There’s photographs that’re popular, and there’s photographs that’re great.
 

It’s easy to confuse popularity with greatness.

In a world of likes, dislikes, thumbs ups and thumbs downs, and photographers showcasing their work and seeking affirmation for it on social media and heavily visited, cluttered photo-sharing platforms, a lot of people think that’s where they’ll see great photography.
 

But the crowds are looking in the wrong places because the places they’re looking are for photographers who are seeking popularity, not greatness.
 

If we want to see great work, look in a museum, on individual professional photographer websites, or at agencies representing professional photographers (one of my favorites is Magnum Photos).
 

We have a choice: work to become a popular photographer or a great photographer.

If we want to produce our best work, it’s more productive to aim for great.

During the Photography Basics/Introduction To Photography class, participants learn to create the best possible pictures confidently.

About Sam

Sam D'Amico, a professional photographer and photography instructor, helps anyone who wants to be a better photographer. 

He'll work with his students to increase their understanding of camera operation, composition, light, and lighting. 

Sam started working as a professional photographer in the mid-1980s.

Most notably, from 1992 to 1997, while working as a freelance photographer, he photographed over 500 assignments for the New York Times.

Additionally, Sam received awards for his work while exhibiting his photographs in shows. 

Sam began teaching photography professionally in 1998 through the Highland Park, N.J. recreation department. 

In 2002 Sam moved to Washington, D.C., and began teaching at the accredited Washington School of Photography in Bethesda, Md.

It was in 2003 that Sam developed his curriculum and started teaching classes in Washington, D.C. 

In 2018 and 2022, the Sam D'Amico Photography Classes were voted the "Best of DC" art class by the readers of the Washington City Paper. 

Many photography teachers spend a lot of time teaching about DSLRs and rules of composition that create homogenized, rigid photographs.

On the other hand, Sam teaches about camera operation, thought process, and the individual photographer's visual communication intent. 

This approach to teaching allows his students to use ANY camera (yes, even the camera on their phone) and break free of the rules of composition.

Approaching the creative process this way allows for fluid and spontaneous photographs unique to the photographer creating them.

Sam encourages his students to find their ways as photographers. 

He instills the skills in his students that result in creative, engaging, and unique compositions that reflect the photographer's intended one-of-a-kind visual expression.