1, Does Shashikant School of Photography offer any other training programmes
?
Currently, we offer the Advanced Programme in Professional Photography
only.
2, What is the focus of the Programme ?
The Programme focusses on rigorous, hands-on, practical training using
real-life situations and settings. The emphasis is on getting the
student to experiment, to explore, to make mistakes and to learn - all
under the guidance of seasoned professionals.
3, Do you have study material and lectures ?
There is no printed study material. As mentioned earlier, the emphasis
is on practical training. However, there will be periodic guest lectures
by visiting faculty and practitioners such as photographers, art directors,
model co-ordinators etc so that the students can learn
from their experiences.
4, Will the Advanced Programme in Professional Photography be considered
a professional qualification ?
The Programme is meant to provide a thorough grounding in advanced photography
to students intending to become professional photographers. We are confident
that once the student has completed the 6-month programme, he/she would
have learnt all the necessary techniques and will be in a strong position
to begin a career as a professional photographer immediately.
5, Is the Advanced Programme in Professional Photography recognised
by the government ?
No, the Programme is not recognised by the government.
6, What can I do after completion of the Programme ?
There are literally dozens of opportunities, within India and abroad!
You could specialise in food, fashion or product photography. Become
an in-house photographer for a newspaper or magazine. Maybe even, become
a freelance photo-journalist travelling all over the world!
7, When does the Programme begin and end ?
The Spring 2008 Programme commences on July 3, 2008 and ends on
December 31, 2008.
8, Are there any public and festival holidays ?
There will be no classes on the following days:
1) Pongal |
- |
Monday, January 14 and Tuesday, January 15, 2008 (tentative) |
2) Republic Day |
- |
Saturday, January 26, 2008 |
3) Tamil New Year |
- |
Monday, April 14, 2008 |
4) Independence Day |
- |
Friday, August 15, 2008 |
5) Ganesh Chaturthi |
- |
Wednesday, September 3, 2008 (tentative) |
6) Dussehra |
- |
Thursday, October 9, 2008 (tentative) |
7) Diwali |
- |
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 (tentative) |
8) Christmas |
- |
Wednesday, December 25, 2008 |
B, Equipment
1, I do not own a digital SLR camera. Can I join the course without
one ?
No, you must have your own professional digital SLR camera. You will be using your camera for most of your day-to-day assignments and projects and hence, having your own camera is a must.
2, I have a film SLR camera in good condition. Can I use it
for the course ?
Professional photographers all over the world have shifted to digital
format. We believe in training you in the very latest trends and hence,
a film SLR camera is not suitable for this course.
C, Accomodation, food etc
1, What are the arrangements for accomodation? What facilities
are provided
Shashikant School of Photography has arranged for a comfortable
apartment in a calm and safe area of Chennai. 6 male students will share
the apartment. Lady students,if any, shall be provided with separate
accomodation.
Each student shall be provided with a single bed and a locker to store personal
belongings. Individual rooms shall have the necessary fans and lights. The apartment
shall be provided with a common TV, dining table and a refrigerator. However,
there is no provision for
cooking in the flat kitchen.
The apartment shall be maintained by a servant whose responsibility it is to
sweep and clean the flat. Students shall have to make their own arrangements
to wash and iron their personal wear.
2, What about travel arrangements ?
Shashikant School of Photography has made arrangements to pick up the
students from the apartment and drop them at the School every morning
and back in the evening. There shall be only one pick-up and drop, so
it is important that the students be ready to leave together.
Any costs incurred in connection with travel of a personal nature within
the city (sight-seeing, shopping, entertainment etc) shall be borne by
the student. If the students accompany Shashikant on his assignments, such travel
and stay expenses shall be borne by Shashikant Advertising Photography.
3, What are the arrangements for food ?
Shashikant School of Photography has tied up with a reputed caterer to
provide hygienic, nutritious vegetarian food to the students. Breakfast
and lunch shall be provided to the students at the School from Monday
to Saturday. In addition, coffee/tea and snacks shall be provided twice
a day.
Students shall have to make their own arrangements for dinner every day.
They shall also have to arrange for breakfast, lunch and dinner on Sundays
and public/festival holidays on which classes are not held (Refer A8
in this section for a list of public holidays).
4, Are there any other terms and conditions ?
Lockers are intended to store personal items such as clothes, toiletries
etc. Shashikant School of Photography is not responsible for the safety
of the contents of the lockers. Students are advised not to store cash
in the lockers.
One key shall be provided to each student for his locker and it shall
be his responsibility to keep it in safe custody. The key is to be returned
to Shashikant School of Photography at the time of completion of the
programme. If the key is lost, the student shall bear the expense of
making a duplicate key set.
