# Photo Academy: Orientation

> Comprehensive photography guide with tips, tutorials, and progress tracking. (iPhone/iPad app by Aspyre Solutions.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-academy-orientation/id482451106 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Aspyre Solutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/314359252)
- Category: Photo & Video, Reference
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.20/5 from 6 App Store ratings · 143 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 32 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2011-12-15
- Data updated: 2026-08-25
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-academy-orientation/id482451106/reviews.md

## What is Photo Academy?

“Photo Academy is a massive cross-referenced database absolutely full of tips, tricks and techniques for almost any imaginable photo-op situation.” - 148apps.com

“If you’re an amateur photographer, you’re bound to learn something.” - Gizmodo.com


Photo Academy is a comprehensive guide to helping you take better photos. Browse through thousands of tips and sample images, record your progress in your diary, and expand your photography repertoire.

Take better photos
∙ Read through targeted, original tips on a large range of photography topics, exclusively written by a professional photographer
∙ View full-screen photos for inspiration (note: requires an additional free download)
∙ Use the detailed camera settings accompanying every tip
∙ Thousands of tips and photos available covering all types of Animals, People, Sports, Travel, Sky, Landscape and Macro subjects

Learn the basics
∙ Read a number of full length articles that scale in difficulty
∙ Start with the basics, like holding your camera, and what all those buttons are for
∙ Expand your knowledge with articles on settings, equipment, lighting and composition
∙ Complete your education with more advanced topics and editing guides

Track your progress
∙ Record your photo expeditions in the Shoot Diary
∙ Easily add your own photos, straight from the built-in camera or your own library
∙ Track the date, location, and weather conditions
∙ Jot down free-form notes for your own thoughts
∙ Show off your work to the world through Twitter, Facebook and email

If you'd like to know more, start with the video trailer at photoacademyapp.com

Note: This is a free version of Photo Academy, which has some restrictions on content. Download the full version of Photo Academy for unrestricted content, or purchase only the content you want within this free version. Or, just enjoy the free included content!

Start spending more time taking great photos. Thanks for checking out Photo Academy!

## Key features

- Thousands of photography tips and sample images
- Targeted tips by professional photographer
- Detailed camera settings for each tip
- Full-length articles on photography basics and advanced topics
- Shoot Diary for tracking photo expeditions
- Add personal photos and notes to diary entries

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Macro Module | $2.99 | one-time |
| People Module | $2.99 | one-time |
| Sky Module | $2.99 | one-time |
| Sports Module | $2.99 | one-time |
| Travel Module | $2.99 | one-time |
| Photo 101 - All Articles | $3.99 | one-time |
| All Modules | $9.99 | one-time |
| Landscapes Module | $2.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Photo Academy?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 📚 Comprehensive photography basics coverage
- 👍 User-friendly and easy to navigate
- 📱 Portable reference guide for on-the-go learning
- 🎓 Excellent for beginners and newcomers
- 📸 Practical camera settings and shooting tips
- ✨ Clear, concise explanations in plain English
- 📖 Well-organized by photography topics
- 💡 Helpful shooting diary feature
- 🎯 Useful for both beginners and intermediate photographers
- ⭐ Great value for learning photography fundamentals

**Cons**

- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases for additional content
- 🐛 Photo examples fail to load
- ❌ Limited free content available
- 📉 App appears unsupported and outdated
- ⚠️ Misleading 'free' app marketing
- 🔧 Compatibility issues with older devices
- 😞 Pricing strategy alienated potential users
- 📱 Not compatible with iPhone 5 and older
- 🚫 Server issues preventing content delivery
- 💸 Cumulative costs of unlocking modules

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Photo samples not loading from server
- App incompatible with iPhone 5 and older iOS versions
- Server connectivity issues preventing content delivery
- App appears abandoned with no recent updates
- Crashes and stability issues on older devices

**Most requested features**

- More free content and modules
- Video tutorials and how-to guides
- Lens type and make information in examples
- iOS 6 and iPhone 5 compatibility updates
- Additional photography topics
- Ad-supported free version alternative
- Master class video content
- Bug fixes and general app updates
- Option to exclude certain content categories
- More detailed information for intermediate users

## Recent user reviews (10 of 143)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-academy-orientation/id482451106/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Keine  Deutsche Sprache

*2025-11-29*

Habe alles mögliche versucht bekomme keine Deutsche Version installiert oder Sprache umgestellt 
Habe mich jetzt lange genug damit beschäftigt bin es leid… werde ich wohl wieder Löschen

### 5/5 — Excellent intro to Photography!

*2025-09-21*

Excellent intro to use of a modern camera! I have a cert in portraiture and needed to refresh after a decade away, this app covers all the basics in a clear manner. I’m so very glad it’s still around I used it to help me study back in the day. If you just got a mirrorless or more advanced camera I HIGHLY recommend this app for teaching you how to shoot/compose. Also great for teaching teens if they don’t have time for a class. Five stars!!

