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 who sees it.

Today, I met with a photographer for a private lesson, and we mostly talked about using a flash.

A lot of photographers don't like flash, and I don't understand why.

Some pictures wouldn't be possible to make without it.

Today, we talked about a couple of those scenarios.

One of them is if we're photographing someone in front of a sunset or a window.

Depending on the exposure mode and the metering pattern, the subjects in front of the brighter area, like the window or the sunset, often come out as silhouettes.

On the other hand, if we're familiar with using the light meter in our camera and are metering for the person or object in front of the window or sunset, then the tonality of what's outside the window where the sunset becomes too bright or may even wash out.

The only way to see detail in both is to use a flash.

The other scenario was working inside a dark space.

In that scenario, we have two options: We can see the objects behind what the flash affects, or the objects behind what the flash affects go black.

Here's some interesting things about flash.

Flash is a portable light source we can have at any time; some cameras already have a pop-up flash.

Although those pop-up flashes aren't as powerful as separate flash units we would buy, they're still a great way to learn flash photography basics.

So, if your camera has a pop-up flash, don't ignore it.

Learn to use it, and I bet that when you do, you'll learn to like flash.

For practical purposes, some things we ought to know about flash are:

• When using flash in our photography, we describe the brightness of the flash-based on an aperture or F stop number.

• Beyond what is known as a camera's "synch speed," shutter speed has nothing to do with the illuminating light provided by a flash.

• Different flashes have different strengths. We define a flash's strength based on its guide number; the higher the guide number, the stronger it is. Usually, the guide has a specific number of 100 ISO.

• The intensity of the flash decreases as it travels. The inverse square law states that a transmitting light source doubles its distance from its origination point, the intensity of the light quarters. The inverse square law helps estimate how flash will appear as it travels from the object it illuminates into the background.

• When working with flash, we should think of light affected by flash and light not affected by flash; this helps us control the tonality relationship between the two.

• Flash is not limited to nighttime or indoors. We can also use it during the day to remove or reduce shadows.

• We can use flash exposure compensation to increase or decrease the intensity of a flash.

• Flash appears to "freeze/record motion as static" even when using shutter speeds much slower than recommended.

Learning to use a flash is one of the best things we could do for our imagery.

However, it requires a foundation in Photography Basics.

If someone has a pop-up flash on their camera and is taking the Introduction to Photography course, I introduce a basic use of flash during the last meeting.

I can work with an Intermediate Photography level photographer for more advanced flash studies and practice.

Don't be afraid of it, don't hate it, learn to use it, and it'll help us be better photographers because it will enable us to work with all kinds of light and add to our creative/compositional toolbox.

In short, it's a portable and powerful transmitting light source that can add light wherever, whenever, and to whatever we need.

Understanding how camera operation, composition, and light work together is helpful when working with flash.

Specifically, it's helpful to know how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO control tonality.

Flash is a misunderstood piece of equipment, but once you understand it, you'll know why it's one of the most essential pieces of equipment we can use.

If you've got one, you'll learn the basic use of it during the last meeting of my Introduction to Photography class.

It's a class that'll get you to understand how to operate your camera in manual exposure mode to have the most creative control possible over your pictures.

We create unique, thoughtful, and intentional compositions when we can do that.

If you'd like a personalized way to learn, there's always Private Photography Lessons made to fit your schedule and way of learning that'll cover the same material you'd get during the Introduction to Photography class.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need guidance on choosing the right course.

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

The Photography Basics (Introduction To Photography) group classes starts soon or you can learn the same stuff as a series of Private Lessons.
  
More ways to study and practice photography with me are below.

Call me at (202) 531-2344 if you need help determining the best course for you.

—

A note about group class sizes: Did you know that some places that teach photography have up to 25 students in each class? 

Bigger ain't always better.

That's why I limit my group classes to no more than five participants because smaller classes make for better, more effective, and more efficient learning experiences.

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

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

Currently scheduled classes are below.

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.