Apprenticeships

[Egon159]

Hey everyone, I was just wondering if there was such a thing as a Photography Apprenticeship these days? And if not why not? I know there are a lot of enthusiasts and amateurs out there and indeed a lot of professionals. There are also a few courses, although from what I can gather very few are pure photography courses and are generally part of Arts degrees and there doesn't seem to be any set requirements for online courses to meet. It all seems a bit hodge podge for my liking. I would have thought that in this day and age of regulating bodies and such, there would have been some sort of guideline of required qualification to be a Pro photographer. And surely an apprentice trained within the industry by an experienced Professional Photographer would be more use and more skilled than a talented amateur?

It would be good to hear what other people think on this. From Pro photographers and others associated with the industry and amateurs alike. Wouldn't it be to everyones benefit, the clients and publishers, the models, joe public, everybody; to know that the photographer has been trained to a specific standard and has a certain degree of experience and dare I say regulated to act in accordance to a certain set of professional standards? And if the standards and core skills are set on paper then maybe it will give amateurs and enthusiasts an idea or benchmark to work towards, either for personal fulfilment or if they are considering becoming a Professional themselves.

I have quite often heard negative things from friends and other people in general about such and such a photographer was good or bad or whatever (Ive heard good things too, before I get shouted at!)... and indeed its quite frequent to hear other photographers complaining about photographers giving the industry a bad name. Certainly with respect to wedding photography and in some cases Portraits and fashion/model portfolios. Maybe its time to get together and maybe set things down on paper and maybe start working together for the good of the industry as well as the good of the hobby and the people that partake in it and for the good of the public that make use of the services of the professional photographer?

Again, its just my thoughts. God help me if Ive opened a can of worms here.

I must add that I am in no way associated with the industry and not a professional. Hell Im not even a talented amateur, its just a query, there may well be a something already in place. Anyway, it would be good to see everyones thoughts on the subject.

Richard.

[Egon159]

Well I must say Im surprised and a little disappointed that nobody has commented on this post. Do that many people really not think its worth commenting on or is it more a case that no one really cares about the hobby and industry as a whole and would prefer to just focus on what they are doing?

I must say I find that a little unsettling.

[Rosie]

Perhaps a more concise post would generate more of a reaction...

[marcusrichphoto]

I've certainly seen apprenticships, or assistant roles advertised, I've applied for jobs with Rankin, albeit unsucessfully, but they're certainly out there. I'm just about to apply for another, but I ain't telling where or who with

[NigelD]

Perhaps a more concise post would generate more of a reaction...

Your post is concise Rosie and has generated a response - I agree with you...

[Egon159]

Thanks for the replies. To be honest I thought I was being 'concise' but hay ho, what appears good in the head may not appear good on paper (or in this case on the screen)! lol. Marcus - thanks for letting me know that such things are out there! Although Ive not come across them, I must be looking in the wrong places lol. Good luck with getting your apprenticeship mate.

Rich