While film, DSLR and mirrorless cameras all work on the same principles which are controlled by the photographer, smartphone cameras tend to vary by brand and model using apps designed by the manufacturer.

The teaching methods used in NYPW classes are based on established photography principles which can be applied to any DSLR or mirrorless camera be it film or digital. How well they apply to each individual smartphone camera will depend on the apps used.

Smartphones are an excellent choice for learning image composition, understanding lighting and some image editing. However, a dedicated DSLR or mirrorless camera is the basic tool for learning all photography skills, including composition and lighting, that are needed for creative imaging that is repeatable and more than just a lucky shot.

If your goal is to learn photography, a dedicated camera is recommended. However, you could start out with a smartphone, but you will need to migrate to a dedicated camera after composition and lighting classes are completed.

Some smartphones that include manual camera adjustments may qualify to be used for classes that teach important photography basics such as focal length, shutter speed, aperture and ISO among other important adjustments.

It may be helpful to know that many advanced and professional photographers use smartphone cameras in their everyday life for casual photography intended for social media. For more important creative imaging they use a dedicated camera.