Photography School Online

[salmon78]

Does anyone have any recommendations for taking photography classes online. I live in SF and I know that the Academy of Art offers a pretty comprehensive online-only graduate degree program (that's not to say I'm looking for a graduate degree, or any degree for that matter), but I've heard some not so great things about the school. Since they offer a complete online degree program, I figured that other schools did as well, and I was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations. FYI, I have no formal art training, but I've been taking photography pretty seriously for over 10 years. I would say that my technical knowledge is quite good, but probably doesn't compare to someone with a relevant degree in photography.
Thanks.

[thompsonkirk]

The RayKo Photo Center on 3d Street has wonderful digital & analog facilities in SF & offers lots of classes. And the City of SF's Harvey Milk Photo Center is going to reopen at the end of the year after a big renovation. If you're not seeking a degree, these might be more personal ways of learning than on-line courses - & less expensive than Academy of Art.

For courses at schools/colleges, in particular check out Steve Raskin, who is chair of the photo department at SF City College & is an excellent teacher & critic. I belong to the Bay Area Photographers Collective (www.bapc.info), & we've several times had him visit us as an outside critic of members' work. SF Art Institute also offers courses for the community. (Unfortunately UC Extension, which had a great photo program, has pretty much gone out of the photo business since losing their Vallejo St building.)

And if you like to work in a documentary mode, check out PhotoVision, run by Ken Light of the UC Journalism Dept & Melanie Light.

Kirk

[salmon78]

Thanks for the info. There are some really good options there. What have you heard about AAI?

[salmon78]

By the way, your Untitled #4 (checkers) is really cool. Great shot.

[salmon78]

If anyone else has any opinions on the Academy of Art in SF I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.