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Some Important Information About Your Payment To Sam DAmico

This Notice Contains Important Information About Your Photography Class with Sam D’Amico

This notice will inform you how to prepare for our upcoming meeting(s). Read the full notice and keep it available for the duration of our class(es).

To prevent the blocking of Sam’s email’s to you by any Spam filters, please add sam@samdamico.com to your address book and, if needed, create rules to allow e-mails sent by sam@samdamico.com to be received.

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If you’ve paid for an upcoming group class/webinar or private lesson(s), read the following information and contact Sam if you have any questions.

 

Please bring the following to each of our meetings:

  1. Pen/pencil.
  2. Paper/notebook.
  3. Your camera and all other equipment that is relevant to the class.
  4. Your camera owner’s/instruction manual and any other manuals relevant to the equipment you’ll use in class. Please ensure you bring the FULL version of the manual to class. The full version of your owners should have an index and can usually be found on one of the CDs that came with the camera.
    1. Watch this video on How To Use The Owners Manual To Your Camera Effectively.
  5. Memory cards or, if using film, at least one roll of 35mm color negative film or digital capture equivalent.
  6. Make sure that your camera and other equipment have fresh batteries in them.
  7. Extra batteries for your equipment.
  • Some pre-start homework:
    The pre-start homes will help prepare you for our meeting(s). Furthermore, we can get into the lessons instead of setting up the optimal camera functions during our valuable meeting time.

Below, you’ll discover which settings I think should be turned off or expressly set. What can be confusing is that camera manufacturers call the same functions differently. Also, I’ve listed only the manufacturers whose cameras I see students using most often in my classes. And you’ll probably need to use your owner’s manual to help you do this, which has the additional benefit of learning to use your owner’s manual effectively

    • Canon= C
    • Nikon = N
    • Sony = S

TURN OFF – Contrast Reduction Controls

    • C -Auto Lighting Optimizer
    • N -Active D-lighting
    • S – Dynamic Range Optimisation or DRO

TURN OFF – Noise Reduction

    • High ISO noise reduction
    • Slow shutter speed noise reduction
    • Any other forms of noise reduction

TURN OFF – Vibration Reduction (IR)/Image Stabilization (IS)
Although controlling this feature is usually done on the lens, at times, setting this feature through the camera is the way. 

SET – Picture Styles/Picture Controls/Creative Styles
Set all parameters inside the chosen picture control to zero “0” or as close to zero “0 as possible

    • C- (Picture Style)- Neutral or Faithful
    • N- (Picture Control)- Neutral
    • S – (Creative Style)- Standard

ADJUST – The diopter on the camera viewfinder
Adjusting the diopter ensures that the information presented in your viewfinder appears as sharp as possible, considering your eyesight. 

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  1.         If you haven’t yet watched it, please watch this video on How To Effectively Use The Owners Manual To Your Camera.
  2.        Read “Digital Camera Technology That Gets In the Way” and follow the instructions in the article. 
  3. Please familiarize yourself with the following topics in your owner’s manual.
    1. How to load film or media cards into your camera. Please note the page numbers or bookmark the topics in your manual for future reference so we can easily reference them.
    2. If you don’t have an owner’s manual, you may be able to download a copy of one if you go to the camera manufacturer’s website. The full version of your owners should have an index and can usually be found on one of the CDs that came with the camera.
  4. How to set the ISO/ASA.
  5. How to set your aperture.
  6. How to set your shutter speed.
  7. How to set Metering modes.
  8. How to set Exposure modes.
  9. How to Focus/Focusing Modes
  10.       How to choose a focus area

    Meeting Location

    *If you registered for an in-person private lesson, our meeting location was provided in an e-mail with the subject line: “Private photography lesson with Sam D’Amico-Please review and remit payment to confirm our appointment.”

    *If you registered for an online private lesson, you will receive a link to the online meeting platform.

    All in-person group photography classes meet at the Kogod Courtyard.

    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.

