I came upon an article in PHOTOSHELTER that caught my attention. The article started out by referencing a previous article where multiple "big time pro photographers" were interviewed about what they feel should have been taught in photography school.
While that direction with the article was interesting (and arguably of the greatest interest for pure photographers), it is certainly subject to the lead established by the interviewees. That article could easily be re-written 100 different times with equally as many different citations of educational grievances or regrets based on any given professional's perceived deficiencies. (and BTW it has been written a million times)
Instead, it was something else in the article that pushed the conversation into a slightly more "universal" direction that I found the most interesting. The author mentions attending a lecture by Dr. Yong Zhao. [HERE COMES THE ASTERISK] This goes waaaay beyond photography to general education (as the author asserts) in Creative Professions.
This turns much of what you've accepted as education upside down, and may explain why some folks can attend the same institution as others, and come out with so much more apparent 'educational benefit' than the student in the chair next to them.
- It’s not about what schools should be teaching, it’s about what you should be learning
- Students should figure out how they can be of value to others
- Problem identification is as important as problem solving
- Traditionally useless people are now useful (and vice versa)
- Realize that people consume psychological and spiritual products.
- Create your own job
If you have the time, I M O it's definitely worth a read.
ARTICLE:
http://blog.photoshelter.com/2014/11/what-photographers-really-should-be-learning-in-school/
