Comments on: Proud Photography – a Review

By: Dustie

Dustie — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:53:10 +0000

I decided not to take the course at this time (money restraints) but it does look interesting. I did want to comment on the affiliate idea and the fact that most who blog or build websites are looking to make money. Since when did it become a “bad thing” to want to make money? People seem to go out of their way to not have to “pay” for anything on the web. Come on people…do you go through the rest of your life expecting to have things handed to you on a silver platter?

Thousand…no millions…no, multi millions of people build websites, make videos, blog, share they knowledge with YOU and others on the net and, although many enjoy doing it, most hope to get something in return..even if it’s a few dollars to help to pay hosting fees. Some do very well making money on the net, and even other’s have struck it rich with the right idea on the web.

It’s because there is potiential to make money on the web, either via affiliations, google ads, or direct sales, that we have thousands upon thousands websites in which to visit and learn from. The internet is the pinnacle of free trade and commerce and I say, rather then run from it, embrace it and rejoice in the fact that there’s money to be made on the net, if not by you, then at least by millions of others.

I live by the motto…IF A SITE MAKES YOU GLAD, CLICK ON AN AD! That’s how they get paid for having put up useful information for you or selling you a product at a price that’s right for you. And clicking on ads has led me to some interesting places, beside the fact that it cost me nothing more then the click of the mouse!

Hurrah for the internet, ads and all!

By: April

April — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 18:43:39 +0000

I have learned over the years by a lot of practicing on how to make fantastic photos with a Nikon point a shoot camera. This year I finally get my DSLR camera. Now I need to learn my new DSLR camera and looking for a place to learn.

By: Nikki

Nikki — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:25:51 +0000

I do photography simply for fun and really wanted to learn so basics. This course was very helpful for me as a biginner who really wanted to understand the basics and become familiar with my SLR. This course also provides teachings for people with point and shoot camera’s as well as film. I really enjoyed and I felt that it was a great starter course.

By: Roo du Jardin

Roo du Jardin — Sat, 01 May 2010 02:17:29 +0000

This is a late post but couldn’t resist my opinion on James’ comment. Every person in this world is a unique individual and therefore will have different learning needs, methods, interests and endeavors. I have been a professional photographer for 35 years and I must say that I am continually learning. It didn’t stop with my first course. I started my own business without any photographic training and went for it. And there are many gifted self taught photographers out there. Initially I did a short course similar to what is offered on and off the web, as I realized there were huge gaps in my skill set. I then did a 3 year degree. Then a 2 year post grad. Then a masters. Then – I have lost count – many additional specialist courses. I will still take a course now 35 years later if it interests me. If you don’t think you need to continue learning in this vast industry, you’re not really that interested anyway.

By: Angie

Angie — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:34:58 +0000

I was impressed with the forum of ProudPhotography. You seem to get a LOT of detailed feedback there…. if not the course. I am considering purchasing it. HOWEVER, could someone please help me find a good course that would cover the main issue I am having. I am one person who has really learned to make a point-and-shoot camera do backflips. At least I BELIEVE i have. I have the most amazing concert photography shots, and the artist uses my photos for magazines, publications of all kinds, and even his CD’s and tour posters, etc. Now, I’m off on a different course, and that is NASCAR races. I have to learn to catch these cars better. I’m so excited.

I’m so ADHD, and I’ve had trouble all my life really absorbing the concept of speed, aperture settings… all of that. So, since I can’t seem to “get it,” I can’t recall when I’m at the track, or even at a conert, how to change a setting. I end up on a programmed setting. Can anyone advise me? Or do I sound hopeless. Again, I’m so impressed with what I have taken, but often I couldn’t reproduce the same results. I guess I just have an “eye” for the good shots.

Thanks so very much. I have been approached about doing some work and maybe FINALLY getting paid for some of my photography. I need to get this speed thing down quickly. The racing season is short to be trying to LEARN on the fly.

Angie

By: drtorres

drtorres — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:30:39 +0000

I took this course and wasn’t super impressed. There are many books that provide much more information and I did not find the feedback on the few assignments that I submitted super valuable. It was usually a very limited response with minimal constructive feedback. I was hoping to get some good critques– but I guess they were fearful of either offending me or not telling to the truth– so they kept the feedback at a minimum to avoid either.

