FE655 Enhance the Dog: Advanced Photo Composition

Enhance your photographs and bring out their true potential using the key features and advanced techniques in Lightroom and Photoshop. Learn how to create compelling compositions that draw the viewer's eye into the heart of your images.

Course Details

This course is designed for intermediate to advanced photographers who are already familiar with basic editing tools. Participants should have working knowledge of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, as well as familiarity with the principles of composition. If you're ready to take your photography to the next level and leave a lasting impact with your compositions, this course is tailored for you.

Gold students will be able to participate in a number of class activities that will allow them to practice and demonstrate their new skills, as well as get answers to questions.

1. Weekly Critiques - Gold students will be able to submit up to 5 photos (1 per week) and receive video feedback from the instructor on the RAW photo, as well as the edit.

2. "Edit My Photo" Challenge - Gold students will get an opportunity to apply their editing skills to an image taken by another photographer. Some photos will be supplied by the instructor and others will be from another experienced photographer.

3. Ongoing feedback via individual Homework threads - Gold students will receive 1-on-1 written feedback throughout the six weeks of class on their application of the class techniques to their photos.

https://youtube.com/zW8C8ddXSfk

Teaching Approach

Lectures are released once or twice a week. The class consists of a mix of written lectures and screen-capture videos, with supplementary videos from a variety of sources on YouTube. Some videos may have subtitles, but it varies depending on the source.

As this is a new class, it will not have a TA.

Syllabus

The two primary themes of this class -- creating FLOW and DEPTH in photos.

TOPICS

Setting expectations - snapshots vs "art", fixing vs enhancing
Setting expectations - advanced composition and post-processing in Lightroom Classic and Photoshop
Setting expectations - class will *not* cover fundamental skills of focus, exposure, and camera settings
Technical - review of Global Adjustments
Technical - Using vibrance/saturation/dehaze sliders
Technical - using Photo Mechanic in your workflow
Technical - White Balance tricks
Technical - Compare three different noise reduction apps
Technical - Sharpening and exporting for best quality
Technical - Photoshop Remove tool and Content-aware fill
Creative - Psychology of Composition and how it applies to post-processing - creating FLOW
Creative - Creating DEPTH in your photos in the camera
Creative - Creating DEPTH and FLOW in your photos in LR with local adjustments
Creative - enhancing eyes of subjects
Creative - creating background gradients for subtle flow
Creative - how to create a light source with masks
Creative - retouching photos using digital painting in Photoshop
Creative - various Photoshop tools including Clone Tool, Remove Tool, and Content-aware Fill

Prerequisites & Supplies

Gold students must have completed all of the lessons in Compose the Dog and Adjust the Dog, or be fluent and comfortable with the language and concepts of composition. They must also be able to do basic edits on a photo that results in the correct White Balance, excellent exposure, and moderate contrast. Gold students with the following will get the most out of this class: Strong working knowledge of global adjustments in Lightroom Classic (or Adobe Camera Raw in Photoshop), specifically the tools in the Basics Panel, White Balance, and Crop Tool. Understanding of basic compositional concepts, such as leading lines and negative space, as well as be able to identify contrast in images. Moderate-size library of RAW photos to pull from on which to practice the skills and techniques presented in class. Photos can be of any subject. There are no prerequisites to take this class at Bronze. It will benefit any photographer at any level. Advanced photographers will be exposed to new techniques, or old techniques used in new ways. Intermediate photographers will see how they can take their current photos to the next level. Novice photographers will be inspired by watching experienced photographers apply the very same fundamental skills they are in the process of learning.

Sample Lecture

These two videos are excerpts from recent critiques that I've given to some of my advanced students. This should give you a feel for how the critiques in this class will go, as well as demonstrating some of the techniques that will be covered in class.

Instructor

Amy Johnson

Faculty

Amy Johnson (she/her) is the official show photographer for many of the premier agility events in the United States, including the AKC National Agility Championships, AKC Agility Invitational, USDAA Cynosport World Games, UKI US Open, and NADAC Championships, as well as numerous local trials, regional events, and breed national specialties. She has photographed a wide variety of dog sports, including agility, obedience, rally, and conformation. (Click here for full bio and to view Amy's upcoming courses.)...

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