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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, .

Blankets; Don't they feel comforting?

Especially security blankets.

And our photography can have "security blankets" too.

I've read that when adults have "security blankets," it means we have a specific thing, usually from our childhood, that gives us a sense of security and comfort like a baby might use a comfort blanket.

We may turn to it during stressful or uncertain situations.

Security blankets are helpful as long as they don't significantly impact daily life; they're generally considered normal.

For example, I understand why photographers use film cameras.

However, our photography can be stressful, uncertain, and frustrating when we don't understand what we're doing regarding camera operation, composition, and light.

Just like we may hold onto a security blanket for comfort, we might hold onto things like 'rules of composition' or 'tips, tricks, and hacks' as our photography security blankets.

However, when we begin to look for compositional security blankets in our photography, our work loses its spontaneity, fluidity, uniqueness, and creativity.  

Compositional security blankets significantly impact our work in a not-so-good way.

I'm using the word blanket as a play on words.

What I mean by using the word "blanket" is a rule or another statement that "covers everything." 

By covering everything, we can be comfortably limited instead of excitedly open-minded to the limitless possibilities of photographic composition unbounded by rules.

An example of a familiar blanket in photography is the rule of thirds. 

However, there are plenty of others.

While a blanket may feel good, compositional security blankets significantly impact our photography because they reduce spontaneity and open-mindedness.

And when we lose spontaneity and open-mindedness, we lose fluidity and uniqueness.

In other words, everything becomes the same.

And how can we stand out as photographers who use blankets? 

In short, we don't.

And what if our photographs don't stand out?

In that case, they've probably blended into the crowd of homogeneous imagery produced by photographers clinging to "rules of composition" and other compositional security blankets that limit our visual expression.

Forget the rules of composition security blankets because they significantly impact our creativity.

Instead, I encourage you to experiment, pay attention to your unique visual awareness and voice, and open your mind to the limitless possibilities of photographic composition instead of limiting rules of composition.

This is where true creativity and uniqueness can be expressed.

And if you've yet to learn any rules of composition, don't bother. 

Instead of being comforted by security blankets, we can be comforted by knowing what we're doing when it comes to camera operation, composition, and light.

If you need help with your photography, I've scheduled a bunch of Introduction To Photography and Getting To Know Your Camera classes.

And remember, Private Lessons are always an option if you need a schedule different from the ones I've listed.

Ready to take your photography skills to the next level and become a better photographer?

Making pictures in manual exposure mode is the best way to do that, and the best way to learn to work in manual exposure mode is through the Introduction To Photography class.  

The Introduction To Photography class equips you to become a more confident photographer who understands how to use their camera to compose the best pictures possible while working with whatever light you have to work with.

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

If you need help to improve your photography, I'm here to help you.

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