I was disappointed. There was no real interactivity– just some quiz-like lessons based on what you read. I have read and reread loads of information about exposure, composition, etc…this was just that same information rehashed with a few questions included. Nothing new, nothing creative, I didn’t learn anything that I haven’t read about here and on other free photography forums.

I have; however, found the site http://www.scphoto.com to be valuable. It is actually a course created for distant-education for high school students– but the information is rich and the feedback is great. It is $75…but again– intended for beginners, which I definitely am. It has much more interactivity (the course is created on the same platform as proud photography– Moodle– but the features are used more thoroughly)…but again, it is for beginners who are just exloring the world of digital photography.

By: Luke

Luke — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:38:53 +0000

Its definitely a simple course now that I have research and read a lot about photography since taking the course. However, I knew absolutely nothing regarding photography and decided to give it a try. For the $99.00, I found it was more than worth it as it gave me a real good base and understanding of the basics. The modules are somewhat easy but thats exactly what I needed. I would forsure recommend it for anyone whos knowledge of cameras, lighting, composition, etc. is limited. As well, they were quick to reply and very helpful.
Luke

By: Jake

Jake — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:50:03 +0000

Hey peter,

do you have a flickr page?

I would love to see some photos….

thanks a ton btw for the Jodies Coston’s free course …. this is just what I was looking for…..

thanks again…

Jake

By: Peter Emmett

Peter Emmett — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:26:01 +0000

I think that Darren maintains an excellent site here and one that has a wealth of information for people to learn from. There are a few other good sites with a wealth of information on as well.

The main problem with content on the web in terms of learning photography is that it is a one way flow of information – one that left me very frustrated as I couldn’t ask questions about the content of the course and didn’t know if I was improving or not. This is the main point which James missed you can read a whole load of stuff but it doesn’t mean that you are learning.

This doesn’t mean the content is bad, but learning is a two way flow of information and feedback, which is what most online content does not give for free, and for a very good reason – time is money.

I offered my course for Point and Shoot cameras for two reason (1) there is not a lot of information out there specifically for point and shoot cameras (2) there are some quick wins to improving photography without having to learn the history of photography or the inverse-square law for light intensity.

My aim is to get people to realize that using a point and shoot camera can produce some good images and help them get interested in learning more, either by themselves or through other courses. I do this for free, because I have a full time job which pays my bills and it helps me with my full time hobby of photography. The only downside of taking my course is that it can take a few days to get feedback on each lesson – so if you’re in a rush you may get frustrated

You are welcome to try out my course, however the other course which I always recommend is Jodies Coston’s Free Online Photography Course -http://www.morguefile.com/docs/Classroom. This is probably the best free course I have found and thoroughly recommend reading the material a couple of times and also doing the assignments.

Have a great week.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:12:20 +0000

I have followed Darren (Problogger) for years and understand that he makes a living providing "information" to his readers, if it applies to them. He has done damn good at it, helping me elevate some projects out of mundane-ness. Commenting on his transparency actually offended me! Transparency wasn't necessary. Conflict of interest? This isn't big government contracting... its an educational site. Listen everyone who starts a blog account wants to make cash. People write post to make cash. People bombard their sites with ads to make cash. But it is up to you to research on your own, period. Darren maintains this site to, you guessed it, make cash (OK not exclusively)! Darren stated in the summary of the review; "The lessons are short and to the point, but the information can be useful." When I read this two things popped in my mind: Short and to the point, positive. Can be useful, negative. If it's short and to the point then it SHOULD be useful but with the addition of "can" required me to dig deeper and truthfully I'll take the wait and see approach. Maybe the course will elevate into something special. On that note Peter Emmett has a course on his site for us unworthy point and shoot users that looks promising if he will indeed critique submitted work. I own a Fujifilm 1000 sd which I love and want to take it to the next level by learning the manual settings. I just want to properly photograph events for my blog with a photojournalist mindset. To Emmett: Whether or not you agree, James has a solid and valid point which you justify, with what seems to be an excellent "free" photography course... Yes, I thought Proud Photography was the answer and yes Darren's review almost had me but even with my level of respect from him I still research on my own and Emmett's course probably is worth that of Proud Photography. Forgive the wordy post.