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.

Most of the hullabaloo about cameras is about the great things they can do for us without requiring us to understand photography.

In 1888, George Eastman, the founder of Kodak, coined the advertising slogan "You Press the Button, We Do the Rest."

That slogan was used to promote the Koadak Cameras which made photography accessible to the average person through the simplicity of use of the product their line of cameras.

Cameras today are simple to use, but there's a lotta complexity going on that most photographers aren't aware of.

At one time, photography was only something someone did professionally or pursued as a hobby.

However, today, photography is a widespread pastime because, regardless of the camera we use, from those on our phones to higher-end DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, the complex process of creating a picture has become largely automated.

Because of the automation of picture creation, a lotta photographers have overlooked a significant portion of the artistry, creativity, and craftsmanship involved in creating pictures.  

However, photographers who've decided to use a camera as a tool to express their artistry, creativity, and craftsmanship choose to work in manual exposure mode.

These photographers are intentionally using the camera to measure the intensity (brightness) of light by metering, focusing light sharply by using a variety of focus modes and areas and using aperture, shutter speed, and ISO as compositional elements that serve as the building blocks of thoughtfully composed one-of-a-kind photographs that are compelling visual communications.

Our photography can be thoughtless or thoughtful.

Our thoughtless photographs show the viewer what we see.

Our thoughtful photographs show the viewer how we think about what we see.

A photograph based on how we think about what we see is a much more compelling photograph to look at.

The best way to create a photograph based on the way we think about what we see is in manual exposure mode because we can control the camera functions that allow us to fully express our creativity and artistry.  

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.

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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.