Posted: 07.09.2008 at 05.05
Volume_3,
Don't feel bad mate. In Melbourne, there's probably only 1 or 2.
Best thing to do, is take a course with what you feel is the best. Go to each institute and ask them about the course and tell them what type of photography you wish to be involved with.
Most likely, all courses will be fairly similar but for me personally, I'd try and find one which has more creativity and study in fine arts as that will create a solid foundation for your future should you wish to pursue fashion and creative photography.
Usually, universities and colleges will only be able to teach you theory and what you learn on assignments will help on a minimal level. On the job training and experience (ie. baptism by fire) is often where you will learn the most. I'm not saying that a course is useless, just don't go expecting it to deliver you the world on a silver platter :)
For fashion, have a look at fine art paintings of the past masters, peruse the fashion magazines like Vogue Italia as reference points and develop your own concepts and styles. Build on it and practise, practise, practise. Do sketches, go shoot, etc.
Finally, don't stress out about whether or not what you choose is the right choice as at the end of the day, if you make the most out of the situation and the course, you will win in the end! Don't feel like you're going to be locking yourself into something that can't be changed in the future. Things happen, life throws you curve balls, but you learn what you can from it and move on in order to make you a better photographer, and most importantly, a person :)
Good luck.