Photo by Greg Cooper

Photo by Greg Cooper

Photo by Greg Cooper

Ojai Photo Club’s May meeting with a presentation on mobile media (i phones and the like). Jpgs are all phone photos by Greg Cooper (untitled).

Brooks Institute Visual Journalism instructor Greg Cooper returns to the Ojai Photography Club as our May presenter and guest judge. The meeting will begin at 7:00 pm, Tuesday May 20, at Help of Ojai’s Kent Hall, 111 Santa Ana Street, Ojai, CA.

Cooper will present on aspects of Mobile Media (iPhone and other mobile phones) and critique member photographs. His presentation will focus on the basics of making professional-quality photographs and capture video/audio all with a smart phone and a minimal amount of additional equipment. This presentation is beneficial to those new to using a smart phone for photography all the way to those who already make great images but are looking to improve.

Cooper earned an AA in Liberal Arts from Ventura Community College in 1991 and a BA from Western Kentucky University in 1996, with a double major in photojournalism and anthropology. Cooper is a native of Ojai. During his time in junior college, he worked as a staff photographer for the Ojai Valley News.

After leaving Western Kentucky, Cooper returned to Southern California and joined the Ventura County Star, where he worked his way up to assistant photo editor. The Columbus Dispatch then lured him away to become its Sunday photo editor. Three years later, Cooper again returned to Ventura County. This time he pursued his Masters Degree from Brooks Institute of Photography. While at Brooks he did his master’s thesis on the future of digital photography at newspapers: “Still Photography at Newspapers: Its Uncertain Future as a Medium.” He has been teaching at Brooks Institute in the Visual Journalism program as a full time faculty member since 2003.

Cooper recently added video and Web design to his areas of expertise. A graduate of the Platypus Workshop and Apple certified in Final Cut Pro, Cooper continues to tell stories in a variety of media, including the iPhone.

Monthly presentations are part of the Ojai Photography Club’s community service and education outreach. Visitors are welcome to attend.

The club, which is devoted to education, inspiration, and camaraderie, meets on the third Tuesday of each month, February – November. Only members may submit images for critique. More information is available at: www.ojaiphotoclub.com/