HNC photography course

Hi all, i would love some input on this matter if possible.
i am currently doing my HNC photography (1st os 2 years)at college and must admit im finding it really boring and it has actually detroyed my passion for taking pictures.
it seems to be mostly computer based and very little practical photography, consisting of a lot of research and around 5 asignments through the year. the class started with around 15 students and has now gone down to 5. i am really thinking of quitting too.
would i be stupid to quit? would i be able to get employment in the industry without the qualification? or will i be ok based on a portfolio?
any advise will be greatly appreciated
many thanks

The first question I would ask you was why did you choose the HNC? What did you think it would provide? Have you spoken to staff at the college about how you feel about the course?

Having a photography qualification will not get you employment on it's own, but together with a good portfolio will help you stand a better chance of getting your foot in the door.

A lot of todays photography is and will be computer related. Having knowledge and experience in the computer side of photography again will or could help open doors.

Whilst you are studying you can learn, network and start to build a portfolio, these are all key in the photography world.

Before you quit the course talk to staff, think about the pro's and cons of leaving the course and the financial cost. Will you find photographic work with where you are at now with your photography?

hope you work things out

My photography career didnt get going until i studied photography and started calling myself a photography student, then things moved really fast for me.

The fact you are doing a course shows you mean business. However most of the professional photographers i meet dont seem to have any qualifications or they tend to brag about being self taught. The problem with photography courses is that once you learn how a camera works you can only learn the rest by studying other photographers work and unfortunately most modern photogaphy also involves lots of time spent in front of a laptop editing in lightroom, photoshop or aperture and unless you can edit well e photography jobs just arent going to happen.

On my course 45 started and 7 finished it...

I can completely understand that.

Like cabstar says, once you learn how to you yout camera it's a case of being inspired by other photogrpahers and getting out there and snapping and learning how to edit photographs into something that's competitive.

Doesn't take 2 years to learn how to use a camera.

thank you for your comments...i really do think i'm going to quit this course and start getting creative like i used to by reading magazines etc. i think any hobby turns a little sour when its leading into employment.

However it takes far more than two years to begin to master photography.

If you want a creative course the "A" level I did ( I think Cabstar did similar) is an Art based course (not a vocational course). Barely any level of technical knowledge of how to use a camera was required.

The course encouraged creative and original approaches to photography, a lot of study of photographers and photography. A fully stocked darkroom available, kit available, library full of books, printing up to A2, specialist papers etc etc .... Help was on hand if you asked for it. The other students were all enthusiastic and encouraging.

The first year one out of 4 dropped out. In the second year maybe 2 out of 9 dropped out.

It can be traded in for a LRPS if you want letters after your name.