Adobe Photoshop Elements Essentials
for Software Versions 9 & Above

4-SESSION WORKSHOP

Fundamental Photography Class

LEVEL: Basic Digital Image Processing and Digital Darkroom Techniques
(View Course Requirements)

This 4-session class teaches you, in a comprehensive step-by-step manner, how to dramatically improve your digitally capture images using the very popular and inexpensive image editing software called Adobe Photoshop Elements (versions 9 or above).  (Gift Cards for this class are available.)

Photoshop Elements Essentials See Prices
Location:  Downers Grove, IL
DATES	STATUS
3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 4/12/2012 (Thurs.) 7:00PM	OPEN
MORE DATES TO COME (Stay Tuned)

Adobe Photoshop Elements is an easy-to-use digital darkroom program that allows you to make adjustments to your photos. For instance, the software offers tools for cropping your pictures, correcting the color, adjusting the exposure, removing distracting elements, sharpening your images, preparing them for emailing and printing, and much more. But, it is our philosophy to not overwhelm you with tons of information. Instead, we teach you what you need to know—things you'll be using 99% of the time.

The class is designed for you to perform the lessons on your home computer. During each lecture session, you will be taught various tools and techniques in a straightforward step-by-step manner. Then, on your home computer, you'll repeat the same lessons learned in class. Guided by a comprehensive textbook with step-by-step instructions, you'll work on the very same images found in the and used during the lecture. (See Course Requirements for textbook.) This use of repetition and consistency aids in both learning and retention. Plus, you always have the book to help remind you about what to do.

The two big reasons why we not have students bring their laptops to class is because many people don't have laptops and because all it takes is one slow person and everything comes to a screeching and very frustrating halt. Our teaching strategy has proven to be very effective, efficient, enjoyable. Our method allow you to much more than you would in a typical class.

Now, there are two fundamental reasons why we need the digital darkroom. The first is to fix errors made when the picture was taken: red eye, distracting reflections, overexposure, color casts, etc. And though this class will teach you how to correct many technical mistakes, it's always best to take a good photo from the start (see our other classes). You cannot make a great image from a bad original.

With images now being captured by digital cameras, fewer people shoot color negative film and take it to the drugstore lab for processing. The advantage to the lab is that they did a lot of secret work behind the scenes, which the customer didn't know about. They'd correct the color and the exposure, even it was badly screwed up, and then they'd crank out a decent looking print. The downside was that, since the prints looked okay, people figured that they were doing everything correctly. But, the truth is: the lab fixed their mistakes for years and never told them.

So now, with digital capture, the curtain has been drawn aside revealing all of the shooter's photographic frailties. Now, the digital photographer has to do the job of the drugstore lab, if he wants better pictures. This is a good reason why it's important to make adjustments to your images.

The second reason for needing a digital darkroom is because digitally captured images start out as duds. They need to be perfected so that they best represent the photographer's experience and intention. You will learn many useful digital darkroom techniques to better express your own personal vision and to bring your images to life.

Please read the Course Requirements before applying. It is very important that you have a solid basic grasp of your computer.

COURSE AGENDA

All instruction sessions take place in a classroom in Mike's home and studio in Downers Grove, Illinois. Each session will last approximately 2 hours. During the lecture, various Photoshop Elements tools and applications are demonstrated using images that come with the textbook (see Course Requirements). For your homework, you will replicate the steps taken during the lecture, which is the same steps that are clearly laid out in the textbook lessons. So, it'll be very easy to understand and follow along.

This photography class will be limited to 6 to 10 students, depending on the experience level of the participants. So, please register quickly to insure a spot.

Workshop Price: $169     Deposit: $169

Price does not include software or textbook.
Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 or 10 (Win/Mac)	Textbook for Version 9: The Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby Textbook for Version 10: The Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby

If you have further questions about Mike MacDonald photography workshops just email or phone 630-852-8448.