IOP Student Ann Jacobs completed the Professional Diploma in Photography and this is her photography course review.
Having been to adult education for their basic 8-week course on ‘getting to grips with your DSLR, I then did the improvers course but found it to be rather basic and without any real direction.
I felt I needed a more full-time course but on a part-time basis to enable me to fully understand photography. Sadly there is no such course available in any of the colleges full or part-time for a mature student, so I started looking for online courses. I felt that an online course would be flexible and that it would fit with my lifestyle.
My main concern was that it might have to be completed within a stipulated timescale. I liked the idea of online as I could replay or re-read each section to gain a better understanding.
To be able to learn at my speed and at a time that was beneficial to me was a real bonus.
Also, being able to contact the tutor by email was less threatening than being in a classroom with other students, this can be particularly favourable and less daunting for those of us who have been out of the classroom for many years.
After much research and many phone calls, I found IOP to give the best information, and the IOP course appeared to have the best structure. Reading through the web site, it became apparent that IOP was a professional company that specialises in photography.
It was refreshing to note that as long as you logged on at least once a year, your course would remain active. This must be a bonus for those prospective students who work full-time. For me being retired no such problem but I still wanted to enjoy my daily life and not give up any of my activities. So I signed up.
Since embarking on the course, I found my photography improved with each module as I tried out the various techniques. Some of the techniques may not have been as interesting to me as others, but I persevered.
Portraits hold no interest for me unless it is of an animal. The tutor did allow me to submit a portrait of an animal and I was delighted the course was flexible enough to work with the students’ interests.
I have tried another online course which focused on the natural world, but I found the feedback either non-existent or given several weeks after the initial query.
I did not continue, and no one has ever contacted me to see if I was still interested. I think the problem with this course was the structure. It was available to purchase one module at a time, so you never got to see the whole course. It was not expensive but with hindsight a waste of money.
The tutor support at IOP is exceptional. Emails are answered within 48 hours, assignments usually within ten days. The online chat is a huge bonus even if it does get busy at times. The tutors do try to keep on top of things, not always easy. If I have ever found a question not answered during online chat time I just sent an email and had it replied to asap. This type of support is a testament that IOP are experts in the field of photography and genuinely interested in the progress of the student.
My work has improved with the tutor advice and suggestions and also having tutors with knowledge of a different genre as is the case of Tim and Phil is beneficial. The feedback given on assignments is constructive, and this helps one to revisit an area to make improvements.
Overall the course has given me the confidence to discuss photography with like-minded people. Before retirement, I lectured in further education on Early Childhood Studies and now use my photography skills to help beginners to understand their DSLR’s. I belong to my local U3A photography group and regularly meet up with beginners who are interested in wildlife to give them help and advice.
I would recommend IOP to anyone interested in taking up photography whether it is for a possible career change or as a hobby. For me, it is a hobby, and the ongoing support helps to keep me interested.
IOP® Says…
Ann has grown as a photographer since joining IOP almost five years ago. She has gained a lot of confidence through her success as a macro photographer, specialising in flora and fauna. Ann’s dedication and determination in getting the shot are built on a broad knowledge of her subjects and their habitat as well as skill with the camera and lens. She is a valued member of the IOP Community, and we wish her every success with her photography.
Tim McCann, Course Director
You can see more of Ann’s work here.
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