When our visual awareness draws us to something we find interesting, if we don’t recognize our intent of communication as it’s happening, we miss our foundation for creating truly unique photographs that no one but us, as individuals, could create.
 

We need to recognize and define what it is we want to express through our photograph.
 

It’s never just visual.

Attached to that visual is compositional intent.
 

That compositional intent could be the factual recording of an event, or it could be the personal expression of emotions or opinions.
 

Our choice of exposure mode has a lot to do with how effectively we can do this.

Unless we want a picture that anyone can make, and wanna have minimal creative control, forget fully automatic exposure mode.

On the other hand, although still limited in terms of creativity, aperture priority and shutter priority modes open up a world of camera functionality and creative controls that we just don't get in fully automatic exposure modes.
 

But manual exposure mode?

That’s where we get to fully express maximum creativity and the full range of our visual voice.

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.