Art Schools for PHOTOGRAPHY

jr18 · 01-28-2008, 03:26 PM

Hey

I'm currently searching for colleges that have a developed photography department with a good reputation.
My parents have expressed for me NOT to go to art school, because they feel it's too narrow and I need a "broad" education.

I was considering NYU because they have a photography department. However, it's not very developed and NYU Tisch is really known for their performing arts and cinema departments. I even heard that it's so undeveloped that students are required to take some courses at Parsons. (Anyone know the legitimacy of this??) So, I'm not sure NYU would be a great choice for me.

So far I'm considering Parsons, Pratt, and SVA. I've heard so much about RISD, but I'm not too familiar about it and I'd have to visit Providence to decide whether or not to go there.

Basically, I'm asking for HELP! I really need it! I just need to know if anyone knows of schools, whether it be solely art schools, or regular universities that have a great Photography department.

Also, I need to know the difference between Parsons, SVA, and Pratt.... which one is best.

Thank you to anyone who can help, it will be GREATLY appreciated!!

mythmom · 01-28-2008, 03:27 PM

I would strongly recommend Bard. They have a master's program jointly with International Center of Photography so there department is very strong.

jr18 · 01-28-2008, 03:42 PM

This is true.... I was considering Bard, I think it's good because it's academic & artistic....

HOWEVER, I'm not sure I'd like it because it's very rural there and a very small community. I'm really looking for something urban and lively. It's such a hard decision!

asdfjkl1 · 01-28-2008, 03:53 PM

Parsons! Pratt. I mean, I wish I could go to art school myself. But I was told a big NO a long time ago. Parsons is much more design orientated and some of their degrees may be 2 year or four year. It depends on the program. I consider its strengths to be more fashion/product/interior design.

Pratt is a bit different. It's more actually art school. I consider it much stronger within more traditional art forms actually. It's pretty well known (atleast by me) for its traditional art forms program--namely painting/etc. I think it has a decent photography program too. I don't know about SVU but I think Pratt > Parsons in photography. I've heard that RISD is pretty good but I don't know much about it.

Contrast to what you've heard, I've heard that NYU has a great photography department. It's just I don't know many specifics of it.

But at this point in time, I'd suggest Pratt. Also, it's in Brooklyn in an artsy area. You can dorm there too. Parsons is in Manhattan but I really consider Pratt (which is in Brooklyn) to have much more of an artsy feel. It's much more urban and the plus side, living expenses are much cheaper in Brooklyn! And Manhattan is just a train ride away!

patois · 01-28-2008, 04:08 PM

ok basically the NYC hierarchy for PHOTOGRAPHY ONLY is:

Commercially
SVA > Parsons > Pratt > NYU

Artistically

NYU > SVA > Pratt > Parsons

But instead of asking us, why not crack open a few course guides and see who has the classes you want to take?

MattsMomFL · 01-28-2008, 04:35 PM

What kind of photography would you like to do? If you like macro, Rochester Institute of Technology has a great bio-medical photography concentration that really has a very high job hire rate - something parents can appreciate.

taxguy · 01-28-2008, 08:21 PM

Actually look into SAIC in Chicago. They supposedly have a strong program, and it is located in a major city: Chicago.

rebelxt14 · 01-28-2008, 09:53 PM

Go to the SVA website and request a catalog. It's awesome. They have a lot of cool classes. SVA is way up there on my list of schools to apply to. By the way, I'll also be going for photography. Do you have any photos online? Mine are at Flickr: Photos from Josh McElwee Photography

mythmom · 01-28-2008, 10:51 PM

rebel: My H is a professional photographer, and I think your pictures show a lot of promise.

rebelxt14 · 01-29-2008, 04:22 PM

Thank you. Does your husband have a website?

starbright · 01-29-2008, 08:05 PM

I concur. I used to know a guy who reminds me of you in that he got into photography via skateboarding. He was really into the whole skateboarding thing, and photography all started because he wanted to take pictures of his friends.

He now works for Reuters and mostly does sports, but one year sent me some pix from the Academy Awards, where he was assigned to capture the red carpet close ups. Very cool career possibilities!

azharc · 02-02-2008, 04:27 AM

Hey there, hope I can offer some help, I applied to (for Photography) :
Ringling
CCA
NYU Tisch
RISD
SVA
Pratt
SCAD
Uarts
Parsons
KCAI
Art Center

Considered MICA, SAIC, MassArt but didn't apply.

Got in to most. Aid was the important part so I applied to many to see who can give me the most, and also the top ones, regardless of aid, struggle struggle.

Personally, out of the schools you mentioned it would be :
Parsons > SVA > Pratt
Parsons first, because of the Direct Entry Photography program, and its selectivity when offering admission for direct entry photography.
SVA because if has great courses and faculty, but lots of people have told me that the equipment is outdated, and for Photography, you need to know the ins and outs of photo equip. Also the dorms and quite a walk from the studio.
Pratt, because you have to do Foundations course. I don't like drawing or painting.

Another point, Parsons offers need based aid to internationals. So I lean to them.

NYU does have a fantastic photo programme (so I've heard) and is EXTREMELY selective on admitting people to it. I doubt they would send people to Parsons for courses. I think I would like to learn some cinema with my photo prog.

RISD.... foundations again, but I would go through it just to attend RISD. I have spoken to a few, and get high thoughts about its photo prog. even though RISD isn't known for it. However, they don't offer much (or any at all) aid to internationals, so I don't know if I can attend.

These are just personal opinions, half-based on what I have heard and learn't and just talking to people (as I can't visit).

If you would like to talk mail me at azharc [at] azharc.com

My portfolio is @ www.thedailysunrise.com

Hope that helps =)

believersmom · 02-02-2008, 05:34 PM

Montana State (Bozeman) has an incredible photography program in their school of Media Arts. Many of the schools with photography programs (which are usually within the "Art" department in a LA setting/campus) have only 5-7 photgraphy courses, Montana has 17.

The setting is beautiful and the tuition is reasonable, scholarship money is based upon ACT & HS GPA (no essays, etc.).

Check it out:
www.montana.edu

intell34 · 02-03-2008, 11:14 AM

I second the Bard idea. It is an excellent school, and although your concern about small rural town is justified it is only about an hour by train to NYC. I kind of hoped my son would go there but in the end he is going to RISD.

jr18 · 02-07-2008, 06:36 PM

Thank you everyone who replied! I checked off email notification, but I never got notified!

asdfjkl1:

I'm definitely been looking into Pratt more lately. I like the idea that it seems more scholarly and more broad than Parsons, but it has a clear and distanct artistic feel to it. I also like that it's in Brooklyn, but I hear the area it is in isn't that nice.

azharc:

What do you mean when you say Parsons has a direct entry program? Where did you end up going? Also, your photography is great! It has so much emotion to it. Were they taken in India?

Overall, lately I've been torn between Parsons and Pratt. I will still definitely apply to NYU Tisch, but I'm not sure I will get in. They only accept 36 applicants each year and I don't think my grades are sufficient enough for NYU. I'm still so uncertain between Parsons and Pratt.... I feel like I got mixed opinions on which one is better. I have an interest in fashion photography and plan to persue that.