Should I save money to buy a camera for self-study or go directly to the studio as an assistant to learn photography?

When learning photography, saving money to buy a camera and working as an assistant in a photo studio are not mutually exclusive, but can go hand in hand. They have different advantages and disadvantages, depending on your learning goals and personal situation.

If you prefer theoretical study and skill accumulation, it may be a good choice to buy a camera and improve your photography skills by self-study or taking photography courses. In this way, you can study according to your own interests and rhythm, and have more time to practice and explore. However, this method may require you to have some self-management and self-discipline, because without the actual working environment and the guidance of your tutor, you may encounter some difficulties and challenges in your study.

On the other hand, if you prefer to study photography in the actual working environment, working as an assistant in a photo studio may be a better choice. Working in the studio, you can get more opportunities for photography practice, learn how to shoot according to different needs and scenes, and also learn the workflow of the studio and some professional knowledge of the photography industry. In addition, you can learn some valuable experience and skills from your mentor and colleagues. But this method may require you to invest more time and energy, and the salary is lower.

To sum up, you can first consider your learning goals and personal situation, then weigh the advantages and disadvantages of these two ways and make the best choice for you. Of course, if conditions permit, you can also try these two methods at the same time in order to improve your photography skills more comprehensively.