Are You One of Those Photographers?
If you think you're one of those photographers, I want to let you know that you are a photographer and don't listen to the naysayers.
A photographer I met seemed disgruntled. They said that everyone who has a camera thinks
they're a photographer. I didn't want to get into it with them because it seemed that this particular photographer thought very highly of themselves and their expensive camera.
I imagine they believed that the rest of us running around taking pictures with our phones and less costly cameras couldn't create photographs nearly as good as theirs. Since our equipment is basic, we can't be good photographers that produce good
pictures. Of course, nothing can be further than the truth.
Here's The Question; Are We Making
Photographs?
If we're making photographs, we're photographers. We being photographers has nothing to do with what camera we use. It's simple. As soon as we make pictures, by default, we're photographers. But there is another question.
Are We Good Photographers?
Now that we've established that we are photographers, the question becomes, are we, good photographers? And that question can't be genuinely answered
by anyone but ourselves. Because If we think that we can be a better photographer, it's only our answer to how we can be a better photographer that will guide us in our studies and practice.
For example, if we feel our pictures are frequently unintentionally unsharp or blurry, we need to understand why that may happen. And out of that understanding comes a spotlight on what we need to work on in our studies and practice. And after we've applied ourselves in our studies and practice, we've become better photographers. And this process continues over and over again.
There's Always Room For Improvement
No
matter how long we've been making pictures, and regardless of the equipment we work with, there's always room for improvement. But remember, It's not for anyone but ourselves to define how or why we need improvement. Because photography, even though we use the same tools and procedures to make photographs, our way of photography is and should remain unique to each of us.
If We Need Help, We Should Get Help
Of course, if we
need help with improving our photography, we should get help.
However, it's up to us to inform the teacher how to help us improve. In other words, before the teacher teaches, they need to learn how we believe we need improvement, and then the teacher should develop a course of studies and practice to get us to
where we want to be.
And the process continues throughout our life. And in continuing that process, we never get bored with our work or become disgruntled
photographers. We just keep making photographs.
--- Sam
PS
I've been making Instagram Reels based on what I teach in my photography classes.
@samdamico.photography
Available Ways to Learn Photography With Sam
In-Person or Online One-on-One Private Instruction
Whether you're a beginner or a more
advanced photographer, I can work with you in-person or online on a one-on-one basis. This format allows me to help you improve your photography with custom-tailored instruction. You can use anything from a DSLR to the camera on your phone. Bring whatever you have in equipment and skill level, and I'll help you make more thoughtfully composed photographs. Please be fully vaccinated if we meet in person and follow all CDC and local guidelines.
Online Live Group Classes
Study and practice photography with me from wherever you are. Online group classes are effective and, when considering COVID, a safe way to learn photography.
---Getting To Know Your Camera
This one meeting two-hour class will familiarize you with your camera's
most important functions. We'll cover exposure, focusing, and metering methods. You'll be working more thoughtfully and creating intentional compositions. And you'll leave this class working on your camera in aperture and shutter priority modes. This class is also a prerequisite to the online Introduction To Photography group class.
---Introduction To Photography
A four meeting 8-hour class that meets once a week for two hours will get you working your camera in manual exposure mode. The Getting to Know Your Camera class is a prerequisite for taking this class online.
Recorded, Learn at Your Own Pace Classes/Webinars Available on Sam's Online Learning Platform for Photographers
---Getting To Know Your Camera
This class will familiarize you with your camera's most critical functions. We'll cover exposure modes, focusing modes, and metering modes. This class aims to get you working on your camera in aperture and shutter priority modes. Working your camera in this manner will get you working more thoughtfully and creating intentional compositions. This class is also a prerequisite to the online Introduction To Photography group class.
---Learn To Think Like A Photographer
While all my instruction involves teaching camera operation and thought process, this introductory class teaches thought process and camera operation by using the camera on your phone. However, I wouldn't consider this a "phone photography class" because
this is a composition class that teaches a thought/compositional process that can be carried over into any camera.
Study and Practice with Sam on His Online Learning Platform for Photographers
When you study and practice photography with me via my online learning platform, you'll not only have access to the classes
and webinars available there (see directly above), but you'll also get to ask me questions and get answers. You'll also get monthly assignments to keep you thinking about photography and a live online monthly meeting. This is an excellent standalone way to learn about photography or can be used as a supplement to the other methods of working with me. The monthly fee is $25.00, and you can start and stop whenever you'd like.
Please get in touch with me if you have any questions.
