Online workshop - black and white and colors in architecture

Description
Preamble:
Architecture is undoubtedly the field in which I express myself the most in photography, and has been for many years.
Black & white allows me to create images with a strong visual impact, thanks to high contrasts, and a very wide range of shades of gray. Over the years, as I deepened my knowledge of Adobe Photoshop software, I was looking for my own solutions to give my images very marked atmospheres. You can find some examples in my portfolio.
Color allows me to express myself in another way, by creating different universes, and by trying to bring a personal touch there too. I have always liked "strong" colors. Also, the colors always offer many possibilities of harmonious combinations.

This workshop will allow you to approach and learn many technical and creative points. The 2 courses offer excellent complementarity, indeed, some techniques are covered in one course, and others in the other course. This complementarity will therefore allow you to acquire a global vision, and an important technical background.

Workshop content:

Black & white architecture:
(Sunday March 05, 2023)

Presentation of this style of image: I will explain in a few words my technical and creative approach to these monochrome images.
The shooting conditions: I will give you advice, in order to obtain optimal images to carry out the initial retouching, starting in the best conditions.
Development of the file in Camera Raw: the raw file, commonly called "raw", being the most complete, since it is not processed by definition, it is from this that we will make the basic adjustments. Also, I will show you here some interface preferences settings, concerning the opening of files in general in Photoshop.
Opening the image in Photoshop : At this point, some additional adjustments will be made to the image.
Interface settings: Here we will also make some interface settings. These will be useful to you in general, but especially for working on the type of image that interests us here. We will explain in particular the techniques of image rectification, often very useful in architectural photography.
The tools needed: We will review the main tools we will use for creation (including: selection tools, layer masks, adjustment layers, Smart Objects and filters). If the possibilities and choices are varied in the use of Photoshop, here we will offer you simple and effective choices.
Converting the image to black & white: here we will show you two methods, as well as the necessary settings.
Preparation of the selections: it is from this stage that the creative process will begin. Here you will learn how to make your choices, selecting different areas of the image, and thus preparing it for the next steps.
Creation of light effects: you will learn the different techniques that will allow you to create light effects relating to this style of image.
Replacing the sky: if it is present in the composition (which is almost always the case), you will learn how to replace it, and give it different effects (spun, etc.)
Creation of the general atmosphere: at this stage, several techniques will be explained to you, in order to create the final atmosphere of the image. We will work here on contrasts in particular.
Corrections and finalization: this will involve making any small edits. We will also teach you two additional techniques, in order to refine the atmosphere in terms of the play of light. Finally, we will give you some tips to improve certain aspects of the image.
Image recording: choice of format in high definition and for the web.

Colors in architecture:
(Sunday March 12, 2023)

Presentation of this style of image: we will explain in a few words our creative approach to this style of image.
Shooting: technique and advice.
Composition: architectural photography requires a lot of rigor. The elements that make it up, usually lines, have a very special importance, and also a meaning. The rules of composition related to architecture will be explained.
Preparing selections: Here you will learn how to select different areas of an image, in preparation for the next steps.
Work on colors: here you will learn how to place colors or modify tints, using several adjustment tools. The approach will be different depending on the starting medium. The different approaches will be explained.
Replacement of the sky: as specified in the presentation above, special attention will be paid to the creation of the sky. The sky replacement tool in Photoshop will be quickly presented, the idea here being rather to create your own skies, and therefore to study the technique. Again, several approaches will be discussed.
Creating the General Mood: In this step, you will learn how to change the mood of an image. Whether it is by playing on the contrasts, the quantity of light, or even the colorimetry, the different possibilities will be explained. They allow you to give your own moods to your images.
Finalizing the image: transforming an image often requires corrections at the end of the process. Here we will show you some tips.
Filters:
This workshop will be an opportunity to discuss some filters from the DXO Nik Collection suite, as well as Luminar AI.

Questions answers :
During the different stages of the 2 workshops, questions may be asked.
Also, 30 minutes will be devoted at the end of the workshop for a question and answer session.

Course of the workshop:
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. You will then simply be asked to download the application, in order to have the user interface. Its handling is very simple. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Video recording :
This workshop is accompanied by a video recording for each session.
It is recorded live during the workshop.
The video will be sent to you in MP4 format, by WeTransfer, after each session.

Working files:
The mage files used during the 2 sessions will be sent at the same time as the videos.

Practical information :
Workshop speaker : David Duchens
Schedule of the workshop: Sunday March 05, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday March 12, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m (French time zone).

Please note: this workshop is only offered in English.