, given my lack of experience?</p>
<p>-Also, Sketchbooks? Everyonne always reccomends to bring them to Nat'l Portfolio Days, but I don't draw, should I hurry and complete one? I do sometimes do mini-collages that someday I hope to apply the concepts and ideas in them to my photos, should I make a book of those since it is kind of like a sketchbook?</p>
<p>weatherwoman-
I don't have advice for you, I am just not that knowledgeable about the process, sorry. But I am wondering if you feel comfortable sharing, what is prompting the change? How did you end up at an LAC if art is your thing? I ask because my D is struggling with this decision as well (LAC vs. Art School). You can also pm me if that would be better. I am trying to counsel her and your input would be helpful.</p>
<p>My D did do NPD and it was VERY helpful for her, but you might want to do a search about it as this has been discussed and not everyone feels the way she does. My impression about the sketch books (my D is mostly a photographer too) is that it is more to show how art is a part of your daily life, kind of an "Art Diary". D is taking two classes right now where they are required and it seems to be part insight and part creating discipline; not really something you can "hurry up and make", I don't think. But you could hurry up and start one. Perhaps explain that you only recently decided to take the initiative and begin "journaling" your art.
Hope this helps.</p>
<p>There are two reasons I ended up at a Liberal Arts school.
1.) I wasn't entirely certain if art was something I wanted to do, I was the "smart one in the family" so academics had always been first to art. It was what came to me most easliy, but now having experienced liberal arts school, the amount of boring, mundane work that still does not interest me, the unpassionate people, I am certain that art is the only option for me.
2.) I go to Simon's Rock College of Bard, which is the only school of its kind in the US (and I think in the world for that matter). SRC students are all high school age students who didn't find high school challenging enough, so they decide to come here. Most students transfer after two years to top-tier schools, but a few, like me, transfer after only one year.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if that is helpful or not.</p>
<p>Also I have actually already read through all 25 pages of threads and haven't really found answers specific tomost of my questions and the ones that are, are almost two years old and so may not be entirely acurate.</p>
<p>I am not sure what you mean by "journaling", but I have always kept my best work together in a drawer, so I have it, it's just not put together. However, I don't really want to include any of my paintings, drawings, sculptures, etc. because they aren't my strong points and I would like to keep the focus on my photographs.</p>
<p>Oh, that is interesting (about Simon's Rock).</p>
<p>Again, my knowledge is limited (I am just the mom along for the wild ride), but what I think you are missing about the sketch book is that unlike a portfolio, it is not about your "best" it is about your process. My D is not a drawer, painter, or sculptor(it is all about the photo for her, and maybe a little pottery thrown in), however, she has examples of this type of work because she has tried it. Also in the sketch book, she has notes about why she tried it (an assignment, curious, inspired) and how she felt about it afterward. Instead of journal, what about "diary"? Think of it as your art diary. Also in the sketch book, she has documented how she got to some of her best photography, the print that developed too grainy, how she "burned" it different in the dark room, the before and after. Again, my take from observation is that the reviewer does not want to see just the finished product, they want a sense of your artistic journey.</p>
<p>The threads about NPD are pretty dead-on, even the old comments. There isn't awhole lot of variance from year to year. My D only went about a month ago and it was pretty much what we expected from what I had read here.</p>
<p>Anyone else want to weigh in here? Someone with more experience?</p>
<p>// My questions then are: - How strong is Pratt's photography department? (I am interested in Fine Art photography, not photojournalism or commercial photography)//</p>
<p>A good natured word of caution; how on earth will you earn a living as a fine art photographer? What do you think you mean by Fine Art Photography? The commercial side can be significantly creative, and not, as well. But ultimately, one must broach the dark, uh, commercial side in order to make a living. There is no getting around it.</p>
<p>Thanks for your worry, but I am interested in learning fine art photography, (which by the way does not mean I will be a fine art photographer) I am first an artist, then a photographer. I do realize that I may one day have to do commercial work to earn a living and I have no problem with this, some of my favorite contemporary photographers (including my most favorite photographer ever), still sometimes do commercial work, despite the fact that they are well known artists.
Also I know that commercial photography can be creative, 90s era United Colors of Bennetton ads are a prime example of that.</p>
<p>I know five or six very successful photographers. The one selling his art photos for +$20K is independently wealthy. One is an insanely successful portrait photographer. The others are architectural photographers--also financially successful.</p>
<p>But theya re among the tiny percentage to make a living from photography. It's a very tough road financially--not the least because the equipment is so darned expensive.</p>
<p>btw...The fine artist did not study photography at college. I don't think he went to college in fact. He studied in the studio of the world famous photographer.</p>