Photoshop has adopted a reputation for being a means by which one can "alter an image beyond reality” and it is true that photography has changed irrevocably from a more pure record of reality by the impact of digital technology. The imaging artist has a staggering array of techniques for image manipulation at his or her disposal and is only limited by what they can imagine. Mastery of Photoshop is an essential step in developing skills for photo-illustration and is a foundation for exploring the outer limits of fantasy, surrealism, and visual symbolism.
This workshop is designed to give the serious imaging artist a complete foundation in photo-retouching and illustration techniques. You learn basic retouching skills and build on foundational techniques for masking and compositing. Numerous examples of photo-illustration projects are disassembled to show how the images were put together and you will be guided through several step-by-step projects to learn more advanced techniques including:
- Masking and transparency effects
- Smoke and fire effects
- Glows, halos, and light beams
- Displacement maps & other distortion effects
- Glamour skin smoothing
Though students spend a majority of time working in MMW’s state-of-the-art digital lab, there is one day of guided shooting in the picturesque area of the Maine coast, to capture new images for practicing the application of the concepts and techniques covered in the workshop. There is ample free time available to shoot extra material to use in class and students receive individual attention both in the lab and out, as well as additional help in areas of special interest. The workshop focuses on image compositing but includes face and body retouching techniques as part of the curriculum. When pursuing a career in photography, it is essential to learn how to edit photographs professionally and with taste.
This course is for advanced amateurs and emerging professionals who want to master photo-digital image creation using Photoshop. This is an intermediate to advanced course for students who are familiar with basic Photoshop skills and concepts including layers, selections and masks. Work files will be provided but students are encouraged to bring in their own images to work on in class as well.
Lee Varis is a photo-illustrator working in Hollywood. He has been involved in commercial photography for the last 30 years. He started working with computer imaging about 20 years ago and currently works with digital as well as conventional photography in conjunction with computer graphics to create images for use in print advertising.