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Digital imaging workshop. This course teaches clients to capture, process and archive their digital images according to current professional standards. Close attention is paid to colour management, RAW image processing (in Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw) and enhancement (in Photoshop CS2/CS3). Useful and robust strategies for image management, backup and archiving are also demonstrated. The tuition is Intel Mac based, although in respect of Photoshop, operation on a PC differs only in the keys used for shortcuts. You will be able to follow the various procedures as I project them from my computer, working on the same images provided on DVD, which acts as your course reference material. To get the best from this course then, bring your computer or, more practically, a laptop. But at the very least, you'll have the image projects outlined on DVD This course is normally offered to private or corporate groups but one-to-one coaching is available too. Registration: get together and set up equipment. First full day
Topics: Setting up the camera for RAW shooting (demonstrated with Nikon D2X); camera histogram interpretation; white balance reference - numbers versus eyes; monitor calibration (NEC Spectraview with Spectraview Profiler and Gretag Macbeth Eye One Display 2); configuring Photoshop CS2/3 (why Adobe 1998 rather than stupidRGB, why 16 bit rather than 8 bit); defining work spaces; field workflow [download, initial editing with Lightroom, file and folder naming, keywording]; processing RAW images in Adobe Camera Raw / Lightroom; back up and archiving strategies Second day ends at 5 pm
Topics: Layer masks; quick masks; expanding contrast range: protecting highlights and shadows; 2 x RAW processing; combining exposures; selection techniques; managing images in Adobe Bridge and Lightroom; Black and white conversions; horizontal levelling; writing Photoshop actions and creating droplets;getting that Velvia look; preparing images for the Web; preparing images for digital projection; preparation for printing and printing with Epson's profiles; adding text to the image and using Photoshop as a page making tool.
Outdoor photography training. This short course offers participants the chance to get to grips with the fundamentals of producing technically good pictures, almost irrespective of the camera used and also highlights the potential for creativity and communication that the new digital medium has brought. The concluding three hour section on day two is mainly of interest to digital SLR users. This course is normally offered to private or corporate groups but one-to-one coaching is available too. Here is the outline programme: Day 1
We'll start with the 50 metres assignment to encourage you to look hard at what's about you. Half an hour to produce your most inspired vision! The point of the exercise: To understand that, when approaching a subject, there are two fundamentally different mindsets that can be adopted:
narrative or
expressive.
You've got to make up your mind before you start which the picture is going to be about! Foundation topics: Tutorials in the field - Integrate or isolate the subject from its surroundings?
- How to meter: P is for Pathetic, M is for Masterful
- Interpreting the histogram
- Keeping everything sharp and the 8, 9, 10 of sharpness
- Building up the picture - life, light, precipitation and colour
- Light management: flash, diffusers and reflectors
- Mixing daylight and flash in action photography
- Studio flash outside
- Getting close to wild subjects
As well as these practical considerations Niall will encourage you to think about the concepts of significant form and edges as you prepare to photograph a subject. He will also talk about what you can do with your image once it is in digital form. Day 2
The first part is devoted to assignments during which Niall will be on hand to help you get the picture that best fulfils the brief. Each participant is asked to make these four pictures, drawing upon what they learned on Day 1. Digital shooters will benefit from on-the-hoof critique. - Shoot the same subject integrated with and then isolated from its surroundings.
- Find the best complementary colours you can (or at least, juxtapose warm and cool).
- Shoot an image suitable for conversion to black and white.
- Shoot a picture combining any three out of life, light, precipitation and colour. Get all four and you're blessed.
We'll finish the day with a three hour briefing of digital imaging workflow. This will show you how to process the images you have captured and the most relevant techniques to use to get the best results from what you have produced. - Monitor calibration
- Setting up Photoshop's colour management correctly
- Image editing
- RAW file conversion
- Key wording
- Photoshop finishing
- Archiving and back up
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