Self Taught

I have a "passion" for photography myself.

and how does this passion connect to the concept of self taught?

I think for me it means that I picked up my camera 4 years ago and without ever being shown anything by anyone or taken any lessons in composure ect, I have been able to progress with my photography and editing with no external influences other than taking inspiration from other people's creations

I suppose I read a little on the basics in how to use a camera beyond the "point and click" setting but other than that, I have learnt pretty much from how my last photo looked, I have learnt from experimenting with camera settings and composures in different scenarios and seeing what came out the other end, 90% rubbish but that 90% helped me get the 10% I was happy with.

As for editing, totally self-taught, I installed Lightroom one day and taught myself how to use it and what was affected by each setting change, still finding things but I find that so much more rewarding than watching a tutorial and acting upon that but then my day job involves fining problems with software so that probably comes from that

I believe the term is used way to freely. How many times have you seen this in an artist bio; "I'm a self-taught artist...............I have attended workshops with so-and-so nationally renowned artist, and this other artist, and that other artist...." I know the technical definition is that you didn't attend school and earn a degree, but I've also read many times artists that have earned a BFA of MFA and say they didn't really learn how to draw and paint until after earning those degrees. Technically I guess I'd be considered self-taught since I didn't go to art school or even take workshops, but I've learned tons through watching videos, reading books and to some extent from classes from local artists so I don't feel comfortable calling myself self-taught, it's not like I figured this out all on my own.

The only way one could authentically be self taught is to never have be exposed to other Art.

I know that people mean no lessons or proper schooling, but the Artistic eye captures concepts quickly.
Every Artist before us - teaches us something.

Honestly, I was being snarky because a lot of people say they have a "passion" for their art here, too.. I think folks put "self taught" in their bios as a badge of honor against higher education. But in a way, we are all self taught in a lot of ways. We keep learning after any schooling we may have had. Plus, I had already been shooting for a few years before I ever had any technical training. I had read many books and asked for advice from folks online. Then again, that's not really being self taught, is it?

So I believe folks think "self taught" is a badge of honor and that people will care. Maybe some put it because they feel others may find their lack of education in their field to be a detriment. Honestly, I look at the work. The irony of my "education" is that I never actually got a degree. I was already working in the field full time and didn't have time to finish. Every boss I had after that was more than satisfied with the work I showed them. I bet most buyers don't care if we leaned our skills in some fancy school, or a technical college somewhere or if we taught ourselves everything we know.

It does often mean not having a degree in the subject, perhaps no formal tuition. However, it can mean independent and original - then again it may be thought of as non-professional and, in fact, amateurish not in the doing it for love reason but just having a go.

Great subject Marlene, as usual everyone has a different definition of this buy I myself think it is an art this is not taught to an individual but is learned by oneself. I loved painting as a child and still do, nobody taught me to paint and I think if I went to art college I would not be the painter I am today, I would be different, maybe better but I could be worse. It is an inner force that does not come from the exterior but the interior. It is mistakes that make the difference, Try and try and try again, that is what I think Self-taught is.

Sefl taught is - : educated by your own efforts (such as by reading books) rather than by a teacher - learned by your own efforts rather than at school. I am self taught but I don't put that in my bio. I would rather be able to add a lot of degrees etc but I can't. However, I don't think someone who has a formal education in art is any better than someone who hasn't been able to get this education. It depends on the natural talent of the artist.

To me, it would mean looking at the masters, looking at the world, and working that out in my work with little or no formal input from others. Obviously, I get a lot from a good critique, since I have many bad habits. However, it is, for me, a "learn by doing" context.

Marlene, I like the Chinese term better, "self- learn", learning on your own, it make more sense to learn first before you can teach.

Alfred - I like that expression, makes much more sense as yes, I would consider myself to be self-learning.

Not taking any formal, structured training. Autodidactic, perhaps :D

Self-taught to me is just that. I have had no training, classes or instruction. As Gregory stated, I copied the old masters works and the rest is by trial and error. I learned early in life that I had a love and talent to draw so it was just something that came naturally to me. I think to be self-taught is just a slower process of growth which is what I have witnessed in my own artistic world, I started with nothing and have traveled far but have many, many miles to go.

Definition of Self Taught.....I have learned from my mistakes

"Definition of Self Taught.....I have learned from my mistakes"

Learning from our mistakes should be a common trait of everyone in life.

