How impressed should I be?

In My Humble Opinion
1

A friend just graduated from the Hallmark Institute of Photography, and I’m wondering just how impressed I should be with her accomplishment. The camera they supply the students with runs about $25,000 according to their website. But I’m a skeptical person, and while I’m enormously proud of her in general, I’d still like to know whether I need to bow down and kiss her feet, or how big a loan I’m going to have to get in order to have her take some decent pictures of me, or photograph my daughter’s wedding.

Opinions, please…is this place really the best? Is she fantastic for being admitted, or just able to pay?

And in case it isn’t clear, I do think she’s amazingly gifted.

2

Well here’s an opinion from one Hallmark graduate:

I’m, um, less than impressed… :dubious:

3

Gangsta + net-shorthand, owww… clutches at brain

But anyways, I wouldn’t be too worried about the school. If u think her pic are crazy sick…

If you think her photos are good, and she seems happy with the school and graduating, I would just go with the flow and not care too much about the “Official Standing” of the school as per the rest of the world.

4

Thanks for that link, Crafter Man, I learned a lot there…especially that the guy you quoted is very touchy when criticized about his language skills (hey, he’s making lots of money and that’s all that counts!). I also learned that while you have to submit a portfolio, you don’t have to know anything about cameras…they assume you know nothing, and start with the basics. So that sort of answered one of my questions…since they take just about anyone, it’s not a prestige thing to be able to get in. And I learned that at age 48, she was probably one of the oldest students there, if no older than the staff.

But what I’d really like to know is, does the fact that you graduated from there (and assisted Andrew Eccles, which it seems a lot of them do) confer any special status upon you in the world of photographers? Or is it just another school, albeit one that makes sure you are prepared to start your own business the day you leave?

5

kittenblue:

I don’t know the answer to your question. But here are some more thoughts on the issue:

  • This is a for-profit school. My guess is that they’ll take just about anyone who ponies up the cash.

  • Graduating from Hallmark (or any photography school) will probably give a person a leg-up when applying for a position as a photographer at a company.

  • A *really * smart & talented person who wants to be a photographer probably doesn’t need to attend such a school.

  • IMO it’s doubtful such a school would benefit a seasoned photographer who wants to start his/her own business.