Ever notice how the sheer amount of photography advice out there can leave us feeling stuck before we even start?
 

A lot of that advice is common, standard advice that results in common, homogenized photographs.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by settings, gear, and opinions, but the best way to learn photography isn’t about chasing the latest trends or memorizing every button.

If we want uncommon pictures that communicate our unique visual voice, it’ll serve us well to avoid common approaches and advice about learning photography, like those we’ll find on YouTube.

Recently, I worked with a photographer who was frustrated and discouraged by inconsistent results with their photography.
 

We put aside all the technical noise and focused on making one picture at a time—thoughtfully, in manual exposure mode.
 

The transformation was immediate: once the focus shifted to understanding how light, composition and camera operation interrelate, the camera became less intimidating and more of a creative tool.

We learn to be better photographers by doing photography.

When we study, practice, and make pictures as often as we can, we get involved in camera operation, composition, and light, and our thoughtful, intentional involvement is the way to learn.
 

Each thoughtful, intentional picture builds our visual vocabulary, voice, and confidence.
 

Don’t worry about mistakes—they’re part of the learning process.

When you study and practice photography with me, you’ll learn from your mistakes instead of being discouraged by them.
 

The January series of the Photography Basics/Introduction To Photography class starts as early as this Sunday, January 4.

You’ll learn to work your camera in manual exposure mode, so you’ll have control of every compositional element when it comes to camera operation.

When we do that, we communicate exactly what we wanna say through our photography.

And if that's something you'd

like to learn, register for the Photography Basics/Introduction to Photography class.

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.