It can be difficult to decide which schools for photography rank in the top five in the United States. It depends on what an artist considers to be success in the field.
Schools without at least a minor business focus will not suit someone who is looking primarily to make money in this field. But if a person is more interested in the artistic side of things and not the potential profit, schools that focus solely on art can work very well.
1. In terms of popular schools for this particular field, Boston University tops the charts. It is the best of both worlds, providing students with a widely varied study program combined with the chance to taper the degree on to certain specific topics. Teachers are all professionals or retirees that did well in the industry. It is called the Center for Digital Imaging Arts. This part of Boston University gives students business savvy lessons without scrimping on the artistic focus. This is definitely the most malleable of the top five.
2. Students that prefer to focus on the creativity of this field should consider Pratt Institute. It is a very hands-on program that makes students push their own limits when it comes to the field. It is very hard work, but results in one being a much, much better photographer. The professors and upperclassmen are there to offer feedback for students. Eight semesters of purely photography courses need to be finished along with ones senior project before a degree can be obtained from here.
3. If names are important, going to Brooks Institute of Photography is a good plan. It is an incredibly reputable school in the field. It is very well-known for generating talented and well-educated new photographers, while the whole program revolves around the visual arts. In this way, it offers some variety to students, providing programs for graphic design, photojournalism and filmmaking in addition to photography.
4. For students on a budget, Arizona State University is a wonderful choice. Arizona gives out scholarships to both in and out of state students for great academic achievement-from thousands less in tuition to full rides. Their Herberger Institute of Art is much more selective than the main school, making it more prestigious in the eyes of fellow professionals. If someone is very dedicated and gets good grades, heading to Arizona State is a great plan.
5. Some students feel the need to attend a famous or incredibly well-known school. Yale is one of the best Ivy League photography schools, and offers a very impressive degree to boot. Students can study what they love and still get the reputation of an Ivy League from the Master of Fine Arts program here.
Parker Michaels is a new media consultant and freelance photographer. For more information on schools for photography, visit www.photo-junkie.com.
