These emails come with the intent of helping you be a better photographer. But if you're tired of hearing from me, unsubscribe.

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, .

Yesterday, the costumes I saw people wearing for Halloween got me thinking about appearances.

The costumes worn yesterday made people appear to be what they're not in daily life.

There's a big difference between dressing up like a doctor and wearing a stethoscope and the massive job of being a doctor.

And being a clown, for example, requires a lot more than slappin' on a clown suit and makeup.

When we buy cameras because we think they will make us better photographers, we need clarity and guidance regarding photography and being a photographer.  

We've gotta learn how to use those cameras effectively and confidently.  

Because although we may look like photoigraohers, when push comes to shove, we din't know what we're doin'.

Being a photographer is more than having a camera, tripods, camera bags, flashes, etc.  

Being a photographer is a complex role that often needs clarification and understanding about the relationships between camera operation, composition, and light.  

Looking the part, wearing the costume, and lugging around the gear ain't the hard part.

If the costume puts us in the right frame of mind, that's helpful.

But that's the easy part.

The hard parts are the important parts.

And the important parts are the parts we usually avoid.

The important and essential parts are learning to use our cameras confidently and understanding composition and light.  

We can be excellent photographers in daily life.

But, we gotta take care of the important parts because looking the part and havin' the gear ain't enough.

Taking care of the important parts means studying and practicing  with our cameras, to become proficient in camera operation, composition and describing and understanding  the light we're working with.

In other words It's about honing our skills and understanding the craft.      

And working in  manual exposure mode is the best way.

If you want to learn to work that way, too, I've got an Introduction to Photography class scheduled. 

If the schedule doesn't work for you, we can always schedule a series of private lessons. to teach you the same stuff.

And remember.

This weekend's weather is gonna be perfect for making peak fall foliage photographs. 

So why not do that with me and learn how to be a better photographer during my Washington DC Fall Foliage, Architecture, and Street Photography Excursions scheduled.

Bring whatever camera you use, and let's make unique pictures of the vibrantly colored foliage before it falls from the branches and becomes ground cover.  

I hope you've been studying and practicing your photography.

The ways to study and practice photography with me are below.

Call me if you need help determining the best course for you.

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

Currently scheduled classes are below.

Smaller classes mean better learning, so class sizes are limited to 5 participants plus me.

But smaller classes also mean spots fill up quicker, so sign up soon. 

And what if the timing doesn't work for you in any of my scheduled group classes? Private in-person or online lessons suited to your schedule are always an option. 

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