Re: A level results
 

Don't be so narrow minded. I know numerous full time photographers, some with their own businesses and studios who work very hard. Your mate may be a lazy git, but they exist in any business.

There are numerous occupations that don't fit into some dull suit-wearing, office-based, 9-5 routine. Try doctors, military, writers, journalists, airline staff, artists or performers for starters. You should know better.

Re: A level results
 

.......... yes, but the photographers I know (which I admit is only three, and they all specialise in sports photography) started out as essentially self-taught, working with seasoned pros, picking up tips, working in developing and processing, etc - i.e. getting their hands dirty learning the hard way.

Yes, it's a 'proper job' but I can't imagine an A-Level is the usual route into it.

Re: A level results
 

Famous Graffito:

"Education Kills by Degrees!"

Re: A level results
 

Most people today confuse schooling with education.

They are very different things. Education does not require a person to ever set foot in a school or take an examination - it requires intelligence, discipline and a desire to learn. History is full of men and women who left their qualified peers wallowing in the mud while they reached for the stars.

N.

Re: A level results
 

Indeed, and just because you work in an office doesn't mean you're hard-working. How many spend at least 50% of their time on the internet, chatting, taking fag breaks or just pretending to work?

Re: A level results
 

I know a lot of photographers- most have learnt through assisting rather than through the college system, but they are all in their 30's before photography was available widely as a course. A photography degree for me is the same as most arts subjects, I did fashion at uni and had only used a sewing machine at the age of 18 so had a massive amount of the basic principles to learn before I could apply my creativity. The same as photography. There is a lot of basic knowledge that has to be understood first.

The problem with arts courses is that a fashion course or photography course is only relevant to a job in that area, and when jobs in those areas are incredibly competitive you will inevitably get people with fashion/photography degrees working in areas where there degree is worthless. Whereas an academic subject is more widely acceptable.

The photographers I know work bloody hard and am sure they would lamp you one Scamp for implying otherwise. As it is an industry of freelancers if they don't work they don't get paid.

Re: A level results
 

"A Level"

Black Country Dialect for an Uneven Surface!

Re: A level results
 

me for one.

Re: A level results
 

........... my boss..............

Re: A level results
 

So while we all sit here claiming greatness and that the spotty kids of today are stupid and doing easier exams - how did you lot do?

For me, I was old school. 3 exams, 3 A's. Couldn't be bothered doing any more as I only needed 3 for university.

Physics - A
Maths - A
Chemistry - A

Re: A level results
 

One of my best friends in the UK is a photographer. He studied for two years for a BTEC (or something similar) whilst working part time in a studio. He's said many times it's better to study but not 100% needed as he learned more in the studio.

A lot of jobs can be learned by training with someone who already does it well - I've learned more about my work from experienced peers than from books and tapes despite my industry demanding qualifications. That said I am an an autodidact - formal study is still a good thing if only to confirm what you already know.

N.

Re: A level results
 

One of my first teachers told me I would be hard pressed to find a job as a dustman...

Only my maths teacher saw my potential - she told me I talk so much I should be a politician. She even offered to vote for me...

N.

Re: A level results
 

when I did mine everybody did 3 A'Levels plus General Studies
some Oxbridge-bound students managed 4th A'Level

now you see a lot of students doing 5-6 A'Levels. that shows they are easier.

think the same has happened at Uni as well though. When I did my first degree less than 10pct got 2.1's. now the majority of students seem to get them.

Re: A level results
 

Tosh. My 19-year old son got 3 A's at A-Level, and I'm frequently left dumbfounded and confused by his comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of every subject under the sun. He even has what must be an inate ability to compound his omniscience with the experience of those things he has never experienced. In fact his galactic omni-everythingness sometimes makes debate futile.

Strange though. I seem to recall that at his age I knew far more than I do now...

Re: A level results
 

Take it from the teachers at my son's school (a very highly regarded private school in the South-East of England):

I happened to bump into the Head of Classics there a while back, and remarked that I did pretty well in my Latin A-Level in 1974. His (immediate) reply: "Well that's like having a Classics degree these days." Shocked I was, I can tell you.

In my German A-Level essay, I had to write about the differences between UK and German trade unions - in German. My daughter studied German to the same level, and still to this day cannot believe I had to do that.

These days, they are taught to 'reason' and 'opine' and 'discuss', but they definitely know less in factual terms.