Looking for the Extraordinary or Seeing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

Published: Sun, 07/09/23

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.

These emails come with the intent of helping you be a better photographer.

And if you have any questions about photography or anything photography-related you'd like me to write about, let me know by sending an email to me at sam@samdamico.com.

Hello ,

I think the hard part of what we do is that we want to make extraordinary photographs.

And then we go looking for extraordinary things.

I think it's helpful that we want to make extraordinary photographs.

What I think works against us is that we look for extraordinary things to photograph.

Wouldn't it be easier to see the ordinary things we see daily as extraordinary?

And then compose a picture representing what we find so extraordinary about it?

There's nothing to plan for. It's a spontaneous process, so there's nothing extra to do except make a picture when something interests us.

In other words, we go about our lives, see stuff to photograph, and then go through our process of making pictures.

Seeing and Attention

We go about our day seeing.

We see some things that get our attention.

And if whatever got our attention initiates the impulse to make a picture, we should observe and investigate it.

Observing

When observing, we notice or perceive (something) and register it as significant.

Investigating

When we're investigating, we're engaging in a systematic or formal inquiry of discovery and examining what we see to establish the best way to photograph what we see.

Curiosity, Wonder, Observation, Investigation, and Extraordinary Photographs

This is all about working with curiosity, wonder, observation, and Investigation while creating pictures.

Our curiosity leads to wondering, which leads to observing, which leads to investigating, which, in our case, may lead to creating a photograph.

And, if we're true to ourselves as photography creators and understand how to work our camera intentionally and thoughtfully, our instincts will let us know how to create an extraordinary photograph. No matter how "ordinary" things appear.

An Introduction To Photography class starts today, Sunday, July 9. If you missed the chance to register for the course, there's more scheduled. Register now.

Or you could take a series of In-Person or Online private lessons and learn the same stuff.

More ways to learn photography with me are below.

References

D'Amico, S. (2023, June 1). Finding Inspiration in the Ordinary. Sam D'Amico Photography Newsletter Hub. Retrieved July 8, 2023, from https://www.aweber.com/users/messages/edit/64a97d35be7f28430aa37e50

D'Amico, S. (2023, July 7). Inspiration!? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Inspiration To Be Creative. Sam D'Amico Photography Newsletter Hub. Retrieved July 8, 2023, from https://archive.aweber.com/newsletter/samdamico/MTk2NDExODI=/inspiration-we-dont-need-no-stinkin-inspiration-to-be-creative.htm

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. There's no charge for a follow-up consultation. Just leave your phone number on the form, and I'll call you. 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

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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

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