    Contact Sam

    If you have any questions, you can contact Sam

    948 thoughts on “Some Important Information About Your Payment To Sam DAmico”

    1. Sara Alpaugh (purchased by my husband- Devin pavel)
      Start date: March 6 2020 @ 10am
      Will be taking this class with my cousin, Nikki (Michelle) wise

    2. Hi Sam,

      Confirming that I’ve read this. Looking forward to the class starting tomorrow, 3/3.

      Thanks,
      Jeannie

    3. Sam,
      Nicole and I (Ryan) are signed up for Getting to know your camera on Monday, February 17. We will be coming with one camera, which we both want to get to know better. Looking forward to it.
      Best,
      Ryan

    4. Hi. I’m Zaira Alonso. I signed up for Introduction to Photography that starts Feb 5 at 11:30a. Looking forward to the class.

    5. My name is Karen. I am in your “Think Like a Photographer” class on Saturday, January 11. I am looking forward to learning from you

    6. Heather Marie Vitale

      Sam,

      I will be attending the classes starting tonight, 1/9/2020.

      Please note I have a physical disability and cannot handle stairs, high top table/chairs, etc.

    7. Eric H.
      Introduction to Photography Nov. 2nd 2019 class
      I am looking forward to learning to be a better photographer and taken better photos.

    8. Hello Sam,

      I’ve registered for your Learn to think like a photographer class on Monday Sep 16. Look forward to meeting and learning from you.

      P.S. It says that we’ll be learning with our phones, but can I still bring my camera?

      1. Thank you for registering for the class, Chinedu.
        I look forward to working with you.
        It’ll be fine to bring your other camera.
        But, primarily we’ll be using the camera on your phone to study and practice.

    9. Nicolas Martinez

      Hi Sam, my name is Nic Martinez and I’ve signed up for the getting to know your camera class at 10 am August 31st. (Saturday). Looking forward to meeting you.

    10. Hi Sam!
      I registered for you group Intro Photography class which starts on September 11th.
      I’m looking into my options of buying a camera, i consider bying the Canon EOS 4000D/Rebel T100 DSLR , will that work for beginner’s photography?

      1. Hi Shannon,

        Thanks for registering for the class.

        Yes, since that camera has a manual exposure mode option, it’ll work for beginner’s photography.
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EOS_4000D

        And will be fine for the Introduction to Photography class that starts on September 11.

        Please contact me if you have further questions

        I’ll see you on September 11.

        And please make sure that you are capable of using your camera to make photographs.
        This is not a class to assist in preparing the camera for operation. For example; Installing the battery, attaching the lens, putting on a strap, etc.
        If you’d like assistance in preparing your camera for operation, please schedule a private lesson.
        https://samdamico.com/private-photography-lessons/

    11. Hi! This is to confirm I’ve read the “important info” prior to the Intro to Photography class which starts Sun, Jun 23. Thanks and I look forward to meeting you!

    12. Christine Baxter

      Hello My name is Christine Baxter and I am registered for the Introduction to Photography class starting June 1st.
      Excited to start!

    13. I am very excited to work with you and experience this class!
      1) My name is Deja Helm
      2) I will be taking your introduction to photography class, starting June 5.

    14. Simone R. Walter

      Simone Walter, May 8th
      “Getting to Know Your Camera”
      …my apologies, I read this beforehand and thought that I had done this but I guess not

    15. Danielle Gervalis

      Hello!
      I’m signed up for the May 2nd Intro class. See you tomorrow!
      Thanks,
      Danielle

    16. Donna Ives-Kimpel

      I’m taking Introduction to Photography- starting June 5. I’ve been wanting to do this for years!

    17. Erica Joseph: Looking forward to learning more about my camera and how to better capture photos. I’m scheduled for the Intro Class starting on March 2, 2019.

    18. Hi there,

      I am registered for the class starting tomorrow, 2/5/2019. I received this class as a gift and the registration is under Dominic Russel.

      Looking forward to it!

    19. Frances Dilsaver

      Hello, I have registered for the Jan 5th Introduction to Photography class. Very excited to get started.

      1. Thank you for letting me know, Chris. Yes, you are registered for the Introduction to photography class begning on January 9 at 630pm. I look forward to working with you.
        Best Regards,
        Sam

    20. Intro to Photography
      Jan 5, 2019

      My aunt (Charlene Terry) and I will be attending. This class is a Christmas gift to her.

