I'm Curious About Your Photographs; a New Lessons Learned, and an Old Lesson Relearned; a Reminder About 25% off Gift Certificates

Greetings and an Opening

Hello , 

I hope you had an enjoyable holiday weekend.

And I hope that some of that enjoyment came from making pictures. When I asked, "How did your photographs come out?" I was asking you to critique your work. 

Many of us critique our work ineffectively. It usually goes that the ones we like are keepers, and we immediately delete those we don't like. And while this is an excellent approach, If we're trying to improve our photography, it's not an approach I'd recommend. 

So, what should we do with the pictures we don't like? Before we delete them, critique them. There's no need to do this with all the images we plan to delete. But to improve our work, we need to define what elements of composition fell short in terms of our photograph. Maybe it was framing and content? Was it tonality/exposure? How about sharpness/focus? It's even possible that it could be a combination of all the elements of composition. 

Whatever er the reason, this is an opportunity. Because, when we critique our work methodically, especially in terms of the elements of composition, we are deconstructing a photograph. And when we learn to deconstruct, we're also learning to construct. And that's what composition is. It's a construction process. And after we compose/construct, we critique/deconstruct. This approach will ensure that our work keeps improving; no matter what level of photographer we consider ourselves, there's always room for improvement. 

Please let me know if you've got an online place to display the pictures you've made. I'd enjoy seeing them. 

And if you think you need help being a better photographer, I can help. 

New Lesson Learned and A Reminder Of An Old Lesson

And my apologies for the subject line of the email I sent On Friday, November 25. I know your name isn't "! firstname_fix".

And here's the interesting part. I was quick to blame the technology of the platform I use to send you emails. Nope, it was me. Instead of relying on automation, I tried to manually type the shortcode needed to populate the subject area and the greeting area, and I royally messed it up. I thank the photographer who responded to the email pointing out my goof-up. 

I learned something new about how to write shortcodes.

And I was reminded of an old lesson. The old lesson is that we often want to blame our mistakes on technology. For example, "If I had a "better" camera, my photographs would be better. 

But the truth is that it's often not the camera; we misunderstand the light we're working with and how to best use the technology/camera that we have (even the camera on our phones) to get the best picture we can.  

Don't get frustrated. Keep making photographs, critiquing them, and learning about camera operation, light, and composition. 

 Save 25% on Photography Lessons

Get yourself a gift certificate to give, ask someone to gift one to you, or gift one to yourself. 

Whoever receives the gift certificate gets to use it for any photography lessons/classes I offer whenever is convenient for them, and they'll be better photographers. 

Gift certificates are fast, convenient, and valuable for a photographer at any level. And the gift certificate is sent to you, or whoever you choose, quickly via email so you can print it out to give or send electronically. That means no delays and supply chain issues.

Here's the link to get a gift certificate for 25% off. 

 25% Off Gift Certificates

or

http://s.thegiftcardcafe.com/PKkgFw

Best Regards, enjoy the holiday and make thoughtful photographs,

--- Sam

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 and boosted 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 practical 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 equipment/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 you'll immediately begin using while working with any camera. 

Study and Practice with Sam on His Online Learning Platform for Photographers

The Online Learning Platform is an excellent standalone way to learn about photography or can be used as a supplement to the other methods of working with me. 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 (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. The monthly fee is $25.00, and you can start and stop whenever you'd like.

Follow Me On Instagram

I've been making Instagram content, mostly Reels, based on what I teach in my photography classes. If you do the Instagram thing, follow me. 

https://www.instagram.com/samdamico.photography/

@samdamico.photography

Please get in touch with me if you have any questions.