Photography courses or major?

[Jackie]

I'm thinking about trying to make photography a career focus. I know a lot of photography is just having a knack for it, but there is still a lot of basics that need to be learned. If I want to make a career of doing portraits and weddings and the likes, do I need to major in it, or is just taking courses sufficient? If it's just a few courses, I don't know what level I should start with? I have a basic understanding of ISO, Aperture, etc but I know I'm not a pro and don't know everything about it. Just how basic IS basic? I'm looking at courses on betterphoto.com, if anyone has any experience with them. Would I be better off taking a course in person?

 

[Candid Chris]

As Basic as Basic can be. Learn everything you can, not necessarily everything about photography but all aspects of this universe we live in.

You seem to have a destination already planned, enjoy the journey.

 

[achillesvo]

Its better to have a degree in it. With the digital age now, so many people are buying up dslrs and reading the manual and making a living doing weddings and "the likes". It will be very difficult for you to compete with so many others doing the same. Though, in photography school, they teach you more than just taking a picture and how to develop it. You will learn conceptually and how to develop as an artists. This development will improve your pictures and help you develop a style thats different from all the other photographers out there and give you an edge over them. Also, you'll have that nice piece of paper they call a degree to show and who knows where that and a nice portfolio will land you.