The Getting To Know Your Camera Photography class introduces basic photographic principles that allow participants to understand how their camera works. Begin making better photographs by getting off of fully automatic exposure mode. You’ll use your camera intentionally by learning to use aperture and shutter priority exposure modes. We’ll also cover controlling tonality (picture brightness), focusing modes and areas, and metering patterns. You’ll finish this class having a good understanding of the relationship between camera operation and composition. You’ll be a better photographer.
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Getting To Know Your Camera
$85.00 – In-Person Group Classes
Upcoming classes are listed below (1 meeting – 2 hours. Limited to 5 registrants.)
$125.00 – In-person or Online Private Lesson
(1 meeting-1 hour)
$25.00 Self-paced video tutorial class.
(Located in Sam’s Online Learning Platform for Photographers)
General Information
- Prerequisites: No.
- Type of Camera Required: Any camera that allows AV (aperture priority) and TV (shutter priority) modes.
- Instructor: Sam D’Amico.
- Ways Taught: In-person group classes; In-person or online private lessons; Self-paced video tutorial class.
In-Person Group Classes – Registration
Are you thinking of getting a class as a gift? Please consider getting a gift certificate instead.
Getting To Know Your Camera Schedules
Upcoming classes are listed below (1 meeting – 2 hours. Limited to 5 registrants.)
In-person group classes meet at the Kogod Courtyard in the National Portrait Gallery.
8th and G Streets NW
Washington, DC 20001
After entering the building, walk past the front desk to the Kogod Courtyard.
*Please read the Visiting Tips & FAQs. No refunds for any classes will be given to registrants who are asked to leave because their behavior does not adhere to safety policies and guidelines.
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About the Getting to Know Your Camera Class
While participating in the Getting To Know Your Camera class, you’ll learn to use your camera intentionally. You’ll be introduced to the aperture priority modes and shutter priority modes as exposure modes to create more thoughtful photographs. We’ll also cover controlling tonality (picture brightness), focusing modes and areas, and metering patterns. You’ll finish this class having a good understanding of the relationship between camera operation and composition.
Stop using your camera as a point-and-shoot!
- No more getting disappointed and frustrated with the outcome of your picture.
- Get the best pictures possible by getting off of fully automatic exposure mode.
- Stop “pointing and shooting” and start composing thoughtful photographs.
- Learn to use your focusing modes thoughtfully and effectively.
Make Better Photographs and Be a Better Photographer by Getting to Know Your Camera
When working our camera during the Getting To Know Your Camera class, we’ll stop working in fully automatic mode and begin working thoughtfully.
Getting to Know Your Camera – What You’ll Learn
The Getting To Know Your Camera Photography class introduces basic photographic principles that allow participants to understand how their camera works. We will discuss aperture, shutter speed, light sensitivity (ISO/ASA), lenses, focusing modes, camera metering, and automatic vs. manual exposure settings. And these topics will be related to the participant’s camera operation and composition. By the time the Getting To Know Your Camera class is over, participants will know the capabilities of their cameras. They will be creating more thoughtfully composed photographs. And by a better understanding of working their camera, you’ll use your camera intentionally and rely more on your mind, instead of a machine, to make a photograph.
Some of the things you’ll learn:
- The most important parts of your camera and how to use them
- How to create the best pictures that you can
- About exposure modes
- About focusing modes
- About metering modes
- Thoughtful and effective composition
Getting To Know Your Camera – How You’ll Learn
How You’ll Learn During Class
During the Getting To Know Your Camera class, you’ll learn by becoming familiar with the function of your camera that influences composition and practice making pictures during the course. By working with aperture and shutter priority, you’ll use your camera intentionally to create photographs using aperture and shutter speed as elements of composition.
How You’ll Learn After Class
Before class ends, Sam will guide students to practice what was taught during the Getting To Know Your Camera class.
Ashley says: “I really enjoyed the attention to detail during the class. It was a great starter class to learning how to work YOUR camera. I enjoyed the small class size which allowed for a lot of personal attention. It didn’t matter that everyone had a different camera because each person got the necessary attention to learn how to change everything on their camera.”
Nellie says: “Sam is able to explain the basics of photography, cameras and light in a way that is so much less complicated than beginners photography books. He’s a great teacher.”
Class Meeting Locations
-Location 1:In-person or Online Private Lesson – Contact Sam for more information about the meeting location.
-Location 2: Online – Self-paced video tutorial class.
-Location 3: In-person group classes.
In-person group classes meet at the Kogod Courtyard in the National Portrait Gallery. Please read the Visiting Tips & FAQs. No refunds for any classes will be given to registrants who are asked to leave because their behavior does not adhere to safety policies and guidelines.
- National Portrait Gallery
8th and G Streets NW
Washington, DC 20001
After entering the building, walk past the front desk to the Kogod Courtyard.
In-Person Group Classes – Registration
Are you thinking of getting a class as a gift? Please consider getting a gift certificate instead.
Getting To Know Your Camera Schedules
Upcoming classes are listed below (1 meeting – 2 hours. Limited to 5 registrants.)
