Creative architecture online workshop (replay)

This video tutorial is the complete replay of an online workshop presented in October 2022, in collaboration with Olivier Rocq, Daniel Cheong and myself.
It includes the videos (8 hours of recordings) as well as the exercise files of the 3 speakers. The total file size is almost 7 GB (2.1 GB for the 3 videos and 4.8 GB for the work files).
You'll receive the download links within a few minutes of your payment (PayPal or credit card), or as soon as the amount is received in the case of bank transfer.

This is an original workshop we're offering you here. After several collaborations with Daniel and Olivier, we decided this time to bring the 3 of us together to offer you this one-of-a-kind workshop!

The philosophy of my workshops, which is perfectly in line with the state of mind that guides the 3 of us, is to always offer maximum content. This workshop will provide you with a total of around 8 hours of training! The 3 sessions will be recorded live, and provided. So you can come back to the lessons at your own pace.

The common thread running through this workshop is creative architecture.

The idea is to take you on a journey between technique and creative vision, in different universes, in order to present you with a wide range of tools and ideas for your future creations. Note that the many techniques you will learn here (such as advanced use of blending masks, selections, colorimetry, etc.) can be used to work on your own images in general.

You'll benefit from the experience of 3 seasoned trainers. We no longer need to introduce Olivier, whose training courses are highly acclaimed, and Daniel, whose images have travelled the world. As for me, architecture is in my DNA, and I've explored many avenues in this field.

On the workshops page, you can take a look at the workshops we've already presented, as well as the reviews left by our trainees.

Workshop content :

Urban landscapes at blue hour by Olivier Rocq

The blue hour is a short window of time (30 to 50 minutes on average, depending on the season and latitude) during which the sky takes on this particular bluish color, making for very interesting cityscape photos, as the predominantly yellow-orange artificial lighting counterbalances the blue of the sky (complementary colors on the color wheel).

In this workshop you will learn :

• a few tips on how to shoot this type of photo, in terms of timing, white balance and managing the multiple exposures required...
• how to manage moving elements in your long exposures
• prepare your RAW files before transferring them to Photoshop, to guarantee the best image quality throughout the entire workflow
• manually merge different exposures to get the best highlights from your photos
• to correct prospects and turn around buildings even in difficult cases
• even out your skies and reflections with frequency separation, using the solarization curve to check for any defects in the image
• choose the complementary colorimetry best suited to your preferences by learning to read the color information in Lab (opt for a pure blue, a more cyan or magenta blue, for example).
• apply and test optimal sharpness for web output (website, social networks...)

We'll work on 2 photos from raw file to final result (working files will be sent to you at the end of the workshop so you can test for yourself).

Creative effects by David Duchens

I've always enjoyed experimenting with techniques to give my images a personal touch. For many years, and right up to the present day, I've been interested in creative techniques.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to retouching images and adding creative effects, so everyone will find their own path and style. Learning different techniques and mastering these tools will help you reach your goal more easily, and more quickly with practice.

In this workshop you will learn :

• Introducing this image style: I'll explain my creative approach in a few words.
• Preparing selections: You will learn how to select different areas of an image, in preparation for the following steps. Several techniques will be covered. Mastering selections is essential in Photoshop.
• Creating the overall mood: in this step, you'll learn how to modify the mood of an image. Whether it's playing with contrasts, the amount of light or colorimetry, the different possibilities will be explained. They will enable you to create your own moods for your images.
  You'll also learn how to place colors or modify tints, using various adjustment tools and modifying blending modes on layers. You can also create ambiance by working on vignetting. Several techniques will be covered.
• Directional blur: While the application of this type of filter is relatively simple to implement on an entire image, here you will study techniques for placing them in a localized manner on an architectural image. To give the image even greater impact, you'll learn how to duplicate the effect, by dosing the gradients and playing with layer blending modes in particular.
• Replacing and creating skies : I've always paid particular attention to my skies. They contribute greatly to the creative aspect of an image. The sky replacement tool in Photoshop will be presented, the idea here being to create your own skies, and therefore study the technique. Several approaches will be discussed. A trick will be explained in relation to reflections, as these tools don't yet handle them very well.
• Image finalization: transforming an image often requires adjustments at the end of the process. Here are a few tips.
• Filters: in this workshop, we'll look at some of the filters in the DXO Nik Collection suite, as well as Luminar AI.

Futuristic atmospheres by Daniel Cheong

You'll be taken into the cyberpunk universe. This is a film genre that depicts a dark, dystopian future. The reference film is Blade Runner.
Daniel has had great success with this style of imagery, which he began creating recently.

As he likes to say, and I quote, "the direct output from the box is not a concept with which I am familiar. I don't pretend to show reality, but an idealized version of it".
And even in this dark universe, he likes to create his own moods, and give a very personal touch.

This course will enable you to cover a wide range of technical points, and learn how to create images with a unique style.

In this workshop you will learn :

• Outline the various elements making up the scene. This is done mainly with geometric selection tools, such as the polygonal lasso.
• Adding elements and adjusting perspectives. This last point is very important, and will help you learn how to work with perspectives.
• Add giant screens with neon-lit frames (learn how to use layer styles here).
• Adding lighting moods will help give this style of image a very special atmosphere.
• Harmonizing exposure and colors. As this image style is made up of many elements, it is essential to give them coherence in terms of colorimetry.
• Add special effects (fog, smoke, lens flare, futuristic screens) with the BorisFX Optics plugin. This software is a benchmark in the creation of special effects.

All this work will be carried out on an image that Daniel will process live.

Questions / Answers :
During the various stages of the 3 workshops, questions may be asked.
A 30-minute Q&A session will be held at the end of each session.

Workshop schedule:
This workshop will be held online (via the Internet), and live. The ZOOM videoconferencing application will be used. Connection is just a few clicks away. You don't need to create an account or subscribe to Zoom to take part in the workshop. An invitation link will be sent to you by e-mail before each session. You will then simply be asked to download the application, in order to get access to the user interface. It's very easy to learn. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

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.

Work files :
The mage files used during the 3 sessions will be sent at the same time as the videos.

Software :
Adobe Photoshop software will be used for all 3 courses.
Note, if required, that a free 7-day trial version (Photoshop) is available on the Adobe website.

For David's course, Nik Collection by DXO and Luminar AI will be used to demonstrate some filters.

For Daniel's course, in addition to Photoshop, he will be using BORIS FX, a software specialized in the creation of special effects.
A trial version is available on the publisher's website.
Note: this software is in English. However, it is highly intuitive and therefore easy to use.

Social networks :
You can discover Olivier Rocq's work on his website:
https://www.olivier-rocq.com/

his Facebook page:
Olivier Rocq Photography

You can discover Daniel Cheong's work on his Facebook page:
Daniel Cheong Photography

His website:
https://www.danielcheongphotography.com/

Nota Bene: this workshop is offered in French only.