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

And if you want more photography stuff to read, there's a place on the interwebs where past emails I wrote are stored. You'll find 'em in the "Newsletter Hub." 

Remember, I'd like to know what you want to know about photography. So, If you have any questions, ask by sending an email to me at sam@samdamico.com. And for what it's worth. When you send me an email, unless someone's lookin' over my shoulder, I'm the only one that sees it.

Hello ,

We generally describe the focal lengths of lenses as wide angle, normal, and telephoto.

We describe a  50mm lens as a normal lens, with any number lower than that being a wide angle and any number larger than that as a telephoto.

There are fixed focal length lenses, such as a 50mm lens, and then there are zoom lenses, which are variable focal length lenses.

An example of a Zoom lens might be 18-55mm.

In photographers' jargon, we'd call a wide-angle lens a short lens and a telephoto lens a long long.

I'm guessing that might have to do with the actual length of the lens, as telephoto lenses tend to be longer.

But I also think about the distance I need to stand from the subject if I want the subject to appear the same size in the frame.

With a wide-angle lens, I need to get closer to the subject (a shorter distance), while with a telephoto lens, I need to be farther from the subject (a longer distance).

Focal length is one consideration of a lens, but another consideration is the maximum size of the lens opening.

We describe the maximum size of the lens opening as an f-number or aperture, such as F5/5.6.

And the f-number has to do with how much exposure the lens allows.

An example of a description of a fixed focal length lens might be 50mm, f-4.

Examples of zoom lenses might be 18-55mm, f/3.5-5.6 or 18-55mm, f/4.

In the first case, the aperture varies depending on the focal length.

The aperture stays the same throughout the focal length range in the second case.

It's one thing to read about lenses and focal lengths; it's another to learn all about them while working with them.

And we learn by doing.

The Introduction To Photography class will get you doing the work. 

And by doing the work, you'll be a better photographer. 

One starts on Wednesday, January 10, and the other on Sunday, January 14. 

The January 14th class has one spot left. 

Smaller classes mean better learning, So there are no more than five participants and me in each class. 

And remember, we learn and improve by doing, so practice making at least one picture today. 

That's all for now; thanks for reading! 
Sam

I'll help you be a better photographer—study and practice photography with me. 

And what if the timing doesn't work for you in any of my scheduled group classes? If that's the case, let's schedule a one-time lesson or a series of in-person or online private instruction that covers the same things as my group classes. 

Ways to work with me are listed below.

I look forward to helping you be a better photographer.

Best Regards, 

Sam