Sometimes, or often, depending on our level of understanding of photography, our pictures don’t come out the way we intended, even when we do everything the same way every time.

 We talk a lot about accuracy and precision in photography,

Precision means being able to repeat results—same settings, same outcome, every time.

Accuracy is about hitting the target—getting the picture we intend.

The challenging part?

We can be precise without being accurate.

We can repeat a process over and over and still not get the result we want if we’re not including the intent of our communication/composition:

Modern cameras and other equipment are built for precision, but true photographic accuracy comes from understanding our communication intent and how to visually represent it in a photographic composition, and then from achieving it through camera operation.

Figuring out how to use all this technology to consistently make the compositions we intended is only part of what we need to do.

Understanding the interplay between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO and how that interplay influences our compositions is important, but that’s not enough.

On top of understanding that stuff, we need to learn to observe and describe the light we’re working with, and relate that to camera operation to get the best compositions we can.

And that’s what we study and practice during the Photography Basics/Introduction To Photography class.

We work on building both precision and accuracy—so we can create photographs that effectively communicate what we wanna express.

  
We can also do that during a series of private lessons.

However you choose to study and practice with me, I’ll help you become the best photographer you can be.

And if you’re not sure which class fits your needs, just ask—I’m always happy to help.

About Sam

Sam D'Amico, a professional photographer and photography instructor, helps anyone who wants to be a better photographer. 

He'll work with his students to increase their understanding of camera operation, composition, light, and lighting. 

Sam started working as a professional photographer in the mid-1980s.

Most notably, from 1992 to 1997, while working as a freelance photographer, he photographed over 500 assignments for the New York Times.

Additionally, Sam received awards for his work while exhibiting his photographs in shows. 

Sam began teaching photography professionally in 1998 through the Highland Park, N.J. recreation department. 

In 2002 Sam moved to Washington, D.C., and began teaching at the accredited Washington School of Photography in Bethesda, Md.

It was in 2003 that Sam developed his curriculum and started teaching classes in Washington, D.C. 

In 2018 and 2022, the Sam D'Amico Photography Classes were voted the "Best of DC" art class by the readers of the Washington City Paper. 

Many photography teachers spend a lot of time teaching about DSLRs and rules of composition that create homogenized, rigid photographs.

On the other hand, Sam teaches about camera operation, thought process, and the individual photographer's visual communication intent. 

This approach to teaching allows his students to use ANY camera (yes, even the camera on their phone) and break free of the rules of composition.

Approaching the creative process this way allows for fluid and spontaneous photographs unique to the photographer creating them.

Sam encourages his students to find their ways as photographers. 

He instills the skills in his students that result in creative, engaging, and unique compositions that reflect the photographer's intended one-of-a-kind visual expression.