The piece of paper at the end is an irrelevance as far as I am concerned!

Yes I do know what I need to learn but like many people I need the discipline of a structured course to do this. The main benefit of doing a course is building the relationship with a tutor and getting consistent and constructive criticism throughout the process. To simply buy books and ask whatever pro photographer, who just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and who will probably make encouraging noises just to get rid of me, is not really the path that I wish to tread.

Its really just a pity that the excellent courses that the SPI provide cannot be made available in a modular structure. That way you could pick and choose as little, or as many, as you think you require. Would also address the income issue that you made!

Oh well, maybe one day!

Mark