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. 

No matter how long we've been making pictures, there’s always something we wanna do better so we could be better photographers.

I’ve been a photographer for as long as I can remember, a professional photographer since the mid-1980s, and a professional photography teacher since 1998 and I still make an effort to get better at what I do.

And, every photographer I’ve worked with -whether beginner or more advanced-wants to get better too.

It’s always about the same three things.

The Top Three Things Photographers Wanna Do Better

1. Making Stronger Compositions: We all wanna make pictures that communicate whatever we wanna say and engage the viewer's attention. In order to do that, we’ve gotta forget about rules of composition (think in terms of elements of composition instead ), be clear about our intent of communication, and understand how the relationships between camera operation, composition, and light work together in the craft of photography.
2. Camera Operation: As a photographer, there’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to make the pictures we want because we don’t understand how to operate our cameras to do that. We'll continue getting frustrated if we work in an automatic exposure mode. Learning to work our camera and manual exposure mode control over Apple shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and focusing is the only way to end our frustration. We learn to use our meter to evaluate light intensity. When we control every aspect of camera operation, we control every aspect of our composition. When we do that, we create the best pictures to communicate what we want to convey. Working in manual exposure mode is one of the best things we can do to improve our photography and become better photographers. That’s what my introduction to photography class will help you do.
3. Understanding and Working With Light: Light is our raw material. The more we observe and describe its characteristics, the more control we have over our photographs because we understand what we can and can’t do given the light we work with. It’s a good practice just to observe and describe the characteristics of the light we’re seeing, even if we don’t have a camera with us. This is a good practice because it increases our visual awareness and vocabulary. When I observe light, I describe it based on seven characteristics. But if you’re just starting to observe and describe light intentionally, the easiest ones to observe and describe are color, intensity, and movement.

How Do We Get Better at ’Em?
 

• Study and practice—there’s no other way to get better at photography.
• Ask a lot of questions and look for answers in our own work and the work of others.
• Keep making pictures because every picture we make contains a lesson for us.

I’m here to help you be a better photographer, and besides my Photography Basics/Introduction to Photography class, that’ll help you do that, you can join my Online Learning Platform or schedule some Private Lessons time tailored to your needs.
 
The 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.