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 was the last meeting of a series of four private lessons with a photographer who contacted me because they felt creatively stuck.
 

Beyond a couple of techniques they weren’t familiar with, such as spot metering and tonal placement, they had a good understanding of camera operation and how the camera's functions, like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, influence the composition of their photograph.
 

In other words, their compositional toolbox already had a good range of techniques.
 

So, nothing technical influenced their feelings about their creativity; they just thought they weren’t as creative as they could be.
 

During the last meeting, they also mentioned that before we started meeting, they thought they were missing something, and if they found out what that was, they would be a better photographer.

The only thing that helps us be better photographers creatively is our understanding of how camera operation, composition, and light work together to create our compositions—in other words, our understanding of photography.
 

This photographer had a good understanding of photography.
 

He was facing creative difficulties because he thought something was missing, and if he only found it, he would become a better photographer.

It’s almost as if he thought creativity was something special that only a few of us are lucky to have.
 

The truth is, we’re all creative, and we’re lucky that we are.
 

Two things usually keep us from being creative.

One, we don’t think we are.

And two, we lack the technique to express our creativity

To express our creativity with a camera, we need to understand photography.
 

Remember, the photographer I’ve been working with already does.

But sometimes we feel we get stuck in a creative rut.
 

The trick is to stop looking for things to photograph and start seeing.
 

When we see instead of look, things to photograph appear to come out of nowhere.
 

Another good creative exercise is to imagine whatever we see right now as a final photograph and imagine what we do with our cameras to make the picture.
 

Our work isn’t to find interesting things to photograph; our job is to make the things we photograph into an interesting picture.

Remember, we’re all creative; however, technique serves creativity.
 

When you work with me, I can help you become a better photographer by helping you understand photography and applying techniques to express your creativity.

The Photography Basics (Introduction To Photography) group classes starts soon and It’s all about learning technique and and expressing our creativity. 

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.