Students are not permitted to consume alcohol or smoke cigarettes within
the apartment. They are also strictly prohibited from storing or bringing
in banned and prohibited drugs. Further, under no account should the
students indulge in any activity (playing music or TV loudly, misbehave
with other residents etc) that may affect or disturb the neighbourhood.
D, Fees
1, When are the fees to be paid ?
If you are selected for the Programme, you shall be informed at the
earliest. Thereafter, the fees are to be paid in full before June 15, 2008.
Payment may be made by Demand Draft or Bankers Pay Order, drawn in favour
of "Shashikant School of Photography" and payable at Chennai,
India.
2, Can I pay the fees in instalments ?
No, the fees are to be paid in full before the commencement of the Programme.
3, If I am unable to complete the Programme, will you refund the fees
to me ?
If, for any reason, the student is unable to complete the Programme
the following terms and conditions apply to fee refunds:
No refund
of the Programme fee
Pro-rata
refund of the boarding/lodging fee, based upon the number of months
completed
Full
refund of the security deposit, provided that the student has not
caused damage to
Shashikant Advertising Photography's equipment lent to him/her
for use
E, General
1, How is the weather in Chennai ?
For the better part of the year, Chennai is hot and humid. The hottest part of
the year being May - June, with maximum temperatures peaking at 38-42 ° Celsius.
Chennai has pleasant weather in December and January, with temperatures hovering
around 25-30 ° Celsius. Rain may also be expected in June/July. The monsoon
usually begins in October and ends in December.
2, What kind of clothing will I need ?
Cool cottons are the best! Indeed, they are necessary to work comfortably given
the heat and humidity. Sweating is common, so make sure to carry lots of deodorant!
Winters are not unbearably cold, so a light sweater or shawl should be sufficient.
Make sure to carry
umbrellas, raincoats and footwear for rainy weather - the monsoon runs from October
to December.
3, What are the options for eating out ?
Chennai is a food lover's delight. With cuisine designed to please any palate,
there is a plethora of restaurants to choose from. Whether you prefer dinner
on a shoestring budget or a fancy five-star meal, Chennai has a wide range of
options. Indian, Chinese, American,
Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Korean, Lebanese - there's something for everyone. The
city also has a chain of South Indian fast food restaurants - Saravana Bhavan,
Murugan Idly Shop etc - all well-known landmarks renowned for their masala dosai
and filter coffee!
4, What are the entertainment options ?
There's no dearth of recreation in Chennai. There are national parks [Guindy
National Park, Vandalur Zoo], amusement parks [Mayajaal, Dizzy World], pool parlours,
go-kart tracks and bowling alleys.
Chennai is the retail capital of India and there are numerous shopping malls
(Spencer Plaza, Citi Center, Ampa Mall etc) where one can just hang out. There
are dozens of theatres and multiplexes (Sathyam Cinemas, Inox, Maayajaal etc)
where a variety of English, Tamil and Hindi films are screened. Ticket prices
at these multiplexes are typically between Rs. 100-150. There are also historical
and cultural places of interest [Cholamandalam Artists' Village, Dakshinachitra].
The East Coast Road (also known as ECR to Chennai-ites) which runs along the
beach makes for an enjoyable long drive. Chennai is also home to the world's
second longest beach - the Marina. Mahabalipuram is 60 kilometres away, while
Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry) is 160 kilometres away.
5, What are the facilities for travel ?
The Kamaraj Domestic Terminal at the airport serves all domestic travellers,
while the Anna International Terminal serves foreign travellers. There
are two railway termini; the Central and Egmore railway stations which
connect Chennai to destinations in all parts of India.Within the city,
the Metropolitan Transport Corporation runs buses from early morning
to late-night, connecting every part of the city.
Southern Railway runs local trains, connecting most major parts of the
city. Auto-rickshaws and call taxis are available in plenty. The fare
for an auto-rickshaw is Rs. 14 minimum and Rs. 6 for every kilometre
after, but it is very rare to find a driver who will be willing to accept
the fare based on the meter! Be prepared to negotiate hard before you
step in! There is also the Koyambedu bus terminal which connects Chennai
to other destinations in the South by buses, operated by the State Express
Transport Corporation and private operators.
6, What languages are spoken ?
Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu are widely spoken and understood. English
is surprisingly well-understood; you may even find an autorickshaw driver
or shop-keeper managing a smattering of English! Hindi may be spoken
and understood by a small number of people.
For visitors and others who don't speak the local languages, it is quite
possible to get by with English.
7, How much personal expenses am I likely to incur every month ?
It all depends upon your lifestyle. Your main items of expenses will
be dinner everyday and breakfast/lunch/dinner on Sundays/public holidays.
Besides, you may want to watch a film now and then or go shopping or
have a fine meal. You may also have personal expenses such as toiletries,
clothes etc.
