If you -- like most photographers -- have tended to focus on the “how” rather than the “why” in Photoshop, you probably aren’t getting the best results possible. In this workshop, Photoshop master Tim Grey will help you better understand your images, gain insight into the motivation for a given image and the vision for that image, and then show you how to produce the very best results in Photoshop.
By understanding why you took the picture in the first place, why you envision the final image in a particular way, and why the image needs specific adjustments, you’ll have a firm foundation built for the optimization process. Then you can focus on the “how”, all the while thinking about the “why” that got you where you are, and that will lead to the ultimate destination for the image.
In short, if you’ve ever opened an image in Photoshop, felt comfortable with your Photoshop skills, but still didn’t know where to begin, this is the workshop for you.
The week will start off with an exploration of the reasons that lead to capturing an image in the first place, and a look at some of the ways you could have better approached the capture to realize your vision. Tim will talk about some of his own motivations for taking particular photos, and will address some of the thoughts that ultimately led to the adjustments that created the final image. Then the workshop will focus on participant images, with critique and discussion in a group setting so the entire group can benefit. As part of this process we will start to talk about the potential adjustments that might benefit each of these images.

With some thoughts in mind as to how a particular image might be approached, Tim will then explain the types of adjustments that can help invoke the intended response in the viewer. Participants will gain a stronger understanding of how tonality, contrast, color, vibrance, sharpness, special effects, and other factors influence the perception of the final image.

At this point the workshop will focus on hands-on adjustments aimed at realizing the full potential of each image. Participants will begin their work on the images they brought along for the critique session, as Tim demonstrates many of the techniques photographers can use to transform the image.
Techniques presented in detail will include the use of adjustment layers for a variety of effects, the use of layer masks to produce composite images and targeted adjustments, and the use of various special effects to imbue the image with a particular mood.
Participants will be provided with an adequate amount of time to work with their own images, while Tim provides support, guidance, and critique along the way. In an effort to ensure no participant leaves without getting all of their questions answered and several images optimized to perfection, Tim will also address any specific questions from participants, creating a dynamic and lively learning environment.