The "self taught" label is a misnomer. If you picked up your techniques from books, workshops, videos, etc., you didn't teach yourself, the artists who made those resources taught you. But "self-directed technique gatherer" is an awful lot of typing. Who has time for that?

Alfred, we speak the same language,as usual, even though I don't know Chinese!
Learning and discovery is very different from teaching.

Mo, surely you don't think that those of us with a formal education don't make mistakes.....

To me a self taught artist is one who has little encouragement, doesn't get lunch money, hasn't been stroked by their friends or family. Self taught is a loner. Self taught gets the art out on their own. They don't take a workshop. Self taught people carry their lives and art on the same wave length. They're not in clicks and don't want to be. But they are very interesting folks. They seem very sincere. I don't have a cell phone, I only take cash at shows and in this world of " you gotta network" I don't. FAA is my first encounter with networking. It's good for me, but I spend too much time checking things out. Been in the art and craft world since 1974 and it has changed a lot.

Phyllis - "Self taught" may be " a slower process of growth " - but it can also come with a purer, less inhibited sense of self expression.

Present company excluded of course, but education can teach out spontaneous joy.
Having to 'think too much" can cause Painter's block.

Self taught is a personality? That's a new one on me.

the work should speak for itself, but the education should be left out. telling me that you went to art college for 8 years and the work produced is junk isn't very telling. but self taught says amateur.

i'm a self taught surgeon. this shouldn't hurt a bit

i taught myself to cook using youtube videos, enjoy your meal.

i'm a self taught artist, enjoy my high prices.

there is a certain connotation about it that says your weak and you don't know what your doing. even if your really good at what you do. it's better to let the art speak. many think there work already looks really good and they think it's an impressive point to tell people they taught themselves.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

I read a lot of books on Photography, and I don't rely on any courses in College because of my deafness. Its really hard for me to listen to instructors. I am self taught and learned from trial and errors and I just keep getting better at photography.

I agree…it doesn't matter a whit how you got here. Your work should do all the talking. But since you have to write those blasted bios and blogs you have to describe yourself somehow…I like the term "self-learned" from Alfred Ng above…I may start to use that!

I would venture to say that most photographers ARE "self taught"…meaning they haven't gone to school for a degree.

"self-taught
adjective
having acquired knowledge or skill on one's own initiative rather than through formal instruction or training.
"a self-taught graphic artist"" (Dictionary)

We do develop our own art, we all are unique.

I am self fought.

Dave

hello Dave, bad, mad or sad?....

hmmmm

taught, fought or bought?....

hmmmm

enjoy the journey...

Good day Marlene,

Heres some great controversy about one of Britains controversialy great artists

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4310274.stm

Of particular note -
quote
"While the professional art world is dominated by those who have been schooled in the disciplines of their subject, the self-taught have had a knack of punching above their weight.

Henri Rousseau, Jasper Johns, LS Lowry, Vincent Van Gogh - their works can be viewed in some of the world's finest art galleries, but all were self-taught, or mostly so. "
end quote

Being experimental can often be a complete failure or be a great adventure... how else does art evolve? from new self taught techniques or following the established ways? That does not mean disrespecting what is great in the world of art and i enjoy viewing the great establshed and new work in galleries...


and quote -

' For art critic and historian John A Walker, there's nothing amateur about working from photos. Jack Vettriano is merely following in the line of other esteemed, and well schooled, artists.

"What he was doing in borrowing an image is no different to professional artists who use photos for source materials. Some artists would probably be ashamed to admit it. Francis Bacon didn't want people to know he'd used photos.

"They don't want to admit that they are dependent on someone else's creativity, they want the full credit for the work." '
end quote


Heres some very recent article that takes us up to date to the heart of this controversy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-30850925

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/fife/fife-artist-jack-vettriano-slams-critics-for-snubbing-his-work-1.839725

.....Using an artist reference book to paint - surely is this not the purpose of that book?
And when using such a book, could most people paint a uniquely beautiful piece?
And if you didnt learn from a book would you not learn from an individual...

i say different paths, different destinations or even the same destination through "convergence" but some paths criss cross and others go into quagmires, others hit a dead end some take us from place to place.... and others lead to great places....

or maybe a mele of the lot!??

Personally im well educated in many disciplines and self taught in many other accidental undiscipined "disciplines". im just doing the stuff and hope to self teach myself other things including................ AI, b4 i drop dead lol

Basically we all have our own paths to walk and should enjoy the journey and the secenery enroute...
what ever the weather.

