In Photo First-Aid, Laura Vanderbeek shares professional techniques that will take ordinary photographs to a whole new level. In this class you will learn the same step-by-step process she uses to create artistic photographs for display in her clients’ homes and albums. You will learn how to manipulate light and color, and even save a few of those photos you thought were unusable. Then, you will learn retouching of the face, neck, and arms. She also shares methods for retouching photographs of groups, including problem areas such as clothing, backgrounds, turned heads, and perspective. Finally you will learn how to add artistic finishing touches. You will emerge with the ability to change your own photographs into something you will love to share and display.

How much do I need to know in advance?
This four week class is taught using Adobe Photoshop CS4 and Photoshop Elements 9.0 and is designed for the beginning & intermediate digital crafter using either a Mac or PC. (Tips are given for earlier versions of Photoshop. Keyboard shortcuts are given for Mac and PC users using Photoshop.) While you do not need to be proficient in any of these programs, you do need to be familiar with using them and understand the concept of layers.

Questions? Send them to Laura at laurav@reneepearson.com.

Key Concepts
In this four-week class, you will learn how to enhance digital photographs of people.
In the first week you will learn how to manipulate the light and color of your images. In week two you will learn professional techniques for retouching faces. In Week Three you will learn how to retouch backgrounds, clothing, and group photographs.And during Week Four you will learn current and classic trends in creating works of art with your photographic images.

This four-week class will be taught using Photoshop CS4 and Elements 9.0. You need to bring Photoshop Elements 7, 8 or 9 or Photoshop CS2, 3, 4 or 5. Although many of the basics of Photoshop and Photoshop Elements will be covered, we recommend that you have a basic working knowledge of one of these programs. You need to be able to open, close, and save a document as well as a basic understanding of the tools.

Don't worry if you can't get your hands on any portraits yet. We will provide all the photos you'll need to complete the class. When you show your family what you can do with these photos, they'll be handing over portraits right and left.