Description
Fine Art Portraits Online Workshop
Master the Art of Elegant and Expressive Portraiture
This comprehensive online workshop is designed for photographers seeking to elevate their portrait work through the refined aesthetic of Fine Art photography. Whether you aim to develop a distinctive artistic style or enhance the emotional depth of your images, this program will guide you through each step of the creative process.
Workshop Highlights:
- The fundamentals of Fine Art photography applied to portraiture
- Lighting and composition techniques to achieve a painterly look
- Advanced retouching workflow to preserve authenticity and enhance artistry
- Strategies to define and cultivate your personal visual identity
Content :
Jessica Drossin session (June 1) :
Topics : Jessica will explain her initial concept, then you can watch her edit in Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw with a combination of hand edits and actions/tools. She will be discussing how to integrate overlays/textures and how she blend elements to create the effect she is envisioning.
1) Introduction and examples. Approach and process, appx 20 minutes.
2) Child Fine Art Portrait Photography Processing Example, appx 1 hour.
3) 10 minute break
4) Adult Fine Art Portrait Photography Processing Example, appx 1 hour.
5) Questions, appx 20 minutes.
David Duchens session (June 8) :
- Introduction to this image style:
- We will discuss the characteristics that are commonly found in these images.
- Shooting:
- Although we will start with a file that will be provided to you, the shot that serves as the starting point for this image style also has its own characteristics. These will be explained.
- Cutting out the subject:
- This is the essential technical point I mentioned earlier. In this course, you will learn how to cut out the subject with precision. The idea is to place a new background behind the portrait. Selecting a person is generally a complex task because of small elements such as hair.
- The technique explained here will be clipping using layers and working on an alpha layer (also known as a separation mask).
- There are several methods for creating layers to serve as a basis for the preparatory work. These will be explained in detail.
- Improving contours:
- Clipping often needs to be refined. You will study the different techniques for achieving a precise result.
- Painting effect:
- Several effects will be studied. As these are intended to be subtle, in order to remain between photo and painting, they will be applied locally and with different techniques.
- Atmosphere:
- This is a very important point. As you can see in the examples, the atmosphere of these images is always very distinctive.
- Once all the elements are in place in the image, work will be done to create the atmosphere. Several techniques and tools will be studied.
- Final rendering:
- Once the result is obtained, you will study the possible variations. An image is always a reflection of its creator’s sensibility. We all have our own, which is why we will end the course on this topic.
- Questions and answers
How the workshop works :
This workshop is delivered online (via the Internet), and live. The ZOOM video conferencing application will be used. The connection is established in a few clicks. You do not need to create an account or subscribe to Zoom to participate in the workshop. An invitation link will be sent to you by e-mail before each session.
Video recording :
This workshop is accompanied by a video for each session.
It is recorded live during the workshop.
The video will be sent to you in MP4 format, via WeTransfer, after each session.
Exercise files are provided
You can find Jessica Drossin’s work on the networks:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/JessicaDrossin
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/jessica_drossin/
Website : https://jessicadrossin.net/
Frances Cable (client confirmé) –
Another amazing collaboration, this time with Jessica Drossin. It is fascinating to see each of your unique and creative approaches! It is wonderful to be able to see two photographers approach a subject with their own special view – it should encourage all of us to pursue our unique vision!
Danielle Lapointe (client confirmé) –
The workshop presented by David and Jessica designed to not only teach editing techniques but also ignite creative inspiration—and it exceeded my expectations on both fronts. From the beginning, the workshop struck a thoughtful balance between technical depth and artistic exploration. What made the experience especially valuable was their emphasis on using these tools to tell stories and evoke emotion. Rather than prescribing a “right way” to edit, the instructors encouraged experimentation and personal expression. I didn’t just leave with sharper editing skills—I felt genuinely inspired to approach my work with fresh eyes and a deeper sense of purpose. Thank you David and Jessica.
Pauline Van Der Spuy (client confirmé) –
The recent fine art workshop hosted by David Duchens in collaboration with Jessica Drossin, was outstanding. It was fully interactive and was conducted at an ideal speed, allowing plenty of time for questions. The techniques shown were detailed and yet easy to follow. It was good to receive recordings and practice files post the event which one can watch again as many times as desired. Thank you David and Jessica.
Fotini Scherer (client confirmé) –
A Creative Journey Full of Inspiration
The workshop with Jessica and David was so much more than a training session – it was a creative journey that inspired, enriched, and left a lasting impression. In a warm and open atmosphere, a space emerged where not only was technical knowledge shared with clarity and enthusiasm, but the joy of artistic expression came alive in a truly tangible way.
With sensitivity and expertise, the two guided us through the world of image editing – from working with layers and masks to precise color corrections and the painterly possibilities of the brush tool. The hands-on exercises and personalized insights were particularly impactful, allowing each image to shine in its unique potential.
I not only enhanced my technical skills but also refined my eye for visual language, composition, and light. Witnessing how intentional editing can transform a photo into an emotional, visual narrative was nothing short of fascinating.
A heartfelt thank-you to Jessica and David for their openness, their passion, and the many small and profound moments of inspiration. For anyone eager to dive deeper into the art of image editing and rediscover their creative spark, this workshop is a true gem.