In-person group classes meet at the Kogod Courtyard in the National Portrait Gallery.
8th and G Streets NW
Washington, DC 20001
After entering the building, walk straight past the front desk to the Kogod Courtyard.
*Please read the Visiting Tips & FAQs. No refunds for any classes will be given to registrants who are asked to leave because their behavior does not adhere to safety policies and guidelines.
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Hi Sam,
I’m not sure whether I should take the Intro class or the Manual Exposure class, or both.
I know how to take pictures on my camera but not how to adjust the settings based on my surroundings. Ideally, I’d like to get better at taking both videos and photos with my camera.
Thanks for your recommendation, Lia
Hi Lia,
Thanks for your interest in my photography classes.
Before I can answer your question in a useful way.
I’ve got a couple of questions.
1. What make and model camera will you be using in the class?
2. What would you like to get out of the class?
If you’d like please feel free to give me a call at 202-531-2344 (my preference is always to speak with someone).
Also, if you’d like, you can fill out this questionnaire.
Hi Sam,
Will you be offering this class in July? A friend and I would like to sign up!
Thanks!
Hi Sima,
Thank you for your interest in my photography classes.
Yes. I will. As usual I’ve fallen behind on scheduling.
You can check the page for updates. https://samdamico.com/know-camera-photo-class/ (I’ll do my best to have an updated schedule up by early next week.)
You can also get on my email list. You’ll get a weekly email from me that includes a link to upcoming classes and a digest of photography related blog posts that I made during the previous week. I recently made a couple of online courses and I’ve made those available to the photographers on my email list.
If you’re interested here’s the link to subscribe. —> https://samdamico.com/get-on-sams-e-mail-list/
If you have any further questions, please let me know. You can call, too. 202-531-2344
Hi there— will there be more classes later in March?
Thanks!
Hello Miriam,
Thank you for your interest in my photography classes.
In terms of the Getting To Know Your Camera class, At this moment I can’t be sure if there’ll be more classes scheduled at the end of March.
There will definitely be more scheduled for April, May and June.
If you’d like weekly reminders about the schedule of upcoming photography classes, please consider getting on my e-mail list. https://samdamico.com/get-on-sams-e-mail-list/
If you have any questions, please give me a call at 202-531-2344.
What is your spring schedule? Very much looking forward to taking your course later in March or April.
Hello Kristina,
Thank you for your interest in my photography classes.
I’ll be scheduling classes for April through June within the next week or two.
If you’d like to be notified of a schedule of classes, please subscribe to my e-mail list. —> https://samdamico.com/get-on-sams-e-mail-list/
If you have any question please feel feel to call; me at 202-531-2344.
Best Regards,
Sam
Good morning. The list of classes for this Getting to Know Your Camera workshop is o lu listed thru Oct. 5, which as passed. Are there other dates scheduled?
Hello Traci.
Thank you for your interest in my photography classes. I’ve fallen behind on scheduling. I’m planning to have more classes up by the end of next week.
Sam
Checking in. Is the “Getting to Know” class going to be offered again soon?
Thank you for your patience, Traci.
I’ve just added dates in November and December for the Getting To Know Your Camera class.
Here’s the link—>https://samdamico.com/know-camera-photo-class/
Is a Cannon t3i advanced enough for this class? Saving up for a new Dslr but currently only have this to use.
Hi Emma,
The Cannon t3i ( https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos600d/2) is more than advanced enough for this class.
Please contact me at 202-531-2344 if you have more questions.
Sam
Hello,
Does this class only cover digital or can I bring my film camera? It is a Pentax ME Super and I have the manual.
-Anna
Hi Anna,
Thank you for your interest in my photography classes.
Your camera would be fine for this class.
Sam
Hi Sam! I am looking forward to your class today, July 12th at 1:30pm.
Thank you for taking the class, Laura. I enjoyed working with you.
Hi Sam ,
I don’t have a camera manuel for my nikon d40, is that okay?
thanks!
Hi Jessie,
It’s ok, but it would be much better if you had the “full version” manual.
If you have the CD that came with the camera, the manual is on there.
If you don’t have the CD you can usually download A PDF version of the manual from the manufactures website.
Here’s the manual for the D-40.
http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/kie88335f7869dfuejdl=-cww2/D40_en.pdf
Hello Sam
I would like to take the Getting to know your camera class. Where will the classes be held?
Thanks
Vannesa Guzman
Hi Vannesa,
Thank you for you interest in my photography classes.
The Getting To Know Your Camera class is held at 920 U Street NW in Washington DC.
You can learn more about the meeting location here.
Best Regards,
Sam
I would come with my daughter if ok (2 fees)
We have a canon 5D camera. Do you have others with the same camera?
Hi Dominic,
Taking the class with your daughter would be OK. Just make sure that you indicate that there will be two of you during the registration process so you are charged (and spaces are held) for each person.
While I don’t know if there will be anyone else with a Canon 5D, your camera is more than sufficient for the class.
Do you have a course listing for September?
Hi Kati,
Thank you for your interest in my photography classes.
I’ve just finished scheduling two Getting To Know Your Camera classes for September.
You can see the updated schedule here.