Meeting Times

• Wednesday 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

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Description

Photoshop is probably the most well-known and, arguably, the best digital imaging program on the market today. However, within the Photoshop program is another very powerful program. Its name is Adobe Camera Raw (ACR), and it originally was designed for processing RAW images (most SLR cameras save an image either as a JPG or RAW image – a RAW image is a much more robust entity than a JPG image, and it’s the format to use for serious digital editing). There are three reasons Adobe Camera Raw may be preferable to Photoshop for digital editing:

• As wonderful as Photoshop is, its complexity makes mastering it a long-term challenge. Adobe Camera Raw, though still demanding, is considerably easier to learn and use. 
• ACR is a muscular program, with an extensive variety of editing tools. It has more than enough resources to meet the requirements of many amateur and professional photographers.
• ACR is designed to edit not only RAW images, but also JPG, TIF, and other image formats.

It should be mentioned that all images can benefit from at least some editing in a digital imaging program. At the very least, dark areas can be lightened and light areas darkened. In addition, colors can be improved, sharpness and contrast added, and distracting elements removed.

Further, I consider the editing of pictures to be just as important as the taking of pictures. Not only can the photos be improved, as mentioned above, but editing can transform them into something entirely different and unique. For myself, for example, if I spend three hours photographing a model, I’ll often spend three or four times that amount of time in Adobe Camera Raw. What I’m doing is interpreting each image I shot – applying my own style and vision.

A very complete handout will be given to you when you arrive. It contains lots of information, and will greatly simplify the process of understanding what is being taught in class. In addition, the handout will allow you to spend less time taking notes and more time listening and participating in class. You also will find it quite useful for review after the course has ended.

The current version of Photoshop (which includes ACR) is available through Adobe on a subscription basis only. The cost is about $10 per month, and that also includes a copy of Adobe Lightroom. (Please note that owning Photoshop is not a requirement for taking this seminar). By the way, ACR is the program I use for almost 100% of my digital editing.

Enrollment in this class is limited to fifteen (15) students. 

Additional Notes

Please Note: A $5.00 material fee is due to the instructor the first night of class. Please bring cash to cover this expense.
There is no class on Wednesday, November 22nd.  

This class will be held at Rockville High School in Room 163. Directional signs will be posted in the lobby of both school entrances. 

Related Class Offerings

• Digital Photography 1
• Take Great Photos With Your Smartphone