Like many resources I find out about, I first saw the words Photojojo University on the Journalism Education Association listserv for advisers. Somebody was looking for an alternative to spending $5.
Although I understand there are lots of free resources out there, this might also prove a successful option. I subscribed, paid via paypal, , and sat back to receive weekly emails. I filed them until I was ready to check them out, only to discover that when I “graduated” after about 10 tutorials, I received a $5 credit at the Photojojo online store.
Like any photography tutorial, this subscription website provides the basics of lighting, composition, and editing — all focused on taking photos via an iPhone 4/4S or an iPhone 5.
What’s more, there is a store that the site plugs, but I found that it provides inspiration as well, like the touchscreen gloves. If you’d heard of them, great, but I hadn’t. So, I felt like I got my $5 worth just in this particular tip — I always have to take off my gloves to use my cell phone. Now, at least I know I that I have options!
For photo teachers, there’s no new surprises in the tutorials: use rule of thirds for composition, avoid backlighting, and so on. But, it might just work with that one student who plans to use his/her iPhone to take pictures. I know that I have a student that isn’t even considering buying a camera. Why should he? He has an iPhone.
Written By: Michelle Harmon
