Session 2

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Begins January 14

〰️

Session 2 〰️ Begins January 14 〰️

Your camera has incredible potential. But if its buttons, settings, and technical language feel overwhelming, you are not alone. From Auto to Artist is a step-by-step photography program designed to help you understand your camera, make intentional choices, and create photographs that reflect what you see and feel.

Join the From Auto to Artist Course & Community,
for Beginners only!

What You Will Learn

  • Build a strong foundation. Get comfortable with your camera and lens, key controls, manual mode, and the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure.

  • Take control of the image. Learn how autofocus works, choose the right focusing settings, control depth of field, freeze or creatively blur motion, and make sharper photographs—even as light changes.

  • See and compose with intention. Explore the rule of thirds, leading lines, perspective, focal length, visual balance, negative space, layers, and the creative use of light.

  • Develop your own process. Practice OSCAR, a thoughtful pre-shot routine that encourages you to slow down, observe more carefully, and photograph with intention. Learn to plan photography outings around light, weather, sun and moon positions, and tides.

How the Program Works

Over 12 progressively structured lessons, you will learn through instructional materials, photographic examples, and practical assignments that put your camera in your hands. Each new lesson begins by revisiting the previous week’s experiences and questions. Lesson videos, slides, assignments, and a supportive, collaborative community provide ongoing opportunities for learning and review, while optional one-on-one sessions, offer personalized instruction to explore topics in greater depth and work through individual challenges.

The goal is not simply to memorize settings. It is to understand why you choose them—and to combine technical skill with observation, composition, and creative expression.

Move beyond Auto. Build confidence. Photograph with purpose.

A 12-week journey from camera basics to confident, creative photography

Meet Your Instructor

David DeMarco

Instructor & Mentor

Dave is a Rhode Island-based fine art photographer. He has had a love affair with making photographs for 40 years.

Dave’s work is published in several publications, including the cover of South County Life Magazine. Dave also works on commissioned projects where the subject, mood and feel of a photograph are specially crafted for the buyer and their space.

Dave is a natural teacher and mentor. He is currently the President of the Photographic Society of Rhode Island. In addition to creating and teaching our 12-week Beginner’s Only online course, Dave also offers individualized photography coaching sessions where he teaches you how to move from taking photos to intentionally making photographs.

Check Out Dave's Website

By the end, you’ll have gone from overwhelmed to confident.
From auto to artist.

What’s Included

12 LIVE sessions about the foundations and basics behind modern photography with your teacher, each week for 12 weeks

+

Access to complete slide decks for each lesson

+
Assignment for each lesson to enhance learning & engagement

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Access to highly-discounted 1-on-1 Private online sessions with your teacher

+
Membership in a growing community of learners who want to help & support one another

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Absolutely. BlueHour’s Photo Fundamentals was designed specifically for beginning photographers. You don't need to understand camera settings or photography terminology before you start. We'll build your skills one lesson at a time, from understanding your camera to creating photographs with intention.

  • Any modern interchangeable-lens digital camera will work. Throughout the course we'll explain concepts rather than teach one brand. These concepts apply to all camera brands. Most of the examples will be based on modern mirrorless cameras.

  • You'll first learn what Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO actually do. Once those concepts make sense, you'll learn an easy decision-making process that helps you confidently shoot in Manual mode whenever you choose.

  • No problem.

    Photography is a journey, not a race. Lessons build on one another, but you'll always be able to watch the video recording and study previous material, ask questions, and continue learning at your own pace. After taking part for a few weeks, you will be able to schedule an included private lesson with the community leader where you can iron out any problems you might encounter (with additional sessions available for purchase).

  • Yes. Each lesson includes simple exercises designed to help you practice one new concept at a time. The goal isn't perfection—it's building confidence by using your camera. The next lesson will begin with a debrief of the previous lesson and open Q&A so that everyone learns together.


  • Almost everything. The skills you'll learn apply to landscapes, wildlife, portraits, travel, family photography, sports, macro, and everyday photography. The principles stay the same—the subjects, locations and stories you want to tell change.

  • Definitely. Many photographers have used Auto mode for years but never fully understood why the camera made certain decisions. This course explains those decisions so you can begin making creative choices yourself. Our goal is to take you on a journey so you will move from “Auto-to-Artist”! At the end you will be confident with your camera and making images with intention.

  • Yes. While you'll learn how your camera works, you'll also learn how photographers think. You'll discover composition, storytelling, intentional decision-making, the OSCAR process, and how to plan successful photo outings before you even leave home.

  • YouTube teaches individual topics. Photo Fundamentals teaches photography as a complete learning journey.

    Every lesson builds naturally on the previous one, so you're never left wondering what to learn next. You'll also be part of a supportive community where you can ask questions, complete assignments, and grow alongside other beginners. You will learn weekly from an award-winning instructor who loves to teach.

  • By the end of the course, you'll understand:

    • How your camera works 

    • How to confidently adjust camera settings 

    • When to use different autofocus and drive modes 

    • How to compose stronger photographs 

    • How to use aperture, shutter speed, and ISO creatively 

    • How to create consistently sharp images 

    • How to choose the right lens 

    • How to plan successful photo shoots 

    • Most importantly, you'll know why you're making each photographic decision—not just which button to press.

  • On Mondays at 7 PM EST. You can access them by clicking the zoom link in the Calendar View - you will also be reminded a day before via email.

  • If you miss a lesson - no problem. You will however need to review the slide deck of the lesson you missed, and complete the assignment for that lesson as well. These can be accessed on the Classroom Page.

  • Join the community “Photo Fundamentals.” Upon your registration, you’ll automatically be enrolled in the next “semester” scheduled for the 12-week program.

Sign Up Here!