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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 who sees it.

There are a lot of cameras out there, and they all do the same thing.

They're light recording tools that enable photographers to make photographs.

An expensive, complex camera, like a DSLR or mirrorless, isn't purchased to make a picture; the cameras on our phones could do that too.

We purchased a complex, expensive camera because it allows us to take pictures at a compositional depth that simpler cameras can't and will enable us to realize our full potential as photographers.

But remember, getting a better camera doesn't make us better photographers; what makes us better photographers is understanding photography and how to use that better camera to make better pictures.

But when we get that complex camera, we find it intimidating because of the numerous options we get regarding camera functionality, so we wind up working it in an automatic exposure mode or fumble around with other exposure modes without understanding what we're doing.

To simplify the complexity of our camera, we should pay attention to the following functions that we can only access in either of the priority modes: aperture priority and shutter priority or work in manual exposure mode.

Specifically, we should pay attention to the following, especially when working in manual exposure mode.

• Focusing modes and areas
• Metering modes/patterns
• Controlling tonality/picture brightness with exposure compensation when working in a priority exposure mode or with aperture, shutter speed, and ISO when working in manual exposure mode.

Working in manual exposure mode is the best way to bring understanding to what we're doing and allow the most compositional options and depth.

What we're really doing when we do this is creating the conditions to allow for a thorough understanding of the interrelationship between camera operation, composition, and light.

Once we understand that, we'll no longer be intimidated by our cameras or frustrated with photography because we'll confidently operate our cameras and undoubtedly make the best pictures possible.

The Introduction To Photography class starts soon. 
  
More 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 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.