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 ,

Lights, camera, action!

That phrase is associated with movie-making and describes what we do as photographers.

And we do it with less of a production. 

I've modified it in the email's subject line to fit more of what we do as photographers who create stills, not movies. 

Most of us don't use sound or lighting crews or work with the people associated with movie making.

Although, if we work with models, they can be considered actors.

The work we do is usually different than making movies.

Usually, it is just us, our camera, and our subject, and we work with whatever light there is when making the picture.

But the phrases light, camera, and action apply to us, too.

We see the light that interests us and take action by using our camera to record the light.

We take many actions.

Some of our actions are subject-related. 

Like moving around our subject to get a more interesting composition or directing our subject if we're doing portraits.

We're actively lighting if we're using external light sources such as studio strobes or portable flashes. 

But I'd say the most essential part of our activity involves camera operation. 

Actions like focusing, metering, picking the correct exposure settings, and ISO get us the picture we want.    

Depending on the exposure mode, we take more or less action.

But the more action we take, the more elements of composition we can use.

The more elements of composition we use, the more visual depth and complexity we can add to our picture.

Automatic exposure mode gives us a minor depth and complexity because the camera makes the picture for us.

Manual exposure mode gives us the most compositional depth and complexity because we get involved in every element of the compositional process.  

The last class of the January series of Introduction To Photography starts on Sunday, January 14, and there's only one spot left. 

Take action and grab that spot.

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.