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. 

Have you ever looked at a photograph and felt like something was influencing your emotions or opinions more than what you saw in the photograph?
 

We all have, and that thing influencing us is something in the photograph that’s symbolic to us and probably symbolic to the photographer.
 

The photographer used symbolism as an element of composition, and we connected with the symbol.
 

Symbolism is one of the most interesting parts of our compositional process.

What’s Symbolism?

Symbolism in a photograph is when we use something in a picture to represent something else.

We could use symbolism with color, objects, gestures, or even the light illuminating the scene.

It’s about saying something more than what meets the eye.

For example, think of a blade of grass growing through a crack in a sidewalk.

Some of us simply see a blade of grass growing through a crack in the sidewalk.

But, to some, it symbolizes persistence, resilience, hopefulness, and nature’s unstoppable power.
 

It’s a metaphor for hurdling adversity, thriving despite rough circumstances, and a testament to life’s persistence against the odds. 

The elegant compositional utility is that we decide what we wanna communicate, and the viewer interprets what they see.

How Do We Use Symbolism In Our Photography?

As with everything we do in Photography, we gotta be intentional first.
 

We should ask ourselves: What does this symbolize to me, and how can I use it to communicate what I’m trying to say?

What do these elements in my frame mean to me, and what could they mean to someone else?
 

Symbolism ain’t about being clever or tricky just for the sake of being clever or tricky.

When we use symbolism in the right way, we see meaning in the visuals and include them in the hopes that someone else will pick up on the symbolism behind them, too.

Sometimes the symbolism is obvious.
 

And sometimes only we’ll know what the symbolism means.
 

It doesn’t matter

The important thing is we’re using symbolism to deepen our visual communication beyond what’s seen with the eye.
 

Study and Practice—With Me

If you wanna bring more meaning to your photography, I’ve got different ways to help you.
 

My Introduction to Photography class will help you understand how your camera works and how to make intentional and thoughtful compositions that say something.

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

Or, if you like the idea of having 24/7 access to video tutorials and the ability to ask me questions, then Sam's Online Learning Platform is the way to go.

I posted an assignment about symbolism for members on the online learning platform.

There’s other assignments too, and a lot of video tutorials and ways to contact me if you have questions about Photography

Here’s the link to take a look and to join.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/138514712?utm_campaign=postshare_creator

Whatever way(s) we choose to study and practice Photography, remember that our pictures can mean as much as we want them to.

We just gotta make the picture with an understanding of camera operation, composition, and light. 

The more things we have in our compositional toolbox, like symbolism, the better.

Keep making pictures because that’s one of the big ways we become better photographers. If you want me to write about something, all you have to do is reply to this email and let me know.

I can help you be a better photographer.

I’ll help you understand the relationship between camera operation, composition, and light, and find your own way as a photographer so you can create photographs that express what you wanna communicate.
 

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, Private 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.