Good very early morning to you Mr. Stone!
Hmmm. Maybe my Texan does not translate well up there, or the jist of what I am saying is coming across different that what I am trying to convey. I am pulling for ya! That was a failed attempt at humor there... "take two aspirin"
I don't think you will be limited to learning only one subject in school. So, your "plan b" could just as well be something that has enough demand that you will never be at a loss for good employment, esp. if you exit school with debt. With debt and finances in mind, going to school in state may be a godsend, if the tuition differences are like what they are here for in state vs. out of state.
My Grandson starts college in the fall in state, and my niece just got accepted by schools both here in Texas, and at the school in Greeley Co. for her masters. She felt, ( as many college applicants do ) that out of state schools are somehow better, she chose to go out of state.
Higher tuition, more debt, and in a profession she has chosen that the pay is not the best.
Just last week I talked to a guy who's Daughter in Colorado is going to go to Texas Tech, cause she feels its better than the schools there... And Texas kids thinking that University of Norther Colorado, is somehow "better" etc. The grass is always greener . .
And I fell for it also. Years ago, right out of HS, I wanted to go to Spartan School of Aeronautics - Ended up getting my commercial ticket at a FAA approved part 141 school right in here in town and saved 20K back in the late 70's. ( HUGE amount of dollars in the late 70's. )
Back then I would have told you that I would have been a better pilot had I gone to Spartan. Today, some 35 years later, I don't think so. I had the benefit of some old pilots / instructors, that were retired ATP or military guys. Learned things from them that I could not have learned from less experienced pilots.
The fact is, most people end up not working in the field they have their degree in, and Most employers don't really give a rats -something- where you went to school, and other than jobs within the hard sciences - what you got your degree in does not really matter. But those things really only come into play when your working for someone else.
If you plan on eventually having your own business as most photographers do, it's all a moot point, as previously mentioned, you need a good portfolio, and a *large* amount of ability to sell yourself.
So, by all means go to school. Btw, I was blessed to have a relative who was a commercial photographer in Austin. He helped with by having a large lab and studio - But most was learned curled up with a few hundred good books over a period of 2 - 3 years.. Kodak technical manuals, etc.
Really, man, I want you to succeed. Keep the fire burning.
If there are any good schools in NY that teach photography, and they are less expensive than out of state tuition, I would do that and read everything I could get my hands on. There is no magic bullet in education afaik. Success is more about the hard work you invest in yourself than what school you attend. School gets you the foundation - but your hard work in the field will build the house.
Regards,
Blaine
