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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. 

When we’re photographing something and we find ourselves squinting because we’re facing the sun, we know we’re dealing with a directional characteristic of light known as backlighting.

A lot of photographers think backlighting is one of the worst lighting conditions we could deal with.

I’m here to tell you it ain’t.

It is what it is, and depending on what we’re doing, we can use it to our creative advantage

If we know what we’re doing when it comes to camera operation, composition, and observing and describing light.

We can say that backlighting has a bright side and a not-so-bright side to it.

But that not-so-bright side doesn’t have to do with the light itself; it has to do with the fact that we don’t know how to deal with backlighting.

Here’s a quick overview of backlighting’s bright side and not-so-bright side.

Backlighting’s Bright Side

• Mood and Drama: Backlighting can add interest to our pictures by creating a glow, rim light, or even a silhouette.

• It’s Great for Bringing Out Texture: When it comes to making hair, leaves, or edges stand out against the background, it can’t be beat.

Backlighting’s Not-So-Bright Side

• If We Don’t Know How To Meter: In order to achieve the tonality we want in the things we want to see, our metering skills are essential. When we don’t know what we’re doing, when it comes to metering back lighting is a photographer's nightmare.

• We Could Lose Detail in the Things That Are Backlit: if we’re not careful, we’ll wind up with washed-out highlights or muddy/dull shadows.

When we understand how to work with backlighting by metering precisely, adjusting our tonality with exposure and ISO, and keeping in mind our intent of composition, we can turn what most photographers think of as a bad situation into a creative nugget of gold.

If you wanna develop a better understanding of how light affects your photographs, my Introduction To Photography class is a great place to start.

Or, if you want one-on-one attention, you can always book Private Lessons.

If you'd rather learn at your own pace, check out Sam's Online Learning Platform for more ways to study and practice with me.

Remember, keep making pictures (at least one picture a day, and make it the best photograph you can.), keep observing and describing the light you see, and also remember—every challenge we run into is a chance to be a better photographer. 

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.