Black-and-white has become an elegant way of capturing the world in photography. In this online course, you will learn the key ways of getting the best from black-and-white as you shoot, then how to make the best translation from color to B&W in the computer. Instructor is pro photographer Rob Sheppard, editor-at-large of Outdoor Photographer magazine and author of over 30 books about photography. The course includes short instructional videos, so you can actually see what is happening to colors and light as they are changed to black-and-white. Becoming a better black-and-white photographer will help you become a better photographer in color, too!
Key Features
Getting Started with Black-and-White
Light and Black-and-White
Color to Black-and-White
Interpreting Black-and-White
NOTE:This fully interactive course features video lessons!
For Intermediate and Advanced Photographers.
Learn how to shoot black-and-white right.
Discover how to get the best from black-and-white photography.
Learn the basics of conversion to black-and-white in Photoshop,
Lightroom, Photoshop Elements and Nik Software Color Efex 2.
Go beyond simply saying you have a black-and-white photo to crafting something unique and special.
Guidance from an experienced digital photographer, editor and writer who knows how to help photographers succeed with black-and-white.
Course designed for anyone who wants to start on the process to getting better black-and-white photos right from the start of shooting the subject.
Video lessons explain - and show! - the techniques.
Benefits:
You get direct feedback on your photos from world-acclaimed, professional photographers. You can learn photography in this way from anywhere in the world.
Rob Sheppard Rob Sheppard has had a long-time and nationally recognized commitment to helping photographers become better photographers, regardless of the equipment and technology. He was the editor of Outdoor Photographer magazine for 12 years and was the original editor of PCPhoto (now Digital Photo). Now he is editor-at-large.
He is also the author/photographer of over thirty photo books, including The Magic of Digital Landscape Photography, The National Geographic Field Guide to Photography - Digital, and Adobe® Photoshop Lightroom for Digital Photographers Only. He writes regularly for Outdoor Photographer and teaches around the country, including workshops for the Palm Beach Photographic Centre and the Light Photographic Workshops. His Web site for workshops, books and photo tips is at www.robshepppardphoto.com, and his blog on nature and photography is at www.natureandphotography.com.
As a photographer, Rob worked for many years in Minnesota (before moving to Los Angeles), including doing work for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Norwest Banks (now Wells Fargo), Pillsbury, 3M, General Mills, Lutheran Brotherhood, Ciba-Geigy, Anderson Windows, and others. His photography has been published in many magazines, ranging from National Geographic to The Farmer to, of course, Outdoor Photographer and PCPhoto.
He and his wife, Vicky (married 30+ years), live in the Los Angeles area. They have a son working on his Ph.D. in youth sports and education, and a daughter studying communications/journalism.
Lesson 1: Getting Started with Black-and-White Learn what black-and-white photography is really about and something of its tradition. You will discover the three keys to better black-and-white when you shoot and gain some ideas on how to work with your camera when shooting for black-and-white. Assignment: Solidify your technique as you work on finding black-and-white photographs around you. Following the tips and examples in the lesson, submit images that use black-and-white effectively.
Lesson 2: Light and Black-and-White All photography is based on light, but with black-and-white, how you use light can be even more important. You can often get away with soft light for color that does not work with black-and-white. This lesson will get you seeing light for shooting black-and-white. Assignment: Experiment with just using light to define black-and-white compositions and submit images that show this.
Lesson 3: Color to Black-and-White Learn why it is so important to shoot in color in order to get the best black-and-white. Discover how to translate images from color to black-and-white in Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Lightroom and Nik Software Silver Efex Pro. Assignment: Experiment with translating color to black-and-white and submit examples of these experiments to discover what is possible.
Lesson 4: Interpreting Black-and-White To be successful with black-and-white, you must start thinking interpretation. In this lesson you will look at some specific interpretations of black-and-white and how to work a photo effectively. Assignment: Show off your black-and-white interpretations of a scene or subject.
Will this class help me learn more about photography?
Definitely. The class is designed to help you look at your photography from a new perspective: black-and-white.
Will this class help me learn more about my camera?
The class is not about any specific brand or model, but the lessons and assignments will get you exploring your camera and its controls related to black-and-white.
Does my camera need to be expensive - a professional model?
No. Any digital camera with the capability of shooting black-and-white will work. You will find the creative options of using different shutter speeds, apertures and focal lengths helpful, which all SLRs give you.
No, you do not need to be online at any specific time. The lessons are sent to your email and you are also provided the Campus Square - where you interact with your classmates and instructor. This is also where you upload your photos to be critiqued by your instructor. The instructors are very punctual and respond quickly.
Will I have access to the instructor to ask questions during the photo course?
Absolutely! Students can ask questions in the special Q&A forum set up in the course's Campus Square, or can ask the instructor via email.
Do you offer a money back guarantee?
Yes. We are confident that you will fully enjoy our courses. All the same, for our 8-week classes, we offer a 100% money-back guarantee before the Wednesday that Lesson #3 is sent out. If for any reason, you are not satisfied and let us know that you would like to withdraw before the Wednesday that Lesson #3 is sent, you will be promptly refunded.
For our 4-week courses, we offer a 100% money back guarantee before the Wednesday that Lesson #2 is sent out from BetterPhoto. If for any reason you are not satisfied and you let the ordering department know that you would like to withdraw before the Wednesday that Lesson #2 is sent, you will be refunded within 7 days. After the second lesson has been sent out, no refunds will be given.
Rob Sheppard