      1. Thank you for registering for the class, Sheena.

        I’m looking forward to continuing to work with you, too.

        I’m glad you’re going to build on what we covered in the Getting To Know Your Camera class.

    21. Hi Sam,
      I will be attending the Introduction to Photography starting July 22nd. Where will the class be meeting?

      1. Milena,

        There is no Getting to Know Your Camera class scheduled for May 15th.

        According to your order confirmation, You were registered for todays class, Sunday, May 6, 10am-1pm.

        I sent you an email in response to this message with the details.

    22. Wilder J. Leavitt

      1. Wilder J. Leavitt
      2. Introduction to Photography, 6 March 2018
      3. No comments or questions at this time.

      Looking forward to meeting you and the rest of the class.

    23. Hello Sam, I will be attending the Introduction to Photography courses on Wednesday evenings starting on March 7th, thank you very much.

    24. Hi Sam,

      I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. for the Intro to Photography class. Thanks.

    25. Hi Sam,
      I just signed up for your Intermediate Photography course, which begins on October 3. I am looking forward to it.

    26. Hi Sam,

      I just registered for the Wednesday night Introduction to Photography classes starting on September 6th.

      Lucia

    27. Hi Sam, I have just registered for your “Intermediate Photography” evening class, starting Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 6:30p. I truly enjoyed our previous classes and am excited to learn from you once again! See you in September.

        1. Hi Loretta,

          Thanks for signing up for the class and thanks for catching the typo in your previous comment.
          There are other people registered for the class. I’ll see you at 6:30pm today.

    28. Hi Sam,
      I just registered for tonight’s class (May 31 at 6:30pm). Printing my manual now, ha!
      Thanks,
      Katrina Byrne

    29. Zhou Boping-Nowak

      Hi Sam,

      I am taking the class starting on 06/04/17 and I am looking forward to it!! Thanks.

      Zhou

    30. Hi. My name is Kirk Dudley. I will be taking the intro to photography class starting on Saturday, May 13, 2017.

    31. KENDRA HARVEY

      Hi- My name is Kendra Harvey. I’m registered for the May 2nd (that’s today!) Introduction to Photography class and excited to get started.

    32. Phyllis Turnham

      Hi Sam, my name is Phyllis and I’ve registered for Fridays in May, beginning May 5, 2017.

      Looking forward to meeting you and the class.
      Phyllis

    33. Hi my name and Eric and I’m taking the introduction to photography class starting tonight May 2 at 6:30pm. See you later!

    34. My name is Holly Quick and I’m registered for the May 2 Introduction to Photography course.

    35. Dennis Marotta

      Dennis Marotta
      Introduction to Photography. First class begins on Tuesday, 5/2/2017.

      Sam, I am looking forward to my first class, which begins tomorrow.

      All the Best,
      Dennis

    36. Hi,
      My name is Melanie. I’m registered for the Tuesday morning classes starting June 6. I’m looking forward to the class!

    37. Heather Curran

      Hi, my name is Heather Curran and i am registered for the Intro to Photography class starting April 8th from 10-1.

    38. Stephanie Bluma

      Hi Sam,

      This is Stephanie Bluma and I am registered for the April 6 class. Have read through all of this.

    39. Hi Sam,

      My name is Josh and I have registered for the class beginning tonight, April 6 at 6:30. I’ve read everything above, thanks!

      Josh

    40. Michelle Cassal

      Hi my name is Michelle and I registered for the Basics Of Photography class starting April 8. Is there any prep work to be done for our first class?

      Thanks!

      Michelle

      1. Hi Michelle, Thank you for registering for the class. You should have received an email which contained a link to a page which contained information on helping you to prepare for class. Here’s the link to the page and information. ——-> https://samdamico.com/important-information-upcoming-photography-class-sam-damico/#if-you8217ve-made-a-payment-for-an-upcoming-group-class-read-this

        My apologies if you didn’t get the email.

        Please contact me if you have further questions.

        Sam

    41. Your name.
      Dawson Cagle
      The name and date of of your photography class. If this is a multi-week class please use the the start date of the class.

