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, this was the last meeting of the four-week Introduction to Photography class that started on August 3.

During the last meeting, I usually try to keep the new topics light because I wanna ensure that the techniques and issues we covered during the previous three weeks are understood well enough for the participants to continue their studies and practice.
 

That said, the new topics usually introduced are white balance and light characteristics.

I say usually because if one or more participants have a pop-up flash on their camera, we cover basic flash photography, too.

But even though it’s not on the agenda, we usually discuss composition.
 

This usually happens when we’re nearing the end of the class, and I ask if there is anything anyone wishes I had covered that I didn’t.
 

The usual response is “Well, what about composition?”
 

I usually reply, “What about it”?

I say that because the photographer failed to realize that all we’ve been doing is composition, and I’m trying to determine what they think composition is.

The photographer usually seeks rules and guidelines that ensure the composition of their pictures is well-composed.
 

First, the idea of well-composed is subjective, and the only person who should be critiquing a photograph as well-composed or not is the photographer making the photograph.

Second, although we can find a bunch of composition rules online, I think it’s best to ignore them.
 

Instead of rules of composition, think of elements of composition.
 

And everything we do is an element of composition.
 

The elements start the moment we see something to photograph and begin to think of how to photograph it.

Composition includes everything from the camera we use to how we operate to how we observe and describe the light and the intent of our composition.

The central aspect of composition is that it should be thoughtful, intentional, and fluid.
 

Rules limit, rules restrict, rules bind.

If we have an unbound mind full of creativity, why stifle it with rules of composition?

So why isn’t composition on the agenda?
 

Because from the second the introduction to photography class starts to the second it ends, we are dealing with elements of composition and composing photographs.

Talking about composition intellectually is one thing; actually doing composition is another.
 

And since everything we do is an element of composition, we’re always doing composition.

The level of our intent and involvement varies, however.

If we’re working in automatic exposure mode, the only level of intent is framing in content and pressing the shutter release button.

If we’re working in manual exposure mode, as we did during the Introduction to Photography class, our level of intent is much higher.

The more intentional and involved we are when operating our cameras, the more control we have over our composition.
 

And the more control we have over our composition, the more effective we are at expressing what we want to express through our photography.
—

In addition to the In-person ways to learn photography with me listed below, I’ve got collections of tutorials on my Online Learning Platform for Photographers that’ll help you learn to be a better photographer.

Access to this content and other content related to the photography classes I teach in person requires a membership, which costs $25 a month.

As one member told me, it’s cheaper than their weekly coffee habit, and more useful than any YouTube videos they’ve watched, especially since they could ask me questions.

Here’s the link:Online Learning Platform for Photographers

—————-

The Photography Basics (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.

—

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.

—

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.