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Getting To Know Your Camera: A Washington, DC Photography Class

26 Comments / Photography Classes, Photography Classes In Washington DC-Classes Offered By Sam D'Amico / By

The Getting To Know Your Camera Photography class introduces essential photographic principles that help you understand how your camera works. Stop relying on fully automatic mode and start making better photographs intentionally using aperture priority, shutter priority, custom focusing modes, and precise metering patterns.

*Looking to master full manual exposure mode? Consider the Introduction to Photography class, which includes all Getting to Know Your Camera material plus complete manual control instruction.

Sam D’Amico’s Photography classes were voted the Best Art Class in Washington, DC. Sam D’Amico’s Photography classes were voted the Best Art Class in Washington, DC.

What Are the Class Options and Pricing?

  • $90.00 — In-Person Group Class: 1 meeting, 2 hours. Strictly limited to 5 participants to ensure personalized, one-on-one attention.
  • $125.00 — In-Person or Online Private Lesson: 1 meeting, 1 hour customized directly to your gear and goals.
  • $25.00 — Self-Paced Video Tutorial Class: Accessible anytime via Sam’s online learning platform.

What Will You Learn in This Class?

Stop using your camera as a point-and-shoot. During this class, you will transition out of automatic settings into deliberate, creative camera operation.

Key Topics Covered

  • Exposure Modes: Master Aperture Priority (Av/A) and Shutter Priority (Tv/S) to control motion and depth of field.
  • Focusing Modes & Areas: Select target focus areas thoughtfully to ensure your subjects are sharp every time.
  • Lighting & Metering: Interpret metering patterns and take control of overall image tonality (picture brightness).
  • Intentional Composition: Connect technical settings directly to visual design elements.

How Is the Class Structured?

In-Class Hands-On Practice: You will apply camera operations directly in real time. By practicing with aperture and shutter priority during class, you’ll immediately reinforce how physical controls alter your final image.

Post-Class Guided Exercises: Before class concludes, Sam provides specific, practical assignment prompts to help you solidify your skills independently.

Is This Class Right for You and Your Camera?

  • Prerequisites: None. Open to all beginner photographers.
  • Camera Requirements: Any camera that features Aperture Priority (Av/A) and Shutter Priority (Tv/S) exposure modes (DSLR, mirrorless, or advanced compact camera).
  • Instructor: Sam D’Amico
  • In-Person Meeting Location: Kogod Courtyard inside the National Portrait Gallery (8th & G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20001). Please review the museum’s Visiting Tips & FAQs prior to attending.

When and How Do You Register for Upcoming Classes?

Select your preferred start date from the menu below to view upcoming schedules and reserve your seat. (Strictly limited to 5 registrants per session.)

1. Choose your schedule date. 2. Select attendee quantity. 3. Click “Buy Now”. (If listed as “Out of Stock,” that date is full.)

*Buying for someone else? Please purchase a gift certificate instead.

Schedules — Getrting to Know Your Camera in Washington, DC

New classes scheduled for November 3 through December 2, 2026

 

What Are the Most Common Questions Before Enrolling?

What camera equipment do I need to bring?

Any DSLR, mirrorless, or advanced compact camera that allows manual selection of Aperture Priority (Av/A) and Shutter Priority (Tv/S) modes.

What is the difference between this class and Introduction to Photography?

Getting To Know Your Camera focuses on getting off auto mode into aperture and shutter priority modes. The Introduction to Photography class covers full manual exposure control and incorporates all material taught in this class.

Where do in-person group classes meet?

In-person sessions meet in the Kogod Courtyard inside the National Portrait Gallery (8th & G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20001). Walk straight past the main entrance desk into the courtyard.

Are photography gift certificates available?

Yes. Digital gift certificates allow recipients to choose any upcoming class date or private lesson that matches their schedule.

What Do Past Students Say About This Class?

Ashley: “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: “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.”

Ready to get off automatic mode and master your camera controls?
Select your preferred date below to join an upcoming class:

Getting To Know Your Camera

26 thoughts on “Getting To Know Your Camera: A Washington, DC Photography Class”

  1. Lia

    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

    Reply
    1. Sam D'Amico

      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.

      Reply
    1. samdamico-admin

      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

      Reply
    1. samdamico-admin

      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.

      Reply
  5. Traci

    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?

    Reply
        1. samdamico-admin

          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/

          Reply
  7. Anna C

    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

    Reply
  11. Dominic Colangelo

    I would come with my daughter if ok (2 fees)
    We have a canon 5D camera. Do you have others with the same camera?

    Reply
    1. samdamico

      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.

      Reply

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