      April 6 – Introduction to Photography

      Any comments or questions.
      -none

      You can also contact Sam with any questions through e-mail or phone.
      -n/a

    42. Confirming I found the pre-class assignment, meeting place, etc. Looking forward to the class and meeting you. Wed, Apr 5 class.
      Sarel

      1. Ambar, It doesn’t look like it’s the full version.

        Here’s what Sony suggests.

        “Help Guide” is an on-line manual. Refer to it for in-depth
        instructions on the many functions of the camera.
        1
        Access the Sony support page.
        http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/Support/
        2
        Select your country or region.
        3
        Search for the model name of your camera on the support
        page.
        • Check the model name on the bottom of your camera.”

        You’ll find the suggestion on page 2 of the manual you have now.

        Sam

      2. Simon Whistler

        Simon Whistler. Intermediate photography, starting tonight (1st March). Looking forward to tonight’s class.

    43. Your name.
      Akua Amaning
      The name and date of of your photography class. If this is a multi-week class please use the the start date of the class.
      Oct. 1- Getting to Know Your Camera
      Nov. 2- Introduction to Photography

      Any comments or questions.
      -none

      You can also contact Sam with any questions through e-mail or phone.
      -n/a

    44. Name:
      Akua Amaning

      Name and date of photography class:
      “Getting to Know Your Camera”- Oct. 1, 2016 1:30-4:30
      “Introduction to Photography”- Nov. 2, 2016 6:30-9:30

      Comments:
      I look forward to learning from your classes

    45. Jacob Jaffe & Stacy Jaffe

      Introduction to Photography (August 7, 14, 21, and 28)

      As discussed, we will not be able to attend the August 28 class, so we will plan to make that up during a different class

      Thanks, Sam!

    46. I have already read this notice.
      I am at Focusing, exposure and Metering as elements of photography composition, July 24

    47. I’ve read this notice and am looking forward to starting the intro to photography class tomorrow, July 9.

    48. Elizabeth Murray

      Intro to Photography, starting today 7/5/16. Could you kindly send me details on the location

    49. Colleen – getting to know your camera 6/12. Question: is it okay if we bring the manual in electronic copy or do we need to print it out. Mine is over 400 pages.

      1. Thank you for registering for the class, Colleen.

        In answer to your question, there is no need to print out the manual. An electronic version on a smart phone, tablet, or whatever other electronic display device will do.

        I look forward to seeing you on the 12.

    50. Roseann Casey intro to photography May 5th.

      Only question – Probably coming straight from work. Assume drinks / water allowed in the workspace?

      Thanks!

    51. Intro to Photography

      April 5th Start Date

      Potentially need to reschedule April 19th class. How do I do this?

      Thanks!

    52. I’m Tory Brown and I’m in the Feb 4th introduction to photography class. I might need to find a copy of my camera’s user manual online, it has been a while since I’ve seen it…

      1. Thank you for for registering for the class, Tory. You can probably download a copy of the owners kanual from the manufacturers website. Make sure it’s the full version. I’ll se you on Feb 4.

    53. Hi Sam!
      I am registered for the Introduction to Photography class starting tomorrow, November 15.
      Looking forward to it!
      ~ Teresa

    54. I apologize for the delay. I am signed up for your class beginning tomorrow, Saturday November 07, 2015. Looking forward to it.

    55. Registered for the Intro. to Photography class beginning tomorrow, November 7th at 10AM!
      My only question: I am using my fiancé’s camera and we cannot seem to find the memory card (he generally has just transferred pictures directly from the camera to our computer using a USB cord). We are going to keep looking but just in case, do you know if it is possible to get another one?
      Thank you!

    56. Jamie Melnick, I will be attending the group class that starts on Saturday 11/7/15! I look forward to learning about all the functions of my camera!

    57. Hi Sam,

      I have registered for the four weeks intro to photography class starting this Sat, September 12 (10am-1pm). Thnx!

    58. Hi Sam,

      My name is Chandley Logsdon. I registered for Intro to Photography on October 6,13,20,27. Looking forward to class! Thanks

      Chandley