### 1/5 — Poor Service

*2023-11-25*

I have been trying to contact them for close to a week. I get all the text but no photo samples. Seems like there is an issue with their server. I like this app but it is incomplete.

### 3/5 — Had more potential way back

*2023-01-03*

This photo information and education app was a bit of a hidden gem for a few years. It has a couple of very fine features that the bigger more powerful and professional competitors don’t. However at the same price point it priced itself out of the market thus not enjoying similar success stories as it’s stronger competition that appealed to serious enthusiast and professional photographers. Unfortunately it also appears not to be supported anymore as none of the example photos load into the app. It’s a shame the developer didn’t see the market at the lower end of the spectrum and aim the price point at the beginner and amateur market level. It could and should of been a better seller.

### 2/5 — Good info; however, unable to download a single photo.

*2021-10-31*

I have the paid version.  Disappointing because not a single photo will download for any topic given.

### 5/5 — Best Photography Reference Guide App

*2018-11-28*

A little pricey, but  totally worth it. No more fumbling through photography books and research to refresh the memory. Quick photography reference guide right in your pocket.

### 1/5 — No iPhone 5 Support??

*2017-07-01*

Used to appreciate and brag to fellow friends about this app… not any longer. Not sure why iPhone 5 support was dropped? Have much more advanced apps that continue to update and still run acceptable on my device. Clearly older devices do end up falling off the supported list but truly can not this app??

### 5/5 — It's a snap!

*2017-06-26*

Helpful tips, thanks

### 5/5 — A vary excellent app.

*2016-04-27*

A excellent app I can check back on when I needed to know an idea of setting my DSLR for the micro photographs.  Thanks allot.  LPL

### 4/5 — GGG

*2016-03-26, version 1.3*

Very good app. I wish the make/type of lens was also mentioned.

## Frequently asked questions about Photo Academy

### What does Photo Academy do?

Photo Academy is a comprehensive guide designed to help users take better photos. It provides a vast database of tips, tricks, and techniques covering numerous photography situations, along with sample images and detailed camera settings.

### What are the key features of Photo Academy?

Key features include thousands of original tips written by a professional photographer, full-screen sample images for inspiration, detailed camera settings for each tip, articles on photography basics to advanced topics, and a Shoot Diary to track your progress and add personal notes.

### Is Photo Academy free to use?

This is a free version of Photo Academy with some content restrictions. Users can choose to download the full version for unrestricted content or purchase specific content within the free version. There is also free included content to enjoy.

### What kind of photography subjects does it cover?

The app covers a wide range of photography subjects, including Animals, People, Sports, Travel, Sky, Landscape, and Macro photography. It aims to provide guidance for almost any imaginable photo-op situation.

### Can I track my photography progress with this app?

Yes, the app includes a Shoot Diary feature where you can record your photo expeditions. You can add your own photos, track the date, location, and weather conditions, and jot down free-form notes. You can also share your work through social media and email.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.3.1 — 2017-04-11

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

* Updated for modern devices
* Fixed issue with map not loading current location

### 1.3 — 2014-04-11

* Fixed some graphical issues under iOS 7
* Small bug fixes and improvements

If you enjoy this app or find it useful, please consider leaving a review in the App Store. Every review helps and means a lot to us!

### 1.2 — 2013-05-30

New Landscapes module now available. Take gorgeous photos of beaches, mountains, forests, waterfalls - any landscape you can think of.

This release also contains many other small fixes and improvements. The text size is also a little bit bigger, so no more reaching for your glasses :-)

Thanks for using Photo Academy, and if you like this release, please leave a review to let us know!

### 1.1.2 — 2012-12-14

- Updated for iOS 6 and iPhone 5 
- Fixed some bugs with diary sharing

### 1.1.1 — 2012-03-05

Fixed bug where not all tips and photos would display for some users.

## Apps similar to Photo Academy

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [VIEWBUG - Photography](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viewbug-photography/id1100927060) | 4.7 (12,705) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [Posa Photography Posing Ideas](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/posa-photography-posing-ideas/id6447232755) | 4.5 (328) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [Pro Camera - Reeflex](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pro-camera-reeflex/id1550960155) | 4.4 (996) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [SetMyCamera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/setmycamera/id670363905) | 4.4 (139) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [A Year With My Camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-year-with-my-camera/id1455984870) | 4.8 (342) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [Take Better Pictures](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/take-better-pictures/id1635798089) | 5.0 (7) | Free | Photo & Video |

## More apps by Aspyre Solutions

- [MyMoodTracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mymoodtracker/id362285162)
- [FoodTrackerPro - Daily Food Eating Log](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/foodtrackerpro-daily-food-eating-log/id365373648)
- [RainTracker - Daily Weather Gauge](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/raintracker-daily-weather-gauge/id368484454)
- [Movie Bucket](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/movie-bucket/id670169619)
- [Dvorak Keyboard Layout](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dvorak-keyboard-layout/id918013491)

All apps by Aspyre Solutions: https://appshunter.io/developer/314359252

## Related topics

[tutorial photo](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/tutorial-photo)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-25.*