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. 

A Special Notice 

(My email to keep you thinking about your  studies and practice is below the special notice)

Save a substantial chunk of change with "The Photography Lessons Sale That Lasts Until the Government Shutdown Ends"

End of the Special Notice

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If we’re using a digital camera, like a DSLR or mirrorless camera, there are a lot of buttons and dials to work with.

But the most important one is the exposure mode dial.

During a recent lesson, the photographer I met with mentioned that a lot of the time, they worked their camera in automatic exposure mode because they were worried about not being able to make a picture in one of the exposure modes that give us more creative control.

But after showing them that by switching to manual exposure mode, we open up a world of camera functionality that we didn’t have in automatic exposure mode their interest piqued.

When we have more camera functionality; we have more techniques, and when we have more techniques, we can have more creativity.

What Do Exposure Mode Dials Do?

• They let us choose how much control we get with the camera.
• Automatic and scene exposure modes do the work we should be doing for us—it’s fast, but creatively stifling.
• Manual exposure mode allows for a lot more choices in terms of camera operation and compositional outcomes

Manual Mode

Equals Creative Control Because…

• We have complete control over camera operation, so we can create photographs that express our intent for communication.
• Among other compositional elements, we can make our pictures as bright or as dark as we want by controlling tonality with aperture, shutter speed, and ISO
• Respond to changing light conditions by using our mind instead of relying on the camera's mindless algorithmic interpretation of the changing light without relying on the camera’s mindless evaluation.

It’s not just about having control—it’s about knowing what we can do with the things we can control to make thoughtful, skillful photographs that reflect our compositional intent and unique visual voice.

The whole point of learning about camera operation, composition, and observing and describing light is to be involved in the creation of our photograph as much as possible

If you want to learn how to use manual exposure mode with confidence, take the Photography Basics/Introduction to Photography class.

But if group schedules don’t work, private photography lessons offer a more personalized approach.

Or study at your own pace by becoming a subscriber to my Online Learning Platform for Photographers

If you wanna be a better photographer, I’m here to help.

And don’t forget to take advantage of the Photography Lessons Sale That Lasts Until the Government Shutdown Ends.

However you choose to learn  with me, I’ll help you be a better photographer-study and practice photography with me.

There’s more ways to study and practice with me below.

The Photography Basics/Introduction to Photography classes are starting soon.
 

If you can’t make any of those schedules, Private Lessons would be the way to go.

If none of my in-person ways of learning work for you, then you can study and practice at your own pace and schedule by joinining me on my Online Learning Platform for Photographers.

It’s the next best thing to taking an in-person class with me; you could even ask me questions, and members get exclusive access to all the other member-only educational content created to help you be the best photographer you can be.  

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

Access to this content and other content related to the photography classes I teach in person requires a membership, which costs $25 a month. (You can also join for free and get access to content that’s available to everyone.) 

Here’s the link: Online Learning Platform for Photographers 

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.