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.

When we make a picture and wonder why it turns out the way it does, the answer is in the picture.

Specifically, it's in the EXIF Data, which is part of the metadata found in each digital file.

EXIF stands for "Exchangeable Image File Format."

It's a standard way of embedding information about a photograph into the photograph itself.

This information is a big help when it comes to learning photography.

This is why learning photography with a digital camera is the best option.

Is the picture blurry?

Take a look at the shutter speed.

Is what we want to be in focus not in focus?

Some cameras show where our focus areas were when we made the picture.

Wanna know why the background looks more or less sharp/focused?

Again, the answer is in the EXIF Data, and in this case, we'd be looking at the aperture.

Yesterday, I worked with two photographers who decided to take my  Photography Basics (Introduction To Photography) group class as a series of Private Lessons.

They've learned to use the EXIF Data to help them understand why the compositions of their photographs are the way they are.

Whatever way you choose to study or practice and practice with me, whether in a group class or private lessons, you'll learn how to use the EXIF Data to learn about photography and how to use it to help you be a better photographer.

As much as I'd like you to study and practice with me, you don't have to wait.

We can learn how to view the EXIF Data by going into our camera's owner's manual.

We could view the EXIF Data when we make a new picture, but even if we go back to old pictures and wonder why they came out the way they did, we can review the EXIF Data and take a look.

What will begin to happen is we'll learn to relate compositional outcomes to aperture shutter speed and ISO settings.

And since we could see the photograph, we could see the light we made it in.

Was it a sunny day, or was it a cloudy day?

Were we inside, or were we outside?

All of this matters, so I encourage everyone to take out their owner's manual to learn to look up the EXIF Data in our pictures.

We'll find this information invaluable when it comes to understanding why our pictures come out the way they come out.

The Photography Basics (Introduction To Photography) class started today, Sunday, June 1; you can also take this class as a series of Private Lessons.

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.

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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.