The following is the mail reply given by a student photographer to a parent of an aspiring Ambitions4 photography Academy student who wants to do the one year diploma course.
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Is ‘Ambitions’ as stated accredited by Canon? |
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Yes, the Ambitions Photography Academy is accredited by Canon as its professional training centre. Recently the institute has also become ISO 9001 certified. |
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| 2. |
Is it a standard institute which you can recommend? |
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In India most of the best photography institutes are concentrated in and around the metros, though there are a few exceptions. As for as Chennai and South India is concerned, ‘Ambitions’ ranks among the best. Personally I feel I have gained immensely from this place and I would definitely recommend the institute to any person interested in serious photography. |
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| 3. |
Are you confident after doing the course? |
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I haven’t completed the course; I am in the final module. I feel pretty confident about whatever I have learnt till now. A person who enters the institute with zero knowledge of camera will definitely feel confident as he/ she moves along. This is because students are given a variety of tasks and they do it not once or twice but many times. |
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| 4. |
Do they give you sufficient practical training? |
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The orientation of the institute is to learn by doing, from the day one. We have theory classes and each and every theory component is followed by the practical component. Practicals range from shooting models or products in a comfortable studio environment to photo story assignments or assisting the teacher in commercial jobs. |
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| 5. |
Do they satisfy you of your doubts? |
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The biggest plus of the institute is the student teacher interaction. The faculty and the resources of the institute are open to the students morning to evening, 7 days of the week. The uniqueness in Mr Raja’s classes are that he knows the in and out about every student, both the pluses and minuses and the evaluation of a student is not on a competitive basis with others but more on building on the strengths of a person.
As for as doubts in specific areas are concerned, at the end of weekly assignments, a review session is conducted in the projection room. The teacher comments about the positives and the area where the student can improve. This process is repeated for every student in the class. Thus one learns from the successes and mistakes of others as well. |
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| 6. |
What are the job opportunities after doing this course? |
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One can work as a freelance photographer, a photojournalist working for magazines, as advertising and commercial photographer, fashion photographer, wedding and social events photographer or can choose to specialize in cinematography. By the end of the course every person has a comprehensive portfolio which is the main tool for marketing one’s services to an individual, company or advertising agencies. Jobs would depend on portfolio, contacts and marketing. Alternatively one can choose to assist the topmost photographers and the institute puts the students in contact with these photographers through their internship programs at the end of the course. |
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