AI Rate Professor

Photography

John Thawley

PHOTO5 · PHOTO11 · PHOTO0001 · PHOTO1 · PHOTO101 · PHOTO4404 · PHOTO2834 · PHOTO3542 · 63 lifetime ratings

AI rating
81/100
RMP rating
4.6/5
Take again
90.91%
Difficulty
3.3

The decision

if you want to actually learn photography and can put in the assignment hours; skip if you only want an easy A.

Best fit · Effort For RewardTough but FairHilarious LecturerConstructive CritiquesPassionate PhotographerClear Expectations
  • Passionate, funny instructor who turns Photo 1 into real camera and craft skill-building
  • Tough but and exact assignment guidelines
  • Heavy photo workload with midterms and finals; A requires real effort, not coasting

Key questions

Four answers before you build your schedule.

Is this an easy A?

HardWork

38/100

As are possible with full effort and following exact guidelines, but most students say this is not an easy A and .

; no online reviews available.

Is the course easy?

Challenging

36/100

Content is foundational photography in manual mode, but , and critique standards make it harder than a typical gen-ed blow-off.

; no online reviews available.

Is attendance flexible?

Mandatory

35/100

Many students report and participation matters, though a few sections listed it as optional.

; no online reviews available.

Is this professor recommended?

MustTake

91/100

Strong majority would take him again for real skill gains, humor, and .

; no online reviews available.

Course guide

See how this professor fits your week.

Grading

Strict

38/100

; fair and constructive, but harsh on soft shots and guideline misses.

Format shift

.

Workload

Heavy

32/100

, and study for midterms and finals make the load heavy.

Format shift

.

Teaching experience

Excellent

88/100

Students rave about humor, clear technique teaching, professional experience, and growth-focused critiques.

Format shift

.

Assessment method

Balanced

52/100

and finals that students are told to study for carefully.

Format shift

.

Luni fit check

Weigh these signals against your actual schedule.

Get help balancing workload, grading, and timing when no option is an obvious fit.

Course format

Compare the in-person and online experience.

Classroom format

In person

50 reviews

High confidence · Best fit for Effort For Reward

Students praise engaging lectures, humor, and growth as photographers, while warning of , and mandatory attendance in many sections.

Main concern

and if feedback is late or guidelines are missed.

What students said

“If you want to become a . You won't be disappointed.”
PHOTO1
“It was HARD, but came out w/ great pictures and knowing how to use my camera”
PHOTO1
“Not an easy A. But if you're !”
PHOTO1

Remote format

Online

0 reviews

Low confidence

No stored summary is available for this format.

Main concern

No main concern is stored for this format.

Exam style

Know what to expect from exams and major assignments.

Students mention midterms and finals that can be technical and challenging; .

Midterm and FinalTextbook Helps on TestsStudy Required

Assessment risk

Standard

48/100

Low score means less forgiving assessment conditions.

In person

and finals; textbook study helps and questions can be technical.

Midterm and FinalTechnical Exam QuestionsTextbook Recommended
“Study for the midterms and finals. A Lot”
PHOTO1
“Use the textbook for an edge in tests.”
PHOTO1
“ ”
PHOTO1

Online

Student evidence

See what students actually said.

Top student voice

“If you want to become a . You won't be disappointed.”

Voice snapshots generated from 50 in-person reviews, , and real skill gains. Credibility rating: High.

🎯 Teaching Quality

88/100

“He is passionate about photography but even better he knows how to teach.”

👍 Recommendation Rate

91/100

“Would take it 5 more time if I could”

⚖️

38/100

“He grades fair, but on the hard side. He wants to see effort and something original.”

📚 Workload Reality

32/100

“Assignments if done properly are a lot of work but because the result is you are better photographer for it.”

Theme 1

👨‍🏫 About Teaching Style

  • If more professors had Thawley's sense of humor, college would be amazing.
  • He knows a ton, is very funny and extremely caring towards his students.
  • Challenging and inspiring. Fun, cute, professional.

Theme 2

📈 About Difficulty & Grades

  • Not an easy A. But if you're !
  • It's not an easy A , you really have to work for it
  • If you're looking for an easy A, this isn't the class for you.

Theme 3

📷 About Skill Growth

  • Be prepared to REALLY learn how to use your camera.
  • You'll definitely be a better photographer after this class.
  • your photography will improve immensely throughout the semester.

Data context

See exactly what the AI read.

Analysis sample

50

Recent reviews read by the AI

63

Lifetime ratings

88/100

Evidence confidence

Fifty detailed in-person reviews spanning many years show strong consistency , and workload.

Inside 50 stored ratings

Quality ratings

5 out of 555
4 out of 53
3 out of 51
2 out of 54
1 out of 50

Course coverage

PHOTO135 reviews
PHOTO114 reviews
40722 reviews
PHOTO52 reviews
30741 review
Show 6 more courses
44091 review
PHOTO00011 review
PHOTO1011 review
PHOTO28341 review
PHOTO35421 review
PHOTO44041 review

Reported outcomes

A range results lead the reported letter grades.

20 reported outcomes

A range

10

A+ 2 · A 7 · A- 1

B range

7

B+ 4 · B 3

C range

1

C 1

D range

0

No reported values

F

0

No reported values

No letter grade reported

2

Not sure yet 1 · Pass 1