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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, email 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, .

Think about the phrase, "We don't know what we don't know. "

That's a modern-day version of a nugget of wisdom from Socrates, who stated, "I only know that I know nothing."

The intentionally redundant maxim means we can only work with the information we have, and of course, we can't work with the information we don't have because we don't know about it.

Ain't that the way it goes with a lot of things in our life?

We only know what we don't know when we know what we don't understand.

And the way we get to know it is by being curious and learning about it.  

When working with photographers during classes or private lessons,  I hear photographers respond to the stuff I teach by saying, "I didn't know that" or "Now I understand."

I remember saying similar things when I started working with a teacher.

I didn't know what I didn't know, but I knew I didn't know enough to do what I wanted to do as a photographer.

I got to the point where trying to teach myself still left me with a lot of not knowing. 

That's why I sought out a teacher.

I recall knowing that I wanted to be a better photographer.

And it wasn't until I started working with a good teacher that I realized all I didn't know.

I learned more about photography while working with a teacher than I ever could.  

And on the rare occasion that I come into contact with one of my teachers, they remind me of where I was and how far I've come because of their help. 

There's still a lot of things I don't know.

For example, since I don't particularly appreciate being stuck in a darkroom or on a computer using editing software beyond the bare necessities, darkroom/computer editing skills aren't my strong points

But, I'm confident in my abilities, skills, and understanding of camera operation, light, and composition.

I'm the kind of photographer who prefers to get everything done on camera when I'm taking the picture.

My approach to photography probably has a lot to do with my background in photojournalism and using film during that time. 

Still, whatever the reason, that's how I prefer working regarding my photography studies and practice.

And as a teacher, that's what I teach.

If you want to learn how to use your camera effectively to compose the best pictures possible, I can help you.

You’ll learn effective camera operation, gain a good understanding of light, and know how to make the best pictures you can confidently. 

The Introduction to Photography classes scheduled for March are now open for registration. Other scheduled group classes are below.

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

But smaller classes also mean spots fill up quicker. 

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

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.