Photoshop - the digital darkroom

Held over five mornings, You'll learn the techniques pros use to optimize their photos and correct image imperfections. Discover how to use Photoshop to make your pictures better.

No formal photographic training is necessary, only a desire to improve upon your pics. Enthusiastic beginners can now learn to process their images quickly and effectively.

In the past, photographers not only took photographs, they also processed the film in the darkroom. Although this was a messy, time-consuming chore, it also enabled the shooter to control the entire image-making process from start to finish.
The digital darkroom now offers us that same level of control, but without the mess, expense, and time spent in the dark. Programs such as Adobe Photoshop give us amazing control over our photographs.

Contents at a glance are:

* From the camera to the computer
Transferring images from your camera to computer is the starting point for many digital photographers.
There are three commonly used methods of image capture popular today. We will explore each way a little more fully.

* Storing and backing up your images
It's time to manage those photos. Discover the quickest, most thorough, and most efficient way to store your pictures, so you can find that same image again years later.

* Raw vs. Jpeg/ Tiff
Whats all the fuss about? Let's find out what the differences are, and Pros and Cons of each option.

* Getting to know Photoshop
Finding your way around the work area
Setting up your work space and preferences

* Cropping and re-sizing your images
You can resize images in several ways. Each way to resize an image has advantages and drawbacks. To get the best result when you resize images, it's always better to understand the concepts behind and the results of each method of resizing.

* Saving and file formats
Now that your images are in the digital darkroom, you have to decide what file format you want to work in and what level of quality you want to achieve.

* Isolating objects
Extract objects, cut out an image, remove a background, to deep etch an image, - Call it what you will, each of these phrases describes the same objective: take a photo and isolate an object in it from the rest of the image, without the background. As we move through each method, you'll gain a how-to explanation for each technique. You'll also get the stats on how long each method takes, and as to when; each method is most appropriate.

* Working non destructively
You'll hear a lot of people (including me) recommending that you work in Photoshop using "non-destructive" methods. But what exactly does that mean and why should you consider working this way? We'll learn about layers, adjustment layers, layer masks, smart objects and smart filters.

* Retouching
We'll master the fundamentals, and move onto re- sculpting of facial features and air-brushing.

* Blurring and sharpening your images
Blur options and techniques are explored, with our focus on re-creating depth of field, fades and creating the feeling of motion.
Next, we'll move onto the best sharpening techniques, there's a lot more to sharpening an image than just using the UnSharp Mask command.

* Changing and enhancing colour
Not happy with the color of your shirt? Let's dabble with the tools you can use to recolor an image. You will find one may work better than another depending on the image you are working on.

* Black and white
There is something special about a Black and white image that can sometimes be difficult to be described. The removal of colour from a photograph can have a powerful impact. Learn how to replicate that gritty effect, that was often a desired effect in traditional photography.

* Colour and special effects
Dabble with split toning, cross processing, lomography, duotones and utilising blending modes to achieve dramatic effects . We will then move onto creative photo effects.

* Actions
Photoshop actions are a tremendous time-saving tool for designers and photographers,and throughout our session, we would have created, saved and used them; so you'll have an assortment of actions that you can take home with you.

The certified training sessions are provided by the 2B Studio team - a collaboration of trainers who have had years of real world experience in their chosen fields and are industry experts. These range from working in advertising agencies, film production, publishing, editorial and repro houses.

Date: 08 August 2011 to 12 August 2011
Venue: Johannesburg