When I took the decision to improve my photographic skills I knew that I would need some professional help. I have been a reader of photographic magazines and books for several years. While these have helped me improve my photography to its current level I believe that some tuition and personal feedback on the photographs I take would be beneficial.

There are several options open to people seeking to improve their photographic skills. The first option I considered was attending an evening course or a City & Guilds at the local college. However most evening courses appeared to be aimed at the complete beginner while the City & Guilds is aimed at those after a vocational qualification to help in their pursuit of a photographic career. I gave the City & Guilds course some thought even though I do not intend to pursue a career in photography. In the end I decided against it as the feedback from students indicated that it was a bit chaotic in its organisation. (I wrote this in early 2002, so the situation regarding City & Guilds may have changed since then). In addition, I cannot commit the time to attend college on a regular basis due to the demands of work (something has to pay for all the film and gadgets that photographers use!)

The solution appeared to be offered by the correspondence courses advertised in photographic magazines. There were two front runners: the New York Institute of Photography and the Bureau of Freelance Photographers. I sent away for information from  these two organisations to compare their offerings.

NYIP v BFP

The difference between these two courses can be summed up as one of emphasis. The Bureau of Freelance Photographers places the emphasis on teaching how to produce saleable photographs and then get them to the right markets. The New York Institute of Photography also covers selling photographs but its main emphasis is on improving the student's ability to take good photographs in the first place.

The New York Institute of Photography and the Bureau of Freelance Photographers both issue comprehensive information packs to prospective students, and these are recommended to anyone considering one of their courses. The NYIP will even send you a sample lesson to help you decide whether their method of tuition suits your learning style.

The choice of photography tuition will largely be a personal one, so I would recommend that you contact the providers involved and get further information from them.