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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.

When we generalize photography, especially for matters of composition, it works against us.

HOW DO WE GENERALIZE OUR PHOTOGRAPHY?

We generalize or standardize photography a lot. And while having some standards in our work is okay,  it’s not OK when creating a unique photograph. 

Because a standard we apply to one picture will not apply to others we make. 

In other words, each particular photo should have its unique approach.

When making a photograph, some photographers use rules for their compositions. 

However, some generalizations, standards, and rules limit our curiosity, stifle our spontaneity, and muffle whatever we’re trying to say through our picture. 

One of the most usual ways we impose standards on our work is with rules of composition, especially the “rule of thirds.”

WHY DO WE GENERALIZE OUR PHOTOGRAPHY?

I think we use rules in our photography to make our work better. 

And while I’m a big fan of keeping some things simple, simplicity doesn’t always serve us, especially in composition.

For example, using the same camera settings, lighting, or posing, as many studios do, produces a visual sameness. 

Doing that generalizes and simplifies the lighting and posing and creates a cookie-cutter, one size fits all approach to portraiture. 

The studios photograph different people with different personalities, but because of the standardized approach to portraiture, all the pictures have the same feeling and look.

WHY WE SHOULDN’T GENERALIZE OUR PHOTOGRAPHY

The Introduction To Photography classes are starting soon.
 

If the schedules don’t work for you, we could arrange a series of private lessons covering the same material.

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.