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. 

I sometimes ask photographers what they think photography is.

I get a lot of different answers, but the main ones are that photography is about making memories, photographing the places people visit, making pictures of their family and friends, etc.

And yes, photography can be about all those things.

But there’s a big difference between what photography can be about and what photography actually isn’t and is.

So, let’s be clear on a base level about what photography isn’t and what photography is.

What Photography’s Not

Photography’s not about

f-stops, shutter speeds, ISO, or other technical matters or technical mastery.

Those things help us refine our compositions.

Photography’s not about equipment or technical mastery.

Cameras, lenses, and other equipment are tools for making photographs, and technical mastery doesn’t guarantee effective communication.
 

Remember, there are plenty of mundane photographs created with expensive equipment and by photographers who excel technically but whose photography isn’t an effective visual communication.

One of my teachers used to refer to photographs like that as “technically excellent failures.”

What Photography Is

The origin of the word Photography is Greek.

It comes from two words: photo, which means light, and graph, which means to draw.

Put ‘em both together, and we get “drawing with light”.

But since I think drawing is an intent to communicate something, I believe photography is an intent to communicate something through the recording of light.

The way it works is we record light onto light-sensitive material when we make an exposure

That late sensitive material could be film, a digital sensor, or any other light-sensitive material.

Simply put, photography is the recording of light with the intent to communicate something.

At its best, photography can inform us of facts or allow us to express ourselves personally.

The most essential part of photography is what the photographer intends to communicate by creating a photograph.

Photography is about understanding the relationship between camera operation, composition, and light while training our mind to use a camera and our technical skill to communicate what we wanna say visually intentionally.
 

I can help you with that.

One way I could help you is through my Introduction to Photography class.

I’ve designed that class to help photographers understand how to use their cameras effectively and efficiently so they can create the best photographs possible.

If you want something more personal, DC Private Photography Lessons lets you work at your own pace and focus on what matters.

Or, if you like the idea of having 24/7 access to video tutorials related to my classes and the ability to contact me for questions, then my Online Learning Platform is the way to go.

Whatever path we take, we gotta make it our unique path.

And remember, we don’t take pictures— we make pictures.

When you’re ready to start making thoughtful, intentional, unique pictures that mean something to you, get in touch with me

Keep making pictures, keep asking questions, and if you want me to write about something, all you gotta do is reply to this email and let me know.

I’ll help you be a better photographer—study and practice photography with me.

Ways to learn with me are below and the Photography Basics-Introduction To Photography class start soon. 

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 on your own schedule by gaining access to the Introduction to Photography video tutorials 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 

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 in-person scheduled group classes? Then, in-person Private Lessons suited to your schedule are always an option.