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One of the things I always say about making photographs is that we gotta do the best we can with whatever equipment we have.

If we do that and understand photography, we’ll operate our camera intentionally, thoughtfully, and skillfully to get the compositions we want with whatever light we have to work with

During a private lesson today, I met with a photographer who exemplified those words.
 

He showed me a picture and filled me in on the circumstances surrounding it’s creation when he and his wife we’re out one evening.

Of course, he brought his camera during a therecent evening out with his wife, but he didn’t wanna lug around a 200 mm lens, so he left that at home.
 

But sure enough, they witnessed a full moon called the Sturgeon Moon (I believe it was on August 9; look it up; it was a nice-looking moon), and that 200 mm lens with his tele converter would’ve been ideal to make the picture he had in mind.

But he didn’t have it.

But he thoughtfully and skillfully made the picture anyway with his 70 mm lens

When we looked at the picture in LightRoom, unaltered and unedited from the camera, the moon appeared as a small white dot in the black sky above the city skyline.

The 70 mm wasn’t enough focal length to get the picture he imagined.

But he got a picture, with an appropriate exposure, which gave him a good tonality; that’s where the thoughtfulness and skillfulness came in.

That was important because without that, seeing the detail of the Sturgeon Moon wouldn’t have been possible.

He had good tonality and detail in the parts of the picture that mattered; all he did was blow it up and crop it to get the image he wanted.
 

He was smart enough to know that even though he didn’t have the “ideal” lens he imagined would best do the job, he made the picture anyway.

And he made it skillfully and thoughtfully, and did the best he could with what he had, and what he got in return was an excellent photograph.
 

We can’t ask for anything more.

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.

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Become a better photographer by joining my Online Learning Platform for Photographers – Study and practice at your own pace with access to exclusive content, assignments, and feedback.

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.