Module 1: Equipment & Setup

• Equipment considerations
  • Choosing the right camera, scanner
• Digital darkroom setup
• Colour Management & Caliberation

Module 2: Bridge & Camera RAW

• Using Bridge
  • Establishing a workflow from the camera to Bridge
  • Setting File info, Keywords & Metadata
  • Creating contact sheets & image thumbnails
• Selecting Algorithms for Camera RAW

Module 3: Perfect Selections

• Knowing the selection tools
• Luminance Masking
• Calculations – the Dark Arts of making selections
• When to use Defringing

Module 4: Layers & Masks

• Working with Layers
  • Layer Groups
• Blending options & modes
• Advanced Masking Techniques for Vector & Luminosity

Module 5: Channel Techniques

• Working with Alpha Channels, Selections & Re-Mapping

Module 6: High Dynamic Range Imaging (HDRI)

• HDRI –an overview
• Shooting for HDRI
• Creating HDR images
  • Using Merge to HDR Pro
  • Using HDR Toning

Module 7: Adjustments

• The Adjustments Panel
• Making Adjustments – Destructive vs. non-destructive (adjustment layer)
• Adjustment techniques
  • Achieving better Exposure & Contrast
  • “backing out” colour
  • Cross processing
  • Simulating Infra-red photography

Module 8: Filters for the Photographer

• Applying Filters
• Better Blurring & Sharpening
• Specialty Filters
  • Liquify
  • Camera Shake Reduction
  • Removing Distortion,  Adaptive Wide Angle
• Displacement mapping

Module 9: Photographic Techniques

• Black-and-White conversion methods
• Creating a Soft Focus effect
• Setting Depth-of-field (“DOF”)
• “Popping” Colour
• Creating reflections & motion
• Simulating graduated filters
• Using Photomerge
• Auto-aligning & Auto-blending
• Transforms: CA Scale, Fill, Move & Patch. Perspective Warp

Module 10: Corrective Techniques

• Resolving colour casts
• Improving Exposure/Contrast
• Portrait techniques for Brightening eyes & whitening teeth, Porcelain-smooth skin
• Using Frequency Separation

Participants will learn to make

• informed hardware decisions for digitizing photos;
• use Bridge and the improved Camera RAW effectively;
• maximize layers for better workflow;
• use masks and masking techniques;
• make image and tonal adjustments; shoot in and use HDRI;
• use filters creatively and employ a range of professional photographic and corrective techniques.

Learners must be familiar with Photoshop at the base level – working with the program, layers and selections; or they will have taken a basic/foundation course in Photoshop. Learners are also expected to demonstrate familiarity with the computer – such as the opening and saving of files, navigating the Windows operating system and mouse usage.