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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. 

At times, photographers ask me whether a specific camera is appropriate for Photography Basics/Introduction to Photography class.
 

The answer is that as long as we can operate that camera in fully manual exposure mode, we’re good to go.
 

The next question usually arises: Does it matter if it’s a film or a digital camera?

The answer is nope.

But there’s a difference between the two.

And considering I cut my photographer's teeth learning photography on a film camera and later adopted a digital camera as my preferred light recording tool, I’ve got some insight into the difference between the two.

The fact of the matter is, we could use either a film or digital camera and be OK with it in terms of making a photograph, but there’s a big difference in workflow.
 

And when it comes to learning photography, nothing beats a digital camera.

Because…

In short, digital is more direct.
 

We get immediate access to the image created by the camera, and there’s a ton of useful information embedded in the image.
 

If we’re using film, we'd better have something to write with, something to take notes with, because we’ve got to keep track of what our aperture, shutter speed, and ISO were for every frame, and it even helps to take notes on the characteristics of the light we’re working with.

What’s the Difference?

• Film cameras. Besides the difference above, when we’re using a film camera to learn photography or forced to slow down because you’ve got to stop to make a lotta notes, a specific deliberative and thoughtful process comes with that. Also, before we get to see the results of our camera operation and compositional choices, we’ve got to send the film to get developed and printed, so there’s a time lag between the time we make the picture and the time we actually get to see the picture we made.
• Digital cameras are great from a learning perspective because we see our results immediately. Everything we need to know about that photograph, including our aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and other settings, is available for us to view in that picture. What's so good about that is we can immediately see what we did, change some settings, and see what the new result looks like.
   

What’s the Same?

• Camera operation, composition, and light ( our raw material). When it comes to camera operation, that includes metering, picking our aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, and focusing—all that’s the same whether it’s film or digital.
• The camera doesn’t matter as much as the photographer’s intent during their studies and practice while making a photograph.

If we wanna be better photographers, don’t worry so much about the camera unless we’re doing something specialized.
 

Becoming a better photographer is all about learning photography, which again includes camera operation, composition, light, and the interplay of all three.
 

No matter what camera you have, film or digital, I’ll help you be a better photographer.
 

My Photography Basics/Introduction to Photography class starts soon, or check out DC Private Photography Lessons for one-on-one learning. 

You can also study at your own pace on Sam's Online Learning Platform.

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

There’s more ways to learn with me below.

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 schedule by joinining me 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.