Ed Trayes - Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Professor: Ed Trayes

Department: Communication

College: Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: JOUR3401
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

If you like spending more money on outside class materials than the actual class take Dr. Trayes! He is a cool guy, but a horrible teacher. I have spent an easy $300 on mounting boards and photo paper. He expects you to drop everything for his class and has even told me to skip other classes in order to do his work. I would not recommend him.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: JRN3401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Class itself should not be as hard as he makes it, if it weren't for the help of the lab assistant I would not have passed the course. His final was vague and so long that no student was able to finish it in 2hrs. I would recommend it only for those serious about photojournalism. Keep in mind you will be critiqued about everything not just photos

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: JRN3401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

This is by far the worse class that I have ever taken at my time here. Here is some stuff to say before you think you want to take it, you will easily spend $400.00 or more for materials for this class and trips. He is old and does not know current technology. The class takes hours out of your week and he thinks that its the only class you have.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: JOURN3401
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

4 years in college and this may have been the best class I've ever taken. Get ready to work hard. Assignments every week. Several readings every week. Trayes is hilarious, if you can take a joke. Very, very expensive. Everyone in the class became super close. If you want to become a better photographer, take this class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: JRN3401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

His class was expensive. You will probably spend around $700 for materials + textbooks. The homework was extremely time consuming. But overall the homework was fun and this class made me a better photographer.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: INTROPHOTO
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

While the class is super expensive, Dr. Trayes is one of the most genuine teachers I've had at Temple. He is there to help and cares about his students. I wouldn't suggest taking this as an "easy A" or a bs elective class but, if you're up for the challenge I highly recommend it. I learned more in this class than I have in my entire career at TU

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: JRN3401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

So many assignments! A lot of money! He expects you to focus on his class as if it is the only one you are taking. Does not give any feedback on assignments so you are in the dark about your grade the entire semester. Shadow paper at the end of semester was cool and I did learn how to use my camera. But it takes up a lot of time!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: JRN3202
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

No cell phones in class ever,he's stickler for spelling and very critical but helpful. Study photo history and texts a lot on your own because he gets side tracked in class (but always stays in the world of photography.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: INTROPHOTOGRAP
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Don't let these Trayes disciples tell you different, he is way overrated. I had to spend around $200 on supplies (mostly paper and mounting boards). Why? Also, prepare to spend on trips. If you have class after a trip, he doesn't care if you are late. Now, I have to carry a load of 100 photos on boards, in the rain, to Trayes for a "heart to heart"

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: JOURN3401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The problem with Trayes is how he is the only one teaching Intro to Photography. He does not like to help people, and if you ever ask him a question, he will only make one of his sarcastic remarks. Be prepared to spend money on supplies. He is cold-hearted, and does not care for your financial problems. Better to go on YouTube and learn by yourself

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: BASIC345
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This man has been in the photo world for over three decades. He teaches class like it's boot camp because he doesn't have time for ****-ups and art school types. He'll give you back 10 fold what you put in. To anyone who doubts his journalism knowledge, ask Pulitzer Winner Clarence Williams about Ed Trayes. By far, the best teacher I've ever had.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PHOTOALL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

To anyone that would slander the name of Dr. Trayes, you missed the point. You get out of it what you put in for Trayes, plain and simple. If you pay attention and apply those "vague" lessons to your shooting and give it your best, you will do well and take a lot out of it. My experience at TU has been an amazing and rewarding one because of Trayes

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PHOTO1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Part of me loves Trayes because he gives you a lot of work and constantly pushes you. But on the other hand it's pretty clear he has no idea what it's like to be a working photojournalist. If shooting pictures of decapitated buildings and random "artsy" things is your cup of tea -- you've love him. But to me, it feels more like my HS photo class...

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: JOUR3401
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

One of the most difficult classes I've ever taken. Great guy, funny, old school. Assignments are very difficult and are hard to even understand. I took this as an elective to have fun but honestly it isn't very fun. It takes up a lot of time and a lot of money.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PHOTOSEM
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Last semester some student shot his semester long photo book in one day with a toy camera. He got an A. College level photography course shot in one day with a toy camera. That's all you need to know. Trayes is a joke. Plays favorites, gives no direction and grades based on effort not quality.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PHOTOALL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Trayes pushes you hard, gives you a lot of work and expects the best. However, he is so vague and has no directions. You can do projects on whatever you want in any format with no real guidelines -- the total opposite of what it's really like at a job in photojournalism. Most students have average talent, but he gives an A for (hard) effort.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PHOTOALL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took basic photo with Dr. Trayes for an elective, and his class was what made me add photojournalism as a major. He is a wonderful professor, and a great person. Yes, he gives you assignments that are vague, but it's photography- he wants you to experiment. AMAZING professor

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PHOTOALL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I have taken all of Trayes photo classes (I'm a photoj student) and although I have gotten A's or A-'s in all of them I still think he is a terrible teacher. He gives you no direction and when you ask questions he tells you to figure it out yourself. He just gives you work to keep you busy and you learn nothing in the classroom. What a waste.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PHOTOBASI
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

terrible teacher. awful. he picks favorites and holds personal grudges against people. if you miss a class because you are sick he will take it personally and actually get mad at you. he picks his favorites out the first day and gives them A's no matter what. anyone else would be lucky with a B. totally biased teacher. dont take him!!!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PHOTO101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I currently teach photography, however I worked for 30 years as a photographer I used what he taught me then and still use what he taught me today. My teaching style is patterned after his.