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. 

Imagine you have your camera set at an aperture/f-stop of F 11, a shutter speed of 1/500 of a second, and an ISO of 800.

Or if you don’t want to imagine it, just take out your camera and set it to those settings.

If I asked you to decrease light sensitivity by two stops, would you know what setting to change and what the new number would be?

What if I asked you the same question about the opening in your lens?

Or to make your exposure faster by two stops?

Notice I don’t use the terms aperture, shutter speed, or ISO in my questions.

If I were to give you a test, this is a taste of the kinds of questions you can expect.
 

These questions help determine whether we can connect a lens opening, a faster exposure, or light sensitivity to the related camera controls.

In other words, keeping the camera controls aperture, shutter speed, and ISO in mind;

Which control relates to an opening in the lens? Which control relates to faster or slower exposure? Which control relates to more or less light sensitivity?

Knowing these things is essential because it’s important to understand how the controls on our cameras (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO) affect the image and what we do with the camera to get the compositions we want.
 

This is the basic stuff I teach in the Photography Basics (Introduction To Photography) class.

Of course, there’s more—participants learn about focusing, metering, composition, and light.

In other words, participants get a good foundation in the basics of photography.

And from what I’ve heard from some participants who’ve taken intro classes at other places, a lot of what I teach in my Photography Basics (Introduction To Photography) class is new to them.

It’s one thing to know about aperture, shutter speed, and ISO; it’s another thing to learn techniques that allow us to use these things efficiently and effectively.
 

Techniques like metering and tonal placement, equivalent tonalities, or understanding how to use white balance creatively are excellent techniques to keep in our compositional toolbox.
 

Remember, technique serves creativity.

And the more techniques we have, the more creative we can be.

So how’d ya do on the test?

I used to have tests you could take on my website, but they weren’t behaving well and crashing my site, so I took ‘em off.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t take a test.

All ya gotta do is give me a call. 202-531-2344.

We usually take about 5 to 10 minutes tops.

While it’s good to know what we know, it’s also helpful to know what we don’t know.
 

My Photography Basics (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

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.

—

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.