Dan, NYIP is real. They will make almost anyone a better photographer. Their course of instruction will help someone turn from an amateur into a pro, if that is the direction you want to go. In their main course, they introduce students to a broad range of photographic areas. Their instruction helps to infuse enthusiasm throughout the course. BUT . . . they are not the final answer. You could do all this, perhaps less expensively, with a series of books. And you will not be shooting with the top photographers in the country (any country) when you finish. What they do is present a step-wise approach to learning that covers the basics and introduces the specialties. It is an excellent place to start, although probably not to end. You would do better taking a series of courses through a junior college or a four-year school, but not everyone can afford the time nor expense of such a program. It does pretty much what they tell you it will do. I took the course. I am satisfied that it was worth it. But then, I still have my day job and have yet to earn dime #1 from things photographic. I am still pretty much in the student phase of photography. peace, rand
