Why is it that we can use the same settings—aperture, shutter speed, ISO—and get different results?
 

That’s because every picture we make is influenced by more than just our aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings.
 

Light changes; what we include in our framing and content might shift, and the expression we want to communicate.

And while working in automatic exposure modes gives us a good starting point in terms of tonality, other things change on their own.
 

Things like how motion is represented in the picture, our depth of field, and noise.

Working in manual exposure mode puts an end to that because when we get to decide how much exposure affects our digital sensor or film, what a reasonable ISO will be, how movement is represented, where we get to focus for the most sharpness, and how sharpness apparently appears in front of and back of the thing we focused on, we get the compositions we want.
 

But it also means we’ve got to pay attention to what’s different every time we make a photograph.

Understanding why things aren’t the same for each of us—and learning to create the conditions that help us create the photographs we want—makes all the difference.
 

That’s what happens when we study and practice the interrelationship between camera operation, composition, and light.

And that’s what you’ll learn by participating in the Photography Basics/Introduction To Photography class or during a series 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.