If we’re happy with the tonality of our picture because we’ve got the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO at the right combination to give us our preferred tonality, what happens if we change one of our settings?
 

That’s a question we address during the Photography Basics/Introduction To Photography, usually during the second week, with a main topic that’s called “equivalent tonalities”.
 

For example, let’s say one of our settings, our aperture in this case, is F4, and we decide to change it to F 22 because we want a deeper depth field.
 

If we just change to F 22 and don’t compensate for the changing exposure with our shutter speed and/or ISO, then our tonality will be off.

In this case, way off!

The other option is to re-meter, but re-metering is an iffy proposition.

Equivalent tonalities work when we’re working with the same light, so this also requires that we understand how to observe and describe light's characteristics.
 

Especially, the characteristic of light we call intensity.
 

Equivalent tonalities is a straightforward technique that streamlines our work and makes us more efficient and effective photographers.
 

And when we become more effective and efficient photographers, we become better photographers and make better pictures.

If you’d like to learn to be a better photographer, register and participate in the Photography Basics/Introduction To Photography class, or you could get the same instruction 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.