These emails come with the intent of helping you be a better photographer.

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. 

Understand photography and learn to create meaningful, expressive, and unique photographs anytime, anywhere

Monday, March 30, 2026

Have ya ever struggled to get a slow enough shutter speed to achieve the effect you want on a bright, sunny day, or worried about scratching your lens?

There’s two simple solutions that’ll take care of both concerns.
 

I always recommend a UV filter, and if it seems that they could use one, a neutral density (ND) filter to the photographers I work with.
 

A UV filter protects our lenses from dust, scratches, and moisture.

ND filters reduce exposure, letting us make photographs that record motion as blurred , bright skies, or long exposures without making the tonality of our pictures brighter than we’d like.

Here’s how to use those filters:
 

• Use a UV filter to shield your lens from scratches and dust
• We use ND filters to reduce exposure, especially on brighter sunny days, so we can work with slower shutter speeds, bigger lens openings, or higher ISO’s to get the visual effects we want.
• Combine filters strategically for protection and creative control
• I recommend keeping a UV filter on all the time and putting the other filters over it.

By learning to use these filters with intention, we gain confidence while making pictures in any lighting condition, achieve more consistent results, and expand our creative possibilities.
 

Be a better photographer— when are you studying practice photography with me filters are just one of the things we’ll usually talk about while learning about camera operation, composition, and light.

Ways to study and practice photography with me:
 

• Learn to think like a photographer—develop your visual instincts
• Understand composition with your smartphone—frame better shots anywhere
• Understand your camera—master settings for every situation
• Learn photography basics—build a solid foundation
• Explore intermediate photography—push your skills further
• DC private photography lessons—personal guidance and hands-on practice
• Online private photography lessons—learn at your own pace

Understand photography and learn to create meaningful, expressive, and unique photographs anytime, anywhere.