Institute of Photography Reviews 

I have learnt so much from this course and I am really impressed about the information on the slides and every unit i have learnt something new

I had some prior interest in photography, and had picked up some of the basics from various websites, but it was very useful to do this comprehensive course on all the core elements, broken up into manageable modules. I applied what I was learning straight away. Soon after completing the course, I applied to be a contributor at iStockphotos, one of the major stock photography services, and was accepted immediately, with my samples meeting their standards- some of the knowledge acquired and tested on the course certainly helped to achieve that. Now I can enjoy taking better photos, and even make some extra money doing so.

A full and comprehensive course, broken down into manageable modules. Gives a real insight into how to produce better photographs and why you're not doing so already! You get regular chances to test your progress in the end of module tests. I found the course motivational and it made me want to go out and take photographs! I can't wait for the advanced course now!

I enjoyed doing the course as it allowed me to fit it into my busy work schedule - I've always grappled with F stops and apertures but I think I'm finally getting my head around it all.

This course is great for learning the basics of photography and really does open your eyes to different ways of taking photos. If you're a keen photographer this course is very beneficial in improve your basic skills and providing the knowledge that you need to take your photography to the next level. I'm glad I took the course, it was the perfect way to inspire my photography and push me to take different photos.

The course seemed written for me, and encouraged me step by step through the learning process. My photography improved throughout

The course let's you do independent learning, and you can get through the course the way you want to. There are a lot of useful resources to refer back to as well. The information is all there and you can choose how much you use it!

I would recommend the course as an introduction. Camera settings and their practical implication are well explained. Regular tips throughout each unit helps to focus on the most important impact any settings and actions have. Completing the course enables me to decide which aspects of photography I would like to concentrate on next.

I started the Dipphot course with some trepidation and when i opened the first module it all looked pretty daunting,however after reading and taking notes i completed the first set of test questions. From this point on i found i really wanted to get the highest marks possible and make a difference to my photographic understanding and product.
Having now completed the course i feel very proud of what i have achieved and really look forward to putting this knowledge into practice,perhaps at a later stage selling some of my work..

Simple and effective teaching. Learn at ones own pace, timely feedback and overall cost effective.

This course has transformed me from being an occasional photograph taker on holiday and special occasions to someone who feels lost without a camera in hand and yearns for more photographic challenges and opportunities. The course material is well presented and takes you through all the basics of camera settings and how to use them followed by helpful tutorials on composition, lighting and structuring images generally. Each section is followed by a short multiple choice questionnaire which needs to be completed before moving on. There are then four compulsory assignments which are expertly critiqued and pave the way for the final submission of three images (portrait, landscape and "free choice") which complete the course.
Throughout there is access to expert guidance and feed-back. There is a very excellent forum open to all IOP participants which includes a wide range of topics and especially a photo-critique board where you can ask the opinion of peers and improve your skills in a mutually encouraging environment. There are weekly on line chat sessions where you get an opportunity to discuss burning issues and problems with the course director although this reviewer found the interface clumsy.
Overall i would strongly recommend this course to anyone with an interest in photography who wants to take the first steps to becoming more proficient in a supportive and unpressurised way.

I got 100% in all of the units and learned a lot along the way! The course was divided up into units and clearly written into separate elements within each unit making it easier to understand and retain the information.
The tests are multiple choice questions which really make you think about your answers!
I've really enjoyed the course although it took me a while to complete due to work, family and my photographic hobby keeping me busy! It was great to not have a time restriction on completing the course!

I was always bit of a keen photographer but now my shots are so much better.
Every element of the course made me re-think my approach not only in technique but also in artistic viewpoint.

The feedback was always positive and informative.
I would highly recommend these courses and intend to use them to develop even further.
I thank them

It was a great learning experience for me. The units were well explained and the assignments and forums help out a great deal.

However the best part of the course for me was the 'Compulsory Assignment' section. The feedback given by the experienced tutors is so detailed and so encouraging. All is explained clearly and I learnt a lot from their incredible constructive points.

Well worth it for sure.

Bryan

An excellent course, it has brought my photography skills, knowledge and experience, to a level that I am extremely happy with. The course covers everything you will need to know to move from snapper to photographer. Where photography is concerned, this course is great value for money. The course material is presented in a format that will open your mind to the creative world of picture making. Go for it, you won't be disappointed.

A great course with units broken down for everything you need to know. The tests after each unit make sure you are learning as you go along and the feedback on the practical assignments at the end are concise, interesting and constructive

I enjoyed what I was able to complete of the course. It is a good programme, with plenty of excellent content.

Unfortunately, I have very little good to say about the quality of their customer service.

For personal reasons, I had to stop the course after 3 or 4 modules and did not use it again for what turned out to be the following 12 months. A year later, I received a personalised email informing me that my membership had already expired, and inviting me to return to the course with a fee of £30. I was surprised at not having received a personal expiry reminder email, and emailed customer service to request that I be allowed to continue at no charge, given that I would have immediately re-activated my account had I known that it was about to expire.

I was informed that I had been sent a newsletter in August which mentioned the policy, and, in a subsequent phone conversation with the course manager, was told that it was technically impossible to send a personalised expiry warning email, which is an extraordinary claim, given that this technology has existed for years, and is trivial to set up.

Even if I had received the August newsletter, which, for whatever reason, I unfortunately didn't, I don't feel that a mass newsletter is a substitute for a very brief, personal, courtesy email inviting me to log back in by a certain date or lose my membership.

I agree with the review posted by Jeff below. Despite their claims that they work hard to ensure their customers are happy, in my case, they went above and beyond, both by email and on the phone, to make it very clear that I was being unreasonable.

If customer satisfaction genuinely was a priority, they would at the very least have found a way to ensure that I went away from the conversation feeling valued as a customer. The fact that they went out of their way to do the exact opposite suggests otherwise, and for this reason, I find it very hard to recommend them.

A great course which covers many aspects of photography. The feedback is always constructive and helpful. The units are well presented and end of unit assignments have prompted me to try different methods and subjects in my photography. I enjoyed being able to complete the course at my own pace as this takes pressure off and allows time to experiment with what has been learnt. Thoroughly recommended!

Excellent course, with a good combination of online learning and practical assignments. The 5 assignments are assessed by professional photographers who give excellent feedback in a very supportive way. If you have a DSLR and you want to go to the next level this is the course to take you their - Enjoy

This course has allowed me to better understand what photography is all about and also the technology and terminology.
Since commencing the course I find I look at the world in a different way and enjoy so much I want to study further and in more depth.

I recommend the course to everyone interested in their photography, indeed one person has already commenced a course with IOP and another friend is seriously considering signing up.