Build on your foundational photography skills and master off-camera light in this private DC flash photography class. Sam’s hands-on instruction in Lighting with Portable Flash helps you transition from relying on ambient light to actively shaping and creating your own light with speedlights.
*Looking to build your foundational camera skills first? Consider taking the Getting To Know Your Camera or Introduction to Photography class.
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Class Options and Pricing
- Custom Private Series: This DC flash photography class is delivered as a series of 4 customized 1-on-1 private lessons (1 to 1.5 hours each), scheduled directly around your personal learning speed and goals.
- Group Discount Available: If a group from a past Introduction to Photography class wishes to enroll together, discounted group pricing applies.
- Scheduling: Please contact Sam at 202-531-2344 to coordinate your lesson schedule before registering.
What Will You Learn in This DC Flash Photography Class?
In this hands-on DC flash photography class, you will demystify portable flash and learn to blend artificial light seamlessly with ambient light. You’ll move beyond basic automatic settings to use speedlights as powerful creative tools for portraiture, documentary work, and visual storytelling.
Key Topics Covered
During the Lighting with Portable Flash course, we’ll cover:
- Flash Fundamentals & Exposure Balance: Learn the mechanics of flash sync speed, manual flash power output, and balancing ambient light with speedlight illumination.
- Light Quality & Direction: Master off-camera flash placement, modify hard vs. soft light using umbrellas and diffusers, and control shadows intentionally.
- Creative Lighting Techniques: Use fill flash, bounce lighting, and directional highlights to add depth, dimension, and mood to your subjects.
How Is the Course Structured?
In-Lesson Practice: Each session combines brief lecture/discussion with hands-on lighting setups and real-time shooting exercises to reinforce technical concepts immediately.
Outside Assignment & Critiques: Technique-specific lighting assignments and structured weekly self-critiques help consolidate your learning between meetings.
Is This DC Flash Photography Class Right for You and Your Camera?
- Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Photography or equivalent experience (comfort operating your camera in manual mode) and a vetting process (see common questions below).
- Camera Requirements: Any camera with a hot shoe that allows full manual exposure control (DSLR or mirrorless). At least one hot-shoe speedlight (such as a Godox portable camera flash) is required; a wireless flash trigger is recommended.
- Instructor: Sam D’Amico
- Meeting Locations: Meetings take place at accessible public venues in Washington, DC (typically near a DC Metro Red Line station) or online via interactive video sessions.
What Are the Most Common Questions Before Enrolling?
How do I schedule my 4 private lesson sessions?
Before enrolling in this DC flash photography class, call Sam directly at 202-531-2344 to coordinate your lesson dates and times.
What if I haven’t taken Introduction to Photography with Sam?
Before enrolling, please complete the Basic Photography and Camera Operation Quiz and the Photography Instruction Strategy Questionnaire. Then call Sam at 202-531-2344 to discuss your results and confirm this is the right course of instruction for you.
Can I give the Lighting with Portable Flash course as a gift?
Yes! Please purchase an instant digital gift certificate instead, which allows the recipient to schedule their private series flexibly.
Ready to take full creative control of your lighting?
Contact Sam or select your option below to register:
