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.

Our photographs are artifacts that communicate facts, feelings, or opinions.

A book printed on paper and bound is an artifact, too.

It's the object we can hold and the words printed on it.

When we get our work printed, it becomes an object we can hold with an image on it; usually, a piece of photographic paper with a printed reproduction of the image we created as a photograph.

We can get photographs reproduced in many other ways beyond paper.

We can view them online or send them as emails as digital files.  

However,  I wouldn't call those images artifacts; the display devices we see them on are.

A ring passed down from generation to generation, like a wedding ring, is an artifact with the idea attached to it of being a sentimental symbol of commitment and love.

Additionally, it has sentimental value that, if we lost it, would be worth more than a replacement cost.

In a way, our pictures are like that, especially if we lose the digital file or negative that we use to make reproductions.

If we create pictures that have sentimental value to us or anyone else, that sentimental value makes them priceless.

 The value of ideas fades, which is why many old books are worthless.  

Wanna see artifacts that hold previously valuable ideas but are now worthless?

Go to any garage sale filled with previously valuable items that hold ideas that people have little interest in.

An object's monetary value may fade, but the ideas it represents often remain essential and enduring.

That's what happens when we upgrade our equipment, especially cameras.

When technology changes, the cameras around us change in value.

That explains why film cameras, once considered nearly worthless when digital cameras took hold, are now relatively valuable while the newest digital cameras are also expensive.

It also explains that a photographic print we can hold, although relatively inexpensive to make, has an infinitely valuable sentimental value to those who connect with the facts, feelings, or opinions the print (artifact) communicates when they hold it.

However, we photographers need to understand photography to create the basis for those artifacts.

And that means understanding photography, which includes camera operation, composition, and light.

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.