Why do people think art/photography school is " so easy " ?

Your assessment is correct. In "real" college, you either get it or you don't. Most of the time - at least in science and math and other "real" courses - there is a right answer and a wrong answer. In art school, there is much wider variation on what is right or wrong. It's not quite the same, but in dental school, I had two instructors grade a practical exam of a cavity preparation (of all "artistic" things...) and they could not agree. Although we had a very firm set of guidelines (you would think), one guy said that the prep was "too wide and too shallow" and the other guy said that the very same exact prep was "too narrow and too deep." This is something that can be measured with calipers and they could not agree. To evaluate something as subjective as art (whatever form you are dealing with) is wide open territory. People do not realize that you must first follow some rules before you are allowed to branch out on your own and when you DO branch out on your own, you had better be ready to defend your choices.

To the naysayers, just point out that almost every class you have is a "lab" class. Okay, it is studio time, but it compares to the time they spend in a chemistry or physics lab. The difference is, if you are having a less-than-creative day, your 4 hours can be very frustrating. I admire people who can create on demand. I have to be inspired (or lucky) to create something. That inspiration might last for an hour or two and not return for weeks! You have to create something new every day. This is very hard to do. It's not the same as finding the right formula and turning a crank to get the answer. Before anyone thinks I don't know what I am talking about, let me explain that I was a biology major in an ivy league school ("real" college), so I took many biology courses (with labs), a few chemistry courses, physics, and calculus, so I am not speaking without experience in the sciences. Both of my sisters and my son went to "art school," so I have an idea what their work load was like, too. I never saw a chemistry student in the lab at midnight, but I don't remember seeing the art studio lights ever turned off. There was ALWAYS someone in there working. There is no such thing as "cramming" for a painting final, either.

Ask your engineer-brained dad, "If they grade on a curve, how can everybody get an A?" Look around at the end of the year and see how many have failed out or left of their own choosing. Compare the figures of the number of freshmen admitted and the number of seniors graduating. This might be a reflection on the quality of the school in some ways, but it also shows that not everybody can make it through art school If it was a piece of cake, this would not be the case.

Just be aware of what you are up against in both your studies and in public perception. Stay focused on your studies, secure in the knowledge that there IS more to being successful in the art world than trading in your box of 64 Crayola crayons for a box of 120.

If photography is "so easy," why do so many scientists hire photographers to document their work?

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I can't comment on Art College as I have no experience thereof, though it sounds like you are very hard working and deserve more credit than you are getting. However...

I am a working photographer and a few years ago I joined a local College of Art and Design to do their award-winning photography degree - you know, stretch myself. I left part way through as I was learning nothing, not being challenged, being given FIVE weeks to produce something I could do in an afternoon and doing things I already knew how to do thirty years before. It was woefully basic and I was bored to tears; it's a sad reflection on what was being taught that the most interesting bit was the essay writing.

I do hope things have changed, but then it WAS far too easy.

Having said that, my work now does challenge me from time to time and I would always have wondered 'What if...' had I not done what I did; it's all part of life's experience and I don't really regret it, I just wish it could have been more productive.

Good luck with your studies and may you go far.

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You can be like the masses of humanity and buy a camera you can afford that has auto this and that for worry free picture taking. And learn through trial and error how to use something like aperture or shutter priority auto modes or even attempt to use the thing on full manual mode.

You seem to know already there is some thinking to using a camera and to take pictures. A good place to start is by reading the owners manual that comes with a camera. Read the information and look at the illustrations with part names and look at the real camera. Handle the camera and take pictures. Let me rephrase that. Take pictures to learn how to use the camera and maybe even to keep some. Don't start with important stuff you cannot photograph over again such as birthdays, a toddlers first steps. That puts picture taking out of the learning phase and puts the pressure and emphasis to taking pictures for real and to keep.

These first pictures are for you to learn how to use your camera. And you have learned how to use your camera when you can take pictures with it and can teach others how to use it. Honest. You can also go to a college in your area and take a beginning photography course. There you will be taught the basics even a pro must learn and do in their work. Camera handling and use, taking exposures with film and/or digital cameras, and maybe even some photo assignments to get some real time learning. In this learning do not take serious pictures you must keep as that detracts from the learning aspect of the class. Do so only if you have mastered the use of your camera before class is over.

It's like growing up in a way. And I am happy you know there is a way to learn how to use a camera and take pictures. It's like learning how to drive I suppose. Someone can teach you or you can get taught at a driving school. Both will get you a drivers liscense. One though will really teach you the fundamentals you can use for the rest of your driving career.

Anna, your Father doesn't know any better. He's doing you a great disservice by not being supportive. But that being said, he is doing his bit financially. In a way he is partially correct, because it is not an easy field, and to succeed you have to be something special. Well, I guess you know by now that your ARE something special. You can go as far as you want in this field, the only thing that can stop you is you. Give it all you've got. Surround yourself with happy creative people who share your passion for art and photography, and ignore negativity. You deserve this Anna. I hope to have a book of your work in my library one day.

People who are not artists have trouble understanding the process. I have had so many people over the years say to me how easy photography is. To each one of them I offer to give them and camera and lets see if they get the results that I do. That usually shuts them up. You can either attempt to educate these nay-sayers, or ignore them. That will fit the art student rebellious model well. I went to graduate school for science and for art. I spend way more time on projects in art school than I ever had to in the sciences. Creativity just does not come on demand. I can't always be brilliant. Hang in there and follow your passion.

"it's not like math where you can get the right answer if you follow the dang steps"

Why do people think math is easy? It's not. Try doing calculations in chemistry. You are being hypocritical with your statement above. If math was that easy everybody would be getting A's.

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''I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.''- Albert Einstein

Do you find any parallel with this quote coming straight from the horses mouth.

If yes, it clears all your doubts.