Paying Attention to These Two Things Will Improve Our Photographs Immediately

Published: Sun, 06/25/23

Sam offers in-person and online photography instruction. Call him at 202-531-2344 to see how he can help you.

You'll find the photography-related stuff after I unabashedly ask you to do one more thing during your busy day.

I'm not a politician, but I'm asking for your vote!

And I promise, regardless of who wins, I won't question the outcome, ask for a re-vote, storm the offices of the Washington City Paper, or try to overthrow their management.

So click the green, square "Best of DC 2023" graphic and vote for the Sam D'Amico Photography Classes in the Washington City Paper's Best Art Class category.

Thank you.

Hello ,

We often struggle with composing pictures.

Sometimes, or more than sometimes, our compositions don't quite come out the way we'd like.

Part of the problem may be understanding camera operation.

Another problem may be that visual awareness isn't directed to our compositional elements while making a picture.

Framing and content are elements of composition, which we do during camera operation when composing our pictures.

Furthermore, framing and content are something we can pay attention to using any camera we have.

And yes, even the camera on our phone.

Framing

Simply put when we compose a picture, we create a frame.

We have edges, horizontally and vertically, where our pictures end.

That's the frame.

Framing is an activity we do while composing our pictures and a compositional element we can critique.

And, if we've got a camera with a viewfinder, I think using the viewfinder, instead of the LCD screen usually found on the backs of most cameras, is the way to go when making pictures.

Additionally, knowing our viewfinder coverage is essential.

Knowing our viewfinder coverage area is important because many viewfinders do not show us 100 percent of what we'll be getting in our frame (image area).

In other words, even though we're paying meticulous attention to framing and content, we may get more in our photographs than we see in our viewfinder.

This is why I have a preference for cameras that give me 100 percent of the image area in the viewfinder.,

We usually find the percentage of our viewfinder coverage in the specifications pages in the full version of our camera owner's manual.

On a side note, we should calibrate our viewfinder by adjusting the diopter to match our eyesight.

Content

In short, whatever we put in the frame is content.

But we need to pay attention to what we put in the frame.

Because the visual information we leave in or keep out of the frame is essential for our intent of the composition.

If we put too much in the frame, that extra stuff may become a distraction.

Think of the tree sticking out of someone's head as a mistake reference.

If it's intentional, then it's not a mistake.

And, If we keep too much out of the frame, then we're not entirely composing the picture based on our intent.

Just like the Goldilocks fable, it's gotta be just right.

Not perfect, just right.

Some photographers think it'd be a big faux pas to keep hands and feet out of the frame of a photograph.

And it would be if we didn't intend to crop them out.

At this point, It's pretty evident this is all about intent.

Specifically, we intend to create thoughtfully composed photographs.

Photographs that communicate our intent of the composition.

And substantial parts of the composition are framing and content.

But of course, there's more to pay attention to.

But framing and content are quick to learn, and paying attention to them will immediately benefit our work.

I've got some upcoming Learn To Think Like A Photographer classes in DC that cover framing and content and other elements of composition we need to pay attention to.

It's also available as an In-Person or Online One-on-One Private Instruction .

And as a video series on my online learning platform.

More classes are below.

These emails come with the intent of helping you be a better photographer. Here's an archive of them at the "Newsletter Hub."

Ways To Learn Photography With Sam

---Learn To Think Like A Photographer

Use the camera on your phone to learn about photography, camera operation, and composition. It only takes about an hour.

Also available as a video series on my online learning platform for Photographers.

---Getting To Know Your Camera
Start using your camera thoughtfully and effectively using the aperture and shutter speed as compositional controls.

Also available as a video series on my online learning platform for Photographers.

---Introduction To Photography
Learn to work your camera in manual exposure mode.

---Intermediate Photography

Refine, build and expand upon the skills learned during the introduction To Photography class.

---In-Person or Online One-on-One Private Instruction

Sometimes, a customized lesson plan works best.

---Join my Online Learning Platform for photographers and study and practice with me at your own pace.

---Take a free Photography and Camera Operation Test. Because if we're going to learn, we've got to know what we don't know.

---Get guidance on going from where you are to where you want to be as a photographer. No charge. Photography Instruction Strategy Questionnaire.

---Get a Free Consultation With Sam To Improve Your Photography

Get in touch with me if you have any questions.

I look forward to helping you be a better photographer.

Best Regards,

Sam

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Sam

Sam D'Amico, a professional photographer and photography instructor, helps anyone who wants to be a better photographer.

He'll work with his students to increase their understanding of camera operation, composition, light, and lighting.

Sam started working as a professional photographer in the mid-1980s.

Most notably, from 1992 to 1997, while working as a freelance photographer, he photographed over 500 assignments for the New York Times.

Additionally, Sam received awards for his work while exhibiting his photographs in shows.

Sam began teaching photography professionally in 1998 through the Highland Park, N.J. recreation department.

In 2002 Sam moved to Washington, D.C., and began teaching at the accredited Washington School of Photography in Bethesda, Md.

It was in 2003 that Sam developed his curriculum and started teaching classes in Washington, D.C.

In 2018 and 2022, the Sam D'Amico Photography Classes were voted the "Best of DC" art class by the readers of the Washington City Paper.

Many photography teachers spend a lot of time teaching about DSLRs and rules of composition that create homogenized, rigid photographs.

On the other hand, Sam teaches about camera operation, thought process, and the individual photographer's visual communication intent.

This approach to teaching allows his students to use ANY camera (yes, even the camera on their phone) and break free of the rules of composition.

Approaching the creative process this way allows for fluid and spontaneous photographs unique to the photographer creating them.

Sam encourages his students to find their ways as photographers.

He instills the skills in his students that result in creative, engaging, and unique compositions that reflect the photographer's intended one-of-a-kind visual expression.

Call Sam for a FREE consultation when you're ready

to be a better photographer. 202-531-2344

Take a Basic Photography and Camera Operation Quiz

Photography Instruction Strategy Questionnaire

Sam D'Amico

Sam D'Amico/Sam D'Amico Photography
Website: https://samdamico.com
Email: sam@samdamico.com
Phone: 202-531-2344

Washington, DC

United States

---

Sam offers in-person and online photography instruction. Call him at 202-531-2344 to see how he can help you.

1701 Park Road NW
Washington DC 20010
USA

Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options