@Shana thanks ! It's nice to know someone understands where I'm coming from. I look at my Bio as if it were a resume to potential jobs......(because I believe that IS what it IS) therefore I feel mentioning that I am self taught is no different than mentioning that I have a degree in art if I had one or that I specialize In coloured pencil and PanPastel drawings. I believe that self taught or not makes no matter in the quality of art however I personally prefer "putting it out there" as a way to avoid assumptions and also to make it known to potential offers that may require a college degree.

Maybe I shouldn't mention it ......I dunno!.......I'm still learning and figuring this all out.......

Thanks for the ice cream sandwiches Marlene but I don't do dairy.

Sheena, I don't know either if we should mention self taught in our bio. Does it look amateurish to using the word "self taught", and I mention the awards in my bio. I don't think its a bad thing.

Too cold here for ice cream sandwich, something warm maybe a electric duvet?

Yes Randy I'm with you....each to their own........I don't think it matters either way. I don't have a strong opinion about it. I do what I think is right for me. Maybe someday down the road when I'm famous (LOL ummm yeah right! your funny Sheena)) I will look back back and think it was an amateur move of me to make........

Either way the question was "what does self taught mean to you"? not whether or not we should use the term.......
so getting myself on topic I simply use the term to imply I do not have an art degree its not at all a badge of honor its just the truth......But with that being said I personally prefer Alfred's term MUCH better. "Self Learn" That sounds better! I have learned on my own without schooling....... I have not "taught"........Makes much more sense.

I think all artists are self-taught. A teacher can only show you techniques...and then you have to teach yourself how to use them (and that's one way a style is developed).

I think we are all self-taught whether we have a degree or not. Otherwise you are just re-hashing things you have been taught. I need to know what colors I want to work with and why, what rules of composition I want to follow and which ones I want to break. I learned these things by doing art and hating it until I was happy. Myself. Alone. No one can teach you what makes you happy or tell you what you want to say with your art. You can only self-teach these things. An education can help with theories and inspiration and can also hurt by exposing you to others artwork to the point where you no longer have a true voice. All that said here on FAA we are also salespeople, something I am still struggling with, and I can't see "self-taught" as a huge selling point for someone who is buying art.

I don't have a degree however, I cant say that I am 100% self taught. That would be rude to Bob Ross as I used to break out my paints and paint along with him on Saturday mornings. After that I grabbed whatever book I could learn from and now its blogs and youtube videos that has grown my painting skills.
Youtube taught me Hue,value,chroma,how light works,composition. It has been invaluable to me.

I am one of those 'self learners' as Alfred put it.

@Sheena/ Randy I am with you, I don't see why people think it's okay to post all about the degrees and awards
they have, but think it's bad form when artists post that they are self taught. I see no difference. It's just information about the artist.
@JL, I think that is a very good point. I had "Self taught" written in my bio until about a week ago, I removed it because I just got accepted to college and will be starting in the fall to get my BA in Fine Arts. I still feel very strange about losing the title though, because I have been painting my whole life, four years of college compared to 27 years of doing it on my own really shouldn't change anything. If anything it will help refine the skills I already have. I am really just hoping school will help me hone the skills I already, open up new doors for me and help me gain connections.

I have found the comments in the thread absolutely fascinating....

Here's a toast to Bob Ross, an inspiration to so many. ( I'll have what he's having )

To Bob Ross and his happy little trees!!

Bio edited to "Self-Learned"......Thanks to Alfred!

@Shana! Good luck with your schooling!

Thank you Sheena, I'm a bit nervous, but I think it may be a good step for me. We shall see ;)

Funny, David. I'm with you on the 'no dairy'. There's always the 'rice dream' option!

Good Luck to you Shana!

Thank you Randy!! I'm excited to start this new phase in my life!!

Technically I guess I am not self taught since I have attended U of Y. University of Youtube.

That's exciting Shana I'm so happy for you!

Jim, I never thought about Youtube. I'll have to take a look sometime.

"Punching above their weight" ! Love that quote, Jason Christopher.

Self teaching in art is honest self-criticism.

Good luck with your schooling, Shana. I only hope you're not getting yourself into too much debt. That's the last thing an artist needs when starting out (speaking from experience).

Thanks to all who provided their definitions of self taught....there was a good variety of answers....good food for thought.