You'll need to bring the "full version" of your camera owners manual to class.
Course Description: Getting To Know Your Camera
A Washington, DC Photography Class
If you want to become a better photographer and create better photographs, the first step is getting to know your camera and learning how to work your camera thoughtfully.
Modern cameras, especially a DSLR, can be confusing and intimidating to use because...
There are a lot of buttons and dials...
There is a a lot of information provided in the displays...
Cameras aren't only cameras anymore, they're also computers...
You not only need to learn to work your "camera"...
You also need to learn to work the "operating system" that your camera uses...
The good news is that the basics of photography and how a camera works have not changed...
The not so good news is that the technology that has been brought into the camera can be confusing and is not consistent from camera to camera...
Regardless of the type of camera that you have, to make photography (and your camera) more understandable you've got to...
Learn what a camera does (all cameras basically do the same thing)...
Once you know what a camera does, you now need to learn how the operating system of your camera performs basic camera functions...
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."
Once you've cut through all the confusion...
You will know what your camera does and how it does it...
You can concentrate on making better photographs...
You can begin to utilize your camera to its fullest potential...
You will have a good understanding of how your camera works...
You can begin to rely more on your mind, instead of your camera, to make a photograph...
Course Description
This hands-on, three-hour workshop is intended to introduce basic photographic principals that will allow the participant to understand how their camera works. Aperture, shutter speed, light sensitivity (ISO/ASA), lenses, focusing modes, camera metering and automatic vs. manual exposure settings will be explained and related to the participant's camera. By the time the class is over you will know the capabilities of your camera and you'll be creating more thoughtfully composed photographs.
Heather says: "I was so excited that in 3 hours I was able to use my camera on manual mode. I now know about lighting, metering, aperture and shutter speed. I was amazed at how much you were able to pack into 3 hours."
You Should Take This Class If You Want To...
Understand how your camera works...
Make better pictures...
Learn about focusing modes...
Learn about metering patterns and modes...
Understand the basics of photography...
Begin to create thoughtfully composed photographs...
Start to learn to work your camera to its fullest potential...
Start to rely on your mind, instead of your camera, to make your photograph...
A camera that allows you to pick exposure modes...
You'll need to bring the "full version" of your camera owners manual to class...
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.”
Please bring something to take notes with to class.
If you are registering for this class on the day that it is scheduled, you must bring a copy of your receipt as your proof of payment in order to be admitted.
Depending on the time and day the class is scheduled, classes meet at one of two locations in the Chinatown area of Washington, DC. If you have any questions about the meeting location of a specific class that is scheduled please contact Sam ( https://samdamico.com/contact-sam/ ) with the class name and specific schedule.
Hi Sam – I’m looking to sign up for your intro to photography class (Wednesday evening June). I do not have a fancy camera, as I’m not sure which one to buy yet…DSLR or mirrorless. Do your classes require us to bring our own camera or do we practice with a “class” camera?
Thank you for your interest in my photography classes.
If you were to register for the Introduction to Photography class, you would be required to bring your own camera.
And you’d get the most benefit from the Introduction to Photography class if that camera had “manual exposure mode” functionality.
While I’m reluctant to make recommendations on what camera you should get, I can offer you some guidance in the form of a post on my website.
I do offer a class, titled Learn To Think Like A Photographer, that requires nothing more than the camera on your phone (no “fancy” camera needed). This may be a good start for you if you’re reluctant to purchase a new, “fancy”, camera.
Hey Sam,
I’d like to sign up for your Wednesday night group photography class, but I know I’ll be late to one of the meetings. Do you allow for late arrivals?
I would like to take the class on Mon Feb 11, 11:30-2:30. Do you take Paypal? If you share an e-mail address, I can use Paypal w/ that. Alternatively, will you let me bring a check to the session?
I’m interested in the Nov 18th Intro to Photography course but I’m not sure I understand the end date. It has it listed as either Dec 2, 9th or the 16th. Can you please clarify when the class ends or do students choose their end date at time of enrollment?
My apologies for the confusion. When looking at the abbreviated description of the class here I can see where the confusion arises. Thank you for pointing this out.
The class starts on Nov. 18 and ends on Dec. 16.
The class meets on four Sundays from 10am-1pm on Nov. 18, Dec. 2, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16. We skip Nov. 25 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
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Hi Sam,
My wife loves photography and I wanted to book a class with you for her as a gift. Is your session on September 28th still available?
Hi Erik,
Thank you for your interest in my photography classes.
If you’re referring to this class https://samdamico.com/learn-to-think-like-a-photographer-a-dc-photography-class/, then yes, the September 28th class is available.
Best Regards,
Sam
Hi Sam – I’m looking to sign up for your intro to photography class (Wednesday evening June). I do not have a fancy camera, as I’m not sure which one to buy yet…DSLR or mirrorless. Do your classes require us to bring our own camera or do we practice with a “class” camera?
Hi Therese,
Thank you for your interest in my photography classes.
If you were to register for the Introduction to Photography class, you would be required to bring your own camera.
And you’d get the most benefit from the Introduction to Photography class if that camera had “manual exposure mode” functionality.
While I’m reluctant to make recommendations on what camera you should get, I can offer you some guidance in the form of a post on my website.
I do offer a class, titled Learn To Think Like A Photographer, that requires nothing more than the camera on your phone (no “fancy” camera needed). This may be a good start for you if you’re reluctant to purchase a new, “fancy”, camera.
Hi, will you be offering this class in April? And if so, when will you post the schedule? Thx.
Hi Rob,
Thanks for your interest in my photography classes.
Yes, I will be offering the Learn to Think Like A Photographer class ( https://samdamico.com/learn-to-think-like-a-photographer-a-dc-photography-class/) in April.
I’m in the process of scheduling that class now and it should be scheduled by the end of the day tomorrow.
I’ll send you a follow-up email when the schedule is complete.
Hey Sam,
I’d like to sign up for your Wednesday night group photography class, but I know I’ll be late to one of the meetings. Do you allow for late arrivals?
Hi Jess,
Thanks for your interest in my photography classes.
If you’re, talking about the Introduction to Photography class, arriving late would be fine, although I wouldn’t recommend that for our first meeting.
Best Regards,
Sam
I would like to take the class on Mon Feb 11, 11:30-2:30. Do you take Paypal? If you share an e-mail address, I can use Paypal w/ that. Alternatively, will you let me bring a check to the session?
Hello Jeffrey,
Thank you for your interest in my photography classes.
Checks are not accepted, however you can you Paypal as a means of payment.
Best Regards,
Sam
Hello,
I’m interested in the Nov 18th Intro to Photography course but I’m not sure I understand the end date. It has it listed as either Dec 2, 9th or the 16th. Can you please clarify when the class ends or do students choose their end date at time of enrollment?
Thank you
Hello Jennifer,
Thank you for your interest in the Introduction to Photography class that starts on Nov 18th.
My apologies for the confusion. When looking at the abbreviated description of the class here I can see where the confusion arises. Thank you for pointing this out.
The class starts on Nov. 18 and ends on Dec. 16.
The class meets on four Sundays from 10am-1pm on Nov. 18, Dec. 2, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16. We skip Nov. 25 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Please contact me if you have further questions.
Best Regards,
Sam
Name: Bridget Gonzales
Course: Getting To Know Your Camera: SKU GTKYC-AM-Thu-Mar8
Date: Thursday, March 8, 2016; 11:30am – 2:30pm
Email: bgonzales@mbda.gov
Phone: (202) 482-3774
Thank you for your reply, Bridget.
I’ll see you on Thursday morning.