Unemployed, Retired? Here's a great way to spend time..

dwdmguy · Mar 26, 2009

Just food for thought, that's all.
Community Colleges still teach film photography with Darkrooms for both developing and printing.
Maybe you will be able to benefit and qualify for Financial Aid.

I worked every day of my life and because of a kick butt illness found myself ill. I'm 48 now, back in college, photography major and I very well may have a grant to go to Costa Rica to take two intensive classes in Photography specifically the rain forest. The opportunities are limitless.
Plus at my age it's a great way to be social, meet people and not only learn but get new ideas.

I can learn from everyone, from a 17 year old freshman to of course a wonderful professor.

Tom

Jeff Kubach · Mar 26, 2009

Great idea, but for me the community college near where I live is closing down it's photography program.

Jeff

dwdmguy · Mar 26, 2009

I'm sorry to hear that Jeff.
Here's another option. Most community colleges offer a weekend class that is NON-credited. That is that anyone in the community can attend. Now the interesting part here is that you may be able to contact them and see if they would like you to teach a class. I was asked and they can even pay you. So there may be an option to spend some time having fun, teaching people and getting a bit of change.
But anyway, it's sad that they would cancel the class in school.
I'm also scheduled / registered to attend "Art Appreciption" for photography. Is it possible that your school has this?
A lot of sucessful photographers are drawing artists as well. So there is always a drawing class too.
t

jp80874 · Mar 26, 2009

Check your state. State funded colleges in Ohio have a 60+ program where if there are available seats in a class, there is no charge for tuition if you are over 60 years old. You do pay for parking, a lab fee if there is one and a small teacher fee. "Available seats" can be a problem because schools are filling up, but I have taken 16 courses, mostly photo or art related since 2003. The profs see how motivated you are and view that as a pleasant change. They hope it will be contagious and make room for you once they get to know you. This is a non credit audit program, but I got a degree 40 years ago so it is purely for the pleasure of learning. The coeds are a little more attractive than you meet at church bingo though.

John Powers

dwdmguy · Mar 26, 2009

John, that is so well put. My history professor digs that I'm there because I act like I'm a sponge. Always in the discussion. But the young students just kind of sit there. He told me a lot of professors have given up. But, it's great for me because he gives me everything I won't.

There are so many programs out there for the student that wants to learn. I have no interest in the degree, but I'll get one, it's the journey I'm after. Plus, I've never darkroom printed before so this is great fun for me, plus I'll always have acess to the darkroom as needed.
Tom

DWThomas · Mar 26, 2009

Ah yes, here in Pennsylvania, those of us 65 or older can take community college classes for just the fees -- currently about $19 per credit hour. I've done ceramics work, but not any photography. They do have classes using a wet darkroom, in fact it's just been rebuilt bigger and better. In ceramics, seniors have been able to audit advanced courses semester after semester. I get the impression part of the reason that's allowed is that many of us older and more experienced types are able to provide help to students in the open studio sessions.

There are definitely opportunities worth checking out.

DaveT

Sirius Glass · Mar 26, 2009

In California, if you are in unemployment and take a class, even if you will drop the class when a job starts, you are ineligible for unemployment! Not a real incentive to the unemployed to learn new skills.

Steve

dwdmguy · Mar 26, 2009

That's great that they actually made the dark-room bigger. I'm getting the slight feeling that Film is becoming, almost a "fad" now. And jp, yup, the co-ed's a always pretty nice to share class with but sometimes I feel like a dirty old man and I'm not doing, thinking or even saying anything. In two of my classes there is not one student over 20. Well, yeah for me I guess.

dwdmguy · Mar 26, 2009

P.S. And I have a good feeling that the Pell Grants are going to get a big boost this year so everyone should keep an eye out. Again, it's a great way to be social and be active not to mention just learning from everyone else.

jeroldharter · Mar 26, 2009

I am happy that photography lives on in community colleges. However, using tax money to subsidize Costa Rican photography trips is wrong.

dwdmguy · Mar 26, 2009

Jerold, then I'm glad I'm using grant monies, private grant monies to go. That being said I do think photography study under a financial aid package would be ok, but that's a thread for another time and another place, not here. What Jim Balog is doing in the Antartic right now is a prime example.

jd callow · Mar 26, 2009

I'm inclinded to believe that it would be better if we made college educations free at public institutions for all, before we start handing out individual grants. Since we are a ways away from free college, individual grants will have to do. The gov't wastes a lot of money, but money spent on education is never a waste. My older brother paid for a good portion of his Master's via grants, My oldest sister got her masters free from the state of California. I believe both have paid the country back many times over.

FWIW I have been going back to college off and on for 25 years (on my own dime and I'm not retired or unemployed) and as soon as i have the chance to I'll be returning. Continuing (or never stopping) your education is a great suggestion and worthy pursuit. The country and the world would be a better place if we kept trying to improve ourselves.

jeroldharter · Mar 27, 2009

dwdmguy said:
Jerold, then I'm glad I'm using grant monies, private grant monies to go. That being said I do think photography study under a financial aid package would be ok, but that's a thread for another time and another place, not here. What Jim Balog is doing in the Antartic right now is a prime example.

My mistake. Sorry for that.

RoNinHeart · Mar 27, 2009

I've been auditing photography classes for several years at my local college. Wanted to learn what to do with my Dad's old cameras.

Sadly, due to budget cuts, this will be the last semester for printing in the darkroom. So far, I think we'll be able to develop film there but not print it. I can develop film in my bathroom now, I guess I'm going to have to start thinking about getting an enlarger.

I think it's sad to think of all the future students who will never know the wonder of watching their print slowly appear in the depths of the developer.

jp80874 · Mar 27, 2009

silveror0;774825 On the topic of education said:
My wife, a first grade teacher of 30+ years, likes the one that says, "If you can read this sign, thank a teacher."

John Powers

Unemployed, Retired? Here's a great